The German Shepherd is renowned for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. This breed’s journey began with a single dog named Horand von Grafrath, purchased by cavalry officer Max von Stephanitz in 1899.¹ This remarkable canine became the foundation for the entire breed.
While German Shepherds are celebrated for their roles in law enforcement and as service dogs, there’s a whole pack of breeds that share similar traits and capabilities. Here are 15 breeds that look similar to German Shepherds.
1. Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is often mistaken for a German Shepherd due to its similar appearance and working dog heritage. This breed is known for its intense drive, high energy, and exceptional intelligence.
Belgian Malinois are prized by law enforcement and military organizations for their versatility and trainability.
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These dogs excel in various roles, including protection, detection, and search and rescue. Like German Shepherds, they form strong bonds with their handlers and require consistent mental and physical stimulation.
Belgian Malinois are slightly smaller and more agile than German Shepherds, with a fawn-colored coat and black mask.
2. Dutch Shepherd
Dutch Shepherds share many characteristics with their German cousins, including their herding background and versatile working abilities. These dogs are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and adaptability.
Dutch Shepherds come in three coat varieties: short-haired, long-haired, and wire-haired, each with a distinctive brindle pattern.
Originally bred for herding and farm work, Dutch Shepherds have transitioned seamlessly into roles as police and military dogs, as well as loving family companions. They are slightly smaller than German Shepherds and tend to have a more independent nature.
Dutch Shepherds are known for their agility and excel in dog sports like obedience and tracking.
3. Bohemian Shepherd
The Bohemian Shepherd, also known as the Chodsky Pes, is a lesser-known breed that bears a striking resemblance to the German Shepherd. Originating from the Czech Republic, these dogs were traditionally used for herding and guarding.
They possess a similar intelligence and trainability to German Shepherds, making them excellent working dogs.
Bohemian Shepherds are generally smaller and more compact than German Shepherds, with a distinctive black and tan coat. They are known for their gentle nature with family members while maintaining a protective instinct.
These dogs are highly energetic and require regular exercise and mental stimulation to thrive.
4. Tervuren
The Tervuren is one of four varieties of Belgian Shepherd dogs, sharing many traits with the German Shepherd. These elegant dogs are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and versatility.
Tervurens have a long, fawn-colored coat with black overlay and a distinctive black mask, giving them a regal appearance.
Like German Shepherds, Tervurens excel in various working roles, including herding, obedience, and agility. They are highly trainable and form strong bonds with their families.
Tervurens are slightly smaller and more agile than German Shepherds, with a reputation for being sensitive and responsive to their owners’ emotions.
5. Shiloh Shepherd
The Shiloh Shepherd is a relatively new breed developed to resemble the German Shepherd of the past, with a larger size and gentler temperament. These dogs were bred to combine the best traits of German Shepherds with a more family-friendly disposition.
Shiloh Shepherds are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and calm nature.
Standing taller and heavier than standard German Shepherds, Shiloh Shepherds have a distinctive plush coat that comes in various colors. They retain the working abilities of their German Shepherd ancestors but are generally less intense and more laid-back.
Shiloh Shepherds are excellent family dogs, known for their patience with children and other pets.
6. White Swiss Shepherd
The White Swiss Shepherd, also known as the Berger Blanc Suisse, is essentially a white-coated variant of the German Shepherd. These dogs share the same intelligence, loyalty, and working abilities as their more colorful cousins.
White Swiss Shepherds were developed to preserve the white coat color that was once present in German Shepherd lines.
Despite their striking appearance, White Swiss Shepherds have a similar temperament to German Shepherds. They are highly trainable, protective of their families, and excel in various working roles.
These dogs tend to have a slightly softer personality than some German Shepherd lines, making them popular as family companions.
7. King Shepherd
The King Shepherd is a large breed developed by crossing German Shepherds with other large breeds like the Alaskan Malamute and Great Pyrenees. These dogs were bred to combine the intelligence and trainability of German Shepherds with a larger size and gentler temperament.
King Shepherds are known for their loyalty, protective nature, and calm disposition.
Standing taller and heavier than standard German Shepherds, King Shepherds have a thick, plush coat that comes in various colors. They retain many of the working abilities of German Shepherds but are generally less intense and more patient.
King Shepherds are excellent family dogs, known for their gentle nature with children and other pets.
8. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a unique breed that resulted from an experiment to cross German Shepherds with Carpathian wolves. These dogs combine the trainability of German Shepherds with some of the physical characteristics and instincts of wolves.
Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and independent nature.
While they share many traits with German Shepherds, Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs tend to be more reserved with strangers and have stronger pack instincts. They require experienced handlers and extensive socialization.
These dogs excel in various working roles, including search and rescue, tracking, and agility.
9. Maremma Sheepdog
The Maremma Sheepdog, while not as closely related to German Shepherds as some other breeds on this list, shares similar working dog traits. These large, white dogs were traditionally used for guarding livestock in Italy.
Maremma Sheepdogs are known for their intelligence, independence, and protective nature.
Like German Shepherds, Maremma Sheepdogs are highly loyal to their families and have strong guarding instincts. They are generally calmer and more independent than German Shepherds, requiring less intense exercise.
Maremma Sheepdogs have a thick, white coat that helps them blend in with sheep flocks and protects them from harsh weather.
10. Sarloos Wolfdog
The Sarloos Wolfdog is another breed that resulted from crossing German Shepherds with wolves. Developed in the Netherlands, these dogs combine the intelligence and trainability of German Shepherds with some wolf-like physical characteristics.
Sarloos Wolfdogs are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and independent nature.
While they share many traits with German Shepherds, Sarloos Wolfdogs tend to be more reserved and have stronger pack instincts. They require experienced handlers and extensive socialization.
These dogs are generally less suitable for traditional working roles than German Shepherds but excel in activities that allow them to use their natural instincts.
11. East European Shepherd
The East European Shepherd, also known as the Byelorussian Shepherd, is a breed developed in the former Soviet Union to create a larger, more cold-resistant version of the German Shepherd. These dogs share many traits with German Shepherds, including intelligence, loyalty, and versatility in working roles.
East European Shepherds are generally larger and have a thicker coat than standard German Shepherds, making them well-suited for colder climates. They excel in various working roles, including military and police work, search and rescue, and as family guardians.
These dogs tend to have a calmer temperament than some German Shepherd lines but still require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
12. Beauceron
The Beauceron, while not as closely related to German Shepherds as some other breeds on this list, shares many similar working dog traits. These large, muscular dogs were traditionally used for herding and guarding in France.
Beaucerons are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and protective nature.
Like German Shepherds, Beaucerons excel in herding, protection, and police work. They are highly trainable and form strong bonds with their families.
Beaucerons have a short, dense coat that comes in black and tan or harlequin colors. They tend to be more independent than German Shepherds and require an experienced handler.
13. Groenendael
The Groenendael, another variety of Belgian Shepherd, shares many traits with the German Shepherd. These elegant, black-coated dogs are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and versatility.
Groenendaels excel in herding, obedience, and agility.
Groenendaels are highly trainable and form strong bonds with their families. They are slightly smaller and more agile than German Shepherds, with a distinctive long, black coat.
Groenendaels are known for their sensitivity and responsiveness to their owners’ emotions, making them excellent companions for those who appreciate an intuitive dog.
14. Kunming Wolfdog
The Kunming Wolfdog is a breed developed in China, combining German Shepherd genetics with local wolf-like dogs. These dogs share many traits with German Shepherds, including intelligence, loyalty, and versatility in working roles.
Kunming Wolfdogs are known for their strength, agility, and adaptability to various environments.
While they share many characteristics with German Shepherds, Kunming Wolfdogs tend to have a more wolf-like appearance, with a thicker coat and slightly different facial features. They excel in military and police work, as well as search and rescue operations.
Kunming Wolfdogs require experienced handlers and may not be suitable for first-time dog owners.
15. Caucasian Shepherd
The Caucasian Shepherd, while significantly larger than German Shepherds, shares similar guarding instincts and loyalty. These massive dogs were traditionally used for protecting livestock in the Caucasus Mountains.
Caucasian Shepherds are known for their strength, protective nature, and independence.
Like German Shepherds, Caucasian Shepherds are fiercely loyal to their families and have strong guarding instincts. However, they are generally much larger and more independent, requiring an experienced owner.
Caucasian Shepherds have a thick, heavy coat that comes in various colors. They excel in guarding roles but require extensive socialization and training to be suitable family companions.
There are many dog breeds similar to German Shepherds. From the intense Belgian Malinois to the gentle giant Shiloh Shepherd, each breed offers its own unique blend of intelligence, loyalty, and working ability.
Whether you’re looking for a family guardian, a working partner, or simply a devoted companion, these 15 breeds showcase the remarkable qualities that have made the German Shepherd so beloved.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.