German Shepherd

Breed overview

The German Shepherd, also known in Britain as an Alsatian, is a German breed of working dog of medium to large size. It is characterized by its intelligent and obedient nature. It was developed in Germany from 1899 by Max von Stephanitz, using various traditional German herding dogs, and gained international recognition after the end of the First World War. It was bred as a herding dog, for herding sheep, but has since been used in many other types of work, including disability assistance, search-and-rescue, police work, and warfare. It is commonly kept as a companion dog, and is among the most frequently registered breeds world-wide.

• Country of origin: GermanyBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

• The German Shepherd, also known in Britain as an Alsatian, is a German breed of working dog of medium to large size.
• During the 1890s, attempts were being made to standardise dog breeds.
• Dogs were being bred to preserve traits that assisted in their job of herding sheep and protecting their flocks from predators.
• In Germany this was practised within local communities, where shepherds selected and bred dogs.
• The results were dogs that were able to do such things, but that differed significantly, both in appearance and ability, from one locality to another.

Size and appearance

German Shepherds have a double coat which is close and dense with a thick undercoat. The coat is accepted in two variants: medium and long. The gene for long hair is recessive, and therefore the long-haired variety is rarer. Treatment of the long-haired variation differs across standards; it is accepted but does not compete against standard-coated dogs under the German and UK Kennel Clubs while it can compete with standard-coated dogs, but is considered a fault in the American Kennel Club. The FCI accepted the long-haired type in 2010, listing it as the variety b, while the short-haired type is listed as the variety a. Most commonly, German Shepherds are either black and tan or black and red. The all-black and sable varieties are acceptable according to most standards; however, the blue and liver are considered to be serious faults and the all-white is grounds for instant disqualification from showing in conformation at All Breed and Specialty Shows.

• Body mass reference: 22 - 32 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 22 - 32 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Body mass reference: Up to 32 kgBreed reference body mass. female, maximum.
• Body mass reference: 22 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. female, minimum.
• Body mass reference: 30 - 40 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 30 - 40 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Body mass reference: Up to 40 kgBreed reference body mass. male, maximum.
• Body mass reference: 30 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. male, minimum.
• Height reference: 55 - 60 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 55 - 60 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Height reference: Up to 60 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
• Height reference: 55 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
• Height reference: 60 - 65 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 60 - 65 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.

• Coat layers: double
• Coat length: long
• Height category: tall
• Weight category: large
• Weight category: medium

Personality and behavior

German Shepherds are moderately active dogs and are described in breed standards as self assured. The breed is marked by a willingness to learn and an eagerness to have a purpose. The breed standard describes them as curious, a trait desirable in roles like guard dogs and search missions. They can become overprotective of their family and territory, especially if not socialised correctly. They are not inclined to become immediate friends with strangers. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and obedient, as well as protective of their owners.

• Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.17 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population German Shepherd.
• Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 2.13 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population German Shepherd.
• Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 1.14 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population German Shepherd.
• Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.68 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population German Shepherd.
• Energy (C-BARQ mean): 2.38 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population German Shepherd.
• Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 2.09 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population German Shepherd.
• Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.44 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population German Shepherd.
• Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.56 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population German Shepherd.
• Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.08 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population German Shepherd.
• Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.65 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population German Shepherd.
• Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.72 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population German Shepherd.
• Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.57 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population German Shepherd.
• Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.65 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population German Shepherd.
• Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.90 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population German Shepherd.

Exercise and activities

The German Shepherd is commonly kept as a companion dog, and according to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale is among the most frequently registered breeds world-wide. It is much used as a working dog. They are known for being easy to train and good for performing tasks and following instructions. They are especially well known for their police work, being used for tracking criminals, patrolling troubled areas and detecting and holding suspects. Additionally, thousands of German Shepherds have been used by the military. These military working dogs (MWD) are usually trained for scout duty, and they are used to warn soldiers of the presence of enemies or of booby traps or other hazards. German Shepherds have also been trained by military groups to parachute from aircraft or as anti-tank weapons. They were used in World War II as messenger dogs, rescue dogs and personal guard dogs.

Training and enrichment

German Shepherds were bred specifically for their intelligence. Coupled with their strength, this trait makes the breed desirable as police, guard and search and rescue dogs, as they are able to quickly learn various tasks and interpret instructions better than other breeds.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

• Coat layers: double
• Coat length: long

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

• Lifespan reference: 10 yearsBreed reference lifespan years.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

Breed history

Dogs were being bred to preserve traits that assisted in their job of herding sheep and protecting their flocks from predators. In Germany this was practised within local communities, where shepherds selected and bred dogs.

Clubs and further reading

• German Shepherd Dog Club of America
• German Shepherd - article and references
• German Shepherd Dog League of Great Britain

Sources

1. German Shepherd - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, German Shepherd, revision 1379687324. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=German_Shepherd&action=history
2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
4. File:German-shepherd-4040871920. (2).jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0. German-shepherd-4040871920. (2).jpg - Hans Kemperman , Pixabay. CC0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:German-shepherd-4040871920._(2).jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en.
5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
6. German Shepherd Dog Club of America Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. External organization link. No copied description, endorsement or logo rights implied.
7. German Shepherd Dog League of Great Britain Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. External organization link. No copied description, endorsement or logo rights implied.