German Shepherd Guide - temperament, care, feeding & everything else

German Shepherd Guide - temperament, care, feeding & everything else

05 Feb 2026

Got a German Shepherd, or thinking about getting one? Awesome!

NattyPets prepared a complete guide about German Shepherds. We've added everything you might need. 👇

 

First things first - who are they?

The breed was developed in Germany in 1899. Captain Max von Stephanitz created it to help shepherds, but now it's a more universal working breed.

Breed parameters:

  • Height: males 24-26 inches, females 22-24 inches

  • Weight: males 66-88 lbs, females 49-71 lbs

  • Lifespan: 9-13 years

  • Colors: black and tan, sable, solid black

 

What about temperament?

German Shepherds are smart and easy to train. According to Stanley Coren's research, they rank 3rd among all breeds in intelligence (after Border Collies and Poodles).

They're also known for loyalty, protectiveness, and strong attachment to family. They get along great with kids, are energetic and need attention. Kind of like a child themselves 😁

They can be wary of strangers, but that's actually a plus - they make excellent guard dogs.

Energy level: high (8-9/10)

Exercise needs: 1.5-2 hours of activity daily

 

Care

They do better in private houses because they need space. But if it's an apartment - it works, but only with sufficient exercise.

Walking schedule:

  • Morning: 45-60 minutes

  • Evening: 45-60 minutes

  • Active play, running, training

Coat care:

  • Brushing: 2-3 times per week (daily during shedding season)

  • Bathing: once every 2-3 months or as needed

  • Nail trimming: once a month

  • Teeth brushing: 2-3 times per week

 

Feeding

Daily dry food portions (lbs/oz):

 


Daily dry food portions (kg/g):

 

Guidelines for premium-quality food. Split into 2 meals.

Raw/home-cooked diet (daily portions for a 66 lb or 30 kg dog):

  • Meat (beef, turkey, chicken): 14-17.5 oz or 400-500 g

  • Grains (rice, oats): 7-9 oz or 200-250 g

  • Vegetables: 3.5-5 oz or 100-150 g

  • Dairy products: 3.5-7 oz or 100-200 g

  • Oil (flaxseed, olive): 1 tbsp

Forbidden foods:

  • Chocolate

  • Onions, garlic

  • Grapes, raisins

  • Salty, smoked foods

  • Cooked bones

  • Raw pork

 

Health

Common health issues and probability:

  • Hip dysplasia: 15-20% of dogs

  • Elbow dysplasia: 10-15%

  • Bloat/gastric torsion: 5-10%

  • Allergies: 10-15%

  • Degenerative myelopathy: 2-5%

Mandatory procedures:

  • Vaccination: annual (comprehensive + rabies)

  • Deworming: every 3 months

  • Flea/tick treatment: monthly (March-November)

  • Vet checkup: minimum once a year

Annual vet care costs (estimated):

  • Vaccination: $50-100

  • Deworming: $60-100

  • Parasite prevention: $150-250

  • Checkups: $100-200

 

Training

Training schedule:

  • 2-3 months: socialization, learning name

  • 3-4 months: basic commands (sit, down, come)

  • 4-6 months: commands in motion (heel, leave it, stay)

  • 6-12 months: reinforcement, more complex commands

  • After 12 months: specialized training (protection work, agility)

Training time:

  • Daily sessions: 15-20 minutes (2-3 times a day)

  • Can learn a command in 5-15 repetitions

Where to train:

  • At home (basic commands)

  • Training facility with instructor: 1-2 times per week, 3-6 month course

  • Group class cost: $15-30 per session

  • Private lessons: $50-100 per hour

 

How to choose a puppy?

Age to bring home: 8-10 weeks (no earlier than 2 months)

Documents:

  • Puppy registration (AKC/UKC)

  • Veterinary passport

  • Vaccination certificate

  • Purchase contract

Signs of a healthy puppy:

  • Clean nose, eyes, ears

  • Shiny coat

  • Active behavior, curiosity

  • Normal appetite

  • No discharge

Parent verification:

  • Hip/elbow dysplasia tests (OFA/PennHIP)

  • Pedigree minimum 3 generations

  • Show ratings (for show quality)

  • Working titles (for working lines)

 

How much does it cost?

Puppy prices in the US:

  • Without papers: $300-800

  • Pet quality (AKC): $800-1,500

  • Breeding quality: $1,500-3,000

  • Show quality: $3,000-5,000+

  • Imported/champion lines: $5,000-10,000+

Initial expenses:

  • Supplies (collar, leash, harness): $40-100

  • Bowls: $20-40

  • Bed/crate: $60-200

  • Toys: $30-60

  • First vaccination: $50-100

TOTAL: $200-500

Monthly expenses:

  • Food: $80-150

  • Treats: $20-30

  • Vet care (average): $40-60

  • Toys/supplies: $20-40

TOTAL: $160-280/month

Annual expenses: $1,920-3,360

 

Pros and cons of the breed

Pros:

  • High intelligence (3rd place among all breeds)

  • Loyalty and devotion to family

  • Versatility (guard, service, companion)

  • Easy to train

  • Great with children

Cons:

  • Needs 1.5-2 hours of activity daily

  • Heavy shedding twice a year

  • Prone to hip dysplasia (15-20%)

  • Needs space

  • High maintenance costs ($160-280/month)

 

By the way, did you know that German Shepherds:

  • #1 in police work: 60% of service dogs worldwide are German Shepherds

  • Record learners: can learn a command in just 5 repetitions

  • Movie stars: appeared in 300+ films, including "Inspector Rex"

  • Popularity: 2nd most popular breed in the world (after Labrador)

  • Service: work in police, military, rescue services in 100+ countries

  • Sense of smell: have 225 million scent receptors (humans have 5 million)

 

We hope this guide helped!

Save this guide to always have it handy 😉

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