German Shepherd Care Guide: Exercise, Diet and Training
German Shepherd care guide: daily exercise needs, feeding a large-breed puppy and adult, grooming a double coat, training and socialisation, and health checks.
Quick answer
German Shepherds are intelligent, energetic working dogs. They need around two hours of exercise and mental work a day, a balanced diet suited to a large breed, regular brushing of the double coat, and consistent reward-based training that starts with early socialisation. Looked after properly, they are loyal and adaptable. Short of activity and guidance, they can turn anxious, destructive or overprotective.
Breed at a glance
| Feature | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Height at shoulder | Males about 60–65 cm (24–26 in); females about 55–60 cm (22–24 in) |
| Weight | Males about 30–40 kg (66–88 lb); females about 22–32 kg (49–71 lb) |
| Lifespan | Often around 9–11 years; some live longer |
| Coat | Double coat; short "stock" coat or longer "long coat" varieties |
| Temperament | Loyal, alert, intelligent, can be reserved with strangers |
Working lines tend to have more drive and need more structured work. Show and pet lines vary. Ask the breeder about the temperament of both parents.
Exercise: body and brain
The breed was developed to herd and guard, so a German Shepherd needs physical exercise and also a job to do.
For adults, aim for:
- Two walks a day, plus off-lead running in a safe, enclosed area if possible
- Play such as fetch or tug with clear rules
- 10–15 minutes of training most days
- Mental work: scent games, puzzle feeders, hide-and-seek with toys
For puppies:
- Short, frequent play and exploring rather than long runs
- No repetitive high-impact exercise, such as long jogs on hard ground or lots of jumping, until your vet says the growth plates have closed
- Plenty of rest. Puppies sleep a lot, and they need it
A German Shepherd that doesn't get enough exercise will often bark too much, chew, dig, pace or chase anything that moves. Before you call a behaviour a "problem", check the dog's daily needs are actually being met.
Diet and feeding
Puppies
German Shepherd puppies grow fast. In large breeds, rapid growth and too much calcium can contribute to joint problems, so:
- Feed a complete diet formulated for large-breed puppies.
- Don't add calcium supplements unless your vet prescribes them.
- Keep puppies lean. You should be able to feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of fat.
- Split food into three to four meals a day for young puppies, moving to two meals as they mature.
Adults
Feed a complete, balanced adult diet in measured portions, adjusting for how active the dog is and its body condition rather than following the bag to the letter. For a deep-chested breed, two meals a day is better than one big one. Keep treats to a small share of the daily food, and use part of the daily ration as training rewards. Fresh water should always be available.
Bloat (GDV) awareness
Large, deep-chested dogs like German Shepherds are at risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), where the stomach fills with gas and can twist. It is an emergency. You can lower the risk by feeding smaller meals rather than one large one, keeping hard exercise away from just before and just after meals, and discouraging gulping (slow-feeder bowls help).
Go to a vet immediately if your dog has a swollen or tight belly, retches without bringing anything up, drools heavily, is restless or pacing, or collapses.
Grooming the double coat
- Brush two to three times a week with a slicker brush and an undercoat rake.
- Brush daily during coat blow, when the undercoat comes out in clumps, usually once or twice a year.
- Bathe only when needed, with a dog shampoo. Bathing too often dries the skin. Dry the dense coat thoroughly afterwards.
- Don't shave the coat unless a vet advises it for a medical reason. The double coat protects against sun and heat as well as cold.
- Trim nails every few weeks and check ears weekly for redness or smell. Look after the teeth with brushing or vet-approved dental chews.
Training and socialisation
German Shepherds pick things up fast and like working with their people.
- Start early. Over the first months, gently introduce your puppy to different people, children, other vaccinated dogs, traffic, sounds and surfaces, balancing this against your vet's advice on vaccination (see our puppy vaccination schedule).
- Use reward-based methods. Food, toys and praise work well. In a sensitive, protective breed, harsh punishment can increase fear and defensive aggression.
- Teach the basics early: name, sit, down, stay, recall, loose-lead walking and "leave it".
- Practise calm behaviour around visitors and at the gate. Reward relaxed greetings instead of encouraging barking or guarding.
- Head off problems by giving the dog enough company. German Shepherds don't cope well with being left alone for long hours every day.
- Puppy classes are worth considering, and later on obedience, tracking or agility.
Protection or bite training should only be done with experienced professionals. A family pet doesn't need it.
Health checks to know about
| Condition | What to know |
|---|---|
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | Inherited joint problems. Ask breeders for hip and elbow screening results for both parents, under whatever scheme is used in your country. |
| Degenerative myelopathy | A progressive spinal cord disease of older dogs. A DNA test can show whether parents carry the at-risk gene. |
| Bloat (GDV) | See above; know the signs. |
| Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) | The pancreas doesn't produce enough digestive enzymes, causing weight loss and large, greasy stools despite a good appetite. |
| Skin and ear problems | Allergies and ear infections are common. Itching, licking or smelly ears should be checked. |
Yearly vet check-ups help a great deal, as does keeping your dog lean and getting limping, weight loss or digestive changes looked at early.
Living with a German Shepherd
They suit active owners who have time for daily exercise and training, secure fencing, and don't mind dog hair everywhere. A house with a garden is ideal, though they can manage in a smaller home if they get all the exercise they need. They are a poor match for people who are out all day or want a low-maintenance dog.
In Pakistan
German Shepherds are among the most popular large breeds in Pakistan, kept as family and guard dogs, and long-coat lines are especially sought after. Summer heat is the biggest problem for a coat this thick. Walk only at dawn and after sunset, keep the dog indoors or in deep shade with plenty of water during the day, and learn the signs of heatstroke in dogs. Don't keep a German Shepherd chained on a roof or in a small, sun-baked space. Prices vary widely by lineage and city. Before you buy, ask to see both parents, the vaccination cards and, ideally, hip screening results.
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Frequently asked questions
How much exercise does a German Shepherd need?
Most healthy adult German Shepherds need around two hours of activity a day, split between walks, play and mental work such as training and scent games. Puppies need shorter, gentler sessions while their joints develop.
Are German Shepherds good family dogs?
Well-bred, well-socialised German Shepherds are often loyal, gentle with their own family and easy to train. They need daily exercise, training and company, and their size and protective instincts mean early socialisation really matters.
Do German Shepherds shed a lot?
Yes. They shed steadily all year and heavily once or twice a year when they 'blow' their undercoat. Brushing several times a week, and daily during heavy shedding, keeps it manageable.
