German Shepherd
Overview
A loyal, courageous and highly trainable working dog that needs experienced handling and plenty to do.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a German Shepherd is fine with sensible, older children and generally fine with other dogs. They tend to be a vocal / alert barker, and as a guide they are better with some experience. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult German Shepherd typically needs 90 minutes to 2 hours of exercise a day (roughly 90–120 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need their brains tired — sniffy walks, short training games and puzzle or scatter feeding go a long way towards a calm, settled dog. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is regular brushing and shedding is heavy. Brush regularly (a few times a week) to keep the coat healthy and remove loose hair. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a German Shepherd should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a large breed will eat a fair amount compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Intelligent, devoted and protective of its family
- +Versatile and highly trainable for those who put the work in
Things to consider
- –Needs lots of exercise, training and early socialisation — best for confident owners
- –Heavy shedder and prone to hip/elbow problems
Is a German Shepherd right for you?
On space, a German Shepherd is needs plenty of space — they really need plenty of room and a lot of daily activity. For experience level, they are better with some experience. First-time owners can absolutely succeed, but should be ready for consistent training, exercise and (ideally) some support.
Kit that suits a German Shepherd
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are German Shepherds good with children?
Fine with sensible, older children. As a general guide, German Shepherds tend to be fine with sensible, older children. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a German Shepherd need?
As a healthy adult, a typical German Shepherd needs 90 minutes to 2 hours of exercise a day (90–120 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need mental stimulation — sniffing, training games and puzzle feeders — to stay settled. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do German Shepherds shed a lot?
Heavy shedding. Coat upkeep is regular brushing — brush regularly to keep the coat in good condition.
Are German Shepherds easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Better with some experience. German Shepherds are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do German Shepherds bark a lot?
Vocal / alert barker. They can be quite vocal, so early training and enough exercise and stimulation help keep barking in check.
Are German Shepherds good with other dogs?
Generally fine with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do German Shepherds suit flats or smaller homes?
Needs plenty of space. A German Shepherd really needs plenty of space and a lot of daily activity — not ideal for a small flat.