The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most recognized breeds in the world. In the United States, it’s the second most popular dog breed registered by the American Kennel Club. The breed originated in Germany in 1899, and was bred to herd and guard sheep.
Created to work, the German shepherd is intelligent, strong, and athletic. It was intended to be a medium size dog but due to breeding, seeing both medium and large sized dogs is common. The breed standard is 60 – 90 pounds for males and 50 – 75 pounds for females.
Since German shepherds are so intelligent, they are notably easy to train and enjoy an active lifestyle. They do well at both work and in active family homes. They are often seen working alongside law enforcement and the military. They excel in protection, drug and explosives detection, search and rescue, and as service dogs.
They also enjoy training, obedience, dog sports, and hanging out with their owners. They have tons of energy and as family pets, love to play, run, hike, go on walks, do jobs around the house, and protect their families.
German shepherds have also been known as Alastians. During the world war, they began calling them the Alsatian, after the German French border area of Alsace-Lorraine. In 1977, breeders campaigned to change the name of the breed back to German Shepherd Dog.
Today, there are two common lines of German shepherd dogs – the working line and the show line. All German shepherds originated from the original German line but over the years have developed into two distinct types of dogs differing in appearance and temperament due to breeding.
Physical Appearance
The working line has a straight back, compact body, and powerful muscles and is built for stamina and endurance.
The show line has a sloped/roached back, broader body, angled hindquarters, and possibly weaker hips.
Temperament
The working line is very high energy, high drive, fearless, has a strong work ethic, extremely intelligent, confident in all they do, and have nerves of steel so they do not back down to threats.
The show line is lower energy, less intense, very smart, and friendlier.
Coats
The coat of the working line is often seen in sable and their coats are shorter and coarse, although there are long coat working line German shepherds.
The show line is most often seen in the classic tan and black or red and black saddle or blanket.
Health
The working line German shepherd is more rugged and typically healthier and less prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.
The show line is bred for appearance and more prone to hip and elbow problems due to their sloped backs and shorter hind legs.
As Family Pets
Working line German shepherds are very loyal and make devoted family pets when their mental and physical needs can be met. They are loving and companionable but are very high energy and require lots of exercise, training, socialization, and must be able to expend their abundance of energy in positive outlets. They usually require experienced working dog handlers.
The show line German shepherd is a much calmer and a more easy-going family pet. They are loving and loyal dogs that are very smart and highly trainable. They also require plenty of exercise and lots of mental stimulation to thrive.
Protective
Working line German shepherds have an incredible work ethic, are very alert, vigilant, and that means they have a strong desire to protect their family and they consider that part of their job.
Show line German shepherds are naturally protective yet calmer, which can make them less intense and easier to handle.
Types
Working line German shepherds come in three main types, the West German working line, East German working line (DDR), and Czech working line.
The show line German shepherds come in the American show line, Canadian show line, and West German show line.
Summary
Knowing which German shepherd is right for your family includes understanding the breed. Shelters and rescues are full of German shepherds acquired by well-meaning owners who didn’t realize how much time and attention goes into owning one of these magnificent dogs.
When purchasing or rescuing a German shepherd, it’s important to be honest about how much time you have to devote to their need for exercise and training. Since German shepherds are so energetic, smart, and loyal, they need to be included in family activities and do best when close to their owners. When left to their own devices, they can easily become anxious and destructive.
There is no more loyal, smart, and companionable dog than the German shepherd and when bringing one home, by taking the time to understand the line as well as their heritage will help you choose your new best friend wisely.
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FAQs
The show line has a sloped/roached back, broader body, angled hindquarters, and possibly weaker hips. What is this? The working line is very high energy, high drive, fearless, has a strong work ethic, extremely intelligent, confident in all they do, and have nerves of steel so they do not back down to threats.
Which is better, Showline or working line in GSD? ›
Working-line German Shepherds have stronger guarding instincts. They're often more energetic and bred to work long hours. They're easier to train and more devoted to their masters. Their high energy level translates to a high exercise need.
What does a working line German Shepherd mean? ›
It's their unparalleled work ethic and resilience. While show line German Shepherds are bred primarily for appearance, the working line is selected for their ability to perform demanding tasks, making them the more robust, agile, and often, the more focused of the two. But don't get it twisted.
What is the working bloodline of a German Shepherd? ›
West German Working Line
These dogs are the closest to those bred by Max von Stephanitz. They are true workers which are used in protection/police/military needs around the world. They have the brains and nerves to do a real job. This line, as a general rule, has less health issues than the others.
What are the differences in German Shepherd lines? ›
The West Germans prefer calmer demeanor and perfect colors. The backs of West German working lines are often more sloped than the DDR/East German working lines – but they can remain as energetic and active as the DDR/East German working lines.
What is the best German Shepherd line for a family? ›
The West-German Working Line is widely considered the most popular type of German Shepherd. They're a medium-sized dog, and they have short hair that's easy to maintain. This breed makes for excellent pets because they tend to stay calm around new people and animals.
Are working line dogs healthier? ›
The working line German shepherd is more rugged and typically healthier and less prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. What is this? The show line is bred for appearance and more prone to hip and elbow problems due to their sloped backs and shorter hind legs.
Are working line German shepherds bigger? ›
A few of the show line GSD characteristics are: Physical Characteristics: Much larger in body and broader in the head with powerfully angled hindquarters. An energy level that is lower than the working class GSDs. A longer and thicker coat than those found on working line GSDs.
Do working line German shepherds have hip problems? ›
Exuding confidence, this breed is royalty of the dog family. They are susceptible, however, to challenging hip and joint issues like hip dysplasia any time from puppyhood all the way through maturation.
How much is a working line German Shepherd? ›
The bottom line
German Shepherds are no cheap dogs. If you buy a dog from a responsible breeder (whether from a show or a working line), expect to pay around $1,500 for a puppy. This price can become considerably higher if your pup has a rare color or comes from champion bloodlines.
Don't take on a German Shepherd dog/puppy unless you have the time to devote to them and the energy levels that they deserve. German Shepherds will generally attach themselves to one person in the family, but they can still be a good family dog.
Which German Shepherd is best, male or female? ›
Traditionally speaking, male German Shepherds ruled the ranks in service. However, in recent years, females in work-related fields have risen dramatically. You can find female Shepherds favored because of their body structure. Females are lighter than males, making them perfect for tasks that require dexterity.
What is the lifespan of a working line German Shepherd? ›
Working Line GSDs:
Working line German Shepherds often enjoy longer lifespans compared to their show line counterparts. On average, these dogs can live between 10 to 14 years.
What is the best working line for German Shepherds? ›
West German Working Line German Shepherds
The West German working line has been referred to as the most balanced in terms of appearance, temperament, and working ability. Like its show line counterpart, it traces its origins back to West Germany, which existed when Germany was split into the East and West.
What is the difference between a working dog and a show dog? ›
Working breeds and show breeds refer to distinct categories of dogs, each with its own set of characteristics and purposes. The primary differences lie in their intended functions, physical traits, and often their temperaments.
What dog gets mistaken for a German Shepherd? ›
A Belgian Malinois looks sort of like a smaller, blonder German shepherd, and is sometimes even mistaken for a German shepherd. Malinois are shorthaired dogs, fawn in color, with a black overlay, and a black mask and ears. The females average about 40-60 pounds, and the males weigh about 60-80 pounds.
How long do showline German Shepherds live? ›
Unfortunately, like most dog breeds, they do not live as long as their owners would like. A German Shepherd's lifespan is between 7 and 14 years. Factors including hereditary conditions, the nutritional quality of their food, exercise levels, and even gender can play a part in how long your GSD lives.
Can Showline German Shepherds be guard dogs? ›
Temperamentally, show-line German Shepherds are relatively docile and while still intelligent lack high work drives. They can make excellent pets, but are not what we look for in a prospective family or personal protection dog. They are also somewhat prone to hip injuries.
