Shepherd dogs are extremely popular both as pets and as working dogs and, although almost everyone has heard of the German shepherd, their close cousin, the Dutch shepherd, is less known in many parts of the world.
Both races share various personality traits and characteristics, and you just need to look at a photo of the two races side by side to know that they are related. However, they are distinct breeds that have been developed in different European countries and, however similar they may be, differ in many ways.
While German Shepherds are undoubtedly the most popular of the two (that is, outside the Netherlands), the Dutch Shepherds are marvellous dogs. If you are thinking of buying a sheepdog, it is worth taking a look at both breeds before committing to any of them.
A Quick Overview
Dutch Shepherd
Height: 12-25 inches
Weight : 50-70 pounds
Service life: 12-15 years
Exercise : 2+ hours/day
Personal care needs : Moderate
Family friendly : Yes.
Dog Friendly : Often
Trainability : Excellent, highly intelligent
German Shepherd
Height: 22-26 inches
Weight : 50-90 pounds
Service life: 7 to 10 years
Exercise : 2+ hours/day
Personal care needs : Moderate
Family friendly : Yes.
Dog Friendly : Not always
Trainability : Excellent, highly intelligent
Overview of the Dutch Shepherd
The Dutch shepherd was developed in the Netherlands as a shepherd dog and general farm dog in the late 1890s, with the first records of the breed dating back to 1898.
Originally used to store sheep, these highly adaptable and intelligent dogs were soon put to work as farm dogs in general, as crop protection dogs used to prevent cattle from wandering through the fields, as grazing dogs and as guard dogs and were even used to pull farms trollies. Over the years, as the number of wolves decreased in Europe and sheep farming decreased in the Netherlands, the number of Dutch shepherds also decreased and, in the 1940s, the breed was on the verge of extinction. Fortunately, in recent years, the breed has gained popularity in Europe as a pet and police dog.
Dutch shepherds are medium-sized and very muscular dogs that can have a short, long or metallic-haired coat.
Personality
Loyal, intelligent, alert and always vigilant, the Dutch shepherd is a born protector. They follow the instructions well, but are smart enough to learn how to anticipate their master’s commands and will act independently once they understand the task given to them.
As a pet, the breed is very soft in the heart and is great with children, but its protective nature is always there, and they will bravely defend your family and home from any real or apparent threat. Needless to say, the breed is an excellent family watchdog, but its soft side allows them to grow indoors at night, where they may be near their family. They usually get along well with other dogs and, as long as they are socialised from an early age, tolerate most other pets as well.
Training
Being highly intelligent and eager to please, Dutch pastors respond well to training, and most will have few problems mastering basic obedience and will usually enjoy other activities, such as canine sports and agility training.
Like most dogs, Dutch shepherds respond better to positive reinforcement, and you will find that your training sessions will be much easier if you praise and reward them when they do things right and never scold or scold them when they act or make a mistake.
Medical assistance
Providing your dog with a nutritional and balanced diet is perhaps the most important thing you can do to help keep him fit and healthy. To this end, a Dutch shepherd will do better when fed a premium quality dry feed formulated to provide a complete and well-balanced diet for medium to large active dogs.
They are usually of a healthy breed and, as long as they are well fed and exercise enough, you can expect your dog to have a long and happy life. Of course, there are some health conditions to which the breed is naturally predisposed, but through careful and responsible breeding practises, most of them can be avoided. For this reason, you should only buy a Dutch shepherd from a reputable creator.
Aptitude
Dutch shepherds are suitable for farmers and policing agencies looking for reliable, courageous and intelligent working dogs.
They are also fantastic pets for the family. However, they need a house with plenty of space to run. They are not suitable for living in an apartment and will get along better with a family that can involve them in all aspects of their daily activities and outdoor lifestyle.
German Shepherd Overview
Of the two races, the German shepherd is by far the best known and popular. Larger and heavier than the Dutch shepherd, the German shepherd originates in Germany, but has become one of the most popular breeds in the world. According to the American Kennel Club, the German Shepherd is the second most popular dog in the United States.
These large, agile and muscular dogs are known for their intelligence, loyalty and bravery, and it is no wonder that in addition to being a champion pet, they have also become the ideal breed for police and military agencies around the world.
Like the Dutch shepherd, the German shepherd began his life as a sheepdog. They were first created in the second half of 1800 by a German cavalry officer named Captain Max von Stephanitz. Subsequently, they were improved and promoted by a central group of breeders in the northern and central districts of Germany. The success of the breed was such that it did not take long for the German shepherd to be exported to other European countries and, in the early 1900s, they were also becoming popular in the United States.
Personality
Best known for their intelligence, loyalty and bravery, German shepherds are fantastic companions. They love being with their owners and will be happy to walk with them all day and then curl up next to them at night. Although they can sometimes be intolerant of other dogs, German shepherds are quite affectionate with their human families and have a true affection for children. In fact, the more time they spend with their human family, the happier they tend to be.
Training
German shepherds are incredibly intelligent dogs and learn new things quickly and easily and get along better both with positive reinforcement and in a game-like learning environment. If you find a way to turn your training sessions into a game, your German Shepherd will be happy to play for hours. With a little effort, your pet will be able to fulfil the most challenging tasks. They love odour-based games and usually respond to both goodies-based rewards and games.
The only thing you absolutely should do with a new German Shepherd puppy is to enrol him in the puppy school and give them a lot of socialisation when they are young. German shepherds are large and strong, and an unsocialised adult dog can become a danger to other people and animals.
Medical assistance
An active and highly athletic race, German shepherds need a lot of exercise to stay happy. They are typically healthy dogs; however, they may suffer from various hereditary conditions, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia or degenerative myelopathy. To minimise the chances of this, it is essential to buy your German Shepherd puppy from a reputable breeder, who performs the recommended health tests before breeding.
Atitude
German shepherds are not suitable for living in an apartment and will get along better with an active family that has a large yard and safely surrounded, where they can run and play. They require a lot of daily exercise and mental stimulation and, in addition to a lot of time to play in the backyard, German shepherds need a long walk or run every day.
The breed is also an exceptionally good police dog or military labour dog, and many find homes as working dogs in police agencies and military units around the world.
Which race is right for you?
In many ways, Dutch shepherds and German shepherds are remarkably similar dogs. They look like each other, were created to fulfil the same grazing tasks and are loving and loyal pets. However, there are some differences between races. Most notably, German shepherds are larger and stronger dogs, but they are also less tolerant of other dogs than Dutch shepherds. Due to their smaller size, Dutch shepherds tend to be less intimidating than German shepherds, which can be an important factor for some people.
German shepherds are by far the best known and popular of both races and, as such, are probably more available for purchase than Dutch shepherds, which can be difficult to find in many places. In fact, if you want to buy a Dutch shepherd, depending on where you live, you may find that the chosen breeder has a long waiting list of potential buyers, and you may have to wait many months or even a year or two to buy 1. On the other hand, there are a large number of German Shepherd breeders in most countries, and puppies are usually available.