Comparison: Dutch Shepherd Dog and German Shepherd

Dutch Shepherd Dog and German Shepherd are marked as similar in our database. The table compares only the data we have on the breeds.

	Dutch Shepherd Dog	German Shepherd
FCI group	1. Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)	1. Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)
Country of origin	Netherlands	Germany
Category	Large	Large
Height at withers	55–62 cm	55–65 cm
Weight	–	22–40 kg
Life span	–	9–13 years
Recognition features	Medium-sized, well-muscled dog, always brindle (gold or silver) Three coat varieties: short, long and wire Intelligent, lively expression and erect ears	Medium-large dog with a straight topline and a gently sloping croup Erect pointed ears and a bushy, sabre-like tail carried low Most often saddle or black-and-tan coat with a dark mask
Coat	Three types: short hard coat with a woolly undercoat, long straight coat without waves, or dense, harsh tousled wire coat; always brindle.	Double coat with dense undercoat, medium or long, straight and harsh outer hair.
Purpose	A versatile Dutch herding dog, originally a farm shepherd, now used in service and sport, in three coat types.	Standardised in Germany in the late 1890s (Max von Stephanitz, 1899) as a versatile herding and working dog; today mainly a police, service and guide dog.

Breed page: Dutch Shepherd Dog · Breed page: German Shepherd

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The information is indicative. Texts are based on available sources and may contain inaccuracies; for binding details (e.g. for breeding or shows) use the official breed standard.