I'm interested — what should I know?
Getting ready for a German Shepherd.
Serious, watchful and deeply loyal. A German Shepherd wants a job, a routine and someone worth working for.
Everything below comes from this breed's own traits in our library — what they'll ask of you week after week, including the parts people wish they'd known.
What this dog will ask of you
Honestly, week after week.
Activity
Two hours or more, every day
Many dogs of this type settle far better in the house when the walking is regular rather than occasional. Build any distance up slowly, especially with a young or older dog.
Training
Learns very quickly
Quick learners pick up the habits you didn't mean to teach just as fast. Short, kind, reward-based sessions from day one.
Food
A substantial daily amount
Weigh meals rather than guessing, and count treats as food. My Dog can work out a starting portion once you know their weight.
Grooming
A regular brush
Easy-going coats still need nails, ears and teeth looking after — that part is the same for every dog.
Shedding
Sheds heavily, all year
Lower-shedding breeds are sometimes easier for people with allergies, but no dog is completely allergy-free and reactions vary from person to person.
Dental
Part of the weekly routine
Brushing a few times a week, started early, saves a great deal of money and discomfort later on.
Weight
Keep an eye as they mature
You should be able to feel the ribs easily without pressing. Weight creeps on slowly — a monthly note in My Dog catches it early.
Mental stimulation
Needs real work to be content
Boredom in this kind of dog usually shows up as noise, chewing or invented jobs. Scentwork, training and puzzles cost you ten minutes and buy hours of calm.
Home
Happier with more space and daily outdoor time
What matters most is the walking near your door and the hours you keep, not the number of rooms.
Time alone
Prefers company most of the day
There's no single maximum that fits every dog. Age, training and temperament all change the answer — and being alone is a skill you teach gradually.
Social life
Friendly once introduced
Early, calm, positive introductions to people, dogs, traffic and handling shape this more than the breed does.
Health to read up on
Typically lives 9–13 years
Every breed has conditions that appear more often than average. Ask a breeder which tests they do and why, or ask a rescue what's known. Your vet is the right person for anything specific.
The money
What a German Shepherd tends to cost
€1,500–€2,400
Per year, once they're settled — food, insurance, routine vet care and grooming. Wide on purpose: prices differ enormously by country and city, and this is not a quote.
Before you say yes