Why Are German Shepherds So Popular?

Have you ever wondered why German Shepherds are so popular? The German Shepherd Dog is undoubtedly a well-known and beloved dog breed on this planet. But why do so many people want a German Shepherd puppy? Furthermore, what is it that makes German Shepherds such a global phenomenon?

German Shepherds are the second most popular dog in the world because of their extreme intelligence, bravery, loyalty, and striking appearance. First achieving popularity through Hollywood stars like Rin Tin TIn and Strongheart, they have gone on to make the best working and service dogs around the world. Their calm temperament also makes them the perfect family pet, not to mention their iconic looks.

But let’s look at how popular the German Shepherd dog is in the United States and the world. We will also look at how these dogs became so sought after. After all, what is it that makes German Shepherds so special?

How popular is the German Shepherd?

Globally and in the USA, the German Shepherd is the second most popular dog after the Labrador Retriever. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), the German Shepherd has been in the top 5 most popular dogs in the UK, Canadian, Australian, Italian, and American Kennel Clubs since 2006. The AKC reports that the GSD is the most popular dog in Miami. They are also the most popular dogs in Jacksonville and Cincinnati.

An FCI survey totals the number of new German Shepherd puppies registered across 25 countries at 129,186 in 2013. In 2022, there are an estimated 3.5 million German Shepherds in the USA, and more than 10 million in the world. An exact figure is unknown because the many German Shepherds are unregistered.

New research by Household Quotes shows that the GSD is also the most popular dog in 14 African countries, as well as these countries around the world:

Afghanistan
Trinidad
Tobago
Pakistan
Bhutan
Bangladesh
Myanmar
Fiji
Papua New Guinea

Famous people who own German Shepherds

Of course, GSD’s popularity means that many famous and influential people have made this breed their dog of choice. The following presidents have all had German Shepherds:

Rutherford Hayes & Hector
Herbert Clark Hoover & Pat
Franklin D. Roosevelt & Major
John F. Kennedy & Clipper
Joe Biden with Champ, Major & Commander

Celebrities also love GSDs. Some famous people today who keep a German Shepherd include:

Reese Witherspoon & Nash (sadly passed away in 2019)
Nick Jonas & Gino
Jake Gyllenhaal, Kirsten Dunst & Atticus
Jennifer Anniston & Lord Chesterfield (a rare white German Shepherd)
Miley Cyrus & Mate (white German Shepherd)
Ben Affleck & Hutch
Cameron Diaz & unknown rescue dog
Nicole Ritchie & Ero
Rachel Hunter & Luther
Tom Hanks & Monty (white German Shepherd, sadly passed away in 2012)
Keifer Sutherland & Otto

Who is the most famous German Shepherd in the world?

The most famous German Shepherd in the world is Rin Tin Tin. Rescued by American soldier Lee Duncan from a battlefield in World War I, Rin Tin Tin became a silent movie star. Rin Tin Tin followed in the footsteps of another Hollywood star, Strongheart.

12 Reasons why German Shepherds are so popular

German Shepherds are one of the world’s top three most popular dogs because of their exceptional loyalty, intelligence, and trainability. These stunningly attractive dogs make excellent companions and family members, as well as the best military and service dogs. Let’s break down exactly why people love GSDs so much.

1. German Shepherds are good looking

The first thing anyone notices about a GSD is their handsome and striking appearance.German Shepherds are adorable and irresistible puppies, but they grow into adults with exceptional presence.

Whether the traditional sable or a rarer white GSD, their wolfish looks make a strong impression. Their alert, pricked ears and sharp eyes are iconic features of the doggy world.

2. German Shepherds are one of the most intelligent breeds in the world

With their sharp, watchful gaze comes almost unparalleled intelligence. They are one of the top three most intelligent breeds in the world. They have the mental capacity of a 2.5-year-old toddler.

Dog psychologist Stanley Coren ranks the GSD as one of the top breeds for the speed at which they learn and retain new information. So the GSD is one of the fastest doggy learners in the world.

3. German Shepherds have excellent temperaments

Bold, self-confident, and courageous, the well-bred German Shepherd has an excellent temperament. These dogs can be loving, affectionate, and devoted to their families while showing no fear when it comes to protection. A good German Shepherd is watchful, alert, caring, and fearless.

4. German Shepherds have exceptional trainability

Trainability is not the same thing as intelligence. A dog with an independent streak that doesn’t want to be trained can be a canine genius but still not trainable.

Luckily, the German Shepherd is a rare mix of trainability and intelligence. Not only do German Shepherds learn and understand quickly, but they love training and working.

5. German Shepherds have wonderful versatility

Another significant benefit of the German Shepherd is their versatility—many German Shepherds transition from serious police and military dogs to loving family dogs when they retire. So long as they get adequate stimulation, a GSD is just as happy being a loving companion as they are taking down bad guys and sniffing out explosives.

For more on GSD versatility, see: Why Are German Shepherds More Than Just a Herding Breed? 6 Facts You May Not Know.

6. German Shepherds are extremely loyal

Very few dogs show the same loyalty and devotion to their humans as the German Shepherd. Loyalty is a crucial feature that German Shepherds are bred for.

GSDs are often in the news for their devotion, as in the case of Tommy, an Italian GSD who still attends mass at his local church where his owner was buried daily. This is not unusual, as other GSDs like Wiley and Capitan are famous for staying with their owners’ graves.

7. German Shepherds protect their owners

German Shepherds are the world’s leading protection dogs. Their fearless protective instinct, intelligence, and trainability, also mean German Shepherds are often sourced for personal protection. One highly trained executive protection dog, Julia, has sold for as much as $230 000 because of her specialized training.

8. German Shepherds are excellent family dogs

Of course, German Shepherds make wonderful family dogs. While they require training and exercise, these dogs are core family members. They typically adore children and have unparalleled patience. If you don’t believe us, see this video of German Shepherds and kids:

9. German Shepherds are excellent service and working dogs

The GSD is the ultimate working dog. Some breeds, like Dutch Shepherds and Belgian Malinois, are too intense for the average handler. But a working German Shepherd brings a more manageable, even temper to the job. They are the world’s best military and police dogs and excellent service dogs for those with disabilities.

10. German Shepherds are great for sports & active lifestyles

The one point to remember is that if you’re looking for a couch potato companion, this isn’t it. A GSDcraves activity, which promotes an active lifestyle for the whole family. Your GSD will get you moving from daily walks to weekend hiking. They also thrive in sports like agility, which are great bonding activities for you and your dog.

11. German Shepherds are highly adaptable

Another great feature of the German Shepherd is their adaptability. This dog can learn to herd livestock on the farm or keep your home safe in the suburbs. They have a thick coat that can adapt well to cold areas but are also fine in warmer climates. City or farm, hot or cold, the GSD pup is wonderfully adaptable to most environments.

12. German Shepherds dogs are good with other pets

The German Shepherd is indeed a large dog with a strong prey drive. This means that they need adequate socialization with other animals. But given proper socialization and training, they are fantastic with other dogs and cats. Most of them can even learn to tolerate chickens or a few guinea pigs if you put in the effort while they are young.

How did German Shepherds become so popular?

The German Shepherd’s popularity started with their early breeding as the perfect working dog. Soon, Hollywood stars like Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart made the breed a household favorite.

More recently, we have loved German Shepherds in movies such as Sam in I Am Legend or the true story of Rex in Megan Leavey.

You may be interested in: Movies Featuring German Shepherds [Comedies, Dramas, Wars, Actions and More]

Outside of Hollywood, their continued performance as the world’s best protection and working dogs and excellent family dogs made the GSD a global phenomenon.

Early history of the German Shepherd: developing the perfect dog

Evidence suggests that the first German Shepherds were white because that was preferred by shepherds since thieves and wolves couldn’t distinguish a white German Shepherd from the sheep.
The White German Shepherd – the Ancestor of All GSDs

In 1899 while attending a show, von Stephanitz saw a dog named Hektor Linksrhein. Von Stephanitz was so impressed by Hektor’s intelligence, strength and obedience that he purchased the dog immediately.

And he called the dog a “live wire” and “irrepressible.”

On the same day, he also formed the German Shepherd club: “Verin für Deutsche Schäferhunde”. Von Stephanitz went on to change Hektor’s name to Horand von Grafrath and included this dog as the center point of the society’s breeding programs.

The popularity of German Shepherds began with the blueprint for the “perfect working dog.”

German Shepherds are military heroes

German Shepherds have been bred for battle since the first World War. Their bravery has made them scouts, messengers, explosive detectors, and more. Some of the more famous canine combat veterans include Nemo, who returned from Vietnam in 1967, and MW Chips, the most decorated war dog in World War II.

Also read: 20 Amazing Facts Every German Shepherd Dog Owner Should Know

Famous German Shepherds who work as police dogs

Alongside military dogs, let’s not forget that German Shepherds are still the number one dog for law and order. Police dogs undergo rigorous training and help our law officers track bad guys and find narcotics. They’re often first in line to take down a dangerous criminal.

Let’s remember plenty of German Shepherds also protect rhinos and elephants from illegal poaching.

German Shepherds who are best in show

With all this talk of German Shepherds being heroes, we must remember that German Shepherds are also gorgeous.

In 2017, a Wisconsin German Shepherd named Rumor won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Dog Show. Rumor was a striking example of the “quality and nobility” the breed is known for.

And in 2022, River the German Shepherd is crowned best in breed class for the Herding Group.

German Shepherds who save lives as first responders

German Shepherds have not just been on the frontlines of wars for the past century; they are also often first responders at tragedies. German Shepherd K-9 Apollo was one of the first search and rescue dogs at the World Trade Centers in 2001. Since then, whether it’s a natural disaster or a hiker lost in the woods, it’s frequently a German Shepherd that comes to the rescue.

German who work tirelessly as service dogs

German Shepherds are not just fearless guardians and protectors; they are also profoundly empathetic and bonded to their humans since puppyhood. This means they are among the many silent heroes that help people with disabilities live everyday lives. The very first seeing-eye dog was a GSD called Buddy, who began service in 1928.

Here is a video of another GSD helping a little boy with seizures:

Pet German Shepherds are also heroes

Finally, let’s not forget our pet German Shepherds that have helped the breed’s popularity just by being remarkable family members. German Shepherds enrich our lives daily simply by being wonderful companions. But that isn’t to say our pet GSDs aren’t just as courageous. See this video of a pet GSD leading first responding to a burning home to save his humans.

Where is the German Shepherd most popular?

According to the American Kennel Club, the German Shepherd is Miami’s most popular dog breed. They are also the second most popular breed in the USA. It is also the top dog in Cincinnati and Jacksonville. They are also in the top five most popular breeds in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy.

How popular is the German Shepherd in the world?

According to World Population Review, the German Shepherd is currently the most popular dog in the world. However, the FCI worldwide figures suggest that the German Shepherd is second behind the Labrador Retriever. Undoubtedly, the German Shepherd remains in the top three most popular breeds in the world.

Conclusion

The German Shepherd is not only the second most popular dog in the USA but also the second most popular dog in the world. Looking at their versatility, striking appearance, trainability, and bravery, it’s not hard to see why this breed is so beloved worldwide. They’ve been the favorite of celebrities and perform heroic acts of heroism in the military, as police, and as first responders every day. Of course, most of us want these immensely popular dogs as companions and best friends, not as award-winning show dogs or life-saving service dogs.