A large herding breed with a substantial working heritage. Daily mental activity and consistent training are as much part of the household commitment as walks.
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Adult weight context | 35–43 kg (PDSA typical range) |
| Height context | 58–63 cm |
| Exercise context | PDSA lists around 2 hours daily for healthy adults, alongside training and play. |
Ranges describe the cited profile. They are not goal weights, growth charts or a veterinary exercise prescription. Age, line, sex, body condition and health can change the picture.
What to record before comparing food
A quiet day at home and a demanding working day are different routines. Record what your own dog actually does instead of choosing an energy-dense food simply because the breed is associated with work.
Keep a short record with the exact current food name, the amount served, any leftovers, and extras supplied by other members of the household. That gives you something concrete to compare against a new pack’s label.
Nutrition and life stage
Use the food label to identify the life stage and whether it is intended as the main complete diet. The breed name on a bag is not enough to establish suitability. A growing dog should not be treated as a smaller adult in a calculator.
Still growing?
Use the puppy guide to organise questions about growth labelling and adult size. Confirm maturity and feeding amounts with your veterinary team.
Puppy food guide →Choosing between foods?
Compare the actual labels, declared energy and daily costs. Our catalogue is limited and does not rank foods by breed.
Food selector →Build a practical comparison
- Write down the exact products and pack sizes, rather than just brand names.
- Check both life-stage statements before comparing the price.
- Use each food’s own portion information. Equal gram portions need not supply equal calories.
- Use the same currency and record delivery charges separately.
Compare two foods’ daily costs → · Keep a dated weight record →
Health concerns and screening
The source profile below includes breed-related health information. Use it to prepare questions about relevant screening and the individual dog’s history. Our clinical condition guides remain subject to veterinary review; this page does not diagnose disease or recommend a condition-specific food.
Read the full German Shepherd source profile and health information ↗ · Browse health resources
A dog with symptoms, a diagnosed condition, a suspected allergy or a prescribed diet needs individual veterinary advice before a food change. An average breed weight should never be used as an automatic weight-loss target.
Prepared by DogFoodSelector editorial team. Breed facts checked 28 October 2026 against the linked source; no veterinary review or credentials are claimed. About our project · Information limits.