History of the German Shepherd
The German Shepherd was developed in Germany at the end of the 1800s. Captain Max von Stephanitz set out to standardize the regional herding dogs of Germany into one versatile working breed, and in 1899 he registered Horand von Grafrath as the first German Shepherd Dog.
Herding gave way to police, military, search-and-rescue and guide work, where the breed's intelligence and trainability made it a natural fit. The American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd in 1908, and it has been one of the most popular breeds in the United States for decades.
German Shepherd Traits
Males 65–90 lb;
Females 50–70 lb
Double coat; sheds year-round, heavily twice a year
~7–10 years
What German Shepherds Excel At
Common gotchas
Trainer Notes
Our German Shepherd Graduates
Since 2007, Neuman K-9 Academy has trained 400 German Shepherds in our Dog Boot Camp and Puppy Camp, and 367 of them have a public graduation video on YouTube showing what they learned. Here are our most recent graduates.
Graduation videos of all 367 German Shepherds, by year
2026: Moose, Rocky, Walter, Stella, Axle, Koda, Ranger
2025: Weston, Crosby, Bear, Johan, Colt, Loki, Sheba, Johan, Baisley
2024: Thunder, Juel, Frankie, Bella & Diesel, Evie, Willa, Louie, Zipp, Melanie, Benito
2023: Violet, Dade, Ruger, Jem, Chase, Mavrick, Rough, Ada, Chibs, Liberty, Mia, Niko, Sophie, Rough, Presley, Bright, Chief, Blue, Nakia, Mamba, Rocket, Milo, Stella, Ranger, Mila
2022: Daisy, Presley, Dexter, Nakia, Schatze, Nova, Jem, Sophie, Ollie, Ajax, Rhea, Grace, Thor, Tokyo, Schatz, Charlie, Chewy, Delaney, Ash, Maizie, Stella, Oakley, Mia
2021: Sophie, Sascha, Kitana, Skye, Duke, Cash, Ajax, Willow, Enzo, Nero, Smoky, Moose, Bella, Lena, Kona, Bullet, Zac, Otto, Tormund, Darwin, Gabby, Minne, Tex, Ruger, Tavor, Olive, Gunner
2020: Izzy, Hunter, Zeus, Ruby, Captain, Storm, Stella, Storm, Smokey, Enzo, Zola, Beau, Sasha, Thor, Pippa, Leo, Max, AK, Coco, Cash, Ava, Stella, Goku, Mila, Axell, Sophie, Greta, Nitro, Keva, Shadow, Hunter, Ember
2019: Rudy, Greta, Katie, Nikki, Arlo, Kali, Bella, Jasmine, Shadow, Leo, Nico, Lila, Keshna, Stassi, Rayne, Odin, Peanut, Roxy, Cookie, Cato, Thor, Louie, Stella, Max, Flynn, Rain, Max, Arlo, Timber, Jager, Scout, Timber, Sam, Giuseppe, Boaz, Ace, Harley, Appolo
2018: Tilly, Charlie, Maya, Garin, Frankie, Zeus, Bella, Sasha, Klaus, Kado, Rocky
2017: Storm, Sadie, Nala, Bailey, Thorin, Deniro, Mika, Maximus, Ozzy, Royce, Lainy, Lady, Gunnar, Enzo, Baby Bear, Jager, Belle, Scoot, Kato, Amika, Dora
2016: Molly, Evie, Shiloh, Major, Komet, Evie, Driver, Scoot, Sadie, Remington, Billy, Grizzly, Summer, Jax, Greta, Bear, Chase, Koda, Summer, Karma, Rocky, Jax
2015: Mausi, Shrek, Odin, Bay-a, Stella, Howie, Gerda, Bronson, Jasper, Celle, Zeus, Nala, Nala, Lucy, Kona, Gonzo, Chip, Skylar, Reese, Molly, Keeva, Sasha, Crisp, Lira, Jessaah, Frankie, Casey, Major, Mausi, Libby, Emma
2014: Lolli, Skylar, Sherlock, Rocky, Monty, Defoe, Biggie, Bella, Basil & Baron, Rocco, Trigger, Mikey, Brandi, Shafer, Mack, Lucy, Driver, Duke, Bailey, Cooper, Diesel, Elga, Duke, Schatzi, Rommel, Myah, Luther, Lovie
2013: Schatzi, Pavlov, Zoey, Shay, Frankie, Emma, Trigger, Reese, Samson, Indy, Rocky, Driver, Lili, Sam, Lincoln, Fred, Lady, Bindi, Gretchen, Nico, Boogaard, Mato, Stella
2012: Gunner, Boomer, Jayma, Nico, Koda, Sota, Trooper, Ava, Dragon Wir Vertrauen, Duke, Max, Samantha, Ling Ling, Gerda, Jack, Angeles, Nikki, Kaylee, Bronson, Nico, Zeba, Koda, Maddox, Georgie, Boogaard, Basil, Baron, Bailey, Diesel
2011: Nikki, Ria, Tank, Major, Charlie, Cain, Nico, Indy, Charming, Sacha, Maddox, Shadow, McArthur, Maisie, Koda, Bella, Biggie, Basil, Snoepje, Sigg, Malleo, Maja, Kaizen, Beattrix, Badger, Kaylee, Izzy, Bella, Katie, Rock, Major
What German Shepherd Owners Say
“We have had German Shepherds for over 25 years, but not until we discovered Neuman K-9 Academy, were our dogs able to experience the freedom that comes with being fully responsive and trustworthy. … When we did my orientation with him three months later, his great qualities of strength and steadiness were polished, while his aggressive barking at other dogs was gone.”
Andy Reeher · Cato and Nico, German Shepherd Dogs
“After the 12 week course, Flynn is amazing. He's the same lovable pup with the same personality, but he behaves in ways I didn't think possible. He is a pleasure to walk now, with no pulling or tugging. He can walk past other dogs now without throwing a fit.”
Jennifer Lorence · Flynn, German Shepherd Dog
“Our German Shepherd Sota was out of control and aggressive toward other dogs at the dog park when we decided to send him to boot camp at Neuman. Ever since he attended their boot camp he is great around other dogs, our 1 year old daughter and all of my young nieces and nephews.”
Lindsay & Brent Prochnow · Sota, German Shepherd Dog
FAQs
Will you train my German Shepherd to be protective?
No. We do not offer personal protection or any training that teaches a dog to be aggressive toward people or protective of its family. We specialize in obedience training and proper etiquette for pet dogs.
My German Shepherd is reactive to other dogs. Can boot camp help?
Often, yes. Dog-on-dog aggression, resource guarding and other behavior issues may be accepted on a case-by-case basis, so tell us about it when you inquire. We do not accept dogs with aggression toward humans.
At what age should I start training my German Shepherd?
Puppy Camp takes puppies from 4 months of age, and Dog Boot Camp is for dogs 12 months and older. Starting young builds good habits before adolescence, but older dogs train very well too.
How long is boot camp for a German Shepherd?
Dog Boot Camp runs 8 or 12 weeks. The 12-week camp adds off-leash heeling, long-distance recalls around heavy distractions, and field trips into the city, which many German Shepherd owners want.
Do German Shepherds shed a lot?
Yes. They have a double coat that sheds year-round and "blows" heavily about twice a year. Regular brushing keeps it manageable.
How much exercise does a German Shepherd need?
Plan on at least an hour or two a day, mixing physical exercise with mental work like obedience practice. A tired, trained German Shepherd is a calm one.
Train Your German Shepherd at Neuman K-9 Academy
Our Dog Boot Camp is an 8 or 12-week board-and-train program for dogs 12 months and older, and Puppy Boot Camp is for puppies 4 to 12 months. Every program includes hands-on handler training for you at graduation. Families send their dogs from across the country, too; see dog boot camp for out-of-state families.
Get Started