Black German Shepherd: Breed Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

The German Shepherd originally hails from Germany in the 1800s as a herding dog and is the second most popular dog at the American Kennel Club. The Black German Shepherd is not a different breed from the original German Shepherd dog (GSD). The only actual difference is that it is solid black instead of the usual tan and black GSD that we are all used to seeing.

Black German Shepherds are large dogs with a double coat of medium-length fur. The undercoat is soft, and the outer coat lies flat and is rough and dense. Like the regular GSD, they are well-muscled, powerful dogs with pointed, erect ears and a curved, slightly bushy tail.

Black German Shepherd Puppies

When you’re looking for a Black German Shepherd, try to find dog breeders that specialize in German Shepherds. They will be experienced enough to know when a puppy is healthy and alert. Do thorough research so you know you’re dealing with an ethical and reputable dog breeder that takes the puppy’s health seriously.

The Black German Shepherd is a very active, energetic dog that is generally a very healthy breed. They are highly trainable dogs thanks to their intelligence and strong bond with their owners. They tend to be wary of strangers and other dogs so early socialization is essential.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Black German Shepherd

1. The black color usually occurs with Black German Shepherd parents.

The black color can occur if two regular GSDs both have the same recessive gene that causes the black coat color but is more likely to occur if mating occurs between two Black German Shepherd dogs.

2. All GSD puppies are born black, white, or grey.

It’s not until the puppies are about 8 weeks old that their coat’s true color is established. A Black German Shepherd is born with a black coat and will stay a solid black throughout her life.

3. The Black German Shepherd and the GSD have the temperament.

They might look different from the regular GSDs, but their personalities and temperament are exactly the same.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Black German Shepherd 🧠

The Black German Shepherd has the same temperament as a regular GSD and has, therefore, been used for the same jobs (such as working with the military and the police as watchdogs and guardians). They become very bonded with their family and should not be left alone for long periods, or they will exhibit destructive behavior.

Black German Shepherds are highly intelligent and are courageous and confident dogs who do equally well as working dogs or family pets. While they are very affectionate and loving dogs with their family, they are aloof with dogs and strangers they are not familiar with, and even then, they are picky with who they want to spend their time with.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Black German Shepherds are fantastic family dogs as they have wonderful patience and gentleness with children. All children, particularly the young ones, need to be taught to respect all dogs and should be supervised around all dogs. Their devotion to their family combined with their courageous natures makes them perfect guardians as they are known to be willing to risk their own lives to protect their loved ones.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

If the Black German Shepherd has been socialized well as a puppy, she will get along with all other pets, but she might be wary of other animals she’s not familiar with.

Things to Know When Owning a Black German Shepherd:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Black German Shepherd is a large, high energy dog that requires a high-quality dry kibble. You can figure out what kind of food to feed your Black German Shepherd by following the guidelines on the back of the dog food bag and talking to your vet.

Exercise 🐕

As already mentioned, the Black German Shepherd is a very active dog and will require a lot of daily exercise for her mental and physical well-being. She will excel in activities such as tracking, herding, and agility, which will provide both mental and physical exercise. Black German Shepherds are likely to develop destructive behaviors if bored and aren’t exercised enough.

Training 🦮

The Black German Shepherd responds well to positive, consistent training that is reward-based. Her devotion to her family means she needs to spend as much as possible inside the house with her humans. Combine her intelligence with her obedience, and you have a dog that is easy to train and will become an amazing companion for the family.

Grooming ✂️

The Black German Shepherd has a thick, double coat that will need brushing about once a week. However, they do shed quite a bit in the spring and fall and will need more frequent brushing at these times. You should only give your Black German Shepherd an occasional bath using a good quality dog shampoo (like this one). Usually, no more than once a month.

The ears of your Black German Shepherd should be cleaned at least once a month. Her nails need trimming every 3 to 4 weeks, and her teeth should be brushed about 2 or 3 times a week.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Your breeder will have already had your puppy and her parents checked for these conditions, but throughout your dog’s life, she will be examined by your vet for the possibility of these conditions. This should include a routine physical exam that will consist of checking your dog’s hips and elbows and running blood and urinalysis tests.

The vet will check your dog’s skin and eyes during her annual physical checkup to rule out the possibility of your dog suffering from any of these health concerns.

Male vs. Female

Male and female Black German Shepherds are usually different in size. The male is generally a little taller and heavier than the female. Male Black German Shepherds are usually 24 to 26 inches in height and 65 to 90 pounds in weight, whereas females are about 22 to 24 inches and 50 to 70 pounds.

If you opt to have surgery for your dog, neutering the male is an easier operation and, therefore, less expensive with a shorter recovery time than spaying the female dog. Spaying or neutering your Black German Shepherd has the advantage of potentially providing your dog with a longer life as it can help to prevent future health conditions.

The final difference between female and male Black German Shepherds is in temperament. There are those that believe that female dogs are less aggressive and easier to train than males, but there are discussions around this. While a dog’s temperament can be determined by the genetics of the breed, one of the primary determinates will always be how a puppy was trained and socialized and how it has been treated as an adult.

Final Thoughts

Finding the Black German Shepherd is a bit of a challenge since the GSD is common, but locating a black GSD will take time and patience. Speaking to local breeders of GSDs and contacting both national and local dog clubs are methods that could bring you closer to finding one. You can also post your interest in finding a Black German Shepherd on social media.

On the other hand, if you’re interested in adopting a Black German Shepherd, there are many GSD rescue groups found all over the world. The Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue is a good example of a group that saves and adopts German Shepherds, even the occasional black one.

The Black German Shepherd is a gorgeous dog that makes a fantastic working dog just as much as a perfect family pet. If you’re looking for a steadfast, smart, and loving companion that will be an eye-catching dog, then look no further than the Black German Shepherd.

Featured Image Credit: Mistery08, Pixabay