17 Dog Breeds Similar to German Shepherds: Find Out What Makes Them So Special!
German Shepherds are among the most popular dog breeds worldwide, renowned for their intelligence and loyalty. But did you know that there are other breeds of dogs with similar traits?
From Laekenois to Czech Wolfdogs to Yakutian Laikas and Groenendaels, these four unique canine companions share many features with German Shepherds – from their physical appearance to their temperaments.
If you’re seeking a faithful companion who is intelligent and energetic, then one of these breeds might be your ideal match! Read more about each breed’s characteristics, needs, and temperament.
1- Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is a dog breed similar to the German Shepherd but slightly smaller. The Malinois is an intelligent and loyal companion for police work, therapy work, or as a family pet.
Belgian Malinois requires plenty of exercises and mental stimulation to stay content and healthy. They make an excellent guard dogs with the proper training, alerting their owners to any potential danger.
Their strong bond with their human companions makes them great additions to any household looking for an active and capable canine friend!
They are known for their agility and obedience, making them excellent working dogs. These active dogs require plenty of exercises and mental stimulation to stay content and healthy.
Highly trainable, the Belgian Malinois makes an excellent pet for experienced owners who can handle this strong-willed breed with consistency and patience.
2- King Shepherd
King Shepherd dogs are a medium-to-large breed similar to the German Shepherd in many ways. They share many of the same ancestors, which results in a similar appearance and temperament.
These dogs have muscular bodies with broad chests, medium-length coats ranging from black and tan to fawn, and distinctive, intelligent eyes.
King Shepherd is a large and robust dog known for its calm and loyal temperament. They are often called the “gentle giant” due to their size but gentle nature. King Shepherds are brilliant dogs that can learn quickly with proper training and socialization.
They make excellent family pets, as they have an even temper, good manners, and an affectionate personality.
Despite their size, these dogs are not aggressive or overly protective; instead, they are naturally friendly toward both people and other animals.
King Shepherds typically require regular exercise to stay healthy and well-behaved indoors; however, they do not need excessive physical activity like some other breeds.
3- Dutch Shepherd
The Dutch Shepherd is a dog breed that shares many similarities with the German Shepherd. These dogs are brilliant, loyal, and trainable, like their German counterparts.
They were initially bred to herd sheep in the Netherlands and still retain some herding instincts today.
Dutch Shepherds can make excellent family pets as they are friendly and very With their intelligence and loyalty, they make wonderful companions who are sure to brighten up any home.
The Dutch Shepherd is an active and intelligent breed of dog with a strong working drive. They are highly trainable and loyal and make great family pets.
These dogs also need regular exercise and playtime daily to stay physically and mentally healthy.
4- Shiloh Shepherd
The Shiloh Shepherd is a dog similar to the German Shepherd in many ways but has unique characteristics.
It is a large and muscular breed with an even-tempered personality, making it a great family pet for those looking for an affectionate guard dog.
The Shiloh Shepherd can be easy to train but requires regular exercise and a balanced diet to stay contented throughout life.
The Shiloh Shepherd is a large, intelligent, and loyal dog breed.
Despite being intimidating in stature due to their muscular bodies, they make wonderful canine companions who love spending time with people they trust!
5- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a large and powerful breed closely related to the German Shepherd.
This breed is known for its muscular build and thick double-coat, keeping it warm even in cold climates.
While similar to the German Shepherd in size and temperament, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog has a more relaxed personality and will only become aggressive when defending its home.
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a bold and independent breed with a strong protective instinct. This breed is known for its fearless temperament, making it an excellent guard dog.
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog has an even but authoritative disposition and can be easily trained to obey commands; however, it is essential to remember that this breed needs a firm but gentle hand while training.
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog can be found in numerous colors and sizes, ranging from small to large. It has a thick double coat which may be solid colored or have markings on its chest, legs, muzzle, and tail tip.
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is an active breed that needs daily exercise to stay mentally and physically fit. It should not be permitted off-leash, as it may wander away or cause trouble with other animals or people.
This breed does best in a home with an experienced owner who can provide sufficient exercise, mental stimulation, and socialization.
It may need to do better in apartments due to its size and active nature. As long as this breed gets plenty of attention and activity, it makes an excellent companion and protector of its family.
6- Belgian Tervuren Shepherd
Belgian Tervuren Shepherds are closely related to German Shepherds and share many of the same desirable qualities.
They have a similar appearance to German Shepherds, with their coat being either fawn or mahogany in color and their tail having a distinctive black tip.
Belgian Tervuren Shepherds are also known for their close bond with their owners, so they must receive daily mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy.
The Belgian Tervuren Shepherd is a loyal, intelligent, and highly active dog breed. They are known for their intense loyalty and devotion to their owners and for being incredibly smart and trainable.
They love to be around people but can also be independent when needed. This breed has a strong herding instinct that makes them great working dogs; they excel in agility, obedience trials, and search-and-rescue work.
The Belgian Tervuren Shepherd is an alert watchdog who will bark at strangers or other animals approaching its home or family members – although it’s important to note that this breed should never be aggressive towards humans.
The Belgian Tervuren Shepherd can make a wonderful pet for those willing to keep up with its energetic temperament.
7- Bohemian Shepherd
German Shepherds and Bohemian Shepherds are two closely-related breeds that share many similarities.
Both breeds have a double coat of fur with a thick undercoat for protection and a longer topcoat for insulation.
They are both muscular, intelligent dogs that are loyal and easy to train. The main difference between the two breeds lies in their coat, as Bohemian Shepherds have wavy fur and a unique texture that sets them apart.
The Bohemian Shepherd is an active, loyal, and intelligent breed of dog that has been around for centuries. This medium-sized breed is known for its friendly temperament and willingness to please its owner.
The Bohemian Shepherd’s coat can range from short and smooth to lengthy and wavy, making them suitable for various climates.
They are relatively easy to train due to their intelligence but require regular exercise to stay physically and mentally healthy.
A Bohemian Shepherd will make an excellent companion if given the right environment and training, as they are naturally loyal dogs with strong protective instincts.
8- East European Shepherd
The East European Shepherd is a large, muscular dog with a strong protective instinct. They are similar to German Shepherds in many ways and were bred from the same lineage.
These dogs share many of the same physical characteristics, including their iconic double-coat of thick fur ranging from solid black to shades of tan or brown.
The East European Shepherd, also known as Vostochno Evropeiskaya Ovcharka (VEO), is a large and powerful dog with an intimidating appearance.
They are loyal and devoted to their family, but they can be wary of strangers and have solid protective instincts when defending their homes and loved ones.
Although they make excellent guard dogs, the East European Shepherd is not naturally aggressive or overly territorial – instead, they are just naturally alert.
9- Carpathian Shepherd
The Carpathian Shepherd is a large, agile dog breed that is often compared to the German Shepherd.
Although they share a similar look and have been used for herding and guarding livestock, they have some distinct differences.
For example, the Carpathian Shepherd has a thicker coat, a more robust build, and longer ears than the German Shepherd.
The Carpathian Shepherd is a livestock guardian dog from Romania’s Carpathian Mountains.
This hardy and majestic breed have been prized for centuries by shepherds, farmers, and ranchers alike as a loyal companion and protector.
The Carpathian Shepherd is an intelligent, independent-minded canine with strong protective instincts. This gentle giant can become a devoted family member who loves children and animals.
The dogs are calm but alert to potential danger; they bark at trespassers or intruders without hesitation.
They need plenty of exercises to stay mentally and physically healthy, so regular long walks or hikes are recommended.
Despite its intimidating size, the Carpathian Shepherd has a sweet nature that makes it one of the most beloved breeds!
10- American Alsatian
American Alsatian Dogs are similar in many ways to their German Shepherd cousins. Like the German Shepherds, they are loyal to their families and make great companions.
They are both intelligent breeds with a strong instinct to protect and guard, yet they have an even-tempered disposition that makes them excel at being family dogs.
The American Alsatian is a unique breed, as its size makes it stand out from the crowd of traditional German Shepherds!
They have a much calmer demeanor than their larger cousins and are often referred to as “gentle giants.” This breed stands apart in size and disposition, making it an ideal family pet.
The American Alsatian is a large breed of canine that typically ranges from 25-29 inches in height and can weigh anywhere between 80-120 pounds.
They are intelligent, loyal, and patient dogs who form strong bonds with their owners. American Alsatians get along well with other pets, children, and strangers; however, they may take some time to warm up to new people or situations.
American Alsatians need plenty of exercises to stay mentally stimulated and physically fit; daily walks or runs will help keep them healthy inside and out!
11- Panda Shepherd
The Panda Shepherd Dog is a unique and special breed produced from a single bloodline of German Shepherds.
This breed has a piebald coat, meaning they are 35% white, while the remainder of their coloring is black and tan.
Though it appears similar to the White German Shepherd, this breed is not related to them in any way. Because of their rarity, Panda Shepherd Dogs are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
Because of their unique coloring, Panda Shepherd Dogs can stand out from the crowd. They make excellent watchdogs as they are alert and have strong protective instincts.
In addition to being loyal and intelligent, these dogs also have an affectionate nature, which makes them loving family pets.
12- Berger Blanc Suisse
The Berger Blanc Suisse, or White Swiss Shepherd as it is often known, is a breed similar to German Shepherds in many ways.
This breed is intelligent and loyal and loves to please its owners.
They can be easily trained with positive reinforcement methods such as reward-based or clicker training, and they have an impressive size that can make them intimidating to strangers.
Nevertheless, they are gentle and protective of their family members, making them welcoming and loyal companions.
This breed has a strong work ethic and loves to please its owners. They can be easily trained with positive reinforcement methods such as reward-based or clicker training.
The Berger Blanc Suisse is also known for being highly adaptable to different environments, which makes them great companions when traveling or moving around the house.
Despite their impressive size, they have an incredibly gentle nature and are very protective of their family members.
13- Northern Inuit
The Northern Inuit is one of the closest breeds to German Shepherds and is popularly known as a “wolfdog.”
The breed is a cross between a German Shepherd and various other breeds. Northern Inuits have origins in Canada and England but have recently become more widespread worldwide.
The Northern Inuit is an intelligent, loyal, and affectionate breed of dog that makes a great companion for many different types of families.
They are friendly to other animals and people, making them good family pets. They have a calm temperament but can also be active when playing or on walks.
14- Laekenois
The Laekenois is a famous Belgian herding dog that is often compared to the German Shepherd. Although they have similar appearances and temperaments, a few key differences set them apart.
For one, the Laekenois has a wiry or curly coat ranging from black to fawn, whereas the German Shepherd prefers a more uniform coat.
Laekenois are also known for their independence and intelligence, so they can be difficult to train but fun to work with if you’re up for the challenge.
The Laekenois is an alert, lively, intelligent dog with a strong protective instinct.
They have high energy levels and need plenty of daily exercises to stay physically and mentally healthy.
15- Czech Wolfdog
The Czech Wolfdog is a hybrid breed, developed in the 1950s by crossing German Shepherds and Carpathian Wolves. They are brilliant and loyal companions that make great family pets.
However, they can be challenging to train due to their independent nature and strong will.
Czech Wolfdogs have a strong prey drive, so it is crucial to keep them on a leash or under strict outdoor supervision.
They are also known for being wary of strangers and protective of their owners, making them excellent watchdogs and devoted companions.
These athletic dogs require plenty of exercises and mental stimulation to stay healthy physically and mentally; otherwise, they may become destructive if left alone for too long or not given enough activity during the day.
16- Yakutian Laika
Though similar to German Shepherds in their intelligent and active nature, Yakutian Laikas are far more independent and have a higher energy level.
They are courageous dogs and will always be loyal to their owners. These canines have a thick double coat, making them well-suited for colder temperatures.
The Yakutian Laika is an intelligent and active dog that requires plenty of exercises to stay healthy. They’re also very social animals and will benefit from regular socialization, training, and companionship.
These dogs are incredibly loyal to their owners and will do anything to please them. They have a great sense of humor too!
17- Groenendaels
The Groenendael is a dog that shares many similarities with the German Shepherd. Like German Shepherds, Groenendaels are loyal and intelligent, making them excellent companions and watchdogs.
They have a strong work ethic, which, combined with their protective nature, makes them great family pets. These dogs are also alert, independent, and have an even temperament.
Groenendaels need regular exercise to stay healthy and happy—physical activity like running or playing fetch and mental stimulation like puzzle toys or hide-and-seek games.
Furthermore, early socialization is essential for these breeds as they can be wary of strangers.
Although not aggressive, these dogs may become defensive or protective if provoked or threatened. Groenendaels typically form strong bonds with their families, so early socialization is essential.
