Breed guide
German Shepherd Dog Breeding Guide: Litter Size, Whelping, Puppy Weights and Health Testing
Updated September 6, 2026 · 6 min read · By the BreedBloom team
German Shepherd breeding spans show lines, working lines and everything between, with different registries (AKC, SV/WUSV) setting different requirements. Whatever the line, hips, elbows and DM status are the minimum a buyer will ask about.
German Shepherd Dog at a glance
Typical litter size
5–10 puppies (average around 8)
Birth weight
14–20 oz (400–570 g)
Adult weight
50–90 lb (22–40 kg)
Gestation
About 63 days from ovulation (57–72 from breeding)
Whelping
Large litters and usually efficient whelpers. The size difference between the biggest and smallest pups can be large; plan for supplementing the smallest.
Breeding and whelping notes
Working-line programs typically prove temperament through IGP/IPO titles before breeding; show-line programs through conformation. Both are legitimate; be clear which you are.
DM: roughly a third of the breed carries at least one copy. Test, and do not produce at-risk (two copies) puppies.
Ear-set and growth-plate care matter in puppies: avoid excess calcium, keep exercise appropriate, and educate families about not letting the puppy jump or climb stairs in the first months.
Panosteitis and hip dysplasia are the breed's common orthopedic concerns; slow, lean growth helps.
Health testing before breeding
•
Hips: OFA, PennHIP, or SV "a" stamp
•
Elbows: OFA or SV
•
DNA: DM (degenerative myelopathy) — very high carrier and at-risk rates in the breed
•
Cardiac exam recommended
•
Temperament evaluation or working title in many programs (SV requires it)
Keep the paperwork attached
Test results are only useful when they travel with the dog. Keep certificate numbers and dates on each dog's record and include copies in every go-home packet.
Tracking a German Shepherd Dog litter
Enter the ovulation or tie date and BreedBloom builds the German Shepherd Dog litter timeline: ultrasound window, X-ray count reminder, temperature checks, the day 3–16 ENS/ESI schedule, deworming and vaccination tasks, and per-puppy weight curves you can compare against the whole litter. Families follow along in the BloomPetz portal, and the go-home packet is assembled from the same records.
About these figures
Figures on this page are typical ranges drawn from breed club and veterinary references; individual lines vary. Confirm health-testing requirements with your breed's parent club, and whelping plans with your reproductive veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
How many puppies do German Shepherds have?
Typically 5–10, with 8 a common average. Litters of 12+ happen.
What health tests do German Shepherd breeders do?
Hips and elbows (OFA, PennHIP or SV) and the DM DNA test are the core. Cardiac exams and temperament proving are common additions.
At what age can a German Shepherd be bred?
Not before hip and elbow clearances, which for OFA final grades means 24 months. Most clubs also set a minimum age around 2 years.
Run your program on BreedBloom
Dogs, litters, puppy weights, ENS/ESI tasks, waitlists, contracts and go-home packets in one connected record, with a family portal built in. Free for up to 3 dogs.
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