Differences Between German Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd

Last Updated on February 25, 2024

Are you looking for the difference between a German Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd? You may be surprised by the similarities between the two breeds!

German Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd has many similar characteristics stemming from their herding roots, though originally from different countries. Both breeds were bred as herding dogs and needed to be very intelligent, easily trained, and have lots of stamina. They are very active breeds and love being part of active families – running, playing, and practising skills like agility or tracking. Both breeds are versatile and can be used as therapy, search and rescue dogs, and guide dogs.

German Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd – Size

German Shepherds are a bit larger than Australian Shepherds. Full-size standard Aussies generally weigh around 30 kilos, while German Shepherds can weigh up to 43 kilos when fully grown. German Shepherds are also about 3 inches taller than a standard Australian Shepherd.

German Shepherds can differ in size slightly depending on whether they are from European bloodlines or American bloodlines. Similarly, Australian Shepherds come in Standard, Miniature, and Toy sizes.

Coats & Maintenance

German Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd both sport luxurious, long hair that needs regular grooming to maintain. Both breeds have a double coat which protects the dog when they are herding. This double coat sheds a lot in both breeds.

German Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd – Temperament

German Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd are working dogs and need lots of exercises. They like having a job to keep them mentally stimulated. Both breeds need something to keep them active, or they will likely start showing destructive behaviours like chewing furniture or excessive barking.

German Shepherds can be more protective of their owners, but Aussies can also be cautious of strangers. Good socialisation when Aussies are young can help them feel more comfortable with new people and situations.

In general, German Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd is not well suited to apartment living. With limited space to use up their energy, both breeds are likely to exhibit destructive behaviours and become very unhappy. However, this living situation might work for you if you are very active with your dog during the day.

Lifespan

Australian Shepherds have a slightly longer average lifespan of 12-14 years, compared to the German Shepherd average lifespan of 9-12 years. Many believe this is because German Shepherds are a bit larger than Aussies in size. Still, many other factors come into play for a dog’s lifespan, including genetics, health, diet, and lifestyle. Making sure your dog has a healthy lifestyle and diet will significantly impact their lifespan.

Trainability

German Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd are brilliant and are generally very easy to train. All training should start when the dog is young to lay the proper foundation as they grow. One of the main challenges experienced with training Australian Shepherds is keeping their focus. Teaching a “look” command where your dog looks at you for instruction is one way to redirect lost attention. Conversely, German Shepherds tend to focus more naturally on their owners during training. Positive reinforcement and consistency are vital for training both breeds successfully.

We hope you gained some excellent takeaways about the differences between these two dog breeds; However, the German Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd is quite similar – they’re still unique in their ways!