How Heavy Are German Shepherds

New Research Reveals Secrets Of The Demographics And Disorders In German Shepherd Dogs

A new study conducted by the VetCompass Programme at the Royal Veterinary College has revealed novel insights into the demographics and disorders of German Shepherd Dogs. This information will raise awareness of the susceptibility of German Shepherd Dogs to a variety of health conditions, inform diagnosis and treatment, and will help potential owners to decide between a male or female puppy.

German Shepherd Dogs are one of the UKs most popular dog breeds, and have been widely used for herding, guarding, police, military and guide-dog roles. However, over recent decades, the physical shape of the German Shepherd Dog has become more extreme and there is now much debate about consequential impact on the health of the breed. This VetCompass study adds to current knowledge by providing key data from hundreds of UK vet practices about the health and demographics of this breed.

This new research revealed:

• German Shepherd Dogs are falling out of favour in the UK, dropping from 3.5% of all dogs born in 2005 to 2.2% in 2013.
• 63.43% of German Shepherds had at least one disorder recorded during 2013, which is similar to other breeds previously explored, including Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Pugs.
• The average lifespan of German Shepherds overall was 10.3 years which is similar to other breeds of this bodysize.
• The most common disorders recorded in German Shepherds were ear infection , osteoarthritis , diarrhoea , overweight/obesity and aggression .

Average Adult German Shepherd Weight

While the vast majority of German Shepherds will fall in this range, there are exceptions. Your veterinarian or else an experienced Shepherd breeder can tell you if your dog is the right weight for their age and height.

The average weight of adult German Shepherds by gender as mentioned in the first paragraph:

• Males: 66 88 pounds
• Females: 48 70 pounds

Why Does My German Shepherd Pant All The Time

The most likely reason that it pants a lot is because it is too hot. Dogs dont sweat like humans do so it is difficult for them to regulate their temperature. Add in the fact that German Shepherds have double coats and it becomes easy to see that they will get hot very easily.

Why do German Shepherds Pant a lot? German Shepherds may also start to pant a lot when they are excited. This is because they will become more active and because they will be supplying their muscles with more oxygen in anticipation. Again, panting more than usual when it is excited is a normal time for a dog to start panting a lot.

Why does my dog pant all time? Get to know what your dogs everyday breathing and panting looks like so youll more quickly notice suspicious changes. Some common reasons dogs pant heavily include: Heatstroke or poisoning. Its normal for a dog to start breathing harder or panting after exertion.

Why does my English Bulldog Pant so much? Some common reasons dogs pant heavily include: Heatstroke or poisoning. Its normal for a dog to start breathing harder or panting after exertion. And some dogs, like Boston terriers, bulldogs, and pugs, are prone to heavier breathing than other dogs because of their short snouts.

Why is my dog panting in the middle of the night? If you notice your dog panting in the middle of the night or in an airconditioned room, check for other indications of pain. Pain can cause changes in breathing, including an irregular respiratory rate.

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German Shepherds Arent Aggressive By Nature

Despite their intimidating looks and size, german shepherds arent aggressive by nature. In fact, it takes a lot of training to create the same dogs you see in police and military operations. By nature, these dogs are often laid back and enjoy the company of children. German shepherds, however, do dislike strangers which often make them perfect guard dogs.

The Gold Standard: 5 German Shepherd Facts You Should Know About

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You might have seen german shepherds in movies, police and military operations, or maybe someone you know owns one. These dogs are one of the best breeds to have as a pet. German Shepherds are extremely loyal and protective of their owners. These dogs are also known to be affectionate to children, despite their intimidating looks.

Historically speaking, these dogs were bred in Germany sometime around 1889. The story was that Max von Stephanitz, a known german dog breeder at that time, noticed a wolf-like dog in a dog show. The yellow and black markings, along with its intelligence, impressed Max. He soon purchased the dog, and it was clear that it had discipline in its genes.

Soon, Max set up strict guidelines on implementing the standards for this breed. These standards eventually led to the mass breeding of the german shepherd that we know today. In celebration of the german shepherd breed and its countless contributions to us human beings, here are some facts that you should know about this breed:

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German Shepherd Height Charts

You can use this chart to check to see if your German Shepherds growth is on track. As with weight, there will be some dogs that fall outside of the ranges listed here, but thats normal as long as your dog is otherwise healthy.

Male German Shepherd Growth/Height Chart

How Big Do German Shepherds Get

German Shepherds typically range between 22 to 26 inches tall and 60 to 85 pounds in weight.

However, do you ever wonder why Shepherds are of a particular size? What about the breed standard, and what if you want to show your dog? Maybe you have an Alsatian mix, and you want to know how much the Shepherd side will influence her size.

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What Are The Origins Of German Shepherds And Golden Retrievers

German Shepherds originated in Germany during the late 1800s. The Shepherd breed developed as herding dogs that possessed superior instincts and working skills.

Golden Retrievers originated in Scotland and England during the 1880s. This dog came from setters and water dogs that gatekeepers used to retrieve waterfowl.

Both dog breeds appearances became more standardized during the early 20th century. Today, both breeds have appearances and temperament traits that make it easy to predict their size, grooming needs, and behaviors.

Do German Shepherds Have Common Health Problems

All dog breeds have a tendency toward some kind of health problem. The severity and risk will vary, however. German Shepherds biggest issue is hip dysplasia.

This is when the hip bones do not sit well within the joint, making them easy to dislocate and injure. German Shepherds can also get elbow dysplasia, where the same thing happens, but with the elbow joint.

A major health concern that you will need to watch out for with German Shepherds is bloat. This is not like the type of bloating that humans experience and it can be life-threatening. It is where the dogs stomach becomes distended to the point of cutting off air to the dog, causing trouble breathing.

It can be avoided by keeping your dog on a consistent schedule and not feeding him right before taking him out for vigorous exercise. You should also make sure your dog is not eating too quickly.

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What Is The Heaviest German Shepherd Ever

According to Oborge, the worlds largest German shepherd, as of September 2014, is named Duke, standing at almost 32 inches tall and weighing 131 pounds. Duke has a male offspring that is almost as large as him. Dukes owners claim that the dog became so large through a diet consisting primarily of spinach.

Modern Utilization Of The German Shepherd

German Shepherds are seen as working dogs everywhere. The breed is well known for its police work, mostly used for narcotics detection, tracking criminals, and other types of detection. The ability to handle these tasks also make the breed a good candidate for the military. German Shepherds in the military detect items such as mines and explosives.

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What Is A German Shepherds Neck Size

Measuring your German Shepherds neck is important to help you find the perfect collar size to ensure that they are secure and comfortable.

To do this, use a measuring tape to measure loosely along the base of your puppys neck. Ensure that you can slide two fingers in between the tape and your puppys neck. The neck size of a German Shepherd is 18 24 inches

How Much Should A German Shepherd Weigh

Since each dog is going to be different, you need to look at their overall body condition rather than a weight range. Fortunately, there are body conditioning charts that you can use to figure out if your German Shepherd is at their ideal weight.

As you can see, its easy to determine if your German Shepherd is at the proper weight. Just look at them from the side and from above, feeling for ribs and pelvic bones when necessary.

While German Shepherds are generally thinner compared to other dogs of their size, you still shouldnt be able to see or easily feel their ribs. Younger dogs will also typically be on the thin side before they fully fill out as adults.

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How Big Should A German Shepherd Be

Unlike many other breeds, the German Shepherd has very specific standards when it comes to their proportions. While weight and height are important, what matters more is that theyre the right ratio.

To find out if your dog is the right ratio, you need to measure their length from the front of their chest to the base of their tail. Youll also measure their height at their withers.

A German Shepherd should have a length/height ratio of 10:8.5. That means they should be slightly longer than they are tall.

Here are some examples of proper ratios:

• Length: 26 inches

• Height: 26 inches
• Ratio: 10:8.5

To find the ratio, multiply their length by 0.85. This should give you their height. For example, 26 inches times 0.85 is 22.1 inches, so you know that dog is proportionate. Using the other example, 30.5 inches times 0.85 is 25.9 inches.

Neonatal Period: Birth 3 Weeks

During this stage, a puppy is mostly helpless, and the mother will be responsible for feeding them, keeping them warm, and helping them eliminate waste.

Here are some of the developmental milestones to watch for:

• Beginning to crawl
• Eyes and ears begin to open
• Eyes and ears fully open
• First baby teeth erupt
• Begin eliminating on their own
• Start walking

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Average German Shepherd Weight By Age

The most reliable numbers when it comes to a German shepherds measurements come from German Shepherd Dog FCI. It will also be the ones that well be using in this section.

Its also important to understand that males and females typically have different weights. This is a chart that shows the average weight of a German shepherd with 1-month intervals.

However, this German shepherd size chart will skip some months to show you how a full-grown German shepherd should weigh normally.

Are Cats Just Big

4 signs on how to tell if your cat is overweight Ribs: Run your hands along your cats side. If you can easily feel their ribs along with a little covering of fat, your cat is a healthy weight. If you cant easily feel the ribs, thats a sign your cat is overweight. Abdomen: Look at your cat from the side.

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Natural Shedding By Double

Dog breeds with double coats are known to shed more profusely than those with single coats. These breeds shed their undercoats seasonally in the spring and fall.

Seasonal shedding is a natural process that prepares the breed for weather changes.

Shedding undercoats allows for the breeds natural ability to adapt to external temperature changes with the coat shedding process.

German Shepherds are one of these breeds that shed their undercoats along with Labradors and Border Collies, among others, so its not realistic to stop shedding completely its more about how you manage their hair loss.

Fortunately, if youre a German Shepherd puppy owner, younger GSDs dont tend to shed until later in life as the puppy coat often becomes the undercoat and the guard hairs come in as the adult coat.

#2 Shedding due to skin problems

Parasitic infections can cause abnormal shedding. Dog lice, mites, fleas, and other parasites can burrow their way into the dogs skin. Bald patchy coats and extra hair loss occur as the infestation increases, causing extreme discomfort for the dog.

Other skin problems can occur due to cancer or immune diseases. Dogs can suffer from dermatitis just like people, which may also be the underlying cause of extra shedding.

Ringworm and fungi can also be responsible for your dog losing its coat.

If you see your dog scratching excessively at dry skin and no fleas or ticks are visiblea trip to the vet is necessary to diagnose the problem.

Of A German Shepherd Dog

German shepherd: is BIGGER the better?The full adult size of your GSD will depend in large part on the genetic background of its parents. Adult males should range between 24-26″ at the shoulder blade, females from 22-24″. Males within the standard may weigh anywhere from 75-90 lbs. depending on their bloodlines. Females may weigh anywhere from 55-75 lbs. Although your pup will reach close to adult height by 10-18 months, he will continue to fill out until up to 3 years old.

Beware of breeders who emphasize “oversize”, “huge”, “big-boned” breeding stock or puppies.

Bigger is not better in German Shepherds.

The German Shepherd is not built to have a skeletal and muscular structure of an oversize breed. An inch or so out of standard may be acceptable providing the general line is not consistently out of standard. A responsible breeder will offset an oversize dog by breeding with a line that is a bit smaller in order to maintain the standards as closely as possible.

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32 kg/70 lbs

Finally, we want to once again address the size of a German Shepherd Dog as an adult as it is listed in a breed standard.Per official SV Breed Standard:

Vom Geliebten Haus, Image and Text – Veronika, 1/18/2020Use without permission is prohibited. Shares are welcome.

For this article we have used the following sources:*The Breed Standard for the German Shepherd Dog,

*German Shepherd Growth Chart, The Total German Shepherd,

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How Many Puppies Do German Shepherds Have

While it can vary greatly from dog to dog, on average, German Shepherds have about 8 puppies at a time. 8 is a common amount for large breeds, but your dog could have less or more than that.

Beyond 8, you run the risk of puppies being too small or less healthy, since nutrient was being distributed thinly during gestation.

Generally, if you have kept your German Shepherd healthy and well-fed, you are likely to get more puppies. The number is also smaller if your dog gets pregnant on her first or second heat cycle.

What If My German Shepherd Is Over Weight

If your German Shepherd is overweight, he is at risk of developing serious health conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. It will also put too much pressure on his joints, causing arthritis and immobility. The heavier he is, the harder it will be to move and to lose the weight.

Look at his food It should be high in lean protein, low in fillers and fat. Then, exercise your dog. Do not over-exercise or starve him to get him to lose weight. It will take time and patience to get him to a healthy weight.

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Average Female German Shepherd Height And Weight

An average female weighs between 48 and 70 pounds, or 22 and 32 kilogramsa little less than the average male. At the shoulder, the average female German Shepherd is 22 to 24 inches, or 55 to 60 centimeters tall.

While your dog might appear to be fully grown at one-year-old, the truth is that he or she will still be an adolescent dog at this point, and you might start to experience behavioral problems that you never saw when your dog was a puppy. Dont let your dogs size fool youat a year old, they are still fairly young and need discipline and structure in order to grow into well-adjusted adult dogs.

Five Main Types Of German Shepherds

There are five main types of German Shepherds that you will come across:

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