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13 German Dog Breeds That Make Great Companions
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
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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 breeds around. 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
Damjan Dasic/Getty Images 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 kids and 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 usAt Reader'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 our editorial policies.
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In A Small Wedding By A Denver Lake, I Found The True Meaning Of Celebrating LGBTQ Pride
DENVER — Amarilis Marte and Mariangy Delgado Gutiérrez didn't leave their native Venezuela and spend three months traveling about 5,000 miles to the United States because they were pursuing a "dream." They yearned for something both more practical and more basic.
The practical? "I didn't come here for an American dream," Mariangy told me in an interview last week. "I came to this country for calmness, stability — to live peacefully without the fear that someone would kill you."
It was not an abstract concern. In Venezuela, a nation mostly defined over the last decade by economic and social unrest under the autocratic regime of President Nicolás Maduro, Amarilis, 24, and Mariangy, 31, said they lived with a persistent worry that they would be harmed — not just because of the country's overall instability, but also because they are a lesbian couple. In Venezuela, as in much of Latin America, there is a widespread intolerance of the LGBTQ community.
"There was a lot of aggression toward us both," Mariangy said, adding that the couple had received at least one death threat.
Then, there was the basic: The two wanted to be wed. With same-sex marriages banned in their home country, and the price of even the simplest ceremony out of reach in their new home in Colorado, it seemed they had few options.
That's when Denver's LGBTQ community rallied around them. A Pennsylvania native organized the wedding, complete with donated photography, a wedding cake, cookies, rainbow flags, and a wedding arch in honor of Pride Month.
"We are waiting for a favor from God," Mariangy said.
That favor came in the form of their new neighbors in their new home, including Susan Law, the Pennsylvania woman who put together the weekend's events.
Law, the executive director of Dork Dancing, a nonprofit that encourages people to dance as a way to improve their mental health, met Amarilis and Mariangy through her volunteer work with mutual aid and migrant communities.
In a migrant support group on Facebook, she saw a news clip about the couple and reached out to ask if they were interested in attending the Denver Pride parade with Dork Dancing.
"I wanted to set aside a certain number of spots for the unhoused and migrant LGBTQ community members," said Law, who grew up in Murrysville, Pa., a 20-minute drive from Pittsburgh. "They told me what they had been through. They were in serious hardship and needed my help."
When she heard the couple couldn't afford a $30 marriage license, she vowed to throw them a wedding during Pride Month.
So last Sunday, a crowd of 70 LGBTQ people and allies gathered to celebrate the couple under the shade of a cottonwood tree at Sloan's Lake Park, about four miles from the home of Molly Brown, the Denver philanthropist who survived the Titanic sinking.
The Rev. Quirino Cornejo officiated. The couple walked down the aisle lined with Pride flags to the sounds of "The Story" by Brandi Carlile. Many guests brought their children. Others contributed lemon crinkle cookies to the Pittsburgh-style cookie table. And unlike at many weddings, most of the attendees were meeting each other for the first time.
Before the ceremony started, I spoke with David Hosanna and Jaime Rodriguez, who met a year ago this month at a gay bar. "For anyone who has negative things to say about Pride, I would say you're missing the big picture," Rodriguez said. "Who is to say that someone you've come to love — a friend, niece, grandchild, nephew — won't need this in the future? Wouldn't you feel better and happier knowing that they are entering a more accepting world?"
At one point during the ceremony, an orange Jeep sped by, the driver shouting expletives about Pride from a lowered window. Minutes later, a minivan passed in the opposite direction, honking exuberantly and waving a rainbow umbrella out of the passenger-side window.
The brides poured black-and-white sand into a shared vessel to symbolize their union. They had wanted to be married for years since they were in Venezuela, but it wasn't safe to do so. Under Venezuelan law, same-sex couples do not have protections or rights. And while same-sex relationships are not explicitly illegal, as they are in 67 countries, frequently, LGBTQ Venezuelans face violence.
"We feel more free here," Mariangy said.
A perilous journey
Amarilis and Mariangy's journey to Sloan's Lake Park began five years ago when they first started dating. In 2020, fearing for their safety, the couple and their two daughters, ages 9 and 13, left their home in Valencia, Venezuela, and fled to Colombia.
They left Bogotá on July 14 for MedellÃn, Colombia, and spent almost four months traveling overland to the United States. They crossed the Darién Gap, a 60-mile stretch of dense jungle between Colombia and Panama, over three days without eating; the little food they found in the trash was saved for their children.
In addition to being perilous, crossing Central America is expensive. In Panama, the family was kidnapped and told to pay $280 per head to continue. When the kidnappers realized Amarilis and Mariangy didn't have money, nor did their friends and family back home, they let them go.
The threats continued: In Mexico, on a packed train, a cartel stopped the railcar and took money from the passengers. Mariangy told me she and Amarilis had to protect the kids from assault. They jumped from the top of the train and ran barefoot over mountains until they reached a faraway town.
After three arduous months, the family of four arrived legally as asylum-seekers at the border in Texas on Oct. 28, where Amarilis was detained by migration. Mariangy and her daughters were given the option of taking a bus to New York, Washington, D.C., or Denver. She chose Denver because she heard that there would be shelters. On Dec. 1, Amarilis rejoined them.
"We are here," Mariangy told me. "That's the most important thing." They survived.
A call to action
When they reached Colorado, Amarilis and Mariagny wanted to marry, but they couldn't afford the simplest items for a ceremony. The family lives in the 16th most expensive metro area in the country, where they spend $800 a month to sleep on the floor of an apartment with five people they don't know, all men. The family sleeps in a closet.
Their dreams are so prosaic as to be beautiful. They want a house for their kids to thrive in, good work to support their family, and to have another child together. They want to get a dog, though they differ in preferences: Mariangy wants a mini schnauzer. Amarilis would prefer a German shepherd.
The wedding on the shore of Sloan's Lake was a celebration, but also a call to action. Without Law's help, they would likely be on the streets. The family is still food insecure. Paying rent is a struggle; Law helped them with a missing $450 a few days before the wedding. Once they get work permits, her hope is to help Amarilis and Mariangy identify a source of income beyond cleaning patios or backyards.
"Community support can't stop after one day," Law wrote in an Instagram story. She started a GoFundMe page for the couple to help cover their food, housing, and other expenses, and a wedding registry to cover other essentials.
In my life, I have ridden a bicycle in Toronto behind the Dykes on Bikes and learned the hard way not to wear glitter on my eyes in the rain. I've marched at Pride in New Hampshire, New Zealand, and watched from the sidelines in New York City.
None of that was as meaningful as watching Mariangy and Amarilis get married. It was a privilege to witness the true power of the LGBTQ community. Celebrating Pride means uplifting the most vulnerable among us.
Limerick Woman Calls For Help After Puppy 'mauled' By Two German Shepherds
A LIMERICK woman has set up a fundraiser after her puppy was mauled by two dogs.
Charlotte Ryan Doyle set up a fundraiser for her eight-month-old miniature Daschund, Winston, who was attacked by two other dogs on Sunday, June 2.
"Our eight-month-old miniature dachshund Winston unfortunately was mauled by two German Shepherds and left with a high vet bill from the multiple surgeries, medication and other things needed to keep Winston alive.
"It started out with what we thought were laceration wounds, but after X-rays and vet exam, we were told that unfortunately he suffered internal injuries. On Sunday evening, his lacerations were stitched up and he was prepped for surgery. After receiving anaesthetic, his heart stopped for 5 minutes. Because of this, his surgery had to be postponed," she explained.
On Monday, the family took Winston home. The pup then had a check-up on Wednesday, followed by surgery on the Friday.
"Today, we brought him in for his surgery as scheduled to operate on the hernia he received from the dog attack that could not be operated on earlier in the week. When opened, there was a lot more internal damage done. They discovered it was infected and producing a lot of fluid," she said.
Now, Winston is "at risk of sepsis" and needs to stay in the vet, where he can get "his dressings changed every four hours and to be given IV antibiotics".
"It is a miracle he has survived through it all, the vet has said he is a fighter. If we thought he could not have been saved, we would have put him down, but he's battling through it all and loving the attention. We were not prepared to for this high costing emergency but at the end of the day, he is a part of our family, we love him very much and want the best for his recovery," she added.
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