🐾 German Shepherd

German Shepherd

▶

▶ ▶

Tap a video to play it

🔍 See more videos →

Photos

✖ ❮ ❯

Who it is

• Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris
• Family & relatives: A breed of domestic dog in the family Canidae, related to wolves, foxes, and every other dog breed in the world.
• How to spot it: A large, strong dog with pointed upright ears, a bushy tail, and a tan-and-black coat that slopes gently toward the back.

Its body & abilities

• Size: Stands about 55 to 65 cm tall at the shoulder.
• Weight: Usually about 22 to 40 kg (48 to 88 lb).
• Body & adaptations: Its strong jaws, thick double coat, and long legs make it a fast, tough working dog in any weather.
• Top speed: Can run up to about 48 km/h (30 mph) in short sprints.
• Strength: Very strong and brave, it can pull, jump, and work all day, which is why it helps police and rescue teams.
• Senses: An amazing sense of smell and sharp hearing let it find people and things humans never could.
• Growing up: Puppies are born tiny with closed eyes, open them in about two weeks, and grow into adults by around two years.

Where it lives

• Habitat: Lives in homes and yards with its human family, happy in almost any climate.
• Where in the world: Kept as a beloved pet and working dog all over the world.
• Territory: It watches over its home and family and will bark to warn of anything new nearby.

What it eats

• Diet: A friendly meat-and-veggie eater that enjoys dog food and always needs a bowl of fresh water.
• Favorite foods: Good-quality dog food, meat, and healthy dog treats given by its owner.
• How it hunts: Not a hunter today; its ancestors herded sheep, so it still loves to run, chase toys, and follow a job.

How it behaves

• How it moves: Trots smoothly and tirelessly for hours and can gallop and leap with ease.
• When it is active: Active during the day, playing and working with its family, and sleeps at night.
• Family life: Very social and loyal, it loves being part of its family pack and following a trusted leader.
• How it talks: Talks with barks, whines, and happy tail wags, and reads its owner's voice and body closely.
• Babies: After about two months a mother dog has a litter of around six to eight puppies, which she feeds and keeps warm.

Its place in nature

• Role in nature: A helpful partner to people as a guide, guard, and rescue dog, and a gentle friend at home.
• Conservation: Domestic breed, not a wild animal, so it is not tracked for conservation.
• Dangers: Stays healthiest with vet checkups, exercise, and a good diet, like any pet dog.

Life & legacy

• How long it lives: About 9 to 13 years with good care and love.
• In our culture: One of the world's most famous dogs, loved as a family friend and a hero in movies and real rescues.
• Where to see it: In homes, parks, and working with police and rescue teams all around the world.
• Fun fact: German Shepherds are so smart they can learn a new command after hearing it only a few times.