Differences between Male and Female German Shepherds: A German Shepherd (or GSD) is a wonderful pet to add to the family. The breed is loyal secure, loving, and ready to play. If you’re considering adopting one of them, there are a lot of things to think about.

For instance, this is not a breed that is suited to small or urban spaces. They require lots of movement and exercise to live a healthy and happy life. They are also a prolific shedder due to the nature of their dual coat. Animal dander sensitivities and other allergies can cause this breed to be a poor option for a pet.

Beyond the breed’s essential traits as a whole, it is also important to think about what gender GSD you’d want to include in your family. Female and male German Shepherds are different in characteristics and require different attention.

While every dog is unique, and there’s no definitive and precise rule of thumb to be followed for gender-specific personalities, we have listed the most significant characteristics of each breed to help you decide which breed is suitable for you.

Visual Differences

Male German Shepherd Dogs are typically bigger than females. Males typically have bigger muscles, while females are sleeker. Of course, each dog is unique, so it is possible to have either a larger female or a smaller male!

A Quick Overview of the Differences

Male German Shepherd

• Average Height (adult): 24-28 inches
• Average Weight (adult): 75-95 pounds
• Lifespan: 9-11 years
• Exercise: 1+ hours/day
• Family-friendly: Often
• Dog-friendly: Often
• Trainability: Excellent, highly intelligent

Female German Shepherd

• Average Height (adult): 23-26 inches
• Average Weight (adult): 65-95 pounds
• Lifespan: 9-11 years
• Exercise: 1+ hours/day
• Family-friendly: Yes
• Dog-friendly: Often
• Trainability: Excellent, highly intelligent

The Pros and Cons of Both Genders

There’s a lot of information to think about in assessing the differences between male and female German Shepherds. We considered it beneficial to present the pros and cons for both male and female German Shepherd to make it easier.

Male German Shepherds

Pros

• Territorial protection
• Affirmatively loyal to only one person
• Friendly
• Better at guard dog positions
• Guide dog
• Can babysit kids

Cons

• It is possible to be dominant
• It is more difficult to train
• More aggressive toward strangers

Female German Shepherds

Pros

• Calm and sweet.
• Easy to train
• Not as dominant
• Children are more fun
• Equal family love
• excels in sporting competitions as well as agility competitions

Cons

• It can be moody
• Cool temperament
• It is possible to be distant.

Temperament and Personality

Male and female GSDs possess different traits of personality. Even though they are committed, confident and affectionate, there are other aspects you need to be aware of in this breed. Let’s examine the male first.

Male Personality

A male’s personality can be a complicated thing. He is very protective over his family members, and he can test the boundaries of who is the most dominant member of the family. Males should be taught and raised from pups with a firm but gentle hand. If not, he’ll be roughshod over your house and won’t listen or obey the commands.

Though caring and secure, the GSD boy tends to be a part of one particular family member. It’s usually the person who has established themselves as the most powerful leader and is the one who provides food and spends the longest time with them.

Male GSD is often more assertive and confident than females. They can be extremely protective and territorial to their pet owners. While they’re great pets for families, males may play with children and can be somewhat rambunctious. However, they’re trustworthy and protective of their children and can serve as babysitters when they believe that children aren’t doing anything right.

Female personality

In contrast to the male, the female GSD is gentler and friendly overall. Also, she is more likely to protect and bond with the entire family instead of a single person. Since her temperament is more relaxed, the German Shepherd is also likely not to be as difficult to manage as her male counterpart.

In addition to dominance, females can be trained more easily and tolerate other dogs and even people better. In general, the GSD girl is more gentle. Even though she is still extremely secure, she’s not as affluent and won’t be territorial as the male. They’re not aggressive unless they’re protecting their family members. In addition, females may possess a cool temperament, but the particular dog generally determines this.

Training and Care

It is important to note that the instruction and care for these dogs demand a long-term commitment from their owners. They are lively, active, and intelligent dogs that require stimulation to remain healthy and happy. Also, it is important to note that males and females are different in the way they interact.

Exercise

As we’ve mentioned, both genders are active dogs. They will require plenty of exercise. Female and male German Shepherds require daily moderate to vigorous activity, or they may become agitated. If their extra energy is allowed to accumulate, they will chew, bark or snort and discover ways to express their displeasure.

However, a male GSD is more likely to become destructive when not regularly exercised. They are less tolerant of being left to their own devices, though both genders cannot cope well when they are away from family. In addition, since males are more likely to bond with a single particular family member or friend, they may get angrier when the person is absent for longer durations, even when others in the family are there.

Training

Female and male GSDs are highly clever and can be trained to carry out a variety of commands and tasks. However, the male German Shepherd is more difficult to train since they compete for the top position. A young start and a strong hand are needed.

On the other hand, the GSD dog breed is most likely to be utilized as a protector, guard dog, or guardian. They also receive training in tasks like herding and police support and guides for those with disabilities. In the end, they’ll take longer to learn; however, once completed, they’re very obedient.

Females are, however, far easier to train. Their calm and cool disposition helps them concentrate their attention on the pattern that makes you smile without trying to be dominant.

Although females aren’t utilized as police or guard dogs in the same way, they’re still competent. This being said, the female GSD is the most popular dog for agility competitions, sporting events, and even babysitting for kids.

Grooming

The two German Shepherd’s sexes are pretty alike in terms of coat maintenance and coat care. However, they both have a thick double coat of smooth as well as shiny fur that needs to be groomed every few times per week. Their furs can vary in texture, color, and length.

Brushing isn’t just important to maintain their coats; it’s crucial and can also lessen the amount of shed. GSD sheds a lot, and pruning a few times can be beneficial. Additionally, the genders aren’t advocate for bathing, and it is not recommended. Unless they’ve become filthy, bathing can remove the oils from their furs and therefore isn’t the best option.

Diet

The last thing to consider in this particular area is diet and food. Males and females must be provided with a balanced and nutritious diet daily. However, it is important to note that males are heavier than females and require a greater amount of food.

Appearance Of The Male and Female German Shepherds

The appearance of a German Shepherd, male or female, will differ based on its parents. They may come in colors, have different fur lengths, and feature different traits.

In general, however, the male GSD will be significantly bigger than the female. They are also more muscular and lean. However, both genders are generally larger pups. The male dog may range between 24 and 28 inches and weigh 75-95 pounds.

Females are smaller and lighter than their male counterparts. They may also be larger in Height. Female GSD can range in Height between 23-26 inches. It is interesting to note that the Weight of females is the same as males, meaning they can weigh up to 95 pounds.

Health

The most common health issues in dogs affect males and females of GSD equally. Both genders should go on regular visits to the vet to ensure they’re well-maintained. Also, they should be able to check their teeth often for signs of excess tartar and plaque build-up.

Additionally, both genders suffer from their own health issues and share those that are more similar to the breed they are. Let’s examine the female first.

Female German Shepherd Health Risks

Females are at risk of certain health hazards if not spayed. Also, not having a spay can alter their personality and make them moodier. Here are some health problems to be aware of when dealing with the GSD girl:

• Mammary cancer
• Ovarian cysts
• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Gastric dilation-volvulus
• Pancreatic insufficiency exocrine
• Allergies
• Myelopathy degenerative
• Otitis otospirale

Male German Shepherd Health Risks

As with the female and the males, having your male neutered German Shepherd boy is important unless you plan to breed the puppy. Particularly in males than females, neutering can ease their aggression, decrease stress and anxiety, and assist with domineering personalities.

In addition, the fix for the issue with your GSD can reduce the chance of developing male-related diseases that are typical of male dogs. Here’s a list of various issues that could arise when you have a male German Shepherd:

• Prostate cancer
• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Gastric dilation-volvulus
• Pancreatic insufficiency exocrine
• Allergies
• Myelopathy degenerative
• Infections of the ear

Conclusion

Male and female German Shepherds make great companions. Males can exhibit the traits thought to be female, and the reverse can be true. As we stated at the beginning of this post, none of these characteristics are guaranteed to be right. The character of a dog will be determined by its particular puppy.

But, things such as GSD ancestral lineage and health, the handling and training at the beginning and general experiences, and the care they receive can make a huge difference in how your pet behaves. There’s also something to be said about personality, which can be a factor these smart dogs have.

We hope that this article has provided you with all the details to help you decide between a male or female German Shepherd. Based on your needs and personal preferences, both will make an excellent pet.