German Shepherd: temperament, care and good with kids
The German Shepherd is a loyal, intelligent and versatile working dog. A great guardian and family companion that needs training, exercise and clear leadership.
Temperament
They're trainable, confident and strongly bonded to their family. They tend to be alert and protective, so they need good socialization and consistent training. They love work and tasks.
Good with children
★★★★
With their own family they're devoted and protective. Because of their size, strength and guarding instinct, training, socialization and supervision are essential — hence four stars.
Care & upkeep
The dense double coat sheds heavily, especially twice a year — brush several times a week. The breed has tendencies toward hip dysplasia; choose a dog from a responsible breeder.
Exercise & daily routine
They need lots of exercise and, above all, mental work — at least 1.5–2 hours of activity a day. An under-worked Shepherd is restless and may misbehave.
Can you handle the daily care?
TestDog simulates the real routine of caring for a virtual dog — feeding in set windows and walks tracked by your pedometer. Try the responsibility for real before you get a German Shepherd or any other breed.
Download on theApp StoreWho the German Shepherd suits
Suitable for active owners who want to train a dog and dedicate time to it. Not suited to complete beginners without time or a passive household.
Compare with other breeds in our dog breed guide.