Connect with responsible German Shepherd breeders and find the ideal breeding partner for your versatile working dog
Understanding your GSD's working heritage and structural challenges is essential for responsible breeding
Male: 65-90 lbs
Female: 50-70 lbs
Male: 24-26 inches
Female: 22-24 inches
9-13 years
Varies by line
Confident, Courageous
Versatile worker
Major split in breed. Working lines: athletic, stable temperament, fewer health issues. Show lines: extreme angulation, more health problems, calmer pets.
Excel at police work, military, search & rescue, service dog work. Need mental stimulation and job to do. Destructive when bored.
Naturally protective of family. Aloof with strangers. Need extensive socialization. Poor breeding creates fearful, aggressive dogs.
Shed year-round with two heavy seasons. "German Shedders" nickname is accurate. Daily brushing needed. Not hypoallergenic.
GSDs face serious health challenges, particularly with hips and elbows, requiring careful breeding decisions
OFA or PennHIP testing MANDATORY. German Shepherds have one of the highest rates. Both parents must have good/excellent ratings. Poor hips = lifelong pain.
OFA elbow evaluation MANDATORY. Common in breed. Can cause severe lameness. Surgery expensive and not always successful.
Genetic test MANDATORY. Progressive paralysis of rear legs. No cure. 20% of GSDs are at risk. Test all breeding stock.
Cannot produce digestive enzymes. Fatal without lifelong enzyme supplements ($100+/month). More common in GSDs than any other breed.
Aggressive cancer of blood vessels. Common cause of sudden death in GSDs. No genetic test. Check family history for cancer.
Deep-chested breed at high risk. Can kill in hours. Prophylactic gastropexy recommended. Feed multiple small meals.
Esophagus doesn't work properly. Dogs regurgitate food. Can cause aspiration pneumonia. More common in GSDs. Check family history.
Painful draining tracts around anus. German Shepherds predisposed. Linked to immune issues. Expensive to treat. Check breeding stock.
German Shepherds have one of the highest rates of hip dysplasia of any breed. Nearly 20% of GSDs have hip dysplasia, even with decades of supposed screening.
The reality:
Breeding GSDs ethically means accepting that even with testing, you may produce dogs that suffer.
DM is like ALS in humans - progressive paralysis starting in the hind legs. There is NO cure and it's always fatal. The dog slowly loses all mobility over 6-12 months. Genetic testing is available and MUST be done. At-risk dogs (DM/DM) will likely develop the disease by age 8-10. Carriers (DM/N) can be bred ONLY to clear dogs (N/N). This heartbreaking disease can be prevented through testing.
Follow these essential guidelines for responsible German Shepherd breeding
Male German Shepherds
2 to 8 years
Female German Shepherds
2 to 7 years
Wait for full hip/elbow development. GSDs mature slowly. Early breeding can pass on joint problems.
German Shepherds require extensive health testing due to numerous genetic issues. Hip and elbow dysplasia are extremely common.
Females: No more than once per year, maximum 4-5 litters lifetime
Skip at least one heat cycle between litters
Quality over quantity. Focus on improving the breed's health and working ability
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Expert advice and tips for German Shepherd breeding
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