Dutch Shepherd vs. German Shepherd: What’s The Difference?

Are you thinking of welcoming a Shepherd into your home but are unsure which one to get? Many future Shepherd owners compare the Dutch Shepherd vs. German Shepherd when considering the right dog for their family. Many similar characteristics unite the Dutch Shepherd and the German Shepherd, but thankfully, some differences separate them too.

They are both Shepherds, and they both come from Europe. Just by looking at them, you can tell that they are related. Everyone knows that the German Shepherd is the most popular breed out of the two (unless you live in the Netherlands, of course), but not many people know the differences between them.

Before committing to either breed, it’s important to understand how they are similar but how they are different. There are variances in puppy costs, temperaments, and more – all of which may impact which breed is better for your household. So, let’s get to it and round up all the doggy details about the German Shepherd vs. Dutch Shepherd.

If you are not certain of your dog’s genetic makeup, you can use an at-home DNA test kit to find out.

Key Differences

1. German Shepherds are larger and stockier in build, with a square shape.
2. Dutch Shepherds have a wedge-shaped head.
3. German Shepherds are more protective.
4. They have significant coat differences. The Dutch Shepherd can have a short coat, a wire coat, or a long coat. The wire coat is curly and rough to the touch. The breed has one coat color, brindle, with a gold or silver undertone.
5. The German Shepherd has a short or long coat with typical black and tan colorings or solid color coats, including white, black, and blue.
6. Dutch Shepherds are more energetic and intense physically.
7. German Shepherds are easier to train because Dutch Shepherds are more independent.
8. Dutch Shepherds are healthier with a longer lifespan.
9. German Shepherds are easier to find in America.
10. Dutch Shepherds are more expensive.

History

The history of a dog breed is super important in understanding what they are like today. Many dogs are bred with a purpose in mind. And it is this purpose that will shape their personality and physical traits, and needs tremendously.

Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Shepherd have some differences in how the breeds originated and how they were bred over time. Let’s learn a little bit more about each breed.

Dutch Shepherd

The Dutch Shepherd hails from the Netherlands and came to be in the 19^th century. Farmers were on the lookout for a versatile dog that could assist them with everything. From herding the cows to pulling heavily laden dairy carts to the markets. He was a pro at keeping the chickens from the vegetable patch and looking after the kids at night. This guy was a jack of all trades and did it all.

With the era of industrialization nearly came the end of the Dutch Shepherd, but thankfully, a few breed lovers saved the day. Although he is still very rare in America, he is popular in Europe as a farmhand. Being so versatile, he is also found in the military, search, and rescue, and as an assistance dog. He is so rare in America that he is still in the Foundation Stock Group with the American Kennel Club (AKC).

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd breed was created at the turn of the 19^th century. A German officer wanted to create the ultimate herding breed, and he took the finest specimens from the different districts in Germany. His owners soon realized how good he was, and he is now considered one of the hardest-working all-around canines. This guy is also a jack of all trades.

According to the AKC, the German Shepherd, in 2022, ranked as the fourth most popular dog breed in America. And this is a similar story across the globe. He first came to America at the turn of the 20^th century. He suffered slightly due to the hatred caused by the world wars towards Germany, but he quickly recovered after starring in a few Hollywood roles.

Because of their popularity, German Shepherds have been embraced across the world as loyal family pets and have become the parents of many popular crossbreeds.

Appearance

The Dutch Shepherd and the German Shepherd are similar in appearance to the untrained eye. But once you know what the differences are, you can see the distinction. The German Shepherd is the largest of the two breeds. He is stockier and squarer in his overall appearance compared to his Dutch cousin.

Many describe the Dutch Shepherd as having a wedge-shaped head. Dutch Shepherds are often mistaken for both the German Shepherd and the Belgian Malinois because of their similar good looks.

Their coat is their most significant difference. The Dutch Shepherd has the option of three jackets: a short coat, a wire coat, and a long coat. The wire coat is curly and rough to the touch.

The Dutch Shepherd has the option of one coat color, brindle, with a gold or silver undertone. Breed lovers changed the breed standard so that he only had a brindle coat. Just so that he was distinctly different from other Shepherds in Europe.

The German Shepherd has two options: a short coat and a long coat. The German Shepherd has his typical black and tan colorings. With the choice of solid color coats such as the White German Shepherd, Black German Shepherd, or even the Blue German Shepherd.

Temperament

The Dutch Shepherd and the German Shepherd are more similar in their temperament than their appearance. They are both originally working dogs used on the farm as herders, estate protectors, and various other jobs. Their working backgrounds mean that they are both workaholics. And they are much happier with either a job to do or when they get lots of exercise.

The German Shepherd is the more protective of the two, which is why he earned his fantastic guarding reputation long ago. The German Shepherd is your best choice if you are after a protective dog.

Thankfully, as they are both wary of strangers, they both make excellent watchdogs and will let you know when someone is unsavory or suspicious. German Shepherds have picked up an unfairly aggressive reputation, but this is largely due to the sheer quantity of the number of German Shepherds owned as family pets.

The German Shepherd is usually more protective than the Dutch Shepherd because he bonds with one particular master more than the Dutch. However, they are both affectionate and loving with their family. The Dutch will share his cuddles with the whole family, whereas the German more than likely reserve his cuddles for his primary caregiver when they are there.

You may ask which is a better family dog, a German Shepherd vs. Dutch Shepherd. In truth, they are both fantastic with children and as long as they are socialized well, they will both get along with other family pets too. Both breeds would prefer a larger home, and access to a secure yard is necessary. They will both go stir-crazy if they are cooped up in an apartment for any length of time.

Exercise

Neither of these two is a lazy breed. Their working energy means that their family needs to be able to either work or exercise them. And without it, they will become extremely agitated and problematic. That doesn’t bode well for either you or your furniture. So, if you aren’t an active family, neither of these guys is for you. They both need at least 60 minutes of exercise every day.

With that being said, there is one breed that is more energetic than the other, and that is the Dutch Shepherd. The Dutch Shepherd is bred more as a working dog than a family companion. Compared to the German Shepherd, who is now bred to be a family companion just as much. This means that they are more accustomed to calmer home life, relaxing the afternoon away.

As such, many Dutch Shepherd owners believe that the Dutch Shepherd has more intense energy. The Dutch Shepherd needs to be worked harder for sure. Other than their appearance, this is a significant factor when choosing between the two breeds.

Training

Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Shepherd are very loyal and intelligent, meaning they are relatively easy to train. But the German Shepherd is the better option for those who have never had a dog before. This is because the German Shepherd is so eager to please his master. He will always be ready to learn and obey your commands. And although he is intense, it makes your life much easier when it comes to training.

Both pups are toy motivated and can do well with doggy toys made for active or Shepherd breeds.

On the other hand, the Dutch Shepherd is more independent than the German Shepherd. This is because back in the day, his master expected him to herd the flocks, escort them into the fields in the morning, and back into their barns at night. All on his own. This independent streak makes him a little bit stubborn, and he’ll have days when he has something better to do.

Socialization is vital for both of these guys. Not only because it is an essential doggy skill anyway but also because they are naturally protective. And it’s crucial that they do not become too overprotective. They also both do well when their master utilizes the positive reinforcement training method.

Health

The Dutch Shepherd is a much healthier breed than the German Shepherd, which is clear from his longer lifespan. On average, the Dutch Shepherd enjoys four years longer than his German cousin.

The Dutch and the German Shepherd are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. If you are thinking about welcoming either of these breeds, you need to get his parent’s hips scores for sure. The long-haired Dutch is prone to thyroid conditions, and the wire-haired Dutch is prone to goniodysplasia. Apart from these concerns, there aren’t many other common conditions.

Many German Shepherds have a sloping back, which has a detrimental effect on their hips. This is more common in the American lines of German Shepherds than European ones. This is something to discuss with your breeder. He is also more at risk of degenerative myelopathy, a progressive spinal cord disease.

Although this is not a health concern, it is worth knowing that the Dutch Shepherd is very sensitive to anesthesia. He is a rare breed, so when you visit your vet for surgery, it’s worth reminding them of this.

Could Pet Insurance Help?

If your pet insurance covers exam fees and your dog needs to be examined, there is a good chance your policy will reimburse those costs based on your policy details. However, if you are a new customer, vet expenses will not be covered until after your policy’s defined waiting periods, so signing up once you have an existing health concern is not going to help this time. Pre-existing conditions are not covered by any current pet insurance plans.

This is why it is a great idea to sign up for a pet insurance policy when your pet is young and relatively healthy to ensure you will be covered when you need it most.

Nutrition

Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Shepherd are identical when it comes to their nutrition. They both need a high-quality shepherd formula kibble that will keep them sustained throughout the day. And one that is designed for large breed dogs that cater to their unique needs. This is particularly important during puppyhood.

They will consume approximately three to four cups of kibble a day, depending on their age, size, and energy levels. This will be more if they are working dogs. They are both at risk of gastric torsion, also known as bloat, so do not feed them immediately before or after exercise.

Grooming

The differences between their grooming schedules all depend on their coat type. The German Shepherd can have a longer coat or a shorter coat. Dutch Shepherds are the same. If they both have short hair, they both only require brushing once a week. If they have long hair, they both need brushing most days to keep matting at bay. We would suggest investing in a de-shedding tool for both of these coat types as they are both heavy shedders come the shedding season.

The wire-coated Dutch Shepherd is the odd one out here. His coat is short to medium in length but rough to the touch. He sometimes looks like a Poodle who desperately needs a groom. He will need a pin brush or a comb running through his coat twice weekly. Wire-coated Dutch Shepherds shed less than the other coats, but he’ll need a thorough clipping a few times a year.

When it comes to everything else, such as dental brushing, ear cleaning, and nail clipping, they are both the same as every other dog. Again, the only difference here is the wire-coated Dutch. Because he suffers from goniodysplasia, his eyes must be cleaned once or twice a week. This ensures that they are kept clean and prevents bacteria from building up.

Price

Price is another significant factor to consider because, in America, a Dutch Shepherd puppy is priced higher than a German Shepherd puppy. This is just because he is much rarer and harder to get. The German Shepherd is America’s fourth most popular dog, so many reputable breeders are available. But you can expect to travel and be put on a waiting list when it comes to the Dutch Shepherd puppy.

They are both at risk of being targeted by puppy mills and backstreet breeders. Be sure to work with a reputable breeder. Ask to see their health clearances (particularly their hip scores) and always meet the puppies and their parents in person. A reputable breeder will not pressure you into passing money over until you are happy, but a backstreet breeder will.

Final Thoughts

The Dutch Shepherd and the German Shepherd are very similar, but there are many more differences than meets the eye. The German Shepherd is much more people-oriented, and although this makes him a more intense doggy, he is easier to train. The Dutch Shepherd is more independent and more work-oriented, meaning he is better suited to an experienced dog owner.

The Dutch Shepherd is more expensive to purchase because he is much rarer, but he is also much healthier than the German Shepherd breed. Their grooming schedules are relatively equal, depending on what type of coat you choose for either. The German Shepherd is the more protective pup out of the two, but they both make excellent watchdogs.

Whichever breed you pick, German Shepherd or. Dutch Shepherd, make sure you can meet all their needs and give them plenty of love and attention. Otherwise, they can both be problematic. But if you can, know that you are in for many years of fun, love, and loyalty.