German Shepherd

The temperament sheet

Energy is rated high. This is a dog that wants a real outing and something to think about every day; a token turn round the block leaves the tank half full. Tolerance for time alone is moderate — a steady routine can carry a working household through, but given the choice the Shepherd would rather be on duty at your side.

With children the sheet reads good. As a first dog, though, the answer is no: the matcher puts this breed forward for owners who have already run a household with a dog in it. On space it needs a garden; a flat is not on its card.

The practical side

• Size: large. Plan the car, the hallway and the sofa accordingly.
• Grooming: moderate. A regular brush keeps the peace.
• Shedding: heavy. Expect hair on everything you own, and then some more.
• Barking: vocal. This dog has opinions and files regular reports.

The sheet is not the dog

Ratings describe a breed’s average, and no dog is average. An individual German Shepherd outranks its breed sheet on every line, and meeting the dog in front of you outranks everything written here.