How to Spot the Difference between King Shepherd and German shepherd?

When it comes to size, the King shepherd dogs are far superior in size to their purebred counterparts — the German shepherds. The former is classified as large dogs, while the latter is medium and large.

In some cases, the King shepherds are also classified as giants because some of these individuals weigh over 100 pounds!

The King shepherd dogs usually weigh between 75 and 150 pounds, while the German shepherds, on the other hand, weigh between 75 and 95 pounds.

The Kings also tend to be taller than the Germans by around 3–5 inches. So, if you ever come across a German who weighs over 100 pounds, there is a high chance that they are a King.

The head of a King is larger than that of a German — as it looks a lot more imposing.

German Shepherd vs King Shepherd:

The difference in appearance

Perhaps, both these breeds differ in their appearance. When you look at them the first time, it is hard to make out any difference as such. Have you made this mistake as well?

In that case, you need not worry because you are in pretty good company. An area of difference between them both is in the coat. A King’s coat is usually thicker and longer than a German.

The difference in energy

Both King shepherds and German shepherds tend to be highly energetic breeds. Since they are working dogs, they love it when they have a lot of scopes to work their bodies and minds.

Both these breeds are not suitable for parents who are laidback and idle. Both of them can live in apartments if they get enough exercise.

The difference in temperament

The King shepherds are noticeably different from the German shepherds. The Kings were bred to have the temperament of the Germans, albeit with a gentler edge to the same.

The Germans were bred so that they could work, while those who bred the Kings intended them to be family dogs. The latter is gentler and is friendly even towards people they do not know.

The difference in trainability

Both German and King shepherds are intelligent breeds and love the prospect of working. Qualities like these make them as highly trainable as they both are. However, please understand they are not everybody’s cup of tea.

If you are a pet parent for the first time, you may find it hard to train them because of how independent they tend to be.

The difference in life expectancy

Both King shepherds and German shepherds are healthy breeds. However, the latter tend to live longer than the former. The Kings usually do not live for over 11 years.

In the case of Germans, this goes up to 14 years. Both tend to suffer from hip dysplasia. It is a common condition among the bigger dog breeds and, for that matter, a few small ones.

The difference in coat and grooming

Both the German shepherds and King shepherds have double coats. However, the texture and length of the respective coats are different.

In the case of the Kings, the coat grows longer. Hence, it tends to be thicker as well. However, the grooming needs are the same for both breeds. Since these dog breeds shed, they need to be brushed with the same frequency.

The difference in terms of status

The German Shepherds are a pure breed best recognized by the Herding Group of the American Kennel Club. The Kings, on the contrary, are not regarded as purebred dogs. There is also little chance that they would get there anytime soon. It is a designer breed of a high standard.

Originally published at https://dogexpress.in on June 11, 2022.