January 31, 2022

German Shepherds: What You Need to Know

German Shepherds are an extremely well-known and popular breed. You may be familiar with them as working police dogs, and that is for good reason. German Shepherds have guard dog instincts, are very smart and extremely loyal. These characteristics are what make them such a great companion. So even if you don’t need one as a working guard dog, they will still make a great pet. As puppies, German Shepherds will be playful, energetic and ready to learn! You can teach your German Shepherd some amazing tricks and cues - but even without even teaching them, they will always be loyal and protective of you. As they get older, you may start to notice they are drawn to one particular person in your household. They’re not picking a favorite, but since they are natural guard dogs, they will most likely assign one person their master and be more susceptible to following their lead. But they will always be there for your entire family! Whether you’re looking to adopt a German Shepherd or are simply looking to learn more - we’ve got you covered. We love German Shepherds and will share everything you need to know about them.

Types of German Shepherds


Believe it or not, there are actually 5 different types of German Shepherds. The most common and most familiar is the Saddle Coat German Shepherd. They will have two visible and distinct colors in their coat, typically their ‘saddle’ or back will be an all-black fur patch! The second type is the Black German Shepherd. Like their name promotes, they have a solid black coat! The third type is the Panda German Shepherd, with a coat of white, black and tan colors. The next type is the Sable German Shepherd. Their coat doesn’t have a distinct pattern or color and is a mix! The last type is the White German Shepherd. You guessed it! They have a solid white coat that is super fluffy.


How Big Do German Shepherds Get?


German Shepherds are a large breed of dog, so you can expect them to be fairly large - but they won’t get that meaty look that other dogs may get. They will have a slim and athletic build to them. At full growth, they will be about 25 inches tall and can weigh up to 95 pounds!

How Long Do German Shepherds Live?


These loyal companions have a very good life span. They can live anywhere from 9 to 13 years! Of course, this depends on a lot of factors and their overall health but on average, they will be about 10 years old. You will have a long and happy life with a German Shepherd by your side. 

How Much Are German Shepherds?


We always recommend adoption and rescuing your dog. There are a lot of resources and dogs that need a home! It is very possible to find a German Shepherd that needs to be adopted. This will be great for the shelter and your wallet! If you haven’t had luck finding your German Shepherd through adoption, there is the option to go with a breeder. 


Getting a dog from a breeder will be more costly and we always recommend doing your research to ensure you are picking a good breeder! If this is the route you’re doing, you can be prepared to spend anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000. Because this is a very popular breed, they will be more expensive. This price will change depending on your location, but it could be anywhere in this range!

Grooming Your German Shepherd


German Shepherds have a very fluffy coat and you may be wondering to yourself: Do German Shepherds shed? The answer is yes. They shed a good amount and will even have periods of the year during Spring and Fall where they shed more than usual. Like most dogs, you will need to partake in some grooming to help. You can’t stop the shedding, but regular weekly brushing or even regular grooming visits, will help keep it at a maintainable level! 


Getting a German Shepherd as your newest dog friend will be a great addition to your life! These loyal, smart and cuddly dogs will truly be a companion for life, right by your side. We hope that this article helped you learn more about this amazing breed and if you’re making the decision to get one, you feel prepared and excited for this new friend!


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