Dog Breeds
German Shepherd
Majestic in appearance and steadfast in character, the German Shepherd is a perfect blend of elegance and strength.
Dog Breeds
German Shepherd
Majestic in appearance and steadfast in character, the German Shepherd is a perfect blend of elegance and strength.
Dog Breeds
German Shepherd
Majestic in appearance and steadfast in character, the German Shepherd is a perfect blend of elegance and strength.
Dog Breeds
German Shepherd
Majestic in appearance and steadfast in character, the German Shepherd is a perfect blend of elegance and strength.
Other Names
Alsatian, GSD
Other Names
Alsatian, GSD
Other Names
Alsatian, GSD
Recognized By
AKC, FCI, UKC
Recognized By
AKC, FCI, UKC
Recognized By
AKC, FCI, UKC
Country of Origin
Germany
Country of Origin
Germany
Country of Origin
Germany
Popularity in the UAE
Common and popular
Popularity in the UAE
Common and popular
Popularity in the UAE
Common and popular
Primary Use
Herding dog, guard dog, companion dog, police dog, military dog
Primary Use
Herding dog, guard dog, companion dog, police dog, military dog
Primary Use
Herding dog, guard dog, companion dog, police dog, military dog
German Shepherd
German Shepherd
German Shepherd
Breed History
The German Shepherd breed started in Germany in the late 1800s. This breed came to be when Captain Max von Stephanitz was looking for the perfect working dog. He bred different herding dogs to create a strong, intelligent, and obedient breed.
Altasians were mainly used for herding and guarding livestock. Then, during World War I, the German military saw their potential and trained them as messengers, guards, and search-and-rescue dogs. Their use in the military continued when World War II began.
After the war, soldiers brought them home and cared for the dogs as pets. Today, German Shepherds are still one of the most popular dog breeds globally. They continue to work as police dogs and service animals. Also, many families have found them as smart, adorable, and loyal family companions.
The German Shepherd breed started in Germany in the late 1800s. This breed came to be when Captain Max von Stephanitz was looking for the perfect working dog. He bred different herding dogs to create a strong, intelligent, and obedient breed.
Altasians were mainly used for herding and guarding livestock. Then, during World War I, the German military saw their potential and trained them as messengers, guards, and search-and-rescue dogs. Their use in the military continued when World War II began.
After the war, soldiers brought them home and cared for the dogs as pets. Today, German Shepherds are still one of the most popular dog breeds globally. They continue to work as police dogs and service animals. Also, many families have found them as smart, adorable, and loyal family companions.
Health and Medical Concerns
Cancerology
Cardiology
Dermatology
Endocrinology
Gastroenterology
Hematology & Immune System
Infectious Diseases
Neurology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pulmonology
Reproduction
Hemangiosarcoma
Hemangiosarcoma is a type of cancer common in German Shepherds. It affects the blood vessels starting from the spleen, but it may also appear in the heart, lungs, or liver. This is a type of aggressive cancer that leads to sudden internal bleeding. (Brown et al., 1985)
Osteosarcoma
German Shepherds are susceptible to osteosarcoma, a kind of aggressive bone cancer in large dogs. It typically affects the long bones of the legs. Symptoms include lethargy, swelling, and pain. Treatment is often a limb amputation and chemotherapy. (Henry, 2007)
Oral Melanoma
Oral melanoma is a cancer of the mouth that’s common in German Shepherds and certain dog breeds. The tumor appears on the gums or lips and tends to spread quickly to the lungs and lymph nodes. Signs of oral melanoma include swelling of the mouth, bad breath, and difficulty eating. (Ramos-Vara et al., 2000)
Health and Medical Concerns
Cancerology
Cancerology
Cancerology
Cardiology
Cardiology
Cardiology
Dermatology
Dermatology
Dermatology
Endocrinology
Endocrinology
Endocrinology
Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology
Hematology & Immune System
Hematology & Immune System
Hematology & Immune System
Infectious Diseases
Infectious Diseases
Infectious Diseases
Neurology
Neurology
Neurology
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Orthopedics
Orthopedics
Pulmonology
Pulmonology
Pulmonology
Reproduction
Reproduction
Reproduction
Temperament and Common Traits
Personality
German Shepherds are intelligent, loyal, and protective. They form strong bonds with their families and are excellent guard dogs and companions because of their natural alertness to strangers.
German Shepherds are intelligent, loyal, and protective. They form strong bonds with their families and are excellent guard dogs and companions because of their natural alertness to strangers.
Distinct Habits
GSDs are vocal and will bark to alert their owners of anything unusual. They are also known for their work ethic and need of regular mental and physical exercises to stay happy.
GSDs are vocal and will bark to alert their owners of anything unusual. They are also known for their work ethic and need of regular mental and physical exercises to stay happy.
Suitability for Work
Alsatians are highly trainable, intelligent, obedient, and have good instincts. This is why they are ideal for military and police work, search-and-rescue missions, and service roles.
Alsatians are highly trainable, intelligent, obedient, and have good instincts. This is why they are ideal for military and police work, search-and-rescue missions, and service roles.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 9 to 13 years.
A healthy German Shepherd can live around 10 to 12 years. The oldest known GSD in history so far is Zeynep from Turkey who lived up to 23 years.
A healthy German Shepherd can live around 10 to 12 years. The oldest known GSD in history so far is Zeynep from Turkey who lived up to 23 years.
Training and Care
Trainability
German Shepherds are easy to train as they are highly intelligent and have a natural tendency to please their owners. They require consistent training and socialization from a young age.
Exercise Requirements
Grooming Needs
Living Conditions
Trainability
German Shepherds are easy to train as they are highly intelligent and have a natural tendency to please their owners. They require consistent training and socialization from a young age.
Exercise Requirements
Grooming Needs
Living Conditions
Trainability
German Shepherds are easy to train as they are highly intelligent and have a natural tendency to please their owners. They require consistent training and socialization from a young age.
Exercise Requirements
Grooming Needs
Living Conditions
Breed Info in the UAE
Adaptability
Legalities
Availability
Heat Sensitivity
German Shepherds can adapt to warm climates, but they are sensitive to extremely high temperatures.
Precautions
GSDs should exercise during the cooler parts of the day, ideally during early mornings or late evenings. Cooling mats or vests may be helpful to regulate their body temperature during hot summers.
Breed Info in the UAE
Adaptability
Legalities
Availability
Heat Sensitivity
German Shepherds can adapt to warm climates, but they are sensitive to extremely high temperatures.
Precautions
GSDs should exercise during the cooler parts of the day, ideally during early mornings or late evenings. Cooling mats or vests may be helpful to regulate their body temperature during hot summers.
Breed Info in the UAE
Adaptability
Legalities
Availability
Heat Sensitivity
German Shepherds can adapt to warm climates, but they are sensitive to extremely high temperatures.
Precautions
GSDs should exercise during the cooler parts of the day, ideally during early mornings or late evenings. Cooling mats or vests may be helpful to regulate their body temperature during hot summers.
Diet & Nutrition
Dietary Needs
GSDs need a high-protein diet to support their muscular build and active lifestyle. Additional supplements may help maintain their joint health, which can be prescribed by the vet.
Sensitivities
Food Types
Portion Sizes
Dietary Needs
GSDs need a high-protein diet to support their muscular build and active lifestyle. Additional supplements may help maintain their joint health, which can be prescribed by the vet.
Sensitivities
Food Types
Portion Sizes
Dietary Needs
GSDs need a high-protein diet to support their muscular build and active lifestyle. Additional supplements may help maintain their joint health, which can be prescribed by the vet.
Sensitivities
Food Types
Portion Sizes
Suitability as a Pet
Ideal Owners
German Shepherds are best companions for active owners, experienced handlers, and families who have knowledge and time for consistent training and exercise.
German Shepherds are best companions for active owners, experienced handlers, and families who have knowledge and time for consistent training and exercise.
GSDs are good with children, especially when raised with them. They are protective and affectionate to their families, but wary of strangers. This makes early socialization vital to prevent highly territorial behavior.
GSDs are good with children, especially when raised with them. They are protective and affectionate to their families, but wary of strangers. This makes early socialization vital to prevent highly territorial behavior.
Compatibility with Children & Pets
First-Time Owner Friendly
German Shepherds are not the best choice for first-time owners. While they are intelligent, they have high energy levels that require training from experienced dog handlers.
German Shepherds are not the best choice for first-time owners. While they are intelligent, they have high energy levels that require training from experienced dog handlers.
Physical Characteristics
Head
German Shepherds have well-proportioned heads with a slightly domed forehead. They have long, straight muzzles with a block nose, firm lips, and strong jaws.
German Shepherds have well-proportioned heads with a slightly domed forehead. They have long, straight muzzles with a block nose, firm lips, and strong jaws.
Eyes
They have eyes that are medium in size, almond-shaped, and dark in color.
They have eyes that are medium in size, almond-shaped, and dark in color.
Ears
Their ears are large, upright, and have a pointed shape, and they are set high on the head.
Their ears are large, upright, and have a pointed shape, and they are set high on the head.
Body
GSDs have a muscular build and a body that’s slightly longer than their height. They have a deep chest, strong neck, and a level topline that slopes a bit toward the tail.
GSDs have a muscular build and a body that’s slightly longer than their height. They have a deep chest, strong neck, and a level topline that slopes a bit toward the tail.
Limbs
They have strong and straight forelegs and muscular thighs. Their feet are compact with arched toes.
They have strong and straight forelegs and muscular thighs. Their feet are compact with arched toes.
Tail
Their tails are long, bushy, set low, and carried in a slight curve, but never curled over the back.
Their tails are long, bushy, set low, and carried in a slight curve, but never curled over the back.
Coat
They have dense double coats of medium length. Their outer coats are straight with colors that include black and tan, sable, white, and solid black.
They have dense double coats of medium length. Their outer coats are straight with colors that include black and tan, sable, white, and solid black.
Size
Male GSDs stand around 60-65 cm (24-26 inches), while females are 55-60 cm (22-24 inches) tall at the shoulder.
Male GSDs stand around 60-65 cm (24-26 inches), while females are 55-60 cm (22-24 inches) tall at the shoulder.
Weight
Male German Shepherds weigh 30-40 kg (65-90 lbs), and females weigh around 22-32 kg (50-70 lbs).
Male German Shepherds weigh 30-40 kg (65-90 lbs), and females weigh around 22-32 kg (50-70 lbs).
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© 2025 Noble Veterinary Clinics | Website by ARENA
Unique care for your best friends, because they’re family.
Contact Us
DIP - 8am to 9pm
JLT - 10am to 7pm
Jumeirah -
Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm
Sat-Sun: 9am to 6pm
© 2024 Noble Veterinary Clinics
Website by ARENA
Unique care for your best friends, because they’re family.
Services
Contact Us
DIP - 8am to 9pm
JLT - 10am to 7pm
Jumeirah -
Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm
Sat-Sun: 9am to 6pm
© 2025 Noble Veterinary Clinics | Website by ARENA
Unique care for your best friends, because they’re family.
Services
Contact Us
DIP - 8am to 9pm
JLT - 10am to 7pm
Jumeirah -
Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm
Sat-Sun: 9am to 6pm
© 2025 Noble Veterinary Clinics | Website by ARENA