Everything you need to know about German Shepherd puppies

Easy to train and eager to please - German Shepherd puppies have it all, especially for newbie prospective pet parents. And while their adult counterparts might be known for guarding mastery and professional capabilities, those instincts haven’t quite kicked in for German Shepherd puppies at the early stages. In fact, it’s play, play, and more play during puppyhood. Pups need time to figure out the world around them, and a lot of that important learning is done through play and time spent bonding with two and four-legged friends.  So, whether you’re a dog sitter or a soon-to-be pet parent after German Shepherd names, here’s (almost - we’re modest here) everything you need to know about German Shepherd puppies.

German Shepherd puppy facts

• Size: German Shepherds can grow to between 22 and 26 inches tall (measured from paw to shoulder) and can weigh between 65 and 90 pounds when fully grown, with female German Shepherds on the lighter side.
• Character: Even when pups, German Shepherds are loyal, loving, playful and intelligent. They’ve got a thirst for knowledge and love having a job to do.
• Grooming: These double-coated fluffballs don’t need much grooming - the odd bath and brush will do the job. At least, that’s for most of the year. During shedding seasons (which happens up to twice a year), they’ll need a brush every few days to help release loose fur.
• Health needs: While German Shepherds are generally healthy, pet parents should know the signs of bloat - a serious condition which can be fatal. These pups can also experience hip and elbow dysplasia, so make sure your older pooch gets checked regularly. 
• Training: German Shepherd puppies are easy to train and eager to please (so the perfect combo?). Socialize your pup early and follow reward-based training for a happy pooch who’s chilled around two and four-legged friends.
• Energy levels: Highly energetic! Make sure you’ve got a (fenced) yard with lots of room for your pup to play and learn tricks.
• Intelligence: Highly intelligent - these pups need lots of play and mental stimulation. Think tricks, agility and tracking!
• Noise levels: The German Shepherd bark is pretty booming and they’re prone to express themselves vocally, if you get our drift.

Things to know before getting a German Shepherd

While their iconic, fluffy brown coat, thoughtful, beady eyes and eager-to-please nature is enough to convince any animal lover to adopt, there are a few things to know before welcoming a German Shepherd puppy into your home… 

• They don't stay small (unlike Pug puppies). While an obvious point to make, it can be easy to get overtaken by the compact, playful fluff balls that are German Shepherd puppies. Anything your little pup learns, your big pup will remember. So, bear that in mind when you’re tapping the sofa for cuddles and letting your pooch snuggle next to you at bed time. 
• Working dogs at heart. Historically speaking, these pups were bred to herd cattle and have since been welcomed into all kinds of professional settings (like the police force). So, despite being your playful, much-loved family member, these pups love having a job to focus on and the space to do it. 
• Socialization is key. German Shepherd puppies grow into large, intelligent, powerful pooches. That’s why it’s vital you socialize your pup as soon as you can so they’re used to other dogs and humans - you don’t want a freaked-out adult German Shepherd on your hands.
• Set boundaries. While German Shepherd puppies are eager to please, remember to assert your dominance as leader of the pack. These pups are used to having a two-legged master to lead the way, so choose your house rules and stick to them (and make sure all of your two-legged buddies are on board, too!).
• Protective in nature. While this can be an endearing trait - showing love, dedication and affection to their pack - the German Shepherd’s protective nature needs to be looked after a little. What do we mean? Well these pups can sometimes be a little aloof to strangers and those they consider outside of their social circle. So, socialize your pup from a young age to help them accept newbies.
• Biting. While German Shepherds are by no means vicious, they were bred to herd and communicate (in part) through nipping. While this might seem cute and harmless during puppyhood, it’s important to train your pup to communicate in other ways (and to reward these behaviors) before they reach adulthood.
• Dog hair is a way of life. If you’ve got allergies and you’re thinking about welcoming a German Shepherd puppy, think again! These pups are high shedders and can shed en masse up to twice a year. Vacuums at the ready.
• Nose nudging. Another remnant from their herding past, German Shepherds are prone to the odd nose nudge. It’s just another way these pups communicate with others, and to be honest, we think it’s pretty cute.
• They love activity. Not only do these pups need mental stimulation (which is why they’re so great as working dogs), German Shepherds need to release large amounts of energy each day to stay happy and healthy. So, if you’re looking for a lap dog to curl up on the coach with, you’ll have to think again.

Getting a German Shepherd puppy

Whether you’re thinking about adopting a rescue dog or welcoming German Shepherd puppies from a reputable breeder, the most important thing any prospective pet parent can do is research, research, research. Know what you (and your pack) are in for, and only welcome your home to a new pooch if you’re ready for heaps of hair, lots of vacuuming, patience for training and endless walkies. If you’re not sure whether a German Shepherd puppy is right for you, go pet sitting to help you make your mind up and enjoy the company of another’s four-legged friend.

Buying a German Shepherd

If you decide to welcome a German Shepherd puppy from a breeder, we can't stress enough how important it is to get clued up beforehand. While many newborn German Shepherd puppies are welcomed into the world by well-meaning, loving breeders, the sad truth is that many aren’t. So, make sure that you do your research and only buy from a reputable breeder whose best interests are with the wellbeing of the mother, father and babies.

Adoption and rescue

With so many German Shepherd fluffballs waiting for forever homes, it makes a lot of sense to welcome a rescue dog into your home. While doing a great deed, another great thing about adopting a pooch is that they’re already house-broken, having had all the right health checks and vaccinations a puppy needs.

German Shepherd puppy care

Before the (most exciting) day comes, make sure your German Shepherd puppy has everything they need - check out this puppy checklist for ideas. Once your new fluffy best friend is in town, the last thing you want to be doing is traipsing around the shops for essentials! And once your pup is through the doors, establish an eating, exercise and sleep routine - consistency is key for creating the safe space your pup feels happy in. If you’ve welcomed a German Shepherd as a puppy, find a local puppy training class so they can bump noses with new four and two-legged buddies.

Exercise

German Shepherd puppies don’t need quite as much intense exercise as their adult counterparts, but even at a young age, they certainly aren’t lap dogs. If you’re wondering how much exercise your puppy needs, remember their little bodies are still growing and don’t need to be overworked! Start with games of fetch, small hikes and garden games, while slowly building up the intensity and time you spend being active with your pup. And what about mental exercise? Well these are clever pups, so will appreciate learning new tricks along with agility and tracking training alongside hiking, games of fetch and tug of war.

Training 

German Shepherd puppies need lots of physical and mental stimulation to meet their high intelligence and physical strength (like their German cousin, the Rottweiler). As a prospective pet parent, you’ll be happy to learn that Alsatian puppies are easy to train and eager to please - the winning combo in our books. Raising a German Shepherd puppy means dedication to puppy training with consistency and rewards, along with socialization from a young age to help them adjust to interaction with strangers. It’s worth noting that despite being intelligent dogs, a young pup can get easily distracted. So, keep training sessions calm and distraction-free, and consider waiting until any two-legged friends are old enough to steer clear while your new pup is learning the ropes.

Feeding

Like adult dogs and any other dog breed, German Shepherd puppies need high-quality dog food that’s right for their age. While avoiding table scraps and high fat foods, pieces of dog biscuit or kibble are perfect for reward-based dog training. Before welcoming a German Shepherd dog into your home, make sure you learn what they can and can’t eat - it’s not always intuitive, yet it’s vital you follow guidelines on what our four-legged friends can digest. And remember, if you’re concerned about your pup’s weight, pop to the vet.

Naming your new furry friend?

Finding the right name for your new pooch is no mean feat, so here's 150 German Shepherd names to get you inspired.