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Excellent and loyal guard dogs, they make brilliant service pups

Each month we will be shining a light on different dog breeds in our series, Dog Breed of the Month. This month, we look at the loyal and courageous German Shepherds. Keep reading for everything you need to know about this gorgeous breed, including characteristics, temperament and personality traits.

"German Shepherd Dogs are versatile, intelligent and energetic dogs, known for their loyalty," Bill Lambert, spokesperson for The Kennel Club, tells Country Living. "They're capable of learning many commands, which is why they are make good service, military and assistance dogs. Outside of 'work', German Shepherds are loving dogs that make a great companion, as well as an exercise or exploration buddy."

German Shepherds — a large-sized breed that originated in Germany in 1899 — was part of the Herding Group. Known for their courage, loyalty and guarding instincts, their history of herding has meant they are great guard dogs, police dogs, military dogs, search and rescue dogs, and guide dogs for the blind.

"As the name suggest, German Shepherd dogs were originally bred to help shepherds herd animals, but have since become a versatile working dogs, often in the military, police and other emergency services, as well as guide and assistance dogs," Bill tells us.

German Shepherds are confident, courageous, intelligent and gentle, although it can take them some time to make friends. Due to history of herding, they are incredibly noble and loyal — both to the work they do and to their owners.

"German Shepherds are energetic, confident and highly intelligent dogs. They are strong and courageous, but also have a well-balanced nature and are considered one of the most versatile and trainable breeds," Bill adds.

According to the Kennel Club, German Shepherd dogs are currently recognised in the below colours and combinations:

"German Shepherd dogs are a good choice for a variety of owners due to their intelligence and well-balanced character," Bill explains.

"They can be a good addition to a family but can also be a great four-legged companion for a single owner or a couple. However, they are large and very active dogs that require more than a two hours’ exercise every day, which means they are better suited for owners with a larger house with a garden, and someone who enjoys exercise and spending time outdoors."

Some of the best-known characteristics include:

Need some more help finding the right pup to adopt? Take a look at our expert-approved guides below:

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This dog paddling pool from Argos provides a space where pups can swim, as well as giving them a cool and refreshing area to chill out. Excellent for playing, this pool is durable, collapsible and easy to fold away after use.

With a fun doggy design, this foldable paddling pool from Amazon is designed for dual use and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Another perk is that the bottom of the pet pool is non-slip, which provides safety for use.

This outdoor pet pool has been made from animal-friendly PVC and can be folded away with ease after use. Whether you have a large dog or smaller breeds, it's the perfect way for pups to cool down during the summer months.

The Cool Club Pop Up Dog Bath and Paddling Pool is very simple to use. You can put it up, take it down and store it away quickly, making it perfect for smaller gardens. It is made using a galvanised spring steel frame that pops up and down in seconds, without tools. It also features a mesh pocket and is made from durable double-wall polyester.

This fold-out dog paddling pool is great for medium to large dogs who need to cool down on a hot day. It is quick and easy to pop-up and comes with built-in drainage holes. Great for traveling and staycations, it's made using durable PVC material which prevents punctures.