German Shepherd
A working breed that needs a job, a lean body, and an owner who notices hind-leg changes early. The weight, exercise, and yearly cost figures below are ranges for a typical healthy adult. A licensed veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm the plan.
Researched & Compiled by the PetAuthority Editorial Team
Clinical Data Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center & Merck Veterinary Manual
These pages describe clinical possibilities and a Green, Yellow, or Red triage path. They do not diagnose an individual animal or replace an examination by a licensed veterinarian. Read the editorial standards.
Quick facts
| Weight | 50–90 lb (22.7–40.8 kg) |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | 9–13 years |
| Grooming | 3 of 5 |
| Energy | 5 of 5 |
| Apartment | Better with more space |
Which kennel clubs recognize this breed?
The American Kennel Club in the United States, The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom, and the Australian National Kennel Council publish a conformation standard for this breed. Those standards describe appearance and typical temperament. They do not predict an individual dog's health, and a veterinarian still has to examine your dog.
Daily calorie and portion estimation
A typical adult German Shepherd starts near 1,500 kcal/day, with about 90 minutes of steady daily activity. Enter the current weight in pounds (kilograms) in the calculator, because a lean animal and an overweight animal do not share the same portion.
Keep this breed lean. A heavy Shepherd loads the hips and may raise bloat risk if meals are huge and followed by hard running. Measure meals in ounces (grams), and keep treats near ten percent of the daily calorie target.
Calculate German Shepherd's Custom Food Portions →Common health predispositions
Hip dysplasia
CommonWatch for: Difficulty rising or a short stride behindCheck this sign in symptom triageDegenerative myelopathy
UrgentWatch for: Scraping nails or swaying hind legs that worsen over weeksCheck this sign in symptom triageBloat (GDV)
UrgentWatch for: Unproductive retching and a swelling abdomenCheck this sign in symptom triageSkin allergy
CommonWatch for: Constant chewing of the feet or bellyCheck this sign in symptom triage
What should German Shepherd owners ask first?
Owners most often ask about housing, grooming, and which signs cannot wait. The answers below are educational ranges for a typical German Shepherd, including weight in pounds (kilograms) and yearly costs in dollars and pounds. They do not diagnose the animal you live with.
Is a German Shepherd suited to a first-time home?
They can be, with daily training and exercise. An under-worked Shepherd often barks, herds children, or destroys household items; these points are educational ranges, and a veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm them. Confirm this before you bring the animal home.
What is an emergency in this breed?
Unproductive retching with a tight belly is bloat until proven otherwise. Go to an emergency hospital rather than waiting to see if it passes. These points are educational ranges, and a veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm them.