German
Shepherd

A German Shepherd is a good companion for:

Children under 5

Seniors

Apartments/Condos
with sufficient exercise

Children ages 5–11

Busy People

Rural Homes

Life Span

The life span of a German shepherd is usually between eight and 12 years.

Typical Behavior

German shepherds are recognized as a confident, courageous, intelligent and loyal breed. Because of their intelligence and eagerness to please, German shepherds are one of the easiest dogs to train. German shepherds are used widely as working dogs, including as guard dogs. They are loyal to their families and feel it is their job to bark an alert when they perceive a potential danger. German shepherds are very agile and thrive on exercise.

Care Requirements

German shepherds require regular exercise, daily feeding, access to fresh drinking water at all times and at least one visit per year to see a veterinarian for a health checkup and required vaccinations.

SPCA International strongly recommends that you have your dog spayed or neutered. There continues to be serious overpopulation of companion animals for which permanent homes cannot be found. This means that every year, millions of animals are euthanized in shelters before they have the chance to live a full and happy life.

Proper Habitat and Habitat Maintenance Requirements

German shepherds like having a space of their own. This could be a dog bed or a crate that had been used to housebreak the dog. Exercise is important for the health and well-being of a German shepherd. Take care to provide outdoor play space or to take the dog on long walks or to the dog park daily.

Dietary Requirements

The German shepherd puppy should be fed a diet prepared for large-breed puppies or regular adult dog food of less than 25 percent protein to help avoid joint problems that can occur when puppies grow too fast. Offer food once a day.

Financial Considerations for a German Shepherd:

Veterinary

Regular veterinary care is recommended for all dogs, including German shepherds. A yearly examination and laboratory tests run approximately $150 - $255; immunizations are approximately $60 to $75; internal/external parasite preventatives are approximately $120 to $190. German shepherds are susceptible to hip dysplasia and should be seen more than once a year by a veterinarian as they age.

It is also strongly recommended that your dog be spayed or neutered. At your veterinarian clinic or local animal hospital, the cost for these services should run between $250 and $400 for a spay and $200 and $350 for a neuter. If you need financial assistance, there are low-cost spay and neuter clinics in most areas that will help you defray the expense to between $50 and $175 for a female dog (depending on weight) and between $45 and $175 for a male dog (depending on weight).

Grooming

The German shepherd requires regular grooming. While they are known to shed, daily brushings can keep the fur under better control. Baths should be given as needed. If you do not want to groom your shepherd, professional grooming can cost between $50 to $80 per visit, depending on the level and number of services you request.

Animal Sitter

A professional dog sitter, a friend, neighbor or a boarding kennel can be used to care for your German shepherd in your absence. Professional dog sitting or doggy day care can cost between $5 and$15 per hour or between $30 and $60 per night for an overnight stay.

Food

The cost to feed a German shepherd will vary depending on the quality of the food you feed the dog. Veterinarians recommend feeding a high-quality food which helps prevent health problems.

Other Supplies:

Generally, a German Shepherd will require food and a water dish; a collar with current identification and a leash; a bed; a dog house if spending time outdoors; toys; grooming supplies, and a pooper scooper and bags.

Interesting Facts about German Shepherds:

• German shepherds are a fairly new breed and were not introduced to the United States until 1907.
• Because of anti-German sentiments after World War I, German shepherds were called Alsatian Wolf Dogs. “German” was used once again in 1931.
• A German shepherd by the name of Buddy was the first dog to be trained as a seeing-eye dog.
• Rin Tin Tin, one of the world’s most famous dogs, was brought to the United States by a soldier after World War I, where he was used as a working military dog.
• German shepherds have 225 million cell receptors in their noses, which are more than any other dog. This is why they are so widely employed by the police for sniffing out such things as explosives and drugs.