Two German Shepherds lying in the garden

German Shepherd Insurance, Care and Health Advice

They’re handsome, strong and if there’s danger around the corner, they’ve always got your back. Time to take a closer look at the German Shepherd: the all-action hero of the dog world!

Fiercely loyal, German Shepherds have a natural protective instinct towards you and your family. But behind that tough exterior they have a curious nature and a sweet soul, and many work as therapy dogs as well as guard dog.

For big dogs it’s really important to source from a reputable breeder, to make sure your new buddy has a well-balanced temperament. These are healthy, athletic pups, which makes them an excellent workout buddy - and when they’re properly socialised, the perfect family pet.

German Shepherd Facts

Dog breed type icon
Type
Herding
Dog breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
9 - 13 years
Dog breed size icon
Size
Large
Dog breed weight icon
Weight
22 - 40 kg
Dog breed height icon
Height
55 - 65 cm
Dog breed temperament icon
Temperament
Obedient, protective, alert
Dog breed exercise icon
Exercise
60 - 120 mins per day
Dog breed grooming icon
Grooming
High maintenance

Is a German Shepherd Right for Me?

German Shepherds have a high rank drive. In other words, they need to know their place - and given the chance, would quickly take on the role of alpha dog. It’s important that you have what it takes to show your buddy who’s the boss; so this isn’t the best breed option for first time dog owners.

They also have a strong prey drive, but with the right training, a Shep is smart enough to only chase the things you throw it! So these guys can get along well with other animals in the house - including cats. A German Shepherd can also make a great family pet. Because they need about an hour of exercise a day, they’re the perfect workout partner - if you can keep up!

German Shepherd going for a walk

What Are German Shepherd Puppies Like?

Like most puppies, German Shepherds have a playful nature. They also have bundles of energy and will keep you on your feet for hours. They love affection and quickly form an attachment to their owner.

They’re intelligent and love to learn, making training a pleasure. Puppy training classes are the perfect place to socialise and train your puppy. High-energy activities, such as agility classes, are perfect for this athletic and energetic breed.

A big German Shepherd with their tongue out

Life with a German Shepherd

Sheps are curious and boisterous at first - so make sure you puppy-proof your home and stash away anything you don’t want your new buddy to chew on or that might be dangerous. While it’s bad news for your sofa, all that chewing helps to keep your buddy’s teeth healthy and strong. So give him regular dental chew toys, and brush his teeth every day. For these strong, athletic and active pups, a good quality, high-protein, low-fat diet is a must.

By nature, German Shepherds can be wary of strangers. So if your buddy’s going to be part of the family, socialise him while he’s still a pup. Get all the family to hold him, feed him and play with him - and invite your friends round to make their introductions. Introducing other pups on your daily walks also helps prevent stranger anxiety.

Caring for Your German Shepherd

German Shepherds have a big appetite and will eat whatever food is put in front of them. They have high-energy demands so will need a big diet, but take care not to overfeed your dog. All dog food packaging contains feeding guidelines based on your dog’s age, weight and size.

Puppies need feeding 3-4 times a day; as they grow you will need to gradually reduce this to 2 times a day. It is best to feed an adult German Shepherd twice a day so that they don’t eat too much at once and cause stomach problems.

With a German Shepherd around, get used to year-round shedding. Brushing two or three times a week helps keep on top of it. Other than that, these are pretty clean pooches - so one bath a month should be enough. Once a week, give your buddy’s ears a wash with a cotton ball and canine cleaner - and speak to the vet if you spot any redness and discharge. Nails should be trimmed once a month.

German Shepherds can get stressed out when they’re left alone; often resulting in lots of furniture chewing and barking. But mostly, these guys are savvy enough to know that going away to work doesn’t mean you’ll be gone forever. Train your buddy to be alone by gradually increasing the length of time you’re out of the house.

These guys love to learn new tricks. They thrive on it - and it doesn’t usually take long to nail the whole potty training thing. They take well to crate training, and will understand their timings and routine by about 16 weeks.

An hour’s walk each day and some off-the-leash running in a safe, enclosed outdoor space helps prevent restlessness and aggression. Stick to a daily exercise routine to prevent joint problems that are caused by over exercising.

German Shepherd Insurance

If you’re looking for dog insurance for your German Shepherd, Everypaw has a range of Lifetime cover levels to choose from, so you can find the right cover for both of you. Your German Shepherd’s healthcare is at our heart. Take out a German Shepherd Insurance policy with us and you’ll have the peace of mind that we can help with any new illnesses or injuries.

Start a quote

Common German Shepherd Health Problems by Vetstream

German Shepherds are prone to various health conditions. Vetstream have compiled the most commons ones to keep an eye out for below.

Von Willebrand’s Disease (VWD) is an inherited bleeding disorder causes defective blood clotting, making the dog more prone to bleeding and bruising. It is caused by a reduced amount of von Willebrand’s factor (VWF), a protein that helps blood cells to clot in the body.

VWD can be dangerous if the dog needs to undergo surgery or is badly injured. Bleeding dogs can be given blood transfusions and there are drug treatment options available. VWD can be detected by a screening test and affected dogs should not be bred from.

Epilepsy refers to multiple fits/seizures/convulsions that are caused by abnormal brain activity. A fit usually involves the dog falling onto their side and making running movements with their legs. They may also empty their bladder or bowels. The dog must not be touched or moved during a fit unless it is likely to harm itself, such as falling down the stairs.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for epilepsy but the fits can be managed with medication and will enable them to lead a full and happy life. 

Degenerative Myelopathy is a progressive spinal cord disease that causes severe weakness or paralysis of all four legs. It is caused by a break down of the myelin sheath, which is a thin layer of tissue that covers nerves in the body. As a result, the nerves become damaged causing impaired nerve function and muscle weakness.

First signs of this condition include stumbling of the rear feet, dragging of paws along the ground, and knuckle walking on rear paws.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for this genetic condition. Most dogs with this disease will be partially paralysed within the first 9 months following diagnosis. Complete paralysis usually happens within 2 years. Most affected dogs will be put to sleep due to poor quality of life.

Hip Dysplasia is a joint disease common in large dog breeds, and is inherited from the parent dogs, but the severity can be influenced by weight and exercise. Overweight and over-exercised dogs are more likely to suffer due to excess strain on their bones and joints.

Hip dysplasia is when the ball-and-socket joint of the hip does not fit together properly, causing it to rub and damage the surfaces. It is a painful condition that eventually leads to arthritis. Affected dogs will show signs of hind leg lameness in one or both hips.

Hip replacement surgery is the best treatment option for German Shepherds. A hip score test can be carried out before breeding to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia in puppies.

Quick German Shepherd Q&A

The average life expectancy of a German Shepherd is 9-13 years. Regular health checks, a healthy diet, and adequate exercise will give your dog the best chance of reaching this age.

This breed can range from patient and calm to boisterous and energetic. Their personality depends on their training and socialisation. A German Shepherd raised from a puppy in a family home will be good with children, but should always be supervised.

They are high shedders that will need to be groomed 2-3 times a week to help remove loose hair. During spring and autumn, they shed the most to prepare for a new coat to grow that will suit the coming weather.

German Shepherds are protective of their owners and territory, which makes them ideal guard dogs. But they can also be gentle and friendly. Training and socialisation from a young age will reduce the chance of any aggressive behaviour or German Shepherds becoming dangerous.

That’s All You Need to Know About German Shepherds

Intelligent, friendly, and loyal, the German Shepherd thrives on lots of mental and physical stimulation. They can be protective of their owner and prone to aggressive behaviour so early socialisation and correct training is very important for this breed. They’re a large dog with big appetites and will need long walks twice a day. But they can make great family pets, especially for experienced and active dog owners.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

;