Check Your German Shepherd's Temperament

Training your German Shepherd will be fast, easy and simple, if you know whether your Dog is aggressive, docile or friendly. Use this Free Dog Personality Test to peek into how your German Shepherd's mind works.

A General Appearance of the Dog

The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most popular and recognizable breeds around the world. German Shepherd Dogs are well-proportioned, muscular yet trim dogs with pricked (stand up) ears. It is agile and quick. The noble-looking German Shepherd (Alsatian) is well-balanced, longer than it is tall. The German Shepherd is a black and tan dog predominantly but can be gray (called blue) or brown (called liver) with varying amounts of those colors. (Blue, liver and white cannot be shown in AKC.) He is usually lighter on the legs and face with dark accents on the ears. He has almond-shaped eyes with a lively, intelligent expression. His bushy tail hangs down.

The German Shepherd is a trotting dog who moves smoothly and rhythmically, covering a lot of ground quickly. Its stride is long, quick, and easy. The hindquarters seem to deliver a power thrust that propels the front end forward. The dog can easily spring from its hindquarters, jumping up or forward to quite a distance.

Personality

Temperament of the Dog

German Shepherds love to be close to their families and are very loyal and protective of their families. They are very eager and alert. They have a high capacity for learning and love to learn. They are obedient and cheerful and very seldom show any stubbornness because they are eager to please.

German Shepherds should not be left alone for long periods of time. They must be thoroughly socialized and firmly obedience trained from an early age and throughout their lives. A very firm yet loving attitude is necessary with a Shepherd throughout its life. Normally, Shepherds are not barkers but will bark as a warning of perceived danger.

The German Shepherd Dog does not give affection lightly; it is also known as a "one-man" breed for its tendency to display serious loyalty and fidelity, especially to its owner or main caretaker. He is a bold and punishing fighter if he needs to be.

German Shepherds are used for guard work and search and rescue because they are fearless, direct, calm, confident, and intelligent. Aggression and attacks are usually a result of poor breeding or poor adjustment, handling, or training.

If you start young and teach your puppy its order in your "pack" (all members of the family have to be Alpha), problems with training will be minimized. However, German Shepherds tend to have more dominant personalities than some breeds. Classes are extremely helpful. A German Shepherd Dog that thinks it's the Alpha member of the pack can be difficult to handle or have as a family member.

German Shepherds love jobs. They are used as guard dogs, in police work, to sniff out drugs, as guides for the blind and deaf, in search and rescue, and for military work. As a family dog, your German Shepherd will enjoy obedience, agility, flyball, tracking activities, and schutzhund. Alsatians regularly win advanced obedience and field trials.

Research carefully before getting a German Shepherd. Get to know both parents and any other relatives to make sure of the personality. Unfortunately some breeders are offering shy and nervous Alsatians for sale. These dogs should be avoided at all costs as they can be dangerous. Also, assess the diseases in the lineage.

Better suited to an indoor or outdoor lifestyle?

A German Shepherd can be kept in an apartment, but much prefers living where he has a fenced yard for exercise. He will enjoy a brisk, long walk each day – or, after he is a year old, he can job or go with you when you bike or rollerblade. If he is underexercised, he will become destructive (especially as a youngster). He can be outdoors a large part of the day as long as he has sufficient time with his family.

Are they suited to homes with kids?

A well-bred German Shepherd will do fine in a household with children, especially older children. He will need daily exercise and some activity to keep his mind busy. Children should be taught how to handle the dog and not to hit or yell at him.

Activity Level

How active is the Breed?

The German Shepherd is very active throughout his life; however, he is fairly quiet when indoors. He will need daily exercise and some activity to keep his mind busy.

Exercise Need

German Shepherd puppies will be pretty rambunctious. Outdoor play and some training (like obedience) will help to keep his body and mind busy. He will enjoy a brisk, long walk each day – or, after he is a year old, he can job or go with you when you bike or rollerblade. If he is underexercised, he will become destructive (especially as a youngster).

Grooming

All three coat types are shed throughout the year with heavy shedding in spring and fall. Weekly brushing is a must with daily brushing during the spring and fall.

Grooming your dog yourself, at your home and at your convenience will help you build a strong bond with your German Shepherd. You will not only save yourself the hassle of taking him to a groomer regularly, you save some money too.

Coat Color

The German Shepherd is a black and tan dog predominantly but can be gray (called blue) or brown (called liver) with varying amounts of those colors. He is usually lighter on the legs and face with dark accents on the ears.

Note: White German Shepherds are now considered a separate breed called the American White Shepherd.

Coat Type

There are three coat types: rough (relatively short with undercoat), long rough (longer with undercoat), and long-haired (without undercoat).

The correct German Shepherd Dog coat is relatively short with an obvious undercoat. This is quite waterproof. Some dogs are born with long coats which usually, though not always, are devoid of undercoat. Such coats are more difficult to groom, but many pet owners seem to like the long-coated version. The normal coat is dominant to the long version, so there are three kinds of coat: normal, normal but carrying the long coat gene, and long. About 10% of the pups are born long-coated.

Health and Care

Genetic Problems

Hereditary diseases include hip and elbow dysplasia (OFA certification of good on both parents is essential), blood disorders, digestive problems, epilepsy, chronic eczema, eye inflammation, dwarfism and allergies.

Unfortunately some breeders are offering shy and nervous Alsatians for sale. These dogs should be avoided at all costs as they can be dangerous.

Breeding the Dog and any Cautions

You will want to have your dog’s hips and elbows certified before breeding.

Litter Size: 8 – 12 puppies

Life Span: 12-14 years.

Weight

75-90 lbs

Height

Males: 24-26 inches
Females: 22-24 inches

Group: AKC Herding Dog Group, KCGB Pastoral Group

Ranking: 4 in AKC, 4 in KCGB

Also Known As: Alsatians, German Shepherd, Shepherds.