Comparison: German Shepherd and Karst Shepherd Dog

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

German Shepherd
Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Karst Shepherd Dog
Photo: Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
German ShepherdKarst Shepherd Dog
FCI group1. Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)2. Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs
Country of originGermanySlovenia
CategoryLargeLarge
Height at withers55–65 cm–
Weight22–40 kg25–42 kg
Life span9–13 years–
Recognition features
  • 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
  • Medium-sized, harmonious, robust dog with a long, abundant iron-grey coat
  • Hanging ears and tail; abundant mane on the neck
  • Incorruptible guardian, distrustful of strangers, devoted to its master
CoatDouble coat with dense undercoat, medium or long, straight and harsh outer hair.Long, flat, profuse coat with abundant undercoat, short on head, front edges of ears and front of legs; mane and ruff on the neck; iron grey.
PurposeStandardised 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.A Slovenian herding dog from the Karst, today mainly a guard and family dog.

Breed page: German Shepherd · Breed page: Karst Shepherd Dog

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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.