German Shepherds are among the popular breeds, and for good reasons- they are intelligent, witty, loyal, easy to train and willing to protect their loved ones. We can say that German Shepherds, with their built solid ears and majestic appearance, look nothing short of a wolf. However, they are more than just working dogs; they make excellent companions.
However, we understand that buying a German Shepherd is a huge decision, so we’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you make informed decisions and save the time of doing tons of research by finding all the correct information in one place.
Breed at Glance
| Personality | |
|---|---|
| Group | Herding, guard dog |
| Origin | Germany |
| Lifespan | 7-10 years |
| Height | Male- 24-26 inches Female- 22-24 inches |
| Weight | Male- 30-40 kg Female- 22-32kg |
| Temperament | intelligent, loyal, obedient, alert, courageous |
| Coat Colors | black, black and tan, sable, grey, red and black, white, black and silver |
| Litter Size | 8 to 15 puppies |
| Puppy Price | Average- INR 50,000 |
| Yearly Maintenance Cost | INR 38,000-40,000 |
Who Is the Best Human for a German Shepherd?
- German shepherds are highly active dogs; they need a regular exercise regimen and routine to be followed by their owners.
- They need socialisation and training to get around family members as they can attack when provoked or attacked first.
- German shepherds must be prepared to scoop out the hair around the house as they shed heavily throughout the year.
- German shepherds are susceptible to various health problems; their owners will have regular checkups and a balanced diet to be healthy.
Breed Characteristics
| Adaptability | 3 Out of 5 |
| Apartments & Small Homes Friendly | 3/5 |
| Good for first-time Pet Parents | 2/5 |
| Can leave alone | 2/5 |
| Suitable for Indian Weather | 3/5 |
| Friendliness | 3 Out of 5 |
| Good with Kids | 5/5 |
| Good with Cats | 2/5 |
| Good with Other Dogs | 2/5 |
| Good with Strangers | 4/5 |
| Grooming Needs | 4 Out of 5 |
| Easyness to Groom | 5/5 |
| Drooling Potential | 1/5 |
| Amount of Shedding | 5/5 |
| Health and Physical Needs | 4 Out of 5 |
| General Health | 4/5 |
| Potential to Weight Gain | 2/5 |
| Energy Level | 5/5 |
| Exercise Needs | 5/5 |
| Training Needs | 4 Out of 5 |
| Easy to Train | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 |
| Prey Drive | 4/5 |
| Barking Tendencies | 4/5 |
| Biting Tendencies | 4/5 |
Types of German Shepherd
There are different variations in German Shepherds due to the various colour variations and their associated traits, as listed below.
Saddleback German Shepherd Dog
This is the most common of all types of German Shepherds. The saddle part refers to a patch of black fur on its back which is also intercepted as a blanket pattern. Another characteristic is the black muzzle on aspects of their nose.
Solid Color German Shepherd Dog
They are less common due to their solid coat in colours like black and white. Black German shepherds have recessive genes and are accepted in competitions compared to white ones with dominant genes that are not taken.
Sable German Shepherd Dog
The technical term is ‘agouti’; they have a combination of tan, grey, gold and black colours. The exciting thing is that they start as tan and develop darker colours as they age.
Panda German Shepherd Dog
They are often confused as mixed bred due to their striking appearance. However, they are purebred German shepherds with white markings instead of white. They make robust, agile and ideal family pets.
Myths vs Facts About German Shepherd
Myth- German Shepherds can’t be trusted around kids.
German shepherds are not inherently aggressive or vicious, they need time to socialise with kids, and it is advised not to leave them alone with kids until they settle in with them.
Fact: German shepherds are versatile dogs.
They can excel at almost anything as they are working dogs which means they can get a job done with proper training and hard work. So it’s no wonder they are recruited as service or police dogs.
Myth- All German Shepherds have hip dysplasia.
German Shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia which is a concern for owners, but not all German shepherds have it. Therefore, buying from good breeders and taking your pup to regular vet checkups is essential.
Fact: German Shepherds are natural guard dogs.
German Shepherds are protective of their family members and territorial, making them excellent watchdogs in times of threat and danger.
History
As the name implies, German shepherds originated from Germany during the 1800s. A cavalry officer created the Max con Stephanitz breed by cross-breeding working sheepdogs from rural Germany. They were responsible for herding sheep and protecting the flock. Later, they became popular after working alongside armies in world war 1 and 2 due to their intelligence, loyalty and hard work.