Male vs Female German Shepherds: How to Choose?
How to choose between a male and a female German Shepherd? The answer to this question depends on what you’re looking for. Are you looking for a pet in a family with young children? Or do you want a guard dog to look after your livestock?
When considering whether to get a male or female German Shepherd, your expectation from a dog and handling experience plays an integral part. If the GSD is your first dog or you have kids at home, females may be easier to handle. But if you’re looking for a guard dog or working dog, male GSDs are more suitable.
In this article, we’ll go over the main differences between male and female German Shepherds. And hopefully, we’ll help you decide which sex to get based on what you need from a dog. Below are the main points we’ll go over:
- German Shepherd’s male vs female temperament
- Are male or female German Shepherds easier to train?
- Are male or female German Shepherds bigger?
- Male vs female German Shepherd’s health
- Do Male or female German Shepherds live longer?
- Are male or female German Shepherds more likely to show aggression?
- Male vs female German Shepherd’s activity level and lifestyle
- Are male or female German Shepherds better with kids?
- Are male or female German Shepherds better with pets or animals at home?
- German Shepherd’s spaying/neutering considerations
- Female-specific considerations
Watch this video to learn more about the temperament of male and female German Shepherds:
The Male German Shepherd Dogs
Male German Shepherds are larger and more masculine, they can make excellent guard dogs. They tend to have a more dominant and aggressive temperament.
Male GSDs can also be territorial and are highly possessive of their owners. That said, they are more likely to incline toward one person in the household more than others. It is usually the owner who is training, feeding, and spending quality time with the dog.
The Female German Shepherd Dogs
Female German Shepherds are smaller and mature earlier than their male counterparts. This makes them much easier to handle and train.
Female GSDs are less territorial and usually display an equal amount of love for the entire family. They can make a perfect family pet and an in general good with children.
A brief comparison between male and female German Shepherds
| Male | Female | |
| Temperament / Personality | More possessive and territorial | More affectionate and gentle. Love to please their owners |
| Training | More challenging and sometimes stubborn | More sensitive and focused |
| Size | Larger | Smaller |
| Health | No major difference | No major difference |
| Lifespan | Live shorter, average 9.7 years | Live longer, averaged 11.1 years |
| Aggression | More likely to show aggression towards human, dogs or animals | More likely to show same-sex aggression |
| Activity level | High | High |
| Good with kids? | Good | Very good |
German Shepherd’s male vs female temperament
When it comes to temperament, male GSDs are more possessive and dominant, and females are more affectionate and gentle.
With their dominance, male GSDs may see themselves as the leader of the pack if there’s no one disciplining them for rules and boundaries. As an owner, you will need to be assertive and give very clear directions on what your male GSD should and should not do.
Female GSDs, on the other hand, tend to be less territorial and possessive. In other words, they are people pleasers. They will do whatever they can to make their owners happy, which is another reason why female German Shepherds are good as a family pet, especially with children.
Your GSD’s temperament depends a lot on his/her socialization skills. Start at an early age, take your dog out for regular exercise, and introducing the breed to different people, pets, and sounds will do well in improving their socialization skills.
Also read:
Do German Shepherds Have Good Temperament?
Are male or female German Shepherds easier to train?
One thing we cannot be stressed enough is that you should always be training your German Shepherds early on, regardless of their sex.
They are highly intelligent dogs and learn fast. If not properly trained or socialized, they can develop aggression and destructive behavior.
You should begin training your dog from a young age. Keep the training session short and involve tons of praise and treats.
That said, there are a few differences when it comes to the trainability of males vs females.
Male GSDs are, by nature, stubborn and dominant, they are much more difficult to train compared to female GSDs.
Also read:
Is My German Shepherd Stubborn or Just Me?
Why Are German Shepherds So Stubborn? And What to Do About It?
Female GSDs are more sensitive in comparison to their male counterparts. This makes them easier to train.
So if you are getting a GSD as your first dog, a female will be more suitable for you when it comes to training.
If you are not a big fan of dog training and are only looking for a dog that watches TV with you after a long day of work, you should not be getting a German Shepherd at all.
Are male or female German Shepherds bigger?
This is the more obvious one. While there are exceptions, the male German Shepherd is generally larger than the female German Shepherd.
Males have bigger heads and larger muscles, while females tend to be smaller in general. Both males and females should have an athletic form that displays their “working” traits overall.
| Male German Shepherds | Female German Shepherds | |
| Physical characteristics | Bigger heads and larger muscles | Smaller in build |
| Height | 24-26 inches | 22-24 inches |
| Weight | Up to 100lb. | 65-85lb. |
Height
A full-grown male has a height of 24 to 26 inches at the withers (shoulder area), while females are about 22 to 24 inches tall at the withers.
Weight
The male can weigh up to 100 pounds, while the female typically is lower – anywhere from 65 to 85 pounds.
If the size is your concern or you have young children at home, it’s a no-brainer to choose a female over a male.
Male vs female German Shepherd’s health
By far there has not been any evidence showing direct relation between gender and health issues in dogs. Rather, the quality of food also plays an important role in the overall health of any dog
Most vets recommend high-quality wet or dry food designed specifically for your German Shepherd puppy. The best foods contain large amounts of real protein and whole fats to help keep your GSD puppy healthy and growing well.
A highly active and energetic dog will undoubtedly require more food than an elderly dog. The most important time for your GSD’s diet to be focused on is when they are a puppy (anywhere from birth to 2 year old). This is when you can provide them with the necessary nutrients to help them grow to their full potential.
Must read: The Best Food For German Shepherd Puppies: A Beginner’s Guide
Do Male or female German Shepherds live longer?
A study conducted by the VetCompass™ Programme at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has revealed female German Shepherds in general live longer than their male counterparts.
“Female German Shepherd Dogs lived on average 1.4 years longer than male German Shepherd Dogs (11.1 years versus 9.7 years).”
While there is no guarantee on the lifespan of any individual dog, this does suggest that a female German Shepherd Dog may be a better option for owners for whom a longer-lived pet is a priority.
Are male or female German Shepherds more likely to show aggression?
The same study by RVC also reflected that Male German Shepherd Dogs were significantly more likely to show aggression than females (6.75% versus 2.78%).
This implication may be helpful for families with children. They may opt for a female German Shepherd if they purely want a family pet dog.
In comparison, male German Shepherds may be more appropriate for guarding roles.
Additionally, there is some evidence that spaying or neutering a dog may lower aggression. However, some owners report no behavior differences exhibited after such an operation.
Same-gender aggression
As female dogs naturally want to be the only dominant female of the pack, they can develop same-gender aggression.
That said, two female German Shepherds in the same home are more likely to show aggression toward each other than two males.
This aggression can be dangerous and may result in one of the dogs needing to be kept in separate rooms or rehomed.
If you’ve already had a female GSD at home, you might like to get a male for that matter, or vice versa.
Being in heat can make a female dog moody and temporarily change its behavior and personality. Owners need to be patient and maintain good hygiene with their female GSD.
Male vs female German Shepherd’s activity level and lifestyle
Both male and female German Shepherds are highly energetic and require several hours of vigorous exercise.
GSDs are packed with energy and will indulge in destructive behavior if they are left home alone all day.
If you enjoy an active lifestyle and look for an energetic companion that will accompany you for running, bike riding or hiking, then undoubtedly, this breed is your perfect choice.
Are male or female German Shepherds better with kids?
The GSD is a large breed dog. And both males and females are powerful dogs with lots of energy. Generally, female Geman Shepherds interact better with children due to their maternal, less dominant nature.
Male GSDs tend to be larger and more muscular by nature. They may become too powerful and knock down your kids easily if not well trained.
In general, female GSDs are easier to handle around small kids.
Are male/female German Shepherds good with other pets or animals at home?
German Shepherds are mostly fine with other dogs and cats in their own family if introduced to them at an early age.
So if you are adopting an adult GSD, you have to be very cautious. And may need if help from professional trainers or behaviorists if necessary.
However, both male and female German Shepherds can show strong chasing behavior (also known as high prey drive) towards small animals like cats and chickens. Again, proper training and early socialization can help to control this kind of behavior.
You may also like:
Will German Shepherd Dogs Kill Cats?
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Can a German Shepherd Dog Kill You? (With Stats and Real Cases)
German Shepherd’s spaying/neutering considerations
Evidence has shown spaying or neutering may lower aggression and reduce the risk of cancer in your German Shepherd.
Some owners consider spaying their female GSD not only will prevent unwanted pregnancy but also would decrease some of the breed’s health issues, including some forms of mammary tumors.
However, many studies over the last five years have shown that neutering and spaying may also have negative effects on your dog’s health.
For instance, neutering of female German Shepherd Dogs may associate with joint disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence. (Source: Veterinary Medicine and Science Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
Talk to your vet regarding your options. Some vets suggest the de-sex operation to be done as early as 6 months. But some consider GSDs are not ready for it until they reach maturity at 2 years old for both males and females.
Female-specific considerations
A female GSD can begin her first heat cycle as young as 6 months old. This may vary anywhere between 6 months to 1 year.
On average, she will come into her heat cycle every 6 months, though this could be as early as every 4 months for some females.
She will generally be in heat for about 2-3 weeks, though this can differ from dog to dog. All males within a short and long distance can smell a female in heat.
Owners must be cautious and secure their females to avoid any unnecessary mating and unwanted litter, especially if you have other male dogs at home.
Related: How to Prepare for My German Shepherd’s First Heat?
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it all boils down to how your German Shepherd fit into your need and your family’s need overall. If well trained and properly socialized from an early age, and continue to get physical and mental exercise, both male and female GSD will make excellent companions for you, your family, and your other pets.
