9 Dog Breeds That Are Similar to German Shepherds

German shepherds are unique dogs because they have extreme intelligence and strong protective instincts. They’re often used as service and police dogs and even serve in the military. If you love German shepherds but aren’t sure if they’re exactly the right breed for you, check out our article below on the nine dog breeds that are similar to German shepherds in temperament and personality.

Romanian Carpathian Shepherd

Romanian Carpathian shepherds are large dogs that often weigh upwards of 100 pounds. They were bred to protect livestock in the Romanian mountains, but have become some of the most beloved family dogs. One reason for their popularity is because they do so well with families and children. While Romanian Carpathian shepherds usually see just one person as their master, they are extremely protective and loving towards their entire family or herd. 

You may notice that Romanian Carpathian shepherds tend to mosey around and lay down a lot, but don’t let this fool you. These large guardians aren’t lazy — they’re saving their energy and keeping watch for any threat that may come their way. One thing to keep in mind is that Romanian Carpathian shepherds thrive on having work to do. They don’t need a lot of physical activity, but they do need mental stimulation or bad behaviors may arise.

Belgian Malinois

These large dogs are pretty similar to German shepherds in personality and physicality, but they have a few differences. When it comes to physical differences, Belgian Malinois have thicker coats and a bit longer hair. Like German shepherds, Belgian Malinois can be stubborn and hardheaded when they want something. This is why it’s so important that they have an experienced dog owner training them. This dog is great with kids if they are socialized early, but they certainly aren’t made for every family. 

If you’re a long-term, experienced dog owner who just wants something a little different than a German shepherd, a Belgian Malinois may be right for you. However, if you have other pets, bring plenty of people over to the house, or don’t have time for daily exercise, this may not be the dog for you.

King Shepherd

While a Belgian Malinois is great for experienced dog owners who may enjoy a challenge, a king shepherd may be the right dog for you if you want an easier, less aggressive pet. King shepherds were bred in America using American and European German shepherds, great Pyrenees, and Alaskan Malamutes. 

The king shepherd was truly an experiment that paid off. The dog breed is generally less aggressive than German shepherds and quite a bit larger. While German shepherds are usually used as working dogs, king shepherds do better as family pets. They’ll still have some watchful tendencies because of their genetics, but they are typically much less aggressive. They’re also fluffier than German shepherds, which is a hard quality not to love!

Bohemian Shepherd

While Bohemian shepherds have similar coloring and coat patterns to German shepherds, they’re much more compact. If you like the personality and guarding tendencies of German shepherds but don’t have the space, this dog may be for you.

Bohemian shepherds only reach heights of 19 to 22 inches and weigh around 35 to 60 pounds. Despite their smaller size, Bohemian shepherds have just as large of personalities as German shepherds. They tend to be a bit more aggressive with strangers, but a bit more friendly with other dogs and pets. Bohemian shepherds are usually a bit harder to train than German shepherds because they’re prone to wander about and show off their curious tendencies.

Belgian Tervuren

Not to be confused with the Belgian Malinois, the Belgian Tervuren is a separate but similar dog breed. They come from pretty similar lines of ancestry; they’re both from Belgium, bred for herding, and a similar size. 

However, Belgian Tervuren are just a bit smaller than Malinois and are generally more friendly. They are better family dogs because they bond with multiple people more easily than Malinois do. But keep in mind that if you aren’t an experienced owner, this breed may give you a bit of trouble. Despite being extremely hard-working, Tervuren tend to have a mind of their own. They love outsmarting their owners and have a bit of a mischievous streak. 

Dutch Shepherd

If you haven’t already noticed a recurring theme, German shepherds share a lot of qualities with other shepherds. One example of this is Dutch shepherds. They’re a bit smaller, weighing an average of 42 to 75 pounds, but tend to be much more affectionate than German shepherds. When it comes to pets and children, Dutch shepherds tend to be right in the middle — with early socialization and training they do great but otherwise may have some difficulties.

Physically, they tend to share a lot of characteristics with wild dogs and wolves. Dutch shepherds are independent, strong, and intelligent. Like German shepherds, they tend to be a bit stubborn. This can be a problem for first-time dog owners, so Dutch shepherds generally do better with experienced owners.

Central Asian Shepherd

The Central Asian shepherd has the independence and confidence of a German shepherd with a bit more aggression. If you’re looking for a territorial dog that will be fearless towards any adversary, this breed might be for you. However, if you have children or other pets, a Central Asian shepherd may be too protective for your taste.

Something worth noting is that this dog breed should be reserved for experienced owners. Their independent nature and wariness of strangers make them a tough breed for owners who are social butterflies. If you have friends over regularly and don’t want to keep an eye on your dog at all times, this isn’t the breed for you. However, if you’re looking for a loyal friend to guard you and your home, you may want to adopt a Central Asian shepherd. 

Belgian Sheepdog

Not to be confused with Belgian Tervuren or Belgian Malinois, Belgian sheepdogs are another breed that comes from Belgium. These dogs served as herding dogs in the early 1800s but eventually became police dogs in places like New York and Paris. Their excellent sense of smell and easy trainability made them great working dogs.

Belgian sheepdogs are pretty similar to German shepherds in personality. They’re not best friends with every human who walks through the door, but they’re usually friendly. They tend to be a bit more protective than German shepherds but much less stubborn. Belgian sheepdogs thrive on the companionship of their owners, and they will go to great lengths to please. This loyalty, along with their intelligence and active nature, makes Belgian sheepdogs a great choice for nearly any dog owner.

Croatian Sheepdog

Croatian sheepdogs are small, quick-moving herding dogs that are loyal to their family or herd. They average around 35 pounds, about half the size of German shepherds, but share very similar personality traits. Croatian sheepdogs are very intelligent and only mildly stubborn. They are usually very eager to please their owners, but sometimes trust their own judgement on situations instead.

Croatian sheepdogs are intense watchdogs. Since they were bred to guard and lead livestock, they are constantly on the lookout for any sense of danger. Because of this, you may notice that Croatian sheepdogs tend to bark more often. If you’re someone who gets easily aggravated or anxious from dog barking, this may not be the breed for you. However, if you don’t mind a bit of noise and enjoy a dog with a high energy level and extreme intelligence, a Croatian sheepdog might be just right.

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