Meet the breed: German shepherd

Everything you need to know about the breed

Breed at a glance:

• Easy grooming
• Active lifestyle
• Good guard dogs
• Good with kids
• Pleasant temperament

This noble beast has more to offer than meets the eye. Strong, smart and charismatic, the German Shepherd was built for excellence both inside and out.With rugged good looks and a loyal heart that won't quit, this breed has been known to make a living on camera and on the field. A true working dog, German shepherds thrive on showcasing their natural talents. With a solid reputation for intellect and loyalty, there's nothing this breed can't accomplish.

Is this breed right for you?

Any household and any lifestyle is ideal for this versatile breed. Excellent family members and wonderful with children, German shepherds make great companions and watchdogs with proper training. They can adapt to apartment living with proper daily exercise and can adjust to a variety of climates. Although they make excellent family pets, they take loyalty to their masters extremely seriously. With a long muzzle that can exert up to 238 pounds of pressure, this breed has the capability to cause serious damage. Early training and adaptation is necessary for responsible ownership. If you suffer from allergies or are bothered by dog hair, think twice before getting this breed.

A dream day in the life:
Tall, svelte and athletic with a nose for sniffing out trouble, German shepherds are most often recognized for their work on the police force. German shepherds are a product of very careful breeding solely intended for the creation of an ideal service dog. A solid combination of brains and brawn made this breed brave enough to be four-legged soldiers of war while their natural charm made them big-screen approved as seen in the likes of tail-wagging greats, including Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart. Loyal to the core, this breed can tend to be protective and territorial.