German Shepherd Dog vs Australian Shepherd
Compare German Shepherd Dog and Australian Shepherd: size, life expectancy, temperament and care side by side.
German Shepherd Dog
VS
Australian Shepherd
Comparison table
Show differences only
Characteristic
German Shepherd Dog
Australian Shepherd
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
61 – 65 cm
46 – 58 cm
Weight
33 – 37 kg
14 – 29 kg
Life expectancy
9 – 13 years
13 – 16 years
Child friendly
4/5
3/5
Energy level
4/5
3/5
Intelligence
3/5
3/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
3/5
4/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
4/5
4/5
Aggressiveness
4/5
3/5
The 1–5 scale shows the level of each trait. A higher value means more of that trait. Individual animals may vary.
Characteristics
German Shepherd Dog
Great with kids
High energy
Protective
Easy to train
Large
Australian Shepherd
Easy to train
Medium
Summary
About German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog is a medium‑large, athletic working breed, highly intelligent and trainable. Loyal and naturally protective, it needs extensive daily mental and physical exercise. It has a double coat with notable shedding and is widely used in police, military, and search and rescue roles.
About Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd is a medium, athletic herding dog, highly intelligent and energetic. Loyal and people oriented, it bonds closely and needs substantial daily exercise, training, and mental work. Its striking, weather resistant coat and varied eye colors add to its appeal.
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