There are dogs that look like German Shepherds. These dogs have many similar and different characteristics that to an extend sets them apart from German Shepherds.
Here are the top 4 dogs that look like German Shepherds and their comparison.
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Dogs that look like German Shepherds
Belgian Shepherd vs German Shepherd
The Belgian Shepherd and German Shepherd are similar in how they look and in some of their abilities. However, there are many differences between them too.
Size
The Belgian Shepherd and German Shepherd are both very large dogs. However, there is still a difference in size between them.
German Shepherds are larger than Belgian Shepherds. Female adult German Shepherds weigh about 60 to 70 pounds while male adult German Shepherds weigh about 90 pounds.
These numbers change based on the activity level of the dog. As for their length, most German Shepherds are 24 inches tall.
Unlike the German Shepherd, the Belgian Shepherd is smaller than them. A female Belgian Shepherd weighs about 50 to 60 pounds while a male weighs about 80 pounds. Their height is the same as that of a German Shepherd.
Because of their size, the German Shepherd appears heavier than the Belgian Shepherd. Therefore, they require more food than a Belgian Shepherd.
Coat and grooming
They are both similar in that each breed has a double coat. However, the German Shepherd has a softer and slightly longer coat. While the Belgian Shepherd has a shorter and coarser coat.
As for Grooming, a German Shepherd requires weekly grooming is needed to remove loose hair and keep the coat clean.
As for a Belgian Shepherd, they need grooming to be done at least once a week. The reason is that they are shed more than German Shepherds. A German Shepherd sheds lightly all year long and shed heavily two times a year.
Personality and roles
In terms of personality, the similarities between a gsd dog and a Belgian Shepherd is that they are both smart dogs that enjoy pleasing their parents. They are both very loyal, easy to train, and protective of their parents.
As for adaptability, German Shepherds are very adaptable and can fit any role that they are trained to do.
This is the reason that you see many German Shepherds working as police dogs, search and rescue dogs, herding, guide and assistance dogs for people with disabilities, drug detection, and competitive obedience.
While the Belgian Shepherd fits roles also fits in roles like police dogs, protection dogs, and family companions.
Exercise and training
As for training, both dogs need positive reinforcement or else they will become stubborn. Out of the two, the Belgian Shepherd is eager to please and respond quicker. They are also quieter and calmer than a German Shepherd.
As for exercise, both breeds are highly active dogs and require lots of exercise. A simple walk won’t be enough for them.
King Shepherd vs. German Shepherd
Another one of the breeds that look like german shepherds is King Shepherd. The King Shepherd has similarities and differences with the German Shepherd.
Size
The main difference in size between the two comes in terms of size. The King Shepherd is the largest of the shepherd class.
They are 29 inches tall and weigh between 90 to 150 pounds making them taller and heavier than than the German Shepherd.
The German Shepherd which is 22 to 26 inches tall and weighs between 48 to 90 pounds.
Coat and grooming
As for coat, The King Shepherd comes in two different coats; either straight coarse coat or wavy long haired coat. The German Shepherd coat is either long-haired, double, or plush.
The German Shepherd’s coat comes in colors such as white, black, sable saddle, tan, or grey.
While the King Shepherd comes in colors such as white and black or a tan color with some brown and black markings or silver color with some black in their coat.
Both require regular grooming so their hair is untangled and clean. The King Shepherd is a moderate shedder unlike the German Shepherd.
Personality and roles
In terms of personality, they are both loyal, smart ,alert, loving and courageous breeds. Like the German Shepherd, they are wary of strangers. They are also similar in that they are both very protective of their loved ones.
King Shepherds are suited to be working dogs, herding and guarding stock, and therapy dogs. While German Shepherds are much suited for police and military work.
The main difference lies in that a German Shepherd gets anxious and barks a lot when they are left alone for a long period of time or doesn’t get the needed attention and stimulation.
Exercise and training
Both breeds are highly active and need to be occupied for lots of time. The German Shepherd needs at least 2 hours per day of exercise to not get bored. While the King Shepherd needs at least an hour to an hour and a half exercise.
As for training, both breeds require mental and physical stimulation. You must train them using positive reinforcement.
Dutch Shepherd vs. German Shepherd
Another one of the dog breeds that look like german shepherds is the Dutch Shepherd. They have many similarities as well as differences.
Size
A German Shepherd is larger in size than a Dutch Shepherd. As mentioned, the German Shepherd is 22 to 26 inches tall and weighs between 48 to 90 pounds.
While the Dutch Shepherd is 21 to 24 inches and weighs 50 to 70 pounds.
Coat and grooming
A Dutch Shepherd coat comes in three coats; short hair, long hair, and wire hair. While a German Shepherd comes in coat either long-haired, double, or plush.
The main difference lies in the Dutch Shepherd coat color. It is very different from that of a German Shepherd. The Dutch Shepherd’s coat color is generally brindle with shades of gold and silver.
The Dutch Shepherd short and long haired coat requires regular grooming like the German Shepherd does. While wire haired coat doesn’t require grooming as much.
The Dutch Shepherd is a medium shedder unlike the German Shepherd who sheds heavily twice a year.
Personality and roles
Both are very loyal, alert, obedient, and friendly toward their families and friends. They are similar in that both are friendly towards children too. Being highly intelligent, they are easy to train.
The main difference between the two lies in that that the Dutch Shepherd is friendlier with other people in general than the German Shepherd is.
Like German Shepherd, the Dutch Shepherd has multiple roles such as herding, agility, obedience, and guarding.
Exercise and training
Like the German Shepherd, the Dutch Shepherd requires frequent exercise. However, the German Shepherd is more energetic than the Dutch Shepherd.
As for training, they both need effective and positively reinforced training. Do not scold or shout at your dog when training them as they will react negatively.
Shiloh Shepherd vs German Shepherd
Another German Shepherd look alike dog is the Shiloh Shepherd. They are dogs that look like German Shepherds in terms of appearance and personality traits.
Size
The size of the Shiloh Shepherd is 26 to 30 inches tall and weigh between 100 to 160 pounds. This makes them larger than a German Shepherd in both height and weight.
Coat and grooming
The Shiloh Shepherd has two types of coat; a smooth coat and a plush coat. The smooth coat requires minimal grooming while the plush coat requires regular brushing to keep the coat clean and tangled-free.
While the German Shepherd comes in three types of coat; long-haired, double, or plush.
Another major difference between the German Shepherd and the Shiloh Shepherd is in their coat colors. The Shiloh Shepherd comes in colors such as black and tan, silver, sable, golden, red brown or dark grey.
Personality and roles
The Shiloh Shepherd is a gentle dog who is very affectionate and loyal to their parents. Unlike German Shepherd, they are very outgoing dogs with a calm personality and easier to handle than a German Shepherd.
Like the German Shepherd, they are highly intelligent and can be trained easily.
Although the Shiloh Shepherd is highly active and strong, they are not a working dog , unlike the German Shepherd; they were bred for companionship.
Exercise and training
Shiloh Shepherd is strong and requires physical and mental stimulation such as long walks. They are like German Shepherds in training and exercising. However, they are inactive when indoors unlike German Shepherds who are always active.
The Shiloh Shepherd can grasp commands very easily without excessive repetition when trained. Training should always focus on positive reinforcement.
Conclusion
There are dogs that look like German Shepherds. These dogs have similar personality traits and appearance. However, they also have different aspects in terms of size, coat and grooming, personality and roles, and exercise and training.
To know more about a list of dogs like German Shepherd, Check Top 7 Dogs Like German Shepherd.