Are German Shepherd Puppies right for you?

German Shepherd puppies are not just big, tough guard dogs but lovable playful pooches with loads of personality and loyalty.

These energetic dogs will fit in with your family and adore your attention. They do require some attention for grooming and a fair bit of exercise, however their companionship is more than worth it.

Note: Often “German Shepard puppies” is a common way German Shepherd is misspelled. No “H” is used after the “P” and an “A” is used instead of an “E”. We wanted to clear this up as it is important to know the correct spelling of your pooch should you search for breeders and more information regarding these pups.

German shepherds can also be known and referred to as “Alsatians”.

What size will a German Shepherd puppy reach when fully grown?

German Shepherds are large sized powerful dogs which are between 55-68cms (22-26 inches) tall. The head of a German Shepherd will roughly meet the low hip area of an adult and its back will generally sit at your mid thigh.

How heavy will gorgeous German Shepherd puppies grow to be?

A typical and healthy weight for your German Shepherd is between 55-88 pounds (25-40kgs).

If you’re after one of the lighter weighted pups then it’s best to go with a female as the males are usually at the heavier end of the scale.

Looking at the puppies parents can usually give you a good indication of how big they will get when fully grown.

What Colors do German Shepherds tend to be?

When you think of a German Shepherd, you probably picture the black and tan colorings in your mind.

However they do come in a variety of beautiful colors. These include the black and tan, but also solid black, black and cream, black and silver and sable.

How long is the Coat of a German Shepherd?

German Shepherds generally have a medium to long haired coat but come in 3 variations. They are long haired coats, rough coats and long haired rough coats. You’ll find all 3 types shed all year round but more so in certain seasons.

How long will I need to spend Grooming my German Shepherd?

You will want to brush your German Shepherd daily due to their shedding hair. By brushing, you will remove most of the dead hair which would otherwise end up all over your home. Vacuuming up after your pooch every few hours is not our idea of fun!

You should only bath them when absolutely necessary and with an oatmeal based shampoo.

This will keep the natural oils in their skin and coat which will have your adorable pup looking fantastic.

Do German Shepherd Puppies have a long lifespan?

German Shepherds will typically live to be 10-13 years of age. As with all dogs, if you take the time to provide the right nutrition and care, you can extend the life of your new best friend. It is possible to see your German Shepherd live up to 15 years of age.

What sort of Temperament will a German Shepherd have?

You’ll find German Shepherd puppies to be hard working and courageous dogs. They will make a great guard dog for your home but more importantly, they will be a wonderful and caring companion.

Their loyalty and devotion to you will be hard to miss and they generally will behave well with your other pets. This is as long as you have socialized them well from a young age. German Shepherds will fit in very well with your family as they thrive on you interacting with them.

At the same time they can be wary of strangers and hold a protective nature. This makes it important to train and socialize your German Shepherds puppies from a young age.

How much Exercise will my German Shepherd need?

You will quickly realize that these dogs love to work. They are part of the herding family of dogs and you need to give them extensive exercise to keep them busy, fit and healthy. Therefore you will need to take them on long daily exercise sessions.

German Shepherds do have a tendency to herd anything that moves, this can be helpful if you ever need to round up your kids for dinner. As they are very playful, they love to get involved with your family’s activities.

Getting your German Shepherd involved in your local obedience or dog club is a great idea as they excel at many different activities. Anything from obedience, agility, flyball and especially tracking.

German Shepherds have excellent work ethics, intelligence and alertness can be seen commonly used for police work, search and rescue and many other helpful activities in the community.

Am I the Ideal owner for a German Shepherd?

If you’re a first time dog owner, German Shepherd puppies may not be the best pick due to their size, training and exercise needs combined with their protective nature. If you have had some experience owning a dog and you are an active person, this could be a great breed for you.

They will suit your family situation even if you have a few other pets as they adapt well. These loving dogs will be great with your kids but still should never be left alone with your smaller children as they can be a bit rowdy and overexcited at times.

It is best that you have a medium to large yard with relatively high fences. Anything less would require you to take your pooch on long extensive exercise daily.