Hovawart vs German Shepherd Dog
Compare Hovawart and German Shepherd Dog side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Hovawart
German Shepherd Dog
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
58 – 70 cm
61 – 65 cm
Weight
25 – 50 kg
33 – 37 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 14 years
9 – 13 years
Child friendly
4/5
4/5
Energy level
4/5
4/5
Intelligence
4/5
3/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
2/5
3/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
3/5
4/5
Aggressiveness
4/5
4/5
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Characteristics
Hovawart
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Low grooming
Protective
Easy to train
Giant
German Shepherd Dog
Great with kids
High energy
Protective
Easy to train
Large
Summary
About Hovawart
Large, powerful German farm guardian with medium‑long weatherproof coat in black, black and tan or blond. Deeply loyal, calm and family‑focused, but reserved with strangers and strongly territorial. Intelligent, independent and late‑maturing, needing consistent training, mental work and ample exercise.
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.
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