The perfect dog needs the perfect name, and German Shepherd owners know they have one of the very best breeds as part of the family. These are dogs that are strong, intelligent, alert, courageous, energetic, and loyal. The breed excels as a guardian and these dogs can be trained to perform a range of important tasks. But most of all, this is a dog that protects the ones he or she loves and holds dear.
Naming Advice for German Shepherds
When it comes to naming your German Shepherd, there are a variety of factors to keep in mind. Consider the following as you try out different names for your pup:
Related: Unique Dog Names for 2023
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Personality
Finding the right name may not be immediately apparent, and sometimes it takes a while to decide which moniker fits your pup best. Wait for his or her personality to fully emerge before choosing the ideal name. Spend a little time with your new friend and the perfect name will come.
Name Length
A good rule of thumb is to keep the number of syllables in the dog's name to one or two at most. Three is acceptable but the shorter the name, the easier it is for your dog to hear and respond to commands. Clear communication is imperative for German Shepherds, particularly during training.
Avoid Confusion
Some names may sound like commands and this will only serve to confuse your pup. Critical commands such as “sit”, “no”, and “heel” are important for a dog to learn and understand. If you name your German Shepherd something that sounds identical to those and other commands, obedience is going to be an uphill battle for both you and your pet.
German Shepherd Dog Names
The following are some of the most popular names for German Shepherds by category. Perhaps one of these names will fit your pet best, or maybe these names will help you think of the best possible name for your particular pup. Whether you’re looking for female names, male names, unique names, or even German names we’ve got some great ideas from which to start your search. German Shepherds have distinct personality traits and all of these names can reflect those attributes every time you call his or her name.
Female German Shepherd Dog Names
- Daisy
- Lucy
- Stella
- Piper
- Ginger
- Heidi
- Ursula
- Pepper
- Hannah
- Emma
Male German Shepherd Dog Names
- Bruno
- Max
- Milo
- Felix
- Walter
- Brutus
- Jack
- Charlie
- Axel
- Virgil
Unique German Shepherd Dog Names
- Chief
- Major
- Bandit
- Bismarck
- Jaeger
- Shadow
- Bear
- Ash
- Beckett
- Phantom
German Names for your German Shepherd
- Otto
- Klaus
- Gunther
- Helga
- Petra
- Fassbinder
- Erich
- Greta
- Tobias
- Ingrid
German Shepherd Names Inspired by Movie, TV, and Celebrities
- Rambo
- Popeye
- Ozzy
- Godzila
- Elvira
- Egon
- Lovecraft
- Thor
- Beethoven
- Ripley
Looking for more dog names? Be sure to visit the Two Tails Blog of Pet Names!
I think I am going to name my dog Jaeger or Jaeg
My dog is called bruno
My German shepherd is called zeva
My dog is called ghost