German Shepherd

A little about German Shepherds - Breed traits

The German Shephard is renowned for being one of the most intelligent dog breeds, and has become internationally recognised for its use in service jobs such as the police force. They are incredibly loyal and excellent companions. Originally bred for guarding, they are excellent watchdogs, who are devoted and faithful to their owners and family.

 

 

Insurance for German Shepherds

View our page on insurance for German Shepherds to see the common health issues vets describe for German Shepherds and what you should be covered for. 

Grooming

German Shepherds are known for their distinctive coat characteristics. They typically have straight, harsh, and relatively short undercoats. These intelligent and loyal dogs come in various coat colours, with black and tan and solid black being the most common. It's important to note that German Shepherds do shed, so regular grooming is essential to manage their shedding. Brushing their coat at least a couple of times a week helps reduce loose hair and keeps their fur healthy and shiny.

Training and exercise

German Shepherds have an exceptional intelligence and high energy levels, making them a breed that thrives on mental stimulation and daily exercise. Their protective nature means the importance of early socialization to ensure they are well-adjusted around people and other animals is critical. Consistent training and using positive reinforcement techniques, is key in harnessing their intelligence and loyalty. An active owner and family who enjoy the outdoors would find an ideal companion in a German Shepherd, as they love nothing more than adventurous activities and engaging in physical challenges.

 

 

A day in the life of "Lucy" 

I look up and cock my head. Watching. My owners’ lips twitch, their hands move upwards over their head. Still not the signal. Must wait. Must be patient.

‘Fetch!’ And off I run, darting across the field in search of the ball. There it is! I zone in to scoop it up, all while still running and loop back to gallop towards my human.

‘Good girl Lucy,’ my owner yells, jumping up and down. I run faster to return to them. Dropping the ball at their feet, I immediately feel their hand ruffle my ears. I lean into the pat and rub my nose on their leg.

‘Now sit,’ they say. I sit, lay down and roll over, watching my humans hand signals intently. I sniff, could it be? It is! The treat balances on my nose and I wait… Wait... Wait... Go! I chew and wag my tail; my human is happy.

My human turns and starts to walk, slapping their leg twice and I trot to catch up and walk beside them towards the car. We get closer and what is this? A stranger and their dog a few metres away. I move closer to my owner, hugging their leg tightly as my hackles raise and my lip begins to curl. My human.

‘Stay Lucy,’ my owner says, and I sit, watching the strange dog closely. As soon as they pass I follow my owner again towards the car, then wait patiently as my human opens the door and I jump on in. Time for home.

Please be advised the information provided is purely an indicator of breed traits and characteristics and that within some breeds there can be significant variation.