How to Say Dog in German and More Vocabulary
Germany is a very dog-friendly country. You rarely see signs that say “No dogs allowed.” One of the common stereotypes about Germans is their discipline, which seems to extend to their dogs as well!
In today’s article, you will learn how to say “dog” in German and explore other related vocabulary. Dogs are welcome members of German society, often appearing more integrated with humans than some citizens might be.
2,500 most common German words with IPA pronunciation & bilingual example sentences
How Do You Say Dog in German?
The word for dog in German is straightforward: (der) Hund. It’s pronounced [hʊnt] and has the same origin as the English “hound.” The plural form is Hunde.
Common Phrases Used When Talking About Dogs in German
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The German Frequency Dictionary series covers the 10,000 most common German words — ranked by how often native speakers actually use them, with IPA pronunciation, English translations, and bilingual example sentences at every level.
Browse all 4 volumes →German dog owners often use phrases like braver Hund, which means a well-behaved dog. Use this phrase to praise your German-speaking pet.
Dog Commands in German
It’s not uncommon for English-speaking owners to train their dogs using German commands, especially for police dogs in the United States. This practice ensures that no one accidentally gives a command by mistake.
- Sitz! – Sit! (Pronounced [ˈzɪts])
- Platz! – Place! (Pronounced [plats])
- Bleib! – Stay! (Pronounced [blaip])
- Steh! – Stand! (Pronounced [ʃteː])
- Aus! – Drop it! (Pronounced [aʊs])
- Bring! – Fetch! (Pronounced [bʁɪŋ])
More Examples and Context for Dog Commands
To better understand these commands, here are some examples:
- If you want your dog to sit down, simply say Sitz!
- To ask your dog to stay in one place, use the command Bleib!
Names of Dog Breeds in German
The majority of police dogs are German shepherds. In German, they are called deutscher Schäferhund (singular) or deutsche Schäferhunde (plural).
Dachshunds and Schnauzers in German
The name Dachshund is of German origin, meaning “badger dog.” Germans sometimes call dachshunds Dackel. The same goes for Schnauzer (der Schnauzer).
Cultural Significance of Dogs in Germany
In Germany, dogs are not just pets but often considered part of the family. They play a significant role in German culture and daily life.
How to Ask About Dog Ownership or Care in German
If you're interested in asking about dog ownership or care in German, here are some useful phrases:
- Haben Sie einen Hund? – Do you have a dog?
- Können Sie mir etwas über den Hundevertrag erzählen? – Can you tell me something about the pet contract?
Don’t forget to take a look at our unique German Frequency Dictionary series. You will learn only practical vocabulary listed by frequency and alphabet. Learning new vocabulary by frequency is a great way to learn a language effectively!
Build Your German Vocabulary Systematically
The fastest way to grow your German vocabulary is to start with the words you'll actually encounter every day. The German Frequency Dictionary covers the 2,500 most common German words, each with IPA pronunciation, an English translation, and bilingual example sentences.
Browse the full range of German frequency dictionaries to find the volume that matches your level.
Mary
Please add some female names too. And names for cute little lap dogs.