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German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees Comparison - Dog breed selector: Alsatian wolf dog or Sheepdog or Chien De Montagne Des Pyrénées? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees" Compare German Shepherd and Border Collie. Which is better: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees?
 
 
 
Name German Shepherd Border Collie Great Pyrenees
OriginsGermany flagGermany England flagEngland Scotland flagScotland Wales flagWales Spain flagSpain France flagFrance
Group Pastoral / Herding Dogs Pastoral / Herding Dogs Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank23866
Reviews19133
User Ratings

Other Names
What other names do they have?
Alsatian wolf dog
Berger Allemand
Deutscher Schäferhund
Schäferhund
Alsatian
Sheepdog
Scotch Sheep Dog
Chien De Montagne Des Pyrénées
Chien Des Pyrénées
Gos De Muntanya Dels Pirineus
Montañés Del Pirineo
Patou
Great Pyrenees
Breed Type
Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees breed type comparison:
Purebred Purebred Purebred

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees Size and Weight Comparison

Size
Which is bigger, German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees? Which is the smallest dog, German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees?
Large Large Giant
Weight
Which is heavier, German Shepherd or Border Collie or Border Collie? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees weight comparison:
Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) Male: 30-45 pounds (14-20 kg), Female: 27-42 pounds (12-19 kg) Male: from 100 pounds (45 kg), Female: from 85 pounds (38 kg)
Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?
Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) Male: 37.5 pounds (17 kg), Female: 34.5 pounds (15.5 kg) Male: from 100 pounds (45 kg), Female: from 85 pounds (38 kg)
Height
Which is taller, German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees height comparison:
Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) Male: 19-22 inches (48-56 cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46-53 cm) Male: 27-32 inches (69-81 cm), Female: 25-29 inches (63-74 cm)
Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?
Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) Male: 20.5 inches (52 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (49.5 cm) Male: 29.5 inches (75 cm), Female: 27 inches (68.5 cm)

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees Price and Availability Comparison

Price
Which is cheaper, German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees? Which is more expensive?
$800-$2000 $600-$800 $500-$600
Availability
Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees?
Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.
Very frequent: The Border Collie is quite easy to get.
Very frequent: The Great Pyrenees is quite easy to get.

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank
Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees intelligence:
Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds.
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Outstanding: Border Collie is one of the brightest dog breeds.
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Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it.
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Trainability
German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees trainability comparison.
German Shepherd dogs are easy to train.
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Border Collie dogs are easy to train.
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Great Pyrenees dogs are easy to train.
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Watchdog Ability
Which is the better watchdog: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees?
German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs.
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Border Collie dogs are one of the best watchdogs.
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Great Pyrenees dogs are one of the best watchdogs.
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Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Which is a better guard dog German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?
German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs.
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Border Collie dogs are extremely protective guard dogs.
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Great Pyrenees dogs strongly protect their territory.
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German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament
Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees behavior/temperament comparison:
Curious
Alert
Courageous
Intelligent
Confident
Obedient
Loyal
Watchful
Energetic
Protective
Alert
Intelligent
Responsive
Loyal
Tenacious
Confident
Affectionate
Patient
Gentle
Strong
Willed
Fearless
Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?
Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.
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Sensitive: Border Collie dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.
See more.
They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.
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Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees?
High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
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High: Border Collie dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
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Average: Great Pyrenees dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level.
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Social Needs
German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees social needs comparison:
German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average.
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Border Collie dogs need a lot of social interaction.
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Great Pyrenees dogs are a social breed.
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Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?
German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers.
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Border Collie dogs have average wanderlust potential.
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Great Pyrenees dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world.
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Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?
German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.
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Border Collie dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen.
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Great Pyrenees dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something.
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German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness
German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees playfulness comparison:
Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing.
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The Border Collie is a highly playful breed.
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Great Pyreneess are not the most playful dog breed.
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Barking
Which dog barks more/less: German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees?
Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks.
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Low to Average: The Border Collie rarely barks.
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Average to High: The Great Pyrenees is a vocal breed.
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Apartment Friendly
Which dog is more apartment friendly German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees?
It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors.
It is not recommended to keep the Border Collie breed in the home.
It is not recommended to keep the Great Pyrenees breed in the home.

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability
Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?
German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Border Collie dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Great Pyrenees dogs adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone
Which dog can be left alone: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees?
Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.
Border Collie dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.
Great Pyrenees dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI
Which bite is stronger: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees?

Between 200 and 400 PSI

German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.

Between 200 and 400 PSI

Border Collie bite force: Ordinary.

Above 400 PSI 🔼

Great Pyrenees bite force: The Strongest.
Biting Potential
Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:

High 🔼

The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.

Low 🔽

The Border Collie has a low chance of biting somebody.

Low 🔽

The Great Pyrenees has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness
Which is the better dog? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees mouthiness comparison:
German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
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Border Collie dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
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Great Pyrenees dogs have a lower than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people.
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German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues
German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees health comparison. Which is the healthier: German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees?
German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.
The Border Collie is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Great Pyreneess are commonly healthy dogs.
Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees health problems comparison:
Cataracts
Hip Dysplasia
Allergies
Cancer
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Von Willebrand's Disease
Bloat
Epilepsy
Blindness
Cherry Eye
Elbow Dysplasia
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Retinal Dysplasia
Demodectic Mange
Degenerative Myelopathy
Wobbler's Syndrome
Panosteitis
Hemophilia B
Megaesophagus
Cushing's Syndrome
Lens Luxation
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Chronic Diarrhea
Cruciate Ligament Rupture
Digestive Problems
Hemophilia A
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
Lupus
Myasthenia Gravis
Nail Bed Disease
Osteochondrosis
Pannus
Paralysis
Perianal Fistula
Seborrhea
Vitiligo
Hip Dysplasia
Allergies
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Epilepsy
Collie Eye Anomaly
Osteochondrosis Dissecans
Cataracts
Hip Dysplasia
Patellar Luxation
Bloat
Entropion
Drug Sensitivity
Elbow Dysplasia
Addison's Disease
Veterinarian Visits
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?
Rare
The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Average
The Border Collie should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Rare
The Great Pyrenees should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Life Expectancy
German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees lifespan comparison. How long do German Shepherd, Border Collie and Great Pyrenees breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?
9-13 years
The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years
11-15 years
The average lifespan of Border Collie: 13 years
10-12 years
The average lifespan of Great Pyrenees: 11 years
Weather and Climate
Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees?
Tolerates warm and cold weather
Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur.
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Prefers average to cold weather conditions
The Border Collie can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.
See more.
Prefers cold weather
The Great Pyrenees can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog.
See more.

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level
Who has more energy a German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees energy level comparison:
German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.
Border Collie dogs are high-energy dogs.
Great Pyrenees dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?
German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Border Collie dogs need a lot of exercises.
Great Pyrenees dogs have an average exercise need.
Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees?
German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.
Border Collie dogs don't need too much sleep.
Great Pyrenees dogs don't need too much sleep.

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption
Which dog eats more: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees?
3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two or three meals. 8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees weight gain potential comparison:
Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity.
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Average: The Border Collie has an average risk for obesity.
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Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Great Pyrenees's weight, he can easily gain weight.
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German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat/fur do they have? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees coat comparison:
Fuzzy Dense
Feathered
Straight
Short
Moderately Long
Dense
Double
Colors
What are the original German Shepherd, Border Collie and Great Pyrenees color?
Black
Tan
Red
Silver
Black
Tan
Red
Sable
Brindle
Lilac
Gold
Seal
White & Red
Slate
Sable Merle
Black & White
Tricolor
Blue merle
Blue merle-tricolor
Slate merle
Red merle
Saddleback Sable
White & Blue
White & Blue Merle
White & Red Merle
White Ticked
White & Gold
White & Sable
White & Seal
White
Grooming
Which dog is easy to maintain, German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees grooming comparison:
Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort.
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Average: The Border Collie requires average grooming effort.
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Average: The Great Pyrenees requires average grooming effort.
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Shedding Level
Who sheds more German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees? German Shepherd or Border Collie or {name3 shedding:
German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders.
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Border Collie dogs shed moderately.
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Great Pyrenees dogs shed above average.
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Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
Which dog should be bathed more: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees?
8-12 weeks
Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one.
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6-8 weeks
Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one.
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3-4 weeks
More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds.
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Hypoallergenic
German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?
No See more. No See more. No See more.
Stinkiness
Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees?

Medium

The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.

Medium

The Border Collie has an average chance of bad smell.

Medium

The Great Pyrenees has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency
Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?
The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
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The Border Collie is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
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The Great Pyrenees is a perfect example of a low drooling tendency.
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German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?
German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.
Border Collie dogs are generally with other pets.
Great Pyrenees dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.
Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees? Which dog is more friendly?
German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.
Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Great Pyrenees dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Child Friendly
Which dog is more child/kid friendly German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees?
German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Border Collie dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Great Pyrenees dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees?
German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Great Pyrenees dogs are cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees?
German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.
Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Great Pyrenees dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is good for the first-time owners: German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees?
Yes
German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Yes
Border Collie dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Yes
Great Pyrenees dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office?
No
German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.
No
Border Collie is not the best dog breed for office environment.
No
Great Pyrenees is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people?
German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.
Border Collies are one of the best breeds for elderly people.
Great Pyreneess are usually recommended for elderly people.

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog
Which one could be a service dog?

Yes

This breed makes good as a service dog.
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Yes

This breed makes good as a service dog.
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Not really

This breed generally not used as a service dog.
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Therapy Dog
Which one could be a therapy dog: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Great Pyrenees? Which is better for autism?

Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.
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Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.
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Not really

This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog.
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Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?

Yes

After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.

Yes

After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.

Not really

They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Which one could be a search and rescue dog?

Yes

This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.

Yes

This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog
Which one could be a boat dog: German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees?

Not really

German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
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Not really

Border Collie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
See more.

Not really

Great Pyrenees breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
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Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog
Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?

Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.
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Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.
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Yes

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.
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Fighting Dog / Military Dog

Yes

In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length 60-64 days See more. 60-64 days See more. 60-64 days See more.
Litter Frequency

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy.
See more.

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy.
See more.

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy.
See more.
Litter Size
How many puppies can German Shepherd and Border Collie and Great Pyrenees have?
6-10 puppies 4-8 puppies 6-9 puppies

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Great Pyrenees Recognition Comparison

AKC Group
Which dog is recognized by the AKC?
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 as a Herding breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1933 as a Working breed.
FCI Group
Which dog is recognized by the FCI?
Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type section.
Breed Recognition
What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?
American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
German Shepherd Dog Club Of America
American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
The American Int. Border Collie Registry
The American Border Collie Association
American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club

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