German dog strain are well known and loved around the world — no surprise since the country is the third gravid manufacturer of detent breeds , behind only France and the United Kingdom . Germany export nearly 50 unlike stock to the United States , and German dogs carry on to rise in popularity . According to the American Kennel Club’srankingsfor 2020 ( base on its 2019 registration ) , German dogs occupy a commanding eight blot in the top - twenty ranking of our most pop dogs . Let ’s seem at the top eleven German dog breeds in the United States .
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1. German Shepherd
This pop andiron guard its lofty piazza at phone number 2 in the rankings . A German cavalry officer named Captain Max von Stephanitz started to cross German herding breeds in the belated 1800s , hear to develop the practiced herding dog . He more than succeeded . Muscular and nimble , the German Shepherd is the earth ’s thirdmostintelligentdog . Only the poodle and molding collie are smarter . This breed transitioned from herding to run for the military machine and the police force .
The German Shepherd stands 22 to 26 inches high and weigh 50 to 90 pounds . The breed has a intermediate - length treble coat , which comes in many colors and pattern combinations . Most of the yr , when the dog is n’t shedding , brushing every few days is enough .
German Shepherds organize close bonds with those they view folk . Aloof around stranger , they put their lives at hazard to protect the people they love .
Highly trainable , this breed can learn many command . They requireearly socializationand on-going grooming to manage their protective inherent aptitude . German Shepherds also need a good deal of exercise and enrichment activities . They excel at many canine Job , along with dog summercater like agility , herding , and trailing .
2. Poodle
strut in at number 6 comes the Poodle . Although many connect the poodle with France , this breed is actually German . The name “ Poodle ” originate from the German words “ pudel ” and “ pudeln , ” which imply “ pool ” and “ to splash around . ” Poodles were bred to hunt ducks more than 400 year ago , and they ’re excellent swimmers . poodle dog also served as companion to nobleness and genus Circus blackguard . They ’ve even been aim to find truffles .
The Standard Poodle fend more than 15 inches improbable and weighs between 40 and 70 pounds . The Poodle comes in two other sizes : miniature and toy .
The Poodle ’s curly coat protect it from inclement weather . The coating comes in solid colors or two - tone combination , including shades of apricot , black , white , brown , grey-haired , and more . Many masses choose to keep their Poodle ’s coat clipped short to avoid matting . The coat will postulate to be clipped every four to six calendar week , either by the owner or a professional groomer . Since Poodles shed picayune , they make good pets for allergy sufferers .
Poodles are active , with a lot of energy . They require daily exercise and enjoy jogging or tramp , swim , andplaying fetch . They also stand out indog competitionslike tracking and legerity . extremely trainable and sound , Poodles hear basic commands in just minutes and are eager to please .
These affectionate dogs are salutary with children and spring close bonds with their citizenry .
3. Rottweiler
Muscling in at phone number 8 , this powerful dog has a snack violence of 328 pound , a chomp stronger than a Pit Bull or German Shepherd . During the papistical occupation of Northern Europe , this stock was developed to crowd livestock . The name come hundreds of years later on , when these dogs herded cattle in the German townspeople of Rottweil . This stock transition to mold aspolice dogs , guard dogs , steer dogs , and search - and - rescue dog-iron .
Rottweiler resist 22 to 27 inches marvelous and weigh between 80 and 135 Egyptian pound . Their scant black coat has rust , tan , or mahogany tree marking . The pelage necessitate hebdomadary brush . Rottweilers shed heavily in leaping and fall .
This strain has fortune of energy , requiring daily exercise and an alive owner . Rottweilers enjoy swimming , walking and jog . They also surpass in canine sports or work in herding or trailing .
Rottweiler are intelligent and highly trainable but can be stubborn . They require other socialising and training to manage their territorial instinct .
4. German Shorthaired Pointer
Claiming a spot at telephone number 9 , this click was bred in the 1800s to hunt chick . They can retrieve from ground or water , hunting several different form of biz .
This pointer stands 21 to 25 inch high and matter 45 to 70 pounds . The coat is reddish brownish or sports a liver and whitened form . alimony consists of using a brush or prepare mitt every few Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
Friendly , smart , and eager to please , German Shorthaired pointer educate strong adhesion with their citizenry . With their boundless energy , they postulate a lot of exercise : a seance of running , swim , or other bounder sport twice a day .
former socialization and training is crucial for these well-informed dogs . Their high energy and strong fair game drive has to be managed as they will engage in destructive behavior if left alone for too long .
5. Dachshund
The world - famed “ wiener dog ” ranks 11th , with its floppy ear , retentive body , and short legs . Bred to hunt badgers around 600 years ago , the dog ’s name translates from German as “ Badger Dog . ” Dachshunds pursued dangerous Wisconsinite right into their dens , and Dachshund packs also hunted uncivilized boar . accordingly , this dog-iron can be brave with a reckless streak .
The breed arrive in two size : miniature and standard . The miniature version stands 5 to 6 inches tall and weighs less than 11 Sudanese pound . The stock edition is 8 to 9 inches gamey and weighs between 16 and 32 pound .
A Dachshund ’s pelage can be smooth , wire - hairy , or long - haired and comes in shades of tan , black , chocolate , red , and more . This stock sheds at times and has small or no “ doggy ” odor .
This friendly , curious click loves to be in your lap covering and may not get along with other dogs . Dachshunds makegood watchdogs , with a barque that ’s far big than they are .
Their elongate shape means a salubrious back is vital . To keep their backs dependable , Dachshunds should n’t go up and down whole tone or startle on and off furniture . Owners can help by feed them appropriate portions ; any extra weight they carry strains their backs . Enough recitation — around two moderate walk of life a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. — should build firm back muscle .
6. Great Dane
Many recognize this breed from cartoon lineament Scooby - Doo and Marmaduke , both Great Danes . At place 17 , this bounder is a docile titan . in the first place breed to hunt boar , this breed has also performed as show dogs .
Great Danes measure up to 32 inches tall and consider as much as 175 pounds . The short , smooth coat come in ignominious , fawn , spicy , brindle ( strip ) , and other colors and patterns .
This stock requires daily workout , perhaps two or three brisk walk a twenty-four hours . They also enjoy jog or raise with their owners . breed as Hunter , they thread off when tracking odour so should be walked on leash and allowed to draw only in an enclosed yard .
Great Danes are favorable and protective . They do well with tyke and other animals . serious watchdogs , they are alert and imposing . Because of their sizing , early trainingand socialization are needed .
7. Miniature Schnauzer
dart in at telephone number 18 is this small , lively dog . In the fifteenth century , this strain was developed to hold rats and other vermin . Renowned German artist Rembrandt and Dürer painted the Schnauzer . The Schnauzer comes in three sizes : miniature , standard , and titan . All three types placed in the top 100 of the American Kennel Club rankings .
The Miniature Schnauzer support 12 to 14 inches tall and weighs between 11 and 20 pounds . Their wiry coat comes in three colour : ignominious and white , calamitous and silver , and unanimous black . These frump shed very little but dorequire steady grooming .
With their size and energy level , miniature schnauzers conform well to apartment living and get along with children and other wiener . They make serious watchdogs , although they can be barky .
Miniature Schnauzers involve everyday exercise and playtime with their citizenry , with perhaps a secure fenced area so they can run and chase balls . This breed has a strong fair game drive so should always be walked on three .
Smart and trainable , early training and socialization will benefit them . The Schnauzer is one of the healthiest detent stock , with few congenital result .
8. Doberman Pinscher
This large , sinewy hot dog stands 24 to 28 inches tall and weighs 60 to 100 pounds . The short , smooth coat comes in black , cherry , gloomy , or grayish brown with rust markings . Grooming penury are minimal , only a quick daily brush or the role of agrooming mitt .
Doberman Pinschers should always be invoke inside the house with their masses . They may not do well with other dog .
This strain needs lots of recitation and playtime with their people . They enjoy long daily walk or hiking and black market in a fenced yard . They also stand out at dog sports , such as obedience , tracking , and agility . Doberman Pinschers also benefit from early socialization and obedience training .
9. Weimaraner
Bounding in at spot 39 is a dog know as the “ Gray Ghost , ” because of its coloring and habit of stick closely to people . nominate after the Weimer Republic ( a res publica in Germany before World War I ) , these dogs were bred in the early 1800s for German royalty to answer as gun dogs for big game . Fearless , Weimaraners chased down cervid , hazardous boar , and bears . later on they became bird dogs .
This elegant dog stands 23 to 27 inches grandiloquent and weighs between 55 and 90 pound . Their poor coat comes in blue , grey-headed , or silver greyness and only needs occasional brushing .
Weimaraner want to be part of the family and are sound with children . They may not do as well with pocket-size pet . Playful and active , they need a slew of exercise to burn all their vitality and a good , insert yard with room to run . Their f number is up to 35 miles per hour , andrunning is importantfor their forcible and mental wellness . Intelligent and eager to please , Weimaraners gain from other acculturation and training .
10. Miniature Pinscher
rank at 74 is this minuscule dog with a big personality . The stock has a typical , high - stepping gait . Its origin are ill-defined , but most experts think the breed was a hybrid between a Dachshund and Italian Greyhound .
The breed stands more or less 10 to 12 inches high and consider 8 to 10 pounds . The placid short coat comes in red , chocolate and rust , or blackened and rust . Maintaining the coat requires only aweekly brushor use of a grooming mitt .
The Miniature Pinscher needs day-after-day exercise , perhaps walk a couple times a day or chasing ball in the G . Independent , these dogs benefit from former socialising and training .
11. Leonberger
Our last German dogbreed , do in at 95 in the ranking , is a admixture of Newfoundland , farsighted - haired Saint Bernard , and Great Pyrenees . The dog ’s name came from the city of Leonberg , Germany . In the nineteenth century , Heinrich Essig wanted to develop a dog that attend like the lion on Leonberg ’s crest . These hound with their Leo - like manes were popular with royal house : The Prince of Wales , King of Italy , and Czar of Russia all had Leonbergers .
This large heel digest between 25 and 31 inches tall and weighs 90 to 170 pounds . The coat is medium - tenacious and waterproofed . It comes in blood-red , reddish brown , sandy , and yellow . They require daily brush because their hair tends to gym mat .
With their high energy level , Leonbergers need flock of employment at least once a day . full-grown dogs can trot with their owners or bunk with a bike . lightsomeness trainingis also another heavy generator of exercise .
Friendly , forthcoming dogs , they do well with children . Because of their sizing and long suit , Leonbergers need other socialization and on-going training .
Whatever kind of dog you ’re count for , German breed offer a broad multifariousness and the pure companions for many people .