This page is for German shepherd owners who want gear that keeps up with a big, athletic, hairy dog. Three things about the breed change what you buy: a double coat that sheds all year and blows out once or twice a year, a 50 to 90 lb working body with plenty of drive, and hips, elbows and, later in life, hind-end strength that are worth planning around.
How we picked. We haven't used these products ourselves. Each pick comes from our existing roundups and research notes, so it agrees with what we suggest elsewhere, and each shows its evidence level: a named tester, a crash certification, or specs only.
German shepherd at a glance
| German shepherd | |
|---|---|
| Weight (AKC) | 65–90 lb (male), 50–70 lb (female) |
| Height at shoulder (AKC) | 24–26 in (male), 22–24 in (female) |
| Coat (AKC) | Medium-length double coat: harsh, close-lying outer coat over a softer undercoat |
| Shedding (AKC) | 4 of 5, heavier once or twice a year |
| Energy (AKC) | 5 of 5: "requires lots of exercise" |
| Harness size | Measure the chest; Ruffwear's L/XL covers 32–42 in |
| Bed size | Big Barker Large (48 × 30 in), the size Barker Beds lists shepherds under |
| Car crate | Lucky Kennel Large, CPS Certified with a 110 lb test dog |
Figures are from the AKC's German Shepherd Dog page. Your own dog may be bigger or smaller than the standard, so measure.
What matters for German shepherd gear
The coat. The AKC says shepherds usually need "just a quick brushing every few days or so", but "they do shed more profusely once or twice a year", when more frequent brushing keeps the hair off your furniture. Under the harsh outer coat is a soft undercoat, so the main tool is an undercoat rake, and a high-velocity dryer speeds up coat-blow season.
A big, strong, busy dog. The AKC calls the shepherd "a very active and athletic breed". A male at the top of the standard is close to 90 lb, so check every weight rating: harness hardware, bed foam depth and car restraints. A handle on the harness helps with a dog this size.
Joints and the back end. The AKC says responsible breeders screen German shepherds for hip and elbow dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy, a disease of the spinal cord that affects the back legs. That shapes three gear choices: a deep, solid foam bed, a ramp instead of jumping out of a tall vehicle, and, if your vet ever suggests rear support, a lift harness. Gear can make daily life easier; it doesn't prevent or treat any of these conditions.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If you're worried about your dog, talk to your vet. The AKC's chief veterinarian lists these among the signs of arthritis: trouble standing up from lying down, reluctance on stairs or jumping into the car, a narrow stance in the back legs and muscle loss in the back legs. The AKC warns that shepherds can get bloat, a sudden, life-threatening swelling of the abdomen, and that owners should learn its symptoms and what to do.
Best gear for a German shepherd
Harness: Ruffwear Web Master
Size to buy: measure the girth behind the front legs. Ruffwear's chart tops out at L/XL, 32–42 in, and Treeline Review says the new version runs a little big. Evidence level: Tested by Treeline Review.
Why it suits a shepherd: Treeline Review named the Web Master its best harness for large dogs: very supportive, with sturdy foam padding, a padded belly strap and a good record with escape-prone dogs. It has three leash points, including a chest loop, and a padded handle for helping your dog over a wall or into the car. The new version buckles at the neck, so nothing goes over the head. Treeline's caution: it can flatten longer coats. For a hard puller, see our guide to stopping a dog pulling on the leash.
Brush: Maxpower Planet Undercoat Rake
Size to buy: the standard width. Evidence level: Specs only; a Canine Journal pick.
Why it suits a shepherd: it's two tools in one. The 17-tooth side pulls loose undercoat from under the harsh outer coat, and the 9-tooth side works through mats on the pants and behind the ears. Canine Journal picks it for thick coats, and says it's "not for use on legs, head, or tail", so use a slicker there. Rake in the direction the hair grows, every few days, and daily in coat-blow season. Our guide to a dog shedding a lot covers the rest of the routine.
Dryer: Flying Pig Double Grooming Dryer
Evidence level: Tested by Whole Dog Journal.
Why it suits a shepherd: Whole Dog Journal named it its best high-velocity dryer. On a rough collie it was the quickest dryer they tried, about 25 minutes against roughly an hour for another model, and the blast pushes loose undercoat straight out of a wet coat. That makes a home bath during coat blow far less of a project. WDJ found it big, heavy and loud even on low, and its first unit had a motor failure, so keep the box. All five dryers are in our best dog dryer roundup.
Bed: Big Barker 7" Orthopedic Dog Bed with Headrest
Size to buy: Large (48 × 30 in), for dogs up to 40 inches from nose to tail base; XL (52 × 36 in) if yours is longer or sprawls. Evidence level: Tested by TechGearLab.
Why it suits a shepherd: a 90 lb male presses thin beds flat. This one has 7 inches of three-layer foam, and TechGearLab, which named it its best bed for large breeds, wrote that it "will not flatten even under the paws of the largest pups". Barker Beds backs it with a 10-year no-flatten warranty. There's no waterproof liner as standard, and foam can't be returned once unwrapped, so check the size with the empty cover first. More options are in our large dog bed and orthopedic dog bed guides.
Crate: Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel, Large
Size to buy: Large (38 × 24 × 29 in outside) for most males; Intermediate (33 × 23 × 25 in) may suit a smaller female. Evidence level: Independently certified (CPS), in Medium, Intermediate and Large.
Why it suits a shepherd: the Center for Pet Safety lists the Lucky Kennel with Lucky Ratchet Strap Kit as CPS Certified, 5 Star, and the Large was tested with a 110 lb test dog, the heaviest test dog we found on any certified crate. The popular Gunner G1 isn't certified in Large, which rules it out for a big male. The Lucky Kennel is a rotomolded shell with a paddle latch, corner locking pins and built-in tie-downs. Lucky Duck lists the Large at 45 lb, and its dark color heats up in the sun. For a determined escape artist at home, compare it with the welded-aluminum options in our heavy duty dog crate roundup.
Back seat instead of the cargo area? CPS lists the Sleepypod Clickit Sport as CPS Certified, 5 Star, with Medium rated 45–90 lb and X-Large to 90 lb. See our dog car seat guide.
Lift harness: Help 'Em Up (only if your vet suggests one)
Size to buy: use the maker's chart; Whole Dog Journal lists five sizes covering 10 to 225 lb. Evidence level: Tested by Whole Dog Journal (2023 Gear of the Year).
Why it suits a shepherd: if your older shepherd's back end gets weak, this harness lifts from beneath the chest and the pelvis, with handles over the shoulders and hips, so you can help a big dog up a step or into the car with the spine level. WDJ found a dog can wear it comfortably for long periods, and the maker suggests breaks and a daily check for rubbing. Plenty of knock-offs use the name, so check the seller.
German shepherd owner FAQs
What's the best harness for a German shepherd?
A sturdy, padded harness with a handle and a front leash point, like the Ruffwear Web Master, which Treeline Review named its best harness for large dogs. Measure the girth behind the front legs: Ruffwear's L/XL covers 32–42 inches. For a strong puller, clip to the chest loop and work on loose-leash walking.
Is a slicker brush good for a German shepherd?
A slicker is useful for the softer hair on the legs, pants and behind the ears, but on its own it tends to skim the harsh outer coat. The main tool for a shepherd is an undercoat rake for the body, used every few days and daily during coat blow, which the AKC says happens once or twice a year.
What size bed does a German shepherd need?
Measure your dog from nose to the base of the tail while they lie stretched out. Barker Beds lists German shepherds under its Large (48 × 30 inches), which fits dogs up to 40 inches long. A long male who sprawls may need the XL. Look for at least 4 inches of solid foam; thicker is better at 80 lb and up.
What size crate does a German shepherd need?
Your shepherd should be able to stand without ducking, turn around and lie flat. Most males need a large crate, and for car use it's worth choosing one on the Center for Pet Safety's list: the Lucky Kennel Large was certified with a 110 lb test dog. Measure your dog's head height and your cargo area first.
Do German shepherds need an orthopedic bed?
For an adult or senior shepherd, we think it's worth it. The AKC says breeders screen the breed for hip and elbow dysplasia, and a heavy dog presses thin fill or egg-crate foam flat. A deep, solid foam bed is designed to support that weight. It doesn't treat or prevent joint disease, so talk to your vet about stiffness.
Get the rake and the right-size bed first. Those two cover the hair and the weight, which are most of what makes shepherd gear different.
