German Shepherd Dog

Smart, loyal and always ready for a job. The German Shepherd was bred in Germany as a do-it-all working, herding and service dog [1]. It's a big dog with a busy brain, so here's what you need to know before one moves in.

German Shepherd quick facts

Is a German Shepherd a good family dog?

Its official standard describes it as [1]:

• Well-balanced and self-assured.
• Good-natured, attentive and willing to please.

The standard also rules out nervous dogs that bite [1]. In UK vet records, aggression was noted in 4.8% of German Shepherds, more often in males [2]. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog itself before you decide.

How much exercise does a German Shepherd need?

It was built for work, and it still thinks like a working dog [1]. Plan for:

• Daily, structured exercise.
• Ongoing training, not just puppy classes.
• Games and tasks that work its brain.

No official source sets a number of hours. Be honest about your time before you commit.

What should a German Shepherd eat?

Ask a licensed vet which food suits your dog's age, weight and activity. How you feed matters too. For big, deep-chested dogs, vet sources advise [3][4][5]:

• Two or more smaller meals a day, not one big one.
• No raised food bowls.
• No hard exercise right after eating.

Watch the waistline: overweight was one of the most common problems in the breed [2].

Can a German Shepherd handle Saudi heat?

Heat is a real danger for any dog, and this one wears a thick double coat [1][6]. Keep it safe:

• Shade and fresh water, always [6].
• A cool floor to rest on [6].
• Walks in the cooler hours, never at midday [6].

Heatstroke is an emergency. Hot skin, heavy panting, drooling, vomiting, wobbling or collapse mean one thing: go to a vet immediately [6].

What health problems do German Shepherds get?

The most common issues in UK vet records were ear infections, osteoarthritis, diarrhoea and overweight [2]. The breed is also prone to:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia [7].
• Bloat (GDV), a life-threatening emergency [3].
• Degenerative myelopathy [8].
• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) [9].

Tap a card below to learn more. These pages are for awareness only. For any worry, see a licensed vet.

Did you know? The breed's very first standard was adopted in Frankfurt on 20 September 1899 [1]. From day one, it valued character and working ability over looks alone [1].

Before you buy or adopt

• Ask for the health record and vaccination card.
• Ask for proof the parents were healthy. For this breed, that usually means hip and elbow screening [1][7].
• Check the dog has, or will get, a microchip [10].
• Budget for food, vet check-ups, vaccinations, grooming tools, training and an emergency fund, since bloat can mean urgent surgery [3].

Can a German Shepherd travel by plane?

Yes, but not in the cabin. Rules vary by airline and change often, so check with the airline and with MEWA through the Anaam platform before you book [10][11].

• Coming into Saudi Arabia: register on Anaam and get an import permit, valid for 30 days. The dog needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination with at least six months of validity left, and a veterinary health certificate [10].
• Leaving Saudi Arabia: apply for an export permit on Anaam with a health certificate from a Ministry-accredited clinic. The permit is valid for 30 days [11]. The destination country's own rules apply too.

What the airlines say:

• Saudia: dogs travel in the cargo hold, not the cabin [12].
• Qatar Airways and Emirates: no pet cabin option; pets travel in the hold or as cargo [13][14].
• Etihad: cabin pets must weigh 8 kg or less with the carrier, far below a dog this size [15].

Comfort first: a big dog needs its own crate built to IATA rules and measured for that dog, so it can stand, turn around and lie down [16]. IATA advises against sedating pets in transit, so talk to a licensed vet before you fly [16].

German Shepherd FAQ

How long do German Shepherds live?

The median was 10.3 years in UK vet data. Females lived about 1.4 years longer than males [2].

What types of German Shepherd are there?

The official standard recognises two coat types only: the double coat and the long double coat [1].

Can a German Shepherd live in hot weather?

Only with care: shade, water, cool-hour walks, and a vet immediately at any sign of heatstroke [6].