# German Shepherd (*Canis lupus familiaris*) A German Shepherd is a smart, strong dog that learns jobs quickly. Many help police, rescuers, and families. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Homes with yards, training fields, and parks - **Also known as:** German Sheppard ![German Shepherd](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426244/objects/4401.jpg) ## Appearance The German Shepherd has a strong, athletic build with pointed ears and a bushy tail. Its common coat colors include black and tan, sable, or solid black, often featuring a distinctive "saddle" marking on its back. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Canidae - **Genus:** Canis ## Interesting facts - A German Shepherd's bite force is incredibly strong, around 238 pounds per square inch! - German Shepherds are so smart they're often used by police and military for important jobs! - They have a special double coat that keeps them warm in winter and cool in summer. - This breed was originally developed in Germany to herd sheep and protect flocks. ## Special abilities - **Super Sniffer:** German Shepherds can track scents with incredible accuracy because of their powerful sense of smell, which helps them find lost items or people. - **Smart Learner:** German Shepherds have high intelligence that helps them quickly learn complex commands and tasks, making them excellent working dogs. - **Agile Protector:** German Shepherds can move swiftly and gracefully due to their muscular build, which helps them herd livestock or protect their families. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 55-65 cm - **Weight:** 22-40 kg - **Lifespan:** 9-13 years - **Speed:** 48 km/h - **Litter Size:** 5-10 - **Gestation:** 58-68 days ## Diet & Feeding They mostly eat specially formulated dog food, but also enjoy meat and sometimes vegetables. - **Primary Foods:** dog kibble, chicken, beef, fish ## Ecological connections - **Symbiotic with:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Provides care and companionship, receives loyalty and service. - **Parasitizes:** Cat flea (*Ctenocephalides felis*) — Feeds on their blood, causing itching and irritation. - **Hunts:** [Brown rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-rat) (*Rattus norvegicus*) — Can deter or catch these rodents as pests. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Meet with an adult, stand calmly, and let the dog sniff your hand first. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify German Shepherd? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is German Shepherd? 55-65 cm ### How much does German Shepherd weigh? 22-40 kg ### How long does German Shepherd live? 9-13 years ### How fast can German Shepherd move? 48 km/h ### What does German Shepherd eat? They mostly eat specially formulated dog food, but also enjoy meat and sometimes vegetables. ### Where is German Shepherd usually found? Homes with yards, training fields, and parks ### How many babies does German Shepherd usually have? 5-10 ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [German Shepherd: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/german-shepherd)