German Shepherd

An iconic working breed prized for intelligence and loyalty.

German Shepherds are one of the most versatile and recognizable breeds. Known for their strength, trainability, and protective nature, they excel in roles such as police, service, and family companionship.

Quick Facts

SizeLarge
Breed GroupPastoral
Lifespan10–12 Years
Exercise NeedsMore than 2 hours per day
TrainabilityThey are extremely intelligent and eager to learn. Structured training, consistency, and purpose-driven activities lead to best results.
Grooming NeedsLow
SheddingYes
Barking TendencyMedium
TemperamentGerman Shepherds are courageous, loyal, and protective. They are devoted to their families and can be aloof with strangers.

Available German Shepherds

237 dogs available
Alfie, a 7 years old male German Shepherd available for adoption from German Shepherd Rescue Elite in Nottinghamshire

German Shepherd Rescue Elite

Alfie

Nottinghamshire
SexMale
Age7 years
BreedGerman Shepherd

Please meet Alfie who is already a hit with all the volunteers.Our Alf is fully vaccinated and chipped, now just needs neutering as soon as we can get him into a foster place.This boy is so polite, he is very calm in the kennel environment and also while out walking, although he can be very strong on the lead when walking alongside the other dogs.He has met quite a few people since he arrived from the stray pound and he has been ok with everyone.Alfie enjoys his walks and doesn’t really interact with the other dogs, no aggression he just prefers human company and will need to be the only dog in the home.He did have a short spell in a home. He did attach himself to one person more than the other and then tried to dominate the weaker person which caused problems and Alfie was returned to kennels. He will need stronger leadership next time and a couple who will work together in putting rules and guidelines in place so everyone knows exactly where they stand.It really isn’t hard to follow.Alfie is a very good boy when taking treats, he kindly offers his paw and takes the treat so gently.We have seen no issues around food other than the fact he is a very picky feeder and has lost some weight because of this. We have to watch his food intake and his tastes seem to change on a weekly basis. Currently he has a liking for Winalot pouches and will eat these happily so we give him a good supply. He also enjoys a hoof stuffed with raw and the odd pigs ear. He has recently shown some interest in toys which was great to watch, he did take a shine to one of the Kong balls with the handle another ball inside, he thought he had found some treasure.A no to cats and no history around children so teenagers only.If you are fully vetted by us and ready to roll speak to your area coordinator and pop along and visit me.

Alfred & Joker, a 4 years old male German Shepherd available for adoption from German Shepherd Dog Rescue in North East

German Shepherd Dog Rescue

Alfred & Joker

North East
SexMale
Age4 years
BreedGerman Shepherd

Alfred and Joker, 4 year old brothers, have had a really tough start to the year. Sadly their owner died and they were taken in temporarily by his son, who lived on a caravan site and already had two large dogs of his own.We have seen videos of the boys separately walking with one of the sons dogs however we are currently unsure to what extent Alfred and Joker had already mixed with the son and his dogs and what environment they had previously lived in. We would advise caution and gradual introduction as we do know that despite several rescues and FB sites supporting the carer with food, vaccinations etc and appealing for someone to offer a large dog experienced foster home or kennels place over a number of weeks nobody had been able or willing to do so prior to GSDR stepping up to save these boys from euthanasia.When four large dogs proved too much for the sons neighbours and landlord he was evicted from the site and, with literally nowhere left to go, the devastated son felt he now had no other option left than to call the vets. Alfred and Joker were at very serious risk of being put to sleep the following day.As an emergency measure they were signed over to a local sanctuary, but one who don’t generally rehome such large dogs and we’re therefore only able to offer them an overnightassessment and subsequently a very temporary kennel space.Fortunately, as a final appeal was issued to various Gsd rescues, GSDR and a few volunteers became aware of the urgent need to bring breed experienced help to these boys and were within hours able to respond with an offer of the rescues support and a foster home.We are told that, in a secure field Alfred enjoyed chasing a ball but Joker had little interest in this and just did his own thing.After so much upheaval the boys were a little unsure of being brought out to meet yet another stranger and we’re not entirely welcoming to him, but nevertheless into the car they went.They travelled without issue but we’re then even less happy to see a border collie dog at the other end of their journey and took to guarding the car and home at any sight or sound. Based on what we do know so far of their past environment, and observing them over the following days, our volunteer believes that they may well have been used to guarding a yard / site in the past, as even he was unable to get up to the toilet in the nightwithout setting them off barking. This behaviour did however stop after just 3 days of patience and effort to gain their trust when the boys, laid quietly opposite him, suddenly decided that our volunteer required an immediate greet and lick, and have sought to be firm pals in the following four days since.As yet the three dogs have still not been mixed properly but Alfred and Joker are gradually becoming a little quicker torespond to their fosterer in varied scenarios and did for the first time yesterday stop barking at the sight of them passing by andthen standing still in their sight, some calming signals were then observed between all 3 dogs. Alfred and Joker may occasionally give a minor grumble to each other, EG if coming face to face in a small space, competing for a place nearest food etc but have shown no aggression to each other. If anything they are happy to lay all over each other.They have also seen people, a passing cat and various dogs, sheep, again initially barking robustly at them, bar the young cat and a young Labrador pup ahead, in a generally successful attempt to deter all comers. Alfred in particular seems very interested in ducks and geese in the fields, but whilst wanting to watch and pull towards them, unusually for him, did not bark.This barking behaviour has however largely reduced since taking to their fosterer.Both Alfred and Joker will counter surf given an opportunity, jump to try and eat from their dish before it hits the floor if not controlled, and seek to drink dry every puddle or bucket they may see. They are seemingly used to being on a settee when available.Interestingly they don’t necessarily bark on hearing other dogs, only when seeing them. It should be noted that if the boys were together they would both originally tend to bark very heavilyand seemingly have little training, save for perhaps having been deliberately taught to deter strangers, thus will require an experienced and determined home, willing to earn their trust, come what may. Separately Alfred would still bark, whilst Joker would become more inclined to ignore such distractions. Joker has however been observed as quite reliant on Alfred,initially running around looking for a means of getting back to him when taken out alone. For these reasons we are willing to consider splitting the boys if an experienced and committed home is available for each of them but it is vital that these boys are not let down or thrown into any uncertainty again. It may be that you will need to make a few visits and get to know them before they will trust you, or that a m

Alizari, a 5 years old female German Shepherd available for adoption from Manchester and Cheshire Dogs Home in Greater Manchester

Manchester and Cheshire Dogs Home

Alizari

Greater Manchester
SexFemale
Age5 years
BreedGerman Shepherd

This beautiful girl is Alizari. She is looking for a patient and understanding home where she can continue to grow. When she first arrived in our care, she was timid and nervous around new people and situations. However, with time, consistency, and gentle handling, she has really come out of her shell with our staff. Once she trusts you, she absolutely loves fuss, attention and being close to her people. She will require some basic house training in her new home, so her adopters should be prepared to invest time and patience to help her settle into a routine. She appears to be under-socialised with other dogs and can be reactive in certain situations. For this reason, we are seeking an experienced owner who understands canine body language and is confident managing and continuing her training. Any introductions to other dogs should be carefully managed. Despite her challenges, she is a lovely dog with so much potential. In the right home, with continued guidance and reassurance, we believe she will make a loyal and devoted companion. If you have experience with German Shepherds and can offer a calm, structured environment, this special girl could be the perfect addition to your home. She will need a private secure garden.Alizari will need to be the only dog in the home and cannot live with cats.As She came into the home as a stray we have no previous history on her so would prefer any children in the home to be 14+ years.If you have a holiday booked in the next 3 months please wait until you return to apply for a dog.*Applications that are successful will be provided with further information on each dog to the best of the charity’s knowledge.

Amber, a 3 years old female German Shepherd available for adoption from Dogs Trust in Shropshire

Dogs Trust

Amber

Shropshire
SexFemale
Age3 years
BreedGerman Shepherd

Are you right for Amber?Is Amber right for you?I'm looking for my forever home. Could you be my perfect match?Everything you need to know about German ShepherdsIn our form you can tell us all about your home, your lifestyle and the kind of dogs you’re interested in. You won’t be applying for a specific dog, but you can add favourites to give us an idea of the dogs you like. We’ll use this information to find a great match for you.We’ll also ask you to select a rehoming centre. The team at this centre will look after your application and assess you against all suitable dogs in their care. This doesn’t have to be your nearest centre, but you will need to travel there within a few days once we’ve found...

Angus, a 3 years old male German Shepherd available for adoption from Saving Saints Rescue in Lancashire

Saving Saints Rescue

Angus

Lancashire
SexMale
Age3 years
BreedGerman Shepherd

Some dogs are Extra Special . Meet Angus, a gentle Shepherd whose heart is literally breaking as he waits and hopes for a family.3 year old Angus has a chronic heart condition (well managed by medication) which means the stress of life at the shelter could kill him. When we first met Angus last April he was super shy. Not reactive, just worried about our intentions. We asked his rescuer, Sofia to work with him, socialising and training him around people to prepare for domestic life.We needed to know if he could cope. Angus has amazed us with his progress. He used to flinch at the reach of a hand. Now he trusts and asks for rubs. He used to hide his head from treats. Now, he comes to you for tasty favours.He has been an absolute angel during his Veterinary visits, travels well in the car, loves dogs, cats and is not destructive.Angus still needs love, patience and lots of love to continue his progress. His medication costs are £47 a month. It’s a commitment we ask his adopter to be prepared to make for life. Meanwhile, we would commit to fundraising for the costs of his travel to the UK.We see huge potential in this sweet boy. His heart may be a little broken but it is full of love. We think he deserves the best shot at a long and happy life. Do you?Please contract us if you can help by adopting beautiful Angus.

Anna, a 5 years old female German Shepherd available for adoption from German Shepherd Rescue Elite in Essex

German Shepherd Rescue Elite

Anna

Essex
SexFemale
Age5 years
BreedGerman Shepherd

“Hi Lizzy this is Anna I spoke to you yesterday about. Anna was born 31/12/21. She has ended up with us as she was being kept in a shed and was removed. She is a very sweet girl and has been fine with every one who has dealt with her . She is not used to other dogs but has the odd bark when going past something she hasn’t seen before then tends to ignore.she has formed a habit in the shed of holding her tail with her mouth, she does the same in the kennel, she has now made it sore so is on antibiotics & ant inflammatory for a week to see if that helps, if not she will need an X-ray to see if there is some kind of damage to her tail which has caused the habit. Amputation might be a possibility if there is a problem.”Anna is a lovely girl with people and so far pretty much ignoring the other dogs around her but happily plays with male dogs. Still has issues with her tail as it is obviously a long term behaviour which needs to be unlearnt but is better when with people or with her ball and has got much less over time.Anna is fully vaccinated and spayed and would be fine to live with older children. This lovely girl would benefit from a home where she has her people around most of the time so she doesn’t feel bored enough to chase her tail. It will take time and patience but this sweet girl needs to start living life after her horrible start.Anna had a week in foster last year where she settled really well considering. Unfortunately she had to come back because the resident cat was too stressed having a dog in the house.“We had the pleasure of fostering Anna, a beautiful 4 year old German Shepherd. She’s an incredibly sweet and affectionate girl who thrives on one-on-one attention and loves spending quality time with her humans. Whether it’s cuddling, playing with her toys, or enjoying her meals, Anna brings a gentle and loving energy to the home. She is very clean, housebroken, slept through the night along with being very respectful in our home.Anna does exhibit a spinning behavior, however, with the correct guidance and support this may calm down over time. Despite this challenge, her affectionate nature shines through, and she’s eager to connect with people. People just need to see through this as she would make a lovely family dog.On walks, Anna was great with people but will need slow, careful introductions to unfamiliar dogs. With patience and structure, she has the potential to build confidence in these situations.Anna is a truly special dog who deserves a home where she can continue to grow and feel safe. She’ll make a wonderful companion for someone willing to support her with kindness and consistency.”Anna then had a few months in foster with another couple who had adopted from us before:“We Fostered Anna from the end of November last year, until mid-March this year. All we knew was she was almost 4, had been rescued from a shed by the Police, had been with GSRE in kennels for over a year and had been out to Foster once, but returned after a week because their cat didn’t like her!We’ve had Shepherds since b4 we were married in 1483 and of them all, Anna is by far the most affectionate, kissy, loving and pretty cuddle monster we have EVER encountered. She readily jumps into and out of the car and travels well, settling down quite quickly – she had at least two, two hour journeys with us, without issue. She’s housetrained and can be left on her own (we left her for than 2 hours on one occasion and she simply settled down in our hallway – we have CCTV and checked). She LOVES toys and will systematically dissect anything less robust than a truck tyre or an original Kong within minutes! She is packed with fun, play and energy, LOVES water and will chase after a thrown ball (or anything else) and bring it back to be thrown again and again and again until YOU get tired! She really thrives on mental stimulation, but doesn’t chew the house to pieces and will settle down on her bed for a rest or to watch TV – I kid you not! That said, she also loves to snuggle up on her bed, or with her human or just take herself off to lay on our bed and have a snooze…….She snores!Anna settled, relaxed and grew in confidence over the weeks. Over this time, her tail chasing and biting behaviour slowly abated to almost nothing and her tail tip tail hair has grown back beautifully. However, occasional moments of anxiety did seem to trigger them still, or if she wanted attention but wasn’t getting it. Even then, a firm “NO” generally snapped her out of it.She was a nightmare on the lead to start with and any commands (sit, down, heel, etc) must always have been intended for someone other than Anna! However, with reward-based and CALMLY executed Training, she became good with the basic commands and vastly improved on a lead. She is not inherently treat orientated, so the training rewards do have to be high-value treats or toys – not her day-to-day food. She is HIGHLY intelligent and actually quite a sensiti

Archie, a 2 years old male German Shepherd available for adoption from RSPCA in Lincolnshire

RSPCA

Archie

Lincolnshire
SexMale
Age2 years
BreedGerman Shepherd

Archie Breed: German Shepherd Cross Age: Around 2 years old Sex: MArchie Breed: German Shepherd Cross Age: Around 2 years old Sex: MArchie Breed: German Shepherd Cross Age: Around 2 years old Sex: MThings to know .cls-1{fill:#fff;} I may be able to live with dogsThings to know .cls-1{fill:#fff;} I may be able to live with dogsThings to know .cls-1{fill:#fff;} I may be able to live with dogsThings to know .cls-1{fill:#fff;} I may be able to live with dogsThings to know .cls-1{fill:#fff;} I may be able to live with dogsPlease click the button below and read the information carefully before downloading an application.Please click the button below and read the information carefully before downloading an application.Archie came to us after being a loving companion and living on the streets. He is big but a total softie, very kind and playful. He enjoys a fuss and snuggle but does have selective hearing and it will be obvious when he’s is bored of something. He will enjoy long rural walks and be a big baby for his treats. If you are looking for a lifelong friend with street smarts, Archie is the one for you.Archie came to us after being a loving companion and living on the streets. He is big but a total softie, very kind and playful. He enjoys a fuss and snuggle but does have selective hearing and it will be obvious when he’s is bored of something. He will enjoy long rural walks and be a big baby for his treats. If you are looking for a lifelong friend with street smarts, Archie is the one for you.Archie came to us after being a loving companion and living on the streets. He is big but a total softie, very kind and playful. He enjoys a fuss and snuggle but does have selective hearing and it will be obvious when he’s is bored of something. He will enjoy long rural walks and be a big baby for his treats. If you are looking for a lifelong friend with street smarts, Archie is the one for you.©2026 RSPCA Lincolnshire Mid, North East & Lincoln Branch CIO.Reg. Charity no.1212961 Privacy & Cookies Terms & Conditions Site handcrafted by©2026 RSPCA Lincolnshire Mid, North East & Lincoln Branch CIO.Reg. Charity no.1212961©2026 RSPCA Lincolnshire Mid, North East & Lincoln Branch CIO.Reg. Charity no.1212961©2026 RSPCA Lincolnshire Mid, North East & Lincoln Branch CIO.Reg. Charity no.1212961©2026 RSPCA Lincolnshire Mid, North East & Lincoln Branch CIO.Reg. Charity no.1212961©2026 RSPCA Lincolnshire Mid, North East & Lincoln Branch CIO.Reg. Charity no.1212961Cookies & Privacy PolicyWe use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Settings" to provide a controlled consent.Accept AllReject AllSettingsPrivacy PolicyWe use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Settings" to provide a controlled consent.Accept AllReject AllSettingsPrivacy PolicyWe use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Settings" to provide a controlled consent.Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Necessary Necessary Always Enabled Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information. Non-necessary Non-necessary Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. SAVE & ACCEPTClose Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in

Arnie, a 2 years old female German Shepherd available for adoption from GSD Welfare Fund in Cambridgeshire

GSD Welfare Fund

Arnie

Cambridgeshire
SexFemale
Age2 years
BreedGerman Shepherd

Arnie came to us at 20 months old and has only been with us a short time. He was relinquished to rescue after being described as reactive to “everything” — dogs, people, children, barking and lunging at them all. He had been crated for long periods and only walked in the early hours of the morning, so he arrived with very limited experiences and almost no socialisation.​When he first meets someone new, he will bark so needs a little time to work out who you are. Once he knows you, he is the sweetest, most affectionate lad. He travels brilliantly in the car, settles on the back seat, and doesn’t react to passing people or dogs. He loves affection and interaction with people he knows.​We’ve been taking him to quiet places for his walks and gradually introducing more sights and sounds at a distance he can cope with. He loves getting out and exploring, and he’s showing us every week that he wants to learn and feel safe.​Arnie is ready to be adopted, but he isn’t a dog for busy streets, narrow streets or crowded parks just yet. If he’s pushed too close to things he finds worrying, he will bark, which we want to avoid. He’s a work in progress — not difficult, not dangerous, just inexperienced and trying his best.​Arnie needs to be the only dog in the house and no cats or small animals as we suspect he would chase.​He needs adopters who are happy to continue slow, steady socialisation: taking him in the car to quiet parks, letting him watch the world from a safe distance, and building his confidence at his pace. In the kennel he settles quietly, shows no destruction, and thrives on predictable routines.​With patient, consistent handling and a calm home, Arnie has every chance of becoming a fantastic companion. He just needs people who are willing to continue the good work that’s already started.Meanwhile we will continue working with him on socialisation, till we find the perfect match.​​​​​ ​​​

Arnie, a 7 years old female German Shepherd available for adoption from German Shepherd Dog Rescue in East of England

German Shepherd Dog Rescue

Arnie

East of England
SexFemale
Age7 years
BreedGerman Shepherd

Meet Arnie who is a caucasian shepherd.Arnie will be 8 in July and is not neutered.He is looking for a new home due to a marriage breakdown and is not getting the attention he needs.Arnie is an outdoor dog. He used to live indoors but chose to live outside. Some Caucasians prefer to be outdoors.Arnie would benefit from living in a rural home with a big garden with an outdoor kennel so he has shelter but giving him the option to go in the house if he wants to.He currently lives with children but we will only rehome him with older children.Arnie used to live with a rescued female caucasian shepherd but she picked on him so they had to rehome her. Arnie can be selective with dogs. He doesn’t like little dogs and doesn’t like cats.He dislikes birds and will bark and try to catch them. He is fine with the family’s pet rabbit and the hedgehog that visits at night.Arnie loves to be bathed and groomed. He loves his food and doesn’t mind anybody touching his food.Arnie occasionally takes a dislike to men. He has never bitten but there has been a time when workman have been at the house and Arnie was very unhappy about it and had to be kept away.Arnie was fine with our volunteer’s partner and he rolled over for belly rubs.Arnie is a very laid back boy. He can be stubborn and knows a few commands in Ukranian.He walks well on the lead but can be reactive with some dogs. He will bark and lunge and with his size, will be very difficult to control. He weighs about 90kg and he is only being walked by an adult male in the family. He’s not let off the lead because he hasn’t got great recall.He travels well in the car and used to go on camping holidays in Wales and Cornwall.German Shepherd Rescue, Little Vauld, Marden Hereford HR1 3HA.German Shepherd Rescue helping rehome GSD's

Ava, a 12 years old female German Shepherd x Akita available for adoption from RSPCA in Derbyshire

RSPCA

Ava

Derbyshire
SexFemale
Age12 years
BreedGerman Shepherd x Akita

She is a Shepherd/Akita cross and came to us from another independent RSPCA branch where she was very much loved but after two years of searching, they weren't able to find her forever home so we're hoping we can change that. Ava struts around like she owns the place, greets every day with enthusiasm, and is absolutely bursting with character. She's loving, playful, sweet, and loves life, with a sprinkle of aloofness, in true Akita fashion.

Bailey, a 10 years old male Siberian Husky x German Shepherd available for adoption from Ferne Animal Sanctuary in Somerset

Ferne Animal Sanctuary

Bailey

Somerset
SexMale
Age10 years
BreedSiberian Husky x German Shepherd

He lost his owner… and now he’s lost his home too. Bailey didn’t do anything wrong. The only thing that changed was that the person he loved sadly passed away. Now this older boy is in rescue, confused and waiting for someone who isn’t coming back. Bailey is a lovely, gentle soul who still has so much love left to give. He’s friendly with other medium/large dogs off lead but can be reactive to smaller dogs on lead/off lead, Bailey is house trained, walks beautifully on a loose lead, loves water, loves being groomed, travels well, and is used to being left for a few hours. He’s also been socialised with children aged 10+. He will chase cats and doesn’t have recall off lead, but what Bailey truly needs right now is simple — a safe home, a soft bed, and someone to love him again. He’s already lost everything once. Please don’t let him spend the rest of his days waiting in a kennel. Can you give Bailey the loving home he deserves for his golden years? Please apply online if you can help. Read more & enquire Temperament: Gentle, friendly. Weight: 40KG.

Bambi, a 4 years old female German Shepherd available for adoption from German Shepherd Rescue Elite in Cornwall

German Shepherd Rescue Elite

Bambi

Cornwall
SexFemale
Age4 years
BreedGerman Shepherd

“They are in kennels atm and police have had a verbal disclaimer.They are 2 females one is nearly 1 and the other is nearly 2. Could be mother and daughter or siblings. Police have no other info.Very sweet girls. On a 7 dayer atm.”So Bambi and Bonnie came from the Police DLO in Cornwall.Both girls have super friendly temperaments and get along together so well. However we are walking them separately as well as together so Bonnie learns to be confident away from her mum.No young children as we do not know their history but these girls would fit happily in a breed experienced home with little fuss.

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