German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is a large, agile, and highly intelligent working breed originally developed in Germany in 1899 by Max von Stephanitz for herding and guarding livestock. Loyal, courageous, and versatile, German Shepherds excel in police, military, search-and-rescue, and service roles, as well as being devoted family companions. They thrive with consistent training, early socialisation, and plenty of physical and mental exercise.
Weight
22–40 kg
Height at withers
55–65 cm
Life expectancy
9–13 years
Size
large
Activity
high
Shedding
high
Barking tendency
moderate
Apartment friendly
Not ideal for apartment living due to high exercise needs, large size, and tendency to become destructive or anxious without sufficient space and daily activity. Can adapt to apartment life only if owners commit to 2+ hours of vigorous outdoor exercise every day.
Care
Brush coat at least 2–3 times a week (daily during shedding seasons) to manage heavy year-round shedding. Provide at least 2 hours of vigorous exercise daily, including mental stimulation such as obedience training or scent work. Feed a high-quality large-breed diet, maintain a healthy weight to protect joints, schedule regular vet check-ups for breed-specific conditions, and trim nails regularly.
Health
Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat/GDV), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), osteoarthritis, skin allergies, Von Willebrand disease, pannus (chronic superficial keratitis)
Coat
Double coat, medium length
Travel
German Shepherds are too large to travel in an airline cabin and must fly in cargo as checked baggage in an IATA-compliant rigid crate; crate-train your dog well in advance to reduce stress. For car travel, secure the dog in a crash-tested crate or with a seatbelt harness, plan regular stops every 2–3 hours for exercise and relief, and never leave the dog alone in a hot car. Bring familiar bedding, food, water, and veterinary health certificates. Book pet-friendly accommodation in advance and check destination-specific breed regulations.
Carrier size
Extra-large rigid travel crate required (IATA-compliant); typically size 500 (Giant) crate, approximately 122 × 81 × 89 cm, allowing the dog to stand, turn, and lie flat. Not suitable for in-cabin soft carriers.
Harness size
Large or Extra-Large harness; for males (30–40 kg, chest girth typically 70–85 cm) choose XL; for females (22–32 kg, chest girth typically 60–75 cm) choose L. Use a no-pull or front-clip harness for added control.
Leash
Use a sturdy 1.5–2 m leash (18–25 mm wide) made of nylon or leather for daily walks. A traffic leash or short control leash (0.5 m) is useful in crowded areas. Retractable leashes are not recommended for this powerful breed.
Airline cabin travel
usually not
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