German Shepherd Info & German Shepherd Breeders

German Shepherd training and socialization

GSDs are clever and quick to learn. They are ranked as the third most intelligent dog breed after Border Collies and Poodles. They do best with a calm and consistent training approach and will rise to your expectations. German Shepherds love to please and love to know what is expected of them. 

GSDs need to be well socialised when young to ensure they have exposure to a variety of situations and people including children.  They also need plenty of mental and physical activity to thrive. You absolutely must be prepared to invest significant time and energy into your GSD now and forever.  

An unbalanced GSD can be overly timid, anxious or aggressive, easily bored, over excited, destructive and loud. The combination of physical strength and high intelligence is a recipe for disaster in the wrong hands.

How much space and exercise do German Shepherds need? 

The German Shepherd is a high energy dog. They need significant physical and mental stimulation to be well balanced. This might include walking, jogging, bushwalking or cycling, agility, hide and seek, search and rescue, herding, tracking, obedience, agility or endurance. 

As long as their requirements for physical and mental stimulation are met, they can live in a small to medium living environment but room to run and play is ideal. If bored or left alone for too long, a young dog especially will become destructive. GSDs are renowned fence jumpers and escape artists if their needs are not being met. 

German Shepherds and grooming

Whether a short or long hair variety, German Shepherd Dogs have a double coat. The undercoat sheds prodigiously once a year and consistently for the rest of the year. Be prepared to brush!

German Shepherd colour variations

There are three main color variations:
Black and Tan (Black with reddish tan, black with tan, black with gold to light grey markings).
All black.
Sable (Grey with dark shadings; black saddle and mask). 

General Facts

Life Expectancy: Average life expectancy is 9 – 12 years. 

Average weight: Males: 30-40 kg ; Females:  20-30 kg

Average height (at withers): Males: Height at withers 60-65 cm; Females: Height at withers 56-60 cm

The length of the body is a little longer than the height at the withers.