German Shepherd: channel working drive through structured, reward-based tasks with clear starts and finishes.
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German Shepherd: channel working drive through structured, reward-based tasks with clear starts and finishes.
Breed profile
Training group
Herding and cattle dogs
Origin
The German Shepherd originated in Germany, first for herding and later for working and service roles.
Shoulder height
55–65 cm
Weight
22–40 kg
Coat
Double coat
Coat care
Build voluntary acceptance of brushing, coat checks, airflow and dryer noise, alongside calm handling of paws, ears and the whole growing body.
Drive keywords
Cooperation with people · Guarding · Endurance
Handling practice
Condition double-coat brushing, coat checks, airflow and dryer noise in small voluntary steps before the dog's body becomes much larger. · Practise calm paw, toe-space, ear and whole-body checks, plus cooperative standing and repositioning without physical wrestling.
General reference ranges only; individual dogs vary considerably.
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Early help protects the dog and the family
When to call a professional
Professional help is not a last resort. It is the correct next step whenever safety, health or a dog’s ability to recover is in doubt.
Sudden change, pain, illness or recovery concerns go to a veterinarian before being treated as training alone.
Who to call, in this order
Veterinarian · first stopRule out pain, illness, sensory changes and other medical contributors before treating a behaviour as “training only.”
Qualified positive-reinforcement trainerLook for positive-reinforcement credentials and professional commitments such as Delta Institute (Delta Society Australia) certification or Pet Professional Guild Australia (PPGA) membership.
Veterinary behaviour specialistFor anxiety, fear, compulsive behaviour or aggression, ask your veterinarian for referral to a veterinary behaviourist who can combine behaviour care with medical assessment when appropriate.
Perth general resources
Use the aftercare contact page—no stale phone numbers here
The FluffyWA aftercare page points to Perth 24-hour emergency hospitals, RSPCA WA, Dogs’ Refuge Home and local council dog-management resources. Check the current details before travelling.
