German Shepherd Dog

The first breed club was formed in 1881 after Max von Stephanitz and his followers developed and promoted the breed as a herding dog, and later as a working dog used by the police and the armed forces. From the First World War the bravery and temperament of the German Shepherd has gained the breed worldwide recognition and praise and he has shown his worth in other disciplines too:- as a guide dog for the blind, as a tracking dog, and in obedience.

The evolution of the breed and its changed appearance in the last fifty years has provoked fierce debate: the German Shepherd has a marked division of breed “type”.

In recent years the long haired variety, once frowned upon in its native country has been officially recognised in the breed standard.

Read the breed standard

Images for this breed

The Pastoral breed group

The Pastoral Group consists of herding dogs that are associated with working cattle, sheep, reindeer and other cloven footed animals.

Usually this type of dog has a weatherproof double coat to protect it from the elements when working in severe conditions. Breeds such as the Collie family, Old English Sheepdogs and Samoyeds who have been herding reindeer for centuries are but a few included in this group.

Colour Watch

Category 2: Breeds with >2 to 10% registered NBS colours

Breed Standard colours

Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.

Breed standard colours in this breed include:

Bi-Colour
Black
Black & Gold
Black & Tan
Dark Sable
Gold Sable
Grey
Grey Sable
Sable

Non-breed-standard colours

Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour, it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.

Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog. Health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.

Non-breed-standard colours in this breed include:

(NBS) White
(NBS) Blue
(NBS) Blue & Gold
(NBS) Blue & Tan
(NBS) Blue Sable
(NBS) Isabella
(NBS) Isabella & Tan
(NBS) Liver
(NBS) Liver & Tan
(NBS) Liver Sable

Other colour/s

'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed-standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registration process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.

Whether you’re thinking of buying a German Shepherd puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in your breed. That's why we've teamed up with Weatherbys Scientific, a leading DNA testing lab, to create our breed specific packages.

To support your health testing journey, we provide our tailored German Shepherd Dog Breed-Specific Package (with DNA profile included). Giving you the information you need about potential health risks, this package includes screening for Degenerative myelopathy (DM)*, Multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1) and DNA Profile (SNP - ISAG 2020).

3 essential tests valued at £235 for just £150, that screen for multiple conditions at once, saving you time and providing vital health information.

*tested by Laboklin

More about health

We advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.

Priority health schemes and tests

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeders must use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice. All other breeders are strongly advised to also use these.

Elbow dysplasia screening scheme (BVA/KC)
Hip dysplasia screening scheme (BVA/KC)
Risk test (DNA based) - DM - part of The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services* (see below). Find a list of tested dogs

Important health schemes and tests

We strongly recommend that all breeders, both assured breeders (ABs) and non ABs, use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice.

Eye screening scheme (BVA/KC/ISDS)
Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
No stud dog to be used under 18 months of age
Check inbreeding calculators
Breed club – haemophilia testing in males

Other health schemes and tests available

DNA test - MDR1 - part of The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services* (see below).

*The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services - simple to use and easy to organise all-in-one DNA tests

The DNA tests listed above marked with an asterisk (*) are included in our DNA Testing Services. This includes:

DM (Degenerative myelopathy)
MRD 1 (Multiple drug sensitivity)

Kennel Club Assured breeders and Kennel Club Accredited Instructors receive a 10% discount.

Find out more about our DNA Testing Services.

Find out about a particular dog's results

Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed Register.

You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.

Have any questions about health in your breed?

If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.

Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.

To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email

Christine Hazell

Breed watch

Category 3

Particular points of concern for individual breeds may include features not specifically highlighted in the breed standard including current issues. In some breeds, features may be listed which, if exaggerated, might potentially affect the breed in the future.