26 German Dog Breeds That Will Melt Your Heart

Boxer

The modern-day boxer was developed in Germany in the late 19th century. It's believed boxers are descended directly from the bigger, more muscular, and now extinct bullenbeisser ("bull biter") dog breed. A versatile dog, boxers grew in popularity across Germany and were used for herding, guarding, and law enforcement.

Boxers are fun-loving dogs that need lots of exercise. They typically are very affectionate with their families.

Dachshund

Dachshund translates to "badger dog" in German. These low-to-the-ground canines were developed around 600 years ago to hunt badgers and dig them from their dens. A wire-coated variety was created to provide extra protection in thorny undergrowth and cold climates.

These little dogs still have a strong hunting instinct and love to dig. They can be quite spirited but friendly and playful with their families.

Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman pinscher was developed at the turn of the 20th century by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann. As a tax collector in Germany, he was looking for a large, impressive dog that would guard him while he did his rounds collecting payments. It’s thought that the rottweiler, black and tan terrier, and German pinscher were used to create this breed.  

Dobies grew in prominence and quickly became popular working dogs. Their intelligence, strength, stamina, and loyalty meant they were (and still are) used in law enforcement, in search-and-rescue, and as service dogs.

Great Dane

One of the largest dog breeds around, the Great Dane didn't originate in Denmark as the name suggests. Instead, Germans developed the breed for hunting wild boars.

Known for being gentle, affectionate, and eager to please, Danes tend to get along well with respectful children and even other animals. However, these big dogs aren't always a good choice for apartment living. And their food and medical costs are generally higher than those of smaller dogs.

German Shepherd

The German shepherd was developed in the late 19th century, originally with the goal of producing the ultimate herding dog. As modern farming methods reduced the need for herding dogs, the versatile breed became the dog of choice for police and military services.

Known for being incredibly smart, highly trainable, and unfailingly loyal, German shepherds are now popular companion animals, too. But they do need the right home to thrive. These dogs like a job to do and require plenty of physical and mental enrichment.

Miniature Schnauzer

The miniature schnauzer's history can be traced as far back as 15th century Germany. This breed first came about when small standard schnauzers were crossed with poodles and Affenpinschers. The dogs were used to keep vermin at bay, particularly around barns.

Mini schnauzers tend to be amiable, smart, and eager to please. But they are known for being prolific alert barkers.

Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is descended from the thick-coated, spitz-type dogs of the Arctic. But breeders wanted a smaller version of those big sled dogs. Pomerania, an area that now includes parts of Poland and western Germany, is the breed’s namesake and where these dogs were first developed.

These little dogs tend to be bright and curious. They can easily learn tricks and love performing them for attention from their favorite humans.

Rottweiler

It's believed that large mastiff-type dogs that the Romans brought to Germany were the foundation stock for the modern-day rottweiler. These massive dogs became useful in the town of Rottweil, where they helped to move cattle and protect property.

In the 1800s, after railroad cars largely replaced them in their cattle-moving work, rotties found new jobs in law enforcement and as personal guard dogs. They also excelled as service dogs and in search-and-rescue. Today’s rotties are still loyal protectors who are very loving with their families but might be wary of strangers.

German Shorthaired Pointer

The German shorthaired pointer first appeared on the scene in the 1800s. German hunters long had been crossing various dog breeds to develop a quality hunting dog that was athletic, friendly, and eager to please.

These dogs are excellent trackers and reliable retrievers. And they tend to be very loving and playful with their families, though they do need lots of exercise. 

Weimaraner

The Weimaraner first surfaced in the early 1800s, with Grand Duke Karl August of Weimar, Germany, playing an important role in the breed’s development. He wanted to create his ideal hunting dog and bred bloodhounds with other hunting breeds. The result was a large, powerful, all-purpose hunting dog that could track and retrieve. Weimaraners tend to be very friendly and well-behaved within their families, but they require lots of space and exercise.

Affenpinscher

The affenpinscher is a German dog breed that dates back to the 1600s. They were used as ratters to get rid of pests in houses and stables, and also were family companions. It’s believed that the pug and German pinscher were used to develop this breed. 

These dogs are loyal and affectionate, and they don’t shed much. They can also be strong-willed, so training might be a little challenging.

American Eskimo Dog

A small German dog breed is the American Eskimo dog. Also known as the Eskie, this dog was created by German immigrants in the United States. German farmers brought German spitz dogs to work as farm dogs for them. Due to anti-German sentiment following World War I, the German spitz was renamed to the American Eskimo dog.

Eskies have a beautiful coat that is high-maintenance. They are great companions because they are easy to train, smart, and playful.

Biewer Terrier

The Biewer terrier is a toy dog breed from Germany that dates back to 1984 with a puppy named Schneeflockchen von Friedheck. In 2002, the breed arrived in America, and the American Kennel Club (AKC) recently recognized the breed in 2021.  

These are fun-loving little dogs that have a low-shedding coat. They are smart and devoted, making wonderful companions. But they can be headstrong and require regular grooming. They also don’t like being left alone.

German Longhaired Pointer

The German longhaired pointer is a descendant of Spanish and French spaniels. They were bred to be adaptable gun dogs and swimmers in the late 1800s. They work well in all types of hunting, but also make good family dogs.  

German longhaired pointers are highly trainable and intelligent. They are good with kids and other dogs.  

German Pinscher

Another German dog breed that dates back to the 1800s is the German pinscher. This dog was developed to work as a farm dog, getting rid of small rodents. It’s believed that these dogs are the result of breeding European farm dogs that were used for herding and guarding.

These dogs do great in dog sports and they’re easy to groom. However, they can get bored easily and need a lot of exercise.

Leonberger

The Leonberger is also known as the Leo. This is a huge and powerful dog that came from Leonberg, Germany when Heinrich Essig bred a St. Bernard and Landseer Newfoundland and then crossed the offspring with a Pyrenean Mountain dog. The result was a dog that looked like the lion on Leonberg’s coat of arms.

These smart dogs make good watchdogs. They’re even-tempered and friendly with other animals, and respond well to training.

Poodle

The poodle breed, which now comes in three sizes, traces its origin to Germany more than 400 years ago—this can surprise many who assume the dog is from France. The standard is the oldest form of the poodle. This dog was used for waterfowl retrieval, so they made great hunting companions. They have also been used for finding truffles.

Today’s poodles are considered excellent family pets. They typically get along well with children, shed minimally, and are both intelligent and easy to train.

Jagdterrier

This breed is pronounced as "yahk" terrier. It is also known as the German hunting dog. Black and tan fox terriers, Old English wirehaired terriers, and Welsh terriers were used to create the jagdterrier in Germany. The breed arrived in the United States by the 1950s.  

This is a low-shedding dog that does not bark a lot. They are compact but they aren’t always good for apartments because they need a lot of physical activity and mental stimulation.

German Spitz

The German spitz was originally bred to be a companion dog, farm dog, and watchdog, dating back hundreds of years in Germany but is a newer breed in the U.S. These fluffy dogs are small to medium in size, and make lovely family pets. German spitz dogs are outgoing, happy, and extremely devoted to their humans. They’re also playful and a lot of fun.

German Spaniel

The German spaniel also goes by Deutscher Wachtelhund and the German quail dog. These dogs are capable of tracking down wounded game using their scent-tracking abilities. They are owned and used by hunters in Germany. These dogs are affectionate with their family. They are determined and protective, as well as trainable.

German Wirehaired Pointer

Another sporting dog breed from Germany is the German wirehaired pointer. This dog is medium-to-large in size and dates back to the 1800s. The wirehaired coat helped protect the canine against water, rough terrain, and weather. In the 1920s, the breed made its way to North America.

German wirehaired pointers are great for active people and families. They’re loyal and loving and don’t have complicated grooming needs. However, when left alone, they can become destructive and have a high prey drive.

Hanoverian Scenthound

The Hanoverian scenthound was developed from the Liam scenthound since the Middle Ages, and the breed was developed further by the Hanoverian Hunting Estate in Hannover. It took until 2017 for the breed to be added to the Foundation Stock Service of the AKC. These dogs tend to pick one favorite person in the family. They also remain puppy-like for a long time because they take years to mature.

Löwchen

This dog breed’s name is of German origin, but there are questions surrounding the history of its development. Some people think the breed is related to the poodle and came from Northern Europe around the German, Belgian, and French areas.

Even though they’re small, these dogs aren’t just lapdogs. They’re energetic and need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation daily. They need to be groomed regularly to keep their coat smooth and healthy, but they don’t shed much.

Hovawart

The Hovawart is a rare breed from Germany. These dogs can be confused with shepherd mixes and Golden retrievers because they’re similar in appearance. They were first bred with working dogs. Their popularity declined over time, but their breeding was restored in 1922.

These dogs are very smart and loyal, but they aren’t ideal for first-time dog parents. They are protective, mature slowly, and can be stubborn.

Standard Schnauzer

Known for their cute little beard, the standard schnauzer is yet another German dog breed. This is a very old breed, dating back to 15th century Germany. They were used on farms and for hunting vermin.

These dogs have a prey drive and are watchful, so they need to be trained and socialized well. As family pets, they are affectionate, and they also shed very little, making them nearly hypoallergenic.

Small Munsterlander

The Small Munsterlander is yet another German dog breed, and this one dates back to the 19th century. This dog is a hunting dog and retriever with pointing instinct and tracking abilities. So, as you can imagine, they are great companions for hunters.  

These dogs have a strong prey drive. They do best in active families who will allow them to spend a lot of time outdoors. They are seasonal shedders and don’t have complicated grooming needs.