Breed profile
German Shepherd
Explore the care, lifestyle and household factors that matter before making a commitment.
SizeLarge
ExerciseVery high
GroomingModerate
ChildrenModerate
BarkingModerate
HealthHigh
What this means
Source-linked data has been researched to help you make an informed decision about life with this breed.
Read how evidence is handledAt a glance
Key facts
Size classLarge
Adult weight35 to 43 kg
Exercise needVery high
Energy levelVery high
BarkingModerate
Grooming effortModerate
Health burdenHigh
Breed profile
Life with this breed
Home and lifestyle
- Flat suitability
- Poor fit
- Alone tolerance
- Low
- Energy level
- Very high
- First-time owner fit
- Limited fit
Care and training
- Minimum daily exercise
- 120 minutes
- Mental stimulation
- Moderate
- Trainability
- Good
- Grooming effort
- Moderate
- Professional grooming
- Low maintenance
- Shedding
- Very high
Household fit
- Children
- Moderate
- Dogs
- Limited
- Cats
- Moderate
- Prey drive
- Moderate
- Visitors
- Limited
Health and evidence
- Health burden
- High
- Heat tolerance
- Moderate
- Cold tolerance
- Good
Health-burden evidence confidence: Medium.
Recorded health considerations
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Anal furunculosis
- Epilepsy
These are breed-level considerations, not a diagnosis or a guarantee that an individual dog will be affected.
Children and pets need supervision and careful introductions. Individual behaviour varies.