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Animal register · DogIn the app

German Shepherd Dog

Alsatian, GSD

The German Shepherd Dog is a large, powerful herding dog from Germany with erect ears and a dense double coat, short or long. Its standard describes a well-balanced, self-assured dog with strong nerves, and the Royal Kennel Club calls it a versatile worker and service dog noted for bravery and intelligence.

It needs at least two hours of exercise a day, suits a large house with a garden and sheds a lot. UK charities say some can make great family pets but should always be supervised around young children. The Royal Kennel Club asks breeders to test the parents' hips and elbows and lists the shape of the hind legs as a point of concern in the breed.

Available in the 12-week PetPrep Challenge (paid breed).

Updated:

German Shepherd Dog — photo (AI)
AI-generated photo

At a glance

Size
large — The Royal Kennel Club S97
Adult weight
males 30–40 kg, females 22–32 kg — FCI S95; 35–43 kg — PDSA S100; median males 40.1 kg, females 34.8 kg — Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 4:7 S101
Daily exercise
more than 2 hours a day — The Royal Kennel Club S97
Brushing
more than once a week — The Royal Kennel Club S97
Shedding
sheds — The Royal Kennel Club S97
Lifespan
median 10.3 years — Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 4:7 S101; more than 10 years — The Royal Kennel Club S97

Key facts from the sources at the bottom of the page. Where sources differ, each value is listed.

Who it suits

Good for:

Keep in mind:

The same tags as in the app. Each tag is backed by the sources listed at the bottom of the page.

What it needs

From breed standards, kennel clubs, veterinary charities and studies. Where sources differ, each one is shown.

Exercise

  • Daily exercise: more than 2 hours a day — The Royal Kennel Club S97

Coat and grooming

  • Coat: short or long (two coat varieties) — The Royal Kennel Club S97
  • Brushing: more than once a week — The Royal Kennel Club S97
  • Shedding: sheds — The Royal Kennel Club S97

Meals

General guidance for dogs (not breed-specific):

  • 8–12 weeks: 4 meals a day — ASPCA S18
  • 3–6 months: 3 meals a day — ASPCA S18
  • 6–12 months: 2 meals a day — ASPCA S18
  • Adult: at least 2 meals a day — VCA Animal Hospitals S19
  • Senior: 2–3 meals a day, smaller portions — Dogs Trust S14

Lifespan

  • Lifespan: median 10.3 years — Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 4:7 S101
  • Lifespan: more than 10 years — The Royal Kennel Club S97

Life stages

  • Reaches adult size at: about 15–18 months (guidance for its size class) — PetMD S10

General guidance for dogs (not breed-specific):

  • Puppy: until about 6–9 months — AAHA S11
  • Young adult: until 3–4 years — AAHA S11
  • Senior: the last 25 % of the expected lifespan — AAHA S11

Size and weight

  • Size: large — The Royal Kennel Club S97
  • Height at the withers: males 60–65 cm, females 55–60 cm — FCI S95
  • Adult weight: males 30–40 kg, females 22–32 kg — FCI S95
  • Adult weight: 35–43 kg — PDSA S100
  • Adult weight: median males 40.1 kg, females 34.8 kg — Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 4:7 S101

Training

  • No. 3 in Stanley Coren's ranking of working and obedience intelligence. — Psychology Today S34
  • FCI standard no. 166, group 1 (sheepdogs and cattle dogs); origin: Germany. — FCI S96

Questions and answers

Answered only from the sourced facts on this page; every answer names its sources.

How much exercise does a German Shepherd Dog need?

According to our sources, the German Shepherd Dog needs this much exercise: more than 2 hours a day — The Royal Kennel Club S97.

How long does a German Shepherd Dog live?

According to our sources, the lifespan of the German Shepherd Dog is: median 10.3 years — Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 4:7 S101; more than 10 years — The Royal Kennel Club S97. The sources give different values, so each one is listed.

How big does a German Shepherd Dog get and how much does it weigh?

Size and adult weight of the German Shepherd Dog, according to our sources: Size: large — The Royal Kennel Club S97; Adult weight: males 30–40 kg, females 22–32 kg — FCI S95; 35–43 kg — PDSA S100; median males 40.1 kg, females 34.8 kg — Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 4:7 S101.

How much grooming does a German Shepherd Dog need?

Coat and grooming of the German Shepherd Dog, according to our sources: Brushing: more than once a week — The Royal Kennel Club S97; Shedding: sheds — The Royal Kennel Club S97; Coat: short or long (two coat varieties) — The Royal Kennel Club S97.

Who is the German Shepherd Dog a good fit for?

Our sources describe the German Shepherd Dog as a good fit for: an active family — The Royal Kennel Club, PDSA S97S100; family life — PDSA S100; a large house and garden — The Royal Kennel Club S97. Keep in mind: needs lots of exercise every day — The Royal Kennel Club, PDSA S97S100; sheds — The Royal Kennel Club, PDSA S97S100; needs brushing several times a week — The Royal Kennel Club, PDSA S97S100; chews things when bored — PDSA S100; hips and hind legs — check joint health — The Royal Kennel Club, PDSA, Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 4:7 S97S99S100S101.

Game rules, not veterinary advice

How PetPrep simulates it

In PetPrep one real week is one month of the pet's life. These are the rules the game uses for this breed. PetPrep chose them from the sources on this page; they are not care instructions for a real animal.

Life stageStartsMeals a dayDaily step goal
Puppyarrives at 2 months4; from month 3: 3; from month 6: 21,000 steps per month of age (2,000 on arrival), up to 12,000 from month 12
Young dogmonth 929,000 → 12,000 steps
Adultmonth 36 (3 years)212,000 steps
Seniormonth 93 (7.8 years)29,000 steps
  • Step goal = minutes of daily exercise × 100 steps: an adult gets 2 hours, so 12,000 steps a day.
  • Learns commands 1.9× as fast as the mixed breed of the free plan.
  • Becomes a senior in month 93 (7.8 years) — the last quarter of the breed's expected lifespan.
  • Walks count real steps from Apple Health or Health Connect (with permission, read-only) and the phone's motion sensor — no GPS.
  • Combing twice a week.

Each game number is a PetPrep decision recorded with its sources. — PetMD, AAHA, Dogs Trust, ASPCA, VCA Animal Hospitals, The Royal Kennel Club, Purdue University Canine Welfare Science, Psychology Today, Wikipedia, British Journal of Sports Medicine, Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 4:7 S10S11S14S18S19S21S24S34S35S45S97S101

Health

For information only, not vet-reviewed. Ask your vet about your own animal.

  • The Royal Kennel Club names the shape of the hind legs and the way the dog moves as a point of concern in this breed; a sound dog has a level back and moderate hind legs. — The Royal Kennel Club S99
  • Can be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia; breeders are advised to have the parents' hips and elbows tested before breeding. — The Royal Kennel Club S97
  • Degenerative myelopathy, a disease of the spinal cord that slowly weakens the back legs, occurs in the breed; a DNA test is available. — PDSA S100

Before you buy: what to check with the breeder

Questions to settle before you take a puppy home. The points are advice from vets, welfare charities and kennel clubs; each cites its source.

For every breed

  • See the puppy with its mother, where it was born. — PDSA, RSPCA K1K2
  • The puppy should not leave its mother before 8 weeks of age. — PDSA K1
  • Ask for the pedigree. Under FCI rules a pedigree may be issued for correct parentage only. — FCI K7
  • Ask to see the health-test results of both parents. Which tests matter depends on the breed. — PDSA, British Veterinary Association, FOUR PAWS UK K1K9K10
  • National kennel clubs can set breeding rules that go beyond the FCI's — ask the breed club which tests the parents need. — FCI K7
  • Ask for a written sale contract that records the puppy's background and health. — British Veterinary Association, FOUR PAWS UK K9K10

Laws on the minimum age, microchipping and vaccination differ by country — check the rules where you live.

Health tests of the parents for this breed

Tests the Royal Kennel Club recommends as a minimum

  • Elbow X-ray screening for elbow dysplasia (UK: BVA/KC scheme) — The Royal Kennel Club S97
  • Hip X-ray screening for hip dysplasia (UK: BVA/KC scheme) — The Royal Kennel Club S97

Further tests for best practice

  • DNA test for degenerative myelopathy (DM) — The Royal Kennel Club S97
  • Eye examination by a veterinary eye specialist (UK: BVA/KC/ISDS scheme; for some breeds with gonioscopy) — The Royal Kennel Club S97

These lists come from the UK's Royal Kennel Club and are an orientation; national kennel clubs can set their own, stricter rules. Ask the breed club and the breeder which tests the parents have done.

Similar breeds

Other dogs in the register with similar needs — each with sourced facts.

Sources

Every fact on this page cites one of these sources.

  1. S10PetMD — S. C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP, 2025-05-20 — When Do Dogs Stop Growing?https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/when-do-dogs-stop-growing
  2. S11AAHA — 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines — Canine life stage definitionshttps://www.aaha.org/resources/life-stage-canine-2019/canine-life-stage-definitions/
  3. S14Dogs Trust (UK) — Caring for an older doghttps://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/at-home/looking-after-an-older-dog
  4. S18ASPCA — General Dog Carehttps://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/general-dog-care
  5. S19VCA Animal Hospitals (2025-02-21) — Feeding Times and Frequency for Your Doghttps://vcahospitals.com/pets-first/know-your-pet/feeding-times-and-frequency-for-your-dog
  6. S21The Royal Kennel Club (UK) — Puppy feeding tipshttps://www.royalkennelclub.com/health-and-dog-care/health-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/puppy-feeding-tips
  7. S24Purdue University Canine Welfare Science (content: Pet Leadership Council 2019, bedogsmart.com) — Dog Fitness and Exercise (PDF)https://caninewelfare.centers.purdue.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Dog-Fitness-and-Exercise.pdf
  8. S34Psychology Today — Stanley Coren, 2009-07-15 — Canine Intelligence — Breed Does Matterhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/200907/canine-intelligence-breed-does-matter
  9. S35Wikipedia — The Intelligence of Dogshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligence_of_Dogs
  10. S45British Journal of Sports Medicine (2018) — Tudor-Locke C. et al. How fast is fast enough? Walking cadence (steps/min) as a practical estimate of intensity in adults. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2017-097628https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6029645
  11. S95FCI — FCI-Standard N° 166 — German Shepherd Dog (Deutscher Schäferhund), EN (PDF)https://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/166g01-en.pdf
  12. S96FCI — Breeds nomenclature — German Shepherd Dog (166)https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/GERMAN-SHEPHERD-DOG-166.html
  13. S97The Royal Kennel Club (UK) — Breeds A–Z: German Shepherd Doghttps://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/pastoral/german-shepherd-dog
  14. S99The Royal Kennel Club (UK) — Breed Watch — German Shepherd Dog (Category 2)https://www.royalkennelclub.com/activities/heritage-sports/dog-showing/judging-dog-shows/breed-watch-health-and-welfare-of-show-dogs/german-shepherd-dog-category-2/
  15. S100PDSA (UK veterinary charity) — German Shepherd breed informationhttps://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/large-dogs/german-shepherd
  16. S101Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 4:7 (2017) (RVC repository copy) — O'Neill D. G., Coulson N. R., Church D. B., Brodbelt D. C. Demography and disorders of German Shepherd Dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. doi:10.1186/s40575-017-0046-4https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/OutputFile/1391082
  17. K1PDSA — Getting a puppyhttps://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/getting-a-puppy
  18. K2RSPCA — Buying a puppyhttps://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy
  19. K7FCI (copy hosted by Norsk Kennel Klub) — International Breeding Rules of the FCIhttps://nkk2023.stage22.coretrek.no/getfile.php/131987377-1520848467/Dokumenter/Registrering/FCIs%20avlsregler%202013.pdf
  20. K9British Veterinary Association — What should you consider when buying a puppy?https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/blog-article/what-should-you-consider-when-buying-a-puppy/
  21. K10FOUR PAWS UK — Questions to ask when buying a puppyhttps://www.four-paws.org.uk/our-stories/publications-guides/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-puppy

PetPrep is a simulation for families. This page is not veterinary advice — for a real animal, ask a vet or the breed club.

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