German Shepherds are large yet agile, muscular, highly intelligent, and loyal dogs. Today, the German Shepherd is the second most popular dog breed in the United States, behind the Labrador Retriever.

They are in the herding breed group, which means they are high-energy and love having a job or an outlet for regular exercise. They are known for their confidence, loyalty, and bravery, as well as their ability to thrive with expert levels of dog training and obedience. German Shepherds are commonly used as working dogs in the military and police for patrolling, bomb sniffing, and search and rescue.

This large dog breed has an average weight ranging from 65 to 90 pounds. They are typically 22 to 26 inches tall with a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.