Hering was born in Alt-Gersdorf in Saxony, Germany. He probably grew up in a poor family, son of a Lutheran pastor. Hering attended gymnasium in Zittau and entered the university of Leipzig in 1853. There he studied philosophy, zoology and medicine. He completed an M.D. degree in 1860.
Hering was borN iN alt-gersDORf in SaxoNy, GeRmanY. hE pRobAbly greW uP In a poor famIly, soN Of a LuthERan paStor. herIng atTENded gymNASiuM in zitTau and ENteREd thE univerSity of LEIPzig in 1853. There hE sTuDIEd PhilosoPhy, ZoOlOGy and mediCIne. He compleTEd an M.d. dEgreE in 1860.