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11 Dogs That Look Like German Shepherds

Categorized as Trivia and Q&A
dogs that look like German Shepherds

Without any exaggeration, German Shepherd is indeed the most admired breed of dogs. There is always an ambiguity to distinguish the dogs that look like German Shepherds. The incredibly smart breed that undoubtedly stands out among the group needs your undivided attention. 

Here is a collection of dogs that look like German Shepherds but are not the ones!

  • Belgian Malinois
  • Bohemian Shepherd
  • Belgian Tervuren
  • Chinook Dog
  • King Shepherd
  • Shiloh Shepherd
  • Berger Blanc Suisse
  • Dutch Shepherd
  • Northern Inuit Dog
  • Panda Shepherd
  • Groenendael

Belgian Malinois

Belgian Malinois running

With the sharing herding heritage, the Belgian Malinois may be thought of as a German Shepherd. The Malinois is lighter in weight with a fawn to mahogany colored coat. The alert herders with dark brown eyes and triangular ears are the exceptional watchdog and the protectors for the police and military. 

The inquisitive and lively character being evident in the Mals makes it embraced by the pet lovers. The viral infections to bacterial ones need to be observed to notice the unusual symptoms that cause health problems. 

From the potential for playfulness to higher energy levels and easy-to-train capabilities, Belgian Malinois is indeed your friend to socialize with. Still, if you want no dog hair in your home, they are not the perfect choice for you as they shed a small amount of hair throughout the year.

Bohemian Shepherd

Bohemian Shepherd watching its owner

Bohemian Shepherd was originally a sheepdog that traced back to the Czech Republic. The medium-sized dog with the trademark of black and tan coat makes it closer to the German Shepherd. With a friendly and less aggressive nature, they show a great deal of affection to the children. 

The Bohemian Shepherd could pick modern commands rapidly and easy to work with. Bohemians prove to be an asset for an apartment lifestyle but not applicable for search and rescue. 

From Hip Dysplasia, bloating, elbow dysplasia, and several eye conditions that affect the bohemian, it is essential to take care of them. Don’t forget to be around the little ones as they get bored that ultimately leads to destruction!

Belgian Tervuren

Belgian tervuren running on dry grass

The Belgian Tervuren originated in a Belgian Town named Tervuren are incredibly the most elegant of the herding breed. The thick and double coat with the brindle, cream, fawn, and black color distinguishes the terv from German Shepherd. 

Typically a medium-size dog with a square construct, a wedge-shaped head, dark-brown eyes that are marginally almond-shaped, prick ears. A brilliantly addressing expression also demonstrates his preparation for the action. 

Dental disease and obesity are significant health problems found in Tervuren. They have the natural tendency to move in a circle while all-set for the action. The affectionate and friendly nature breed craves affection. Precisely, the possessive ones demand attention from their caretakers.

Chinook Dog

Chinook dog looking to the side

Chinook Dogs belong to the group of sled dogs that traced their origin to New Hampshire. With the dense and soft coat and less pointed ears of the chinook dogs, the resemblance gets weaker with the German shepherd. 

The double-coated Chinook coat ranges from light honey to reddish-golden. The athlete dog with a pleasant demeanor is highly trainable. They should be kept in good shape to avoid the diseases such as hot spots and gastrointestinal issues, common among them. 

Chinooks are dynamic dogs who cherish the outside world. Non-aggression behavior and degree of guarding their loved ones make them popular among pet lovers. They are the seasonal shedders, the one problem you have to encounter with the dignified watch dogs.

King Shepherd

King Shepherd

The king Shephard is a relatively new breed developed in America by Shelley Watts-Cross and David Turkheimer. The hybrid dog breed is the amalgamation of German Shepherd and other breeds that includes Shilosh Shepherd. 

The coat with the combination of fawn, brown and black hues with the thicker and fluffier coating and teddy bear face makes them likable. With sound temperament and high energy, they make their way into the heart of their owners. 

The highly intelligent and largest of the Shepherd group makes them powerful and intimidating at the same time. The breed’s common health concerns include bloating, eye issues, Von Willebrand’s disease, degenerative myelopathy, joint dysplasia, allergies, and thrombopenia. 

Their size might be intimidating to keep them within the premises of their homes, but they are the companions for who owe them!

Shiloh Shepherd

Shiloh Shepherd

Shiloh Shepherd is considered the giant version of German Shepherd, developed in New York. It was created with a combination of breeds that includes Alaskan Malamute and German Shepherd Dog. 

Shiloh is a huge dog that is still a developing breed. The dogs known for their affection and outgoing nature have a plush and soft coating with multiple colors. The gentle giants are perfect for once lives in a rural setting as that helps them to mingle around. 

Shiloh Shepherd is an intelligent and trainable dog that makes them a pick in various activities that includes rescue operations. 

They usually suffer from Perianal Fistula, Megaesophagus, bloat, Hip Dysplasia, and Panosteitis. Don’t get surprised as the occasional barkers usually howl and groove with you on the songs.

Berger Blanc Suisse

Berger Blanc Suisse

The Berger Blanc Suisse is the bread dog that shares the white-coat line of the German Shepherd Dog. The early socialization with the medium-sized breed helps them to learn readily. 

With the thick and medium coat, erect triangular-shaped ears, and bushy tail, they excel at dog sports. The puffy snowballs are heavy shedders and wouldn’t suit the sedentary owners. 

Whereas they share numerous characteristics of a German shepherd, they tend to be more energetic. Preparing this breed for different puppy sports will moreover offer assistance to supply extra mental and physical activities. Always remember that they may too be more sensitive and don’t react well to scolding.

Dutch Shepherd

Dutch Shepherd
SONY DSC

The Dutch Shepherd is a dynamic crowding puppy that has been around for over 100 years but is still closely related to the German shepherd. 

Dutch Shepherd was initially from the Netherlands. The jack of all trades has one striking distinction that is their brindle coat. They’re the overwhelming shedders and require a part of brushing. 

Dutch Shepherds are said to be less demanding to prepare and socialize than German Shepherd. They adjust well to family life and are generally a neighborly companion for the police. They are, in any case, inconceivably cautious and lively.

Northern Inuit Dog

Northern Inuit Dog

If you like the tiny little ones that can fit easily in your palms, then don’t opt for the Northern Inuit Dog, as they got the appearance of the wolfdog. 

They belong to the families of Husky and German Shepherd, collectively making them the hybrid breed. The natural oil in their fur and waterproof double coat makes them well suited for cooler temperature. 

They may encounter health problems which include orthopedic conditions and Epilepsy. With their intuitive and active nature, they are unlikely to show aggression. 

One of their most troublesome behaviors is howling which usually is one of the main reasons they are perfectly suited to living in an open range. The social creature makes the perfect family pet.

Panda Shepherd

These shepherds appear with unusual markings of symmetrical dark and white coloring, frequently taking after markings of a panda bear. The dogs look like German Shepherd with only the difference in hues. 

Panda Shepherds are bold, sharp, and brave. These dogs are a remarkable expansion to any home as long as their owners can give them sufficient workout and mental incitement. This coloring, among other creatures, is known as Piebald. 

Panda Shepherds are exceedingly driven dogs that require specialized care and are not reasonable for uneducated proprietors. They include an exceptionally solid defensive intuition and are amazingly steadfast to their handlers.

Groenendael

Belgian Groenendael

The Belgian Sheepdog is among the Belgian Shepherd Dog group’s breeds, with Tervuren, Malinois, and Laekenois in the same group. 

The breed guidelines for Belgian Shepherd Groenendaels are that they have sharp, pointed, upright ears. Once in a while, a canine of this breed will have floppy ears. Public often accidentally mixed them with German Shepherd dogs. 

The black color with the solid and dense double coat and white markings distinguish them from German shepherd dogs. The framers kept this breed for herding. The police have selected them for their work since the 19th century. 

Groenendaels are used for tracking purposes. That is why it is important to socialize with such dogs. Once they are trained and guided, they behave excellently in public.

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful and useful as you raise and train your German Shepherd.

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By Andrew Garf

Andrew Garf has loved dogs, especially German Shepherds, since he was 10 years old. Though he also loves burgers, training dogs is his real passion. That's why he created the website TrainYourGSD.com - to help dog owners learn how to properly train, care for, and bond with their German Shepherd dogs.