Black German Shepherd: Your Complete Guide
The black German shepherd is an exceptionally rare but beautiful purebred pup. While his coat color may give off a mystical flair, his personality is certainly no mystery: He’s affectionate, intelligent, and devoted to his owners. He’s also extremely protective and courageous, both qualities that have allowed him to excel as a police dog.
Black German shepherds are large dogs who stand up to 26 inches tall. They can adapt to most families and households, as long as their needs are met. They also get along well with children.
If you’re considering this gorgeous pup — and lucky enough to find a reputable breeder in your area — it’s important to make sure you can provide him the quality of life he needs and deserves. We’ll help you gain an in-depth insight into the black German shepherd, covering his history, temperament, care needs, and trainability.
What Is the History of Black German Shepherds?
While many breeds have ambiguous roots, this isn’t the case for the black German shepherd. His creation actually began from the work of one man: German cavalry officer Max von Stephanitz. In the late 19th century, Stephanitz, likely inspired by his love for sheep dogs and the increasing efforts to standardize breeds, made it his goal to develop the ideal herding dog.
With assistance from various breeders, Stephanitz selectively bred several German herding dogs together, creating the predecessors of the German shepherds known and loved today.
He established an official GSD breed club and spent the next few decades refining and polishing these pups.
German shepherds quickly grew in popularity across the world, and by the late 1990s, virtually every dog lover had heard of (or wanted) this lovable breed. While they began as herding dogs, they have since gone on to become the leading choice for police and military work, no doubt due to their unrivaled loyalty and bravery.
The German shepherd was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1908, making it among one of the first breeds accepted into the AKC’s registry.
What Do Black German Shepherds Look Like?
As his name suggests, the black German shepherd has a solid black coat that gives him a majestic yet mystical appearance. This coat color variation is a result of recessive genes and is a lot rarer than the typical tan and black coat style.
Black German shepherds carry themselves confidently and have bodies to back that confidence up: They’re well-muscled with deep, strong chests and sturdy yet agile legs. Their bodies are slightly longer than they are tall.
Black German shepherds carry their heads high and have wedged-shaped muzzles and erect ears. They’re particularly well-known for their alert expressions that convey their intelligence and bravery.
What Size Is a Black German Shepherd?
The black German shepherd is a large dog. Males stand 24 to 26 inches tall at the withers and weigh between 65 and 90 pounds, while females stand slightly smaller, at 22 to 24 inches, and weigh 50 to 70 pounds.
The exact size of a black German shepherd will ultimately depend on genetics and lifestyle factors like diet. However, it’s important to not overfeed your black GSD and ensure he stays at a healthy weight; these pups are prone to obesity, which can exacerbate (or cause) health conditions such as hip dysplasia, bloat, and diabetes.
What Is a Black German Shepherd’s Coat Type and Length?
The black German shepherd has a medium-length double coat that consists of a harsh, close-lying outer coat and a thick, soft undercoat. His dense fur helps keep him warm in cooler temperatures, though it is prone to overheating in hotter weather (especially if loose undercoat hairs aren’t properly removed).
What Is a Black German Shepherd’s Temperament?
Think of a black German shepherd dog — the first word that probably comes to your mind is fearless, and that couldn’t be more true! These dogs are exceptionally brave, confident, and devoted. They excel at protection work and are often used as police dogs and military dogs.
However, black German shepherds aren’t all work and no fun; they love to play and will appreciate having a playmate around. They particularly enjoy interactive games where they can spend one-on-one time with their owners.
Black German shepherds are highly adaptable, though they are active pups and need a family who can match their high energy level. They also struggle when left alone for long periods, so they’re best suited to people who can be with them for most of the day.
Are Black German Shepherds Good With Kids?
Black German shepherds get along exceptionally well with children of all ages — as long as they’re properly socialized and trained. They’re incredibly patient, even-tempered, and tolerant of loud noises and boisterous play. Their courageous side can also give kids a sense of security.
Despite this, it’s important to never leave black German shepherds alone with kids, especially around toddlers and babies. You should always supervise their interactions to ensure neither accidentally harms the other.
Kids should also be taught how to safely engage with dogs, read their basic behavioral signs (such as signs of stress), and use basic obedience commands like “sit” and “stay.”
Are Black German Shepherds Good With Other Animals?
Black German shepherds can get along well with other animals if they’re raised together or introduced in a positive, gradual way. However, they do have high prey drives and may chase small animals, so they aren’t the best fit for households with cats, rabbits, or Guinea pigs.
You should always keep black German shepherds on a short leash in areas where they’re likely to run into wild animals, even if they have a strong recall.
Are Black German Shepherds Aggressive?
Black German shepherds are rarely aggressive toward their owners, though they may bark, snap, or growl at strangers or other animals if they feel threatened. Do keep in mind though that this is a response caused by their strong desire to protect their families.
Black German shepherds should be socialized around a range of people, environments, and animals to ensure they feel confident as adults. Without proper socialization, they may become overwhelmed and wrongly identify threats, which can lead to them becoming stressed, defensive, and aggressive.
If your dog is showing aggressive behavior, it’s important to deal with it quickly and seek help from a professional trainer. Stick to trainers who use a reward-based training approach; punishment measures can exacerbate aggression and are rarely effective in the long term.
Do Black German Shepherds Bark?
Black German shepherds aren’t heavy barkers. They’ll typically only get vocal if they need to alert their owners or ward off threats. This makes them suitable for apartments as long as you can meet their needs and ensure they get enough exercise during the day.
With that said, black German shepherds will often bark excessively if they’re bored. You can keep their minds occupied with interactive games, puzzle toys, and regular training. Barking can be managed with training, though it’s important to address the underlying cause as well.
Are Black German Shepherds Affectionate?
Black German shepherds may look tough — and they certainly act tough while at work — but they’re big softies in the comfort of their own homes. They’re affectionate and absolutely love a good belly rub (especially if you find their pawfect spot!). Do be warned though: They often forget their own size and may clamber on their favorite humans’ laps!
Black German shepherds are reserved and polite around strangers, but they’ll warm up quickly as they become more familiar with them.
Are Black German Shepherds Intelligent?
The black German shepherd is one of the smartest dog breeds in the world, with only the likes of the border collie and poodle giving him a run for his money. According to studies, the black German shepherd can learn over 200 words, and he also has a high temperament passing rate of 85%.
This smart, perceptive pup is even able to accurately assess situations and take the initiative if his owner is in trouble and not in a position to command him.
Are Black German Shepherds Energetic?
Like most working breeds, black German shepherds are exceptionally energetic and will need at least two hours of exercise per day, ideally in the form of strenuous activities that work out their muscles, like agility, herding trials, scent work, runs, and fetch.
Without enough exercise, black German shepherds are bound to become restless and bored, which won’t bode well for your furniture (or socks…).
If you need to leave your pup alone at any point during the day, be sure to give him plenty of outlets for his energy. A great outlet is puzzle toys stuffed with treats. However, always supervise your GSD initially with his toys to make sure he won’t be able to chomp his way through them while you aren’t there.
Are Black German Shepherds Easy to Train?
The black German shepherd takes to training exceptionally well, thanks to his intelligence, strong work drive, and people-oriented nature. He can pick up advanced commands and will do so happily while wagging his tail. He’s also quick to housebreak and can begin obedience training a lot earlier than most other breeds.
However, black German shepherds are sensitive pups and won’t take kindly to being shouted at or snapped at. Always maintain a gentle, patient, and calm demeanor during training and stick to positive reinforcement measures.
Are Black German Shepherds Good Watchdogs?
The black German shepherd is widely regarded as one of the best watchdogs in the world, which is clearly evident by the breed’s prevalence in military and police work. He has virtually every trait you could possibly want in a watchdog — he’s alert, protective, brave, and loyal. He would also be more than willing to put his life on the line to keep his family safe.
The black German shepherd will alert you to threats with his voice and deter them with snaps, growls, and snarls. If you want to take his watchdog instincts further, it’s possible to train this breed to attack threats, though it’s very important to only ever do this under the guidance of a professional.
Are Black German Shepherds Good Service Dogs?
If you’re after a reliable service dog, the black German shepherd can make a top contender. His intelligence, combined with his alert nature, makes him well-suited to learning (and performing) service tasks such as crowd control, item retrieval, and seeking help. He is also able to pick up on subtle changes in mood and health.
The black German shepherd is even ideal as an emotional support animal (ESA) since his protective nature can offer reassurance and confidence to individuals.
However, he isn’t the best choice for those after a therapy dog who can meet and bond with strangers. He’s often reserved and won’t provide the same level of affection as lap dogs.
How to Care for a Black German Shepherd?
The black German shepherd is well-suited to first-time owners, as long as you are willing to put in the time and effort to meet his needs and can match his high energy level.
You should take him to the vet for regular health checkups, exercise him daily, and feed him a healthy diet (and that means no table scraps!) You’ll also need to groom him to keep his gorgeous, black coat looking healthy.
Do You Need to Groom a Black German Shepherd?
Black German shepherds have thick, dense coats, so you may think you’re in for a battle. However, their fluff is actually pretty easy to keep under control — they’ll usually just need a thorough brush once a week. You should also make it a habit to brush their teeth daily and examine their ears for signs of dirt, debris, or infections.
When they blow their coats in spring and fall, you’ll need to brush them more frequently to remove trapped undercoat hairs. Make sure to use a slicker brush to tackle tangles and matting.
Do Black German Shepherds Shed?
While black German shepherds’ coats are easy to manage, their shedding is a whole other matter. These pups shed a fairly high amount throughout the year, with even heavier periods of shedding when they blow their coats. So, if you’re allergic to fur or aren’t a fan of having your clothes covered in pup fluff? You’ll want to consider a low-shedding breed instead.
What Health Problems Do Black German Shepherds Have?
While most black German shepherds live healthy lives, they are prone to several health conditions that owners should be aware of. Some of these conditions include:
- Hip dysplasia
- Bloat
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Degenerative myelopathy
Many of these issues can be prevented by buying from a reputable breeder who screens the parents for health conditions associated with German shepherd dogs. You should never buy from breeders who refuse to provide you the parents’ health certificates — this is a telltale indicator of a backyard breeder.
How Long Do Black German Shepherds Live?
The black German shepherd has an average lifespan of 7 to 10 years. However, some pups have been known to live a lot longer than this, especially with a healthy diet, daily exercise, and regular vet checkups.
What Should a Black German Shepherd Eat?
A black German shepherd should be fed high-quality kibble that’s rich in protein, certified by veterinary nutritionists, and formulated for their size, activity level, and age. The food should also follow AAFCO standards.
Most black German shepherds will require around 2.5 to 3.5 cups of kibble per day, split across two different meals, though you can work out the exact amount of calories your pup should be consuming with a pet food calculator. You can also speak to your veterinarian for guidance.
Since black German shepherds are prone to bloat, it’s important to take precautionary measures with their food. Avoid feeding them immediately after strenuous exercise and invest in a slow-feeding bowl.
Is a Black German Shepherd the Right Dog for Me?
The black German shepherd is a loyal, protective pup who is well-suited to family life. He can get along well with kids of all ages, as long as they’re taught how to behave around animals, and he can adapt to a whole range of environments. He’s particularly ideal for people after a watchdog who will alert them to threats or potential dangers.
The black German shepherd is a high-energy pup and has endless energy to spare. So, he’s not the best fit for people who lead inactive lifestyles or struggle with mobility issues. He also doesn’t take well to being left alone for lengthy periods. He’ll need an owner who can be with him throughout the day.
The black German shepherd is a great choice for people who are interested in competitive dog sports, like obedience trials, lure coursing, and agility. He is also well-suited to strenuous exercise activities like hiking and running.