Want to learn how high German Shepherds can jump? You’re in the right place!
Knowing how high your German Shepherd can jump is more than just fun trivia.
It is vital information to help keep your pooch safe, especially if you are planning to build an enclosure around your house.
In this Digdoggy.com guide, you’ll discover:
- Exactly how high a German Shepherd jump
- Factors affect the height at which German Shepherds jump
- How the height of this dogs jump compares with other high jumping breeds
And much more!
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How High Can A German Shepherd Jump?
German Shepherds possess a latent ability to run faster and jump higher than the average dog.
Naturally agile and athletic, a GSD can jump 4 feet high with no problem.
This includes German Shepherds who have not received professional training, as they too will jump that high when fit and healthy.
Police and military-trained German Shepherds are capable of jumping between 5 to 6 feet high, given that they have enough run-up.
Read Also: >> How fast do German Shepherds Run?
Why Can German Shepherds Jump So High?
There are two types of German Shepherds: the show line and the working line. Under the working line are the West German, Czech, and East German DDR types.
There are several variables pertaining to their physique that contribute to the height at which these three can leap so high.
These working GSDs are built with remarkably athletic bodies.
If there is enough space and momentum, their muscular hind legs allow them to jump higher than 6 feet.
What Factors Contribute To The GSD Jumping Height?
Here are a few variables that affect the jumping height of individual GSDs:
Age
Puppies are brimming with energy but German Shepherds do not reach their peak athleticism until they are around 2 years old.
Like other large breeds, the GSD is not considered to be fully grown until they are around this age. Males, in particular, are not adults yet until they are two and a half years old.
On the bright side, you can expect your furry sidekick to perform his best in canine sports once he has reached adulthood. He will be at his prime until he reaches 6 years old.
Therefore, you will want to make the most of his abilities during this age bracket! As your pooch ages, his ability to jump will gradually decline.
Build and Overall Athleticism
We have already established earlier that working GSDs are elite jumpers, particularly police and military dogs who have received rigorous K9 training.
Just like honing human talents, your dog’s natural physical abilities have to be honed using safe and repetitive techniques.
Health Issues
A dog’s physical condition will, of course, have a significant effect on his ability to jump. For instance, a German Shepherd with osteoarthritis or hip dysplasia will not be as active and capable compared to healthier canines.
What Causes German Shepherds To Jump Over backyard Fences?
While your canine buddy at home may not normally jump over a 6-foot fence, sometimes all it takes for your German Shepherd to do the unusual is sheer motivation.
Hormones
Do not underestimate the effects of female pheromones and what a male doggie in love could do!
When a female is in season, she will want to hang out with her suitors.
Meanwhile, males will travel many miles to court a female. Male canines can sense a female in heat up to three miles away. Spaying and neutering are the obvious answers to these problems.
Confinement
German Shepherds are high-energy dogs.
If left alone without something to do or direction in which to do it, these smart inquisitive canines will get into mischief to release some of that pent-up energy.
Bored doggos may start knocking over things or try and escape from the garden for no other reason than a sense of adventure!
If you are planning to adopt a German Shepherd puppy, you need to make sure your lifestyle will keep up with the needs of this breed.
German Shepherds need a minimum of two hours of exercise daily.
How Do German Shepherds Compare To Belgian Malinois?
In 2018, a dog named Hei Nu from Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province of China broke the Internet when his video was uploaded.
In the said clip, the doggo ran towards a crouching man, jumped onto his back, and went nearly 10 feet off the ground to snatch underwear that was tied to a stick.
People immediately assumed it was a German Shepherd but the dog turned out to be a Belgian Malinois. Then again, we weren’t surprised.
Anyone is familiar with the German Shepherd but not everybody is acquainted with its cousin, the Belgian Malinois.
German Shepherd Vs. Belgian Malinois
People always mistake the BM for the GSD, especially when looking at the dog from a distance.
These two closely resemble each other, but there are a few key differences that allow the untrained eye to distinguish them apart.
Both the German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois are extremely intelligent and powerful canines, but the military favor the latter over the other.
Malinois are much more athletic and energetic than their cousins. And because BMs are lighter and leaner, they can climb walls, walk tightropes, and jump a lot higher than their cousins.
It is believed that while the German Shepherd might be a doggo of all trades, he is second best in all of them.
How Do German Shepherds Compare To Other High-Jumping Breeds?
The following canine breeds are born with the natural ability to jump so high.
When you see them in action, you might think they are part-kangaroo or part-hare!
Final Thoughts On German Shepherds Jumping
German Shepherds may not top the ranks in dock diving competitions because given how heavy they are, they seldom cover long distances when jumping.
But still, these incredibly athletic canines can scale pretty tall fences. A healthy German Shepherd can jump anywhere between 4 to 5 feet, thanks to its muscular build.
When given proper training, GSDs can even jump greater heights, especially when they can obtain enough momentum.
But as with humans, there are factors that will affect how high these dogs can leap, such as your dog’s age and condition.
