German shepherds, schnauzers and pint-size Pomeranians are only a few of the German dog breeds that make excellent pets
Guten Tag, fans of German dog breeds! While we love dogs from all over the world (a cute face is a cute face, after all), we’ve noticed that many of the most popular dog breeds happen to have originated in Germany. There’s the iconic German shepherd (No. 4 on the American Kennel Club’s list of the most popular breeds), the muscle-bound Rottweiler (staying strong at No. 7) and the short-legged dachshund (No. 9). Germany is responsible for creating upwards of 50 dog breeds of various sizes and personalities, so one—or more—of these cuties are bound to catch your eye.
Our list includes dog breeds that originated in Germany or regions now known as modern Germany. We asked Sara Ochoa, DVM, a veterinarian at the Animal Hospital of West Monroe in Louisiana, and Lindsay Butzer, DVM, a veterinarian at Clint Moore Animal Hospital in Florida, to dig up the inside info on the German dog breeds that will steal your heart—and quite possibly your pretzels and sausages.
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About the experts
- Sara Ochoa, DVM, earned her doctorate in veterinary medicine from St. George’s University and has nine years of professional experience. She works as a veterinarian at the Animal Hospital of West Monroe in West Monroe, Louisiana, and is a senior writer for HoundGames.
- Lindsay Butzer, DVM, is a veterinarian at Clint Moore Animal Hospital in Boca Raton, Florida, and a PetMeds partner. She graduated with honors after completing the prestigious DVM program at Ross University and went on to do her clinical year at Tufts University.
German shepherd dog
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Whether the German shepherd is a family dog, a fellow soldier or a service dog for the visually impaired, it’s undeniably one of the most loyal dog breedsaround. These pups are calm and collected, with an unparalleled dedication to love and protect their human or the entire family unit (including kids and feline siblings). If that doesn’t knock your socks off, know that they’re wicked smart and eager to please.
“Training is a breeze with their focus and loyalty. They’re awesome for police, military, anything requiring serious discipline,” says Dr. Ochoa. But that doesn’t mean they’re always in “work mode.” German shepherds love playtime and snuggling with their humans too, albeit with an ever-watchful eye on their surroundings.
Dachshund
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Over 300 years ago, dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers. (Dach means “badger” and hund means “dog.”) Like other long-nosed dog breeds, they use their cute sniffers to investigate. Dachshunds are enthusiastic explorers and use their sharp claws and powerful short legs to excavate. They’re also clever and loath to give up, whether they’re waiting for a squirrel to emerge from under the deck or going that extra inch to retrieve a toy rabbit from under the sofa. They’ll keep barking until they successfully capture their “prey.”
Weiner dogs, as they are affectionately known, come in two sizes: miniature and standard. Both are ideal sizes if you’re looking for an apartment dog suitable for small spaces.
Doberman pinscher
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Kudos to Louis Dobermann for creating this beautiful and noble German dog breed. As a tax collector in 19th-century Germany, Dobermann wasn’t well-received when it was time to collect taxes, so he developed a dog to protect him from other breeds. (The extra n was dropped at some point.) Even though the Doberman is considered a guard dog, it is actually affectionate and sweet with its family, though it usually bonds with just one family member.
As guard dogs, some Dobermans may have behavioral issues. “Some can struggle with issues like aggression with strangers, separation anxiety or resource guarding,” says Dr. Ochoa. “Proper training and socialization from a young age can help prevent these behaviors, though.” It varies a lot between individual dogs, however.
Rottweiler
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With an intimidating size and powerhouse body, this guard dog breed hardly seems like the warm and fuzzy type that might spend quiet evenings at home cuddled up on the sofa. Yet these dogs are super affectionate and chummy with their family unit. With strangers, however, they can have a standoffish vibe. It’s not that they are mean dogs. The Rottweiler will be dedicated and devoted to its human pack, and being reserved is this smart dog‘s way of safeguarding its family.
Boxer
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The boxer is an intelligent, fun-loving German dog breed that loves to be busy, preferably with its family. Home life will be much more pleasant for a boxer and its humans if it isn’t left alone for too long. With too much time spent solo, the boxer will find ways to entertain itself—by tipping over the garbage, for instance, or destroying sofa cushions.
This breed’s popularity peaked in the 1950s, when a Westminster-winning boxer named Bang Away became a celebrity. In 2019 and 2020, a boxer named CinniBon’s Bedrock Bombshell wowed judges and spectators, taking home first-place honors in the working dog group.
Weimaraner
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Known as the “gray ghost,” mainly for its color, stealth hunting skills and speed, the Weimaraner is one of the dog breeds we commonly mispronounce. Try this: “y-mar-honor.” Now that you’re all set with the pronunciation, the Weimaraner would like you to know it thrives on human companionship so much that “me time” is a foreign concept.
These pups aren’t looking to join you for long sessions on the sofa, though. “They are extremely athletic dogs that are known for speed, stamina, courageousness and intelligence and have a great sense of smell for hunting and working,” says Dr. Butzer. Weimaraners will be happiest with people who enjoy spending a lot of time with them while being physically active together.
Pomeranian
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What could be cuter than a fuzzy-wuzzy, pint-size dog that looks like a fox? This tiny German dog breed is ever so perky, friendly and curious. Pomeranians’ curiosity also drives their desire to learn and perform tricks, and it makes them alert watchdogs. These pups have kept company with some notable figures of history, including owners Marie Antoinette, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Queen Charlotte, who passed on her love of the breed to her granddaughter, Queen Victoria.
Great Dane
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Possibly the tallest dog breed in the world, the Great Dane towers over four-legged friends—and most humans when it stands on its hind legs. While other giant dog breeds might appear big and clumsy, the Great Dane’s elegant and regal gait rivals the top models on the catwalk. A gentle giant, this German dog breed’s heart is as big as its legs are tall.
Fun fact: Pennsylvania founder William Penn had a Great Dane, and in 1965, it became the state dog of Pennsylvania. There’s even a portrait of Penn and his Great Dane in the governor’s reception room in the Pennsylvania Capitol.
Schnauzer
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Schnauzers come in three sizes, and they’re all spirited and lively with a zest for adventure. All schnauzers need to expend their energy and put their keen intelligence to work with daily walks and playtime. Dog puzzles and toys go a long way toward keeping them mentally engaged (and out of mischief). Though eager to please, they are also a bit independent and may have their own way of doing things from time to time. As family dogs, they are sweet, get along wonderfully with kidsand get along with other dogs.
German spitz
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The German spitz is a versatile little fireball. “People love them for their ability to excel at agility, conformation showing and companionship,” says Dr. Butzer. This is truly a happy-go-lucky breed that loves the whole family, including other family dogs. “They are a hardy and healthy dog breed originally bred to work on farms for herding smaller livestock until they became more known as companion dogs,” she says. That’s probably why they make good watchdogs. But heads up: Their built-in alarm system can be excessive, so this isn’t the breed for you if you can’t tolerate a lot of barking.
Did you notice how much the German spitz looks like the Pomeranian? These are two dog breeds that everyone confuses. Both are spitz breeds, known for their thick double coats, fox-like faces and bushy, curled tails.
Leonberger
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If you’re looking for fluffy, larger-than-life German dog breeds to snuggle with, let us introduce you to the Leonberger. These pups were bred to look like lions, according to Dr. Butzer. But after World War I, they were on the brink of extinction, with only five Leonbergers in all of Germany. Thankfully, the breed was reestablished by Deutscher Club für Leonberger Hunde, and in 1991, the Leonberger made its way to the United States. We’re sure glad they made the trip because they are exceedingly patient and lovey-dovey with their family, and they make friends easily with those outside the family circle.
German shorthaired pointer
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If you would rather hike, run, swim and explore the great outdoors instead of spend your downtime on the couch, the German shorthaired pointer is an adventure companion worthy of your consideration. As a hunting breed, it’s naturally inclined to be a curious and enthusiastic explorer. These dogs form solid bonds with their humans and love to scout the backyard with the kids or spend the day at the lake with the whole family.
Of note: A recognized trait of the German shorthaired pointer is that it takes a little longer to mature than other breeds. It’s like having a full-grown dog that acts like a puppy, so you’ll want to avoid common puppy-training mistakes from the get-go.
Poodle
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You’ve heard about “French” poodles and have probably seen artwork portraying dogs with the quintessential fancy hairdos and aristocratic demeanor strolling the streets of Paris. Here’s something shocking: “Poodles were originally duck-hunting dogs and came from Germany, not France,” says Dr. Ochoa.
They are loving and intelligent, as well as first-rate family dogs with lots of pep. “All that energy and [those] smarts make them natural athletes and circus performers,” she says. “They love showing off their mad skills.” Heck, poodles love just about everyone they meet and are even one of the dog breeds that get along with cats.
Why trust us
AtReader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece on German dog breeds, Lisa Marie Conklin tapped her experience as a reporter who has covered dogs and pets for seven years, then Caroline Coile, PhD, an award-winning journalist specializing in canine breeds, health and science,gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. For this piece, we relied on reputable primary sources and experts, including two veterinarians. We verified all facts and data and backed them with credible sourcing, and we will revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and oureditorial policies.
Sources:
- Sara Ochoa, DVM, veterinarian at the Animal Hospital of West Monroe in West Monroe, Louisiana, and senior writer at HoundGames; email interview, Jan. 23, 2024
- Lindsay Butzer, DVM, veterinarian at Clint Moore Animal Hospital; email interview, Jan. 15, 2024
