Boerboel vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better South African Mastiff or Alsatian wolf dog?
"Find similarities and differences between Boerboel vs German Shepherd"
Compare Boerboel and German Shepherd. Which is better: Boerboel or German Shepherd?
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| Name | Boerboel | German Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  South Africa |  Germany |
| Group | Working Dogs | Pastoral / Herding Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 124 | 2 |
| Reviews | 1 | 13 |
| User Ratings |
| Other Names
What other names do they have? |
South African Mastiff South African Boerboel |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Type
Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Boerboel vs German Shepherd breed type comparison: | Purebred | Purebred |
Boerboel vs German Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison
| Price
Which is cheaper, Boerboel or German Shepherd? Which is more expensive? What is the difference in price between Boerboel and German Shepherd? | $1500-$2000 | $800-$2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, Boerboel or German Shepherd? | Frequent: The Boerboel is easier than average to get. | Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get. |
Boerboel vs German Shepherd Size Comparison
| Size
Which dog is bigger, Boerboel or German Shepherd?
Is the Boerboel bigger than the German Shepherd breed?
Is a Boerboel smaller than a German Shepherd? | Large Giant | Large |
|---|---|---|
| Weight
Which is heavier, Boerboel or German Shepherd? Boerboel vs German Shepherd weight comparison: | 154-200 pounds (70-90 kg) | Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) |
| Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight? | 177 pounds (80 kg) | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, Boerboel or German Shepherd? Is a Boerboel taller than a German Shepherd? | Male: 25-28 inches (64-70 cm), Female: 23-25.5 inches (59-65 cm) | Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) |
| Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | Male: 26.5 inches (67 cm), Female: 23-25.5 inches (62 cm) | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) |
Boerboel vs German Shepherd Grooming, Hair and Care Comparison
| Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat/fur do they have? Boerboel vs German Shepherd coat comparison: |
Dense Shiny Smooth | Fuzzy |
|---|---|---|
| Colors
What are the original Boerboel and German Shepherd color? Boerboel vs German Shepherd color comparison: |
Brindle Cream Reddish Brown Red Tawny |
Silver Tan Red Black |
| Grooming
Which dog is easy to maintain, Boerboel or German Shepherd? Boerboel vs German Shepherd grooming comparison: | Effortless: The Boerboel requires minimal grooming. | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more Boerboel or German Shepherd? Do Boerboel dogs shed more than German Shepherd dogs? | Boerboel dogs shed moderately. | German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. |
| Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
Which dog should be bathed more: Boerboel or German Shepherd? | 4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. |
Boerboel vs German Shepherd Personality / Temperament Comparison
| Temperament
Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Boerboel or German Shepherd? Boerboel vs German Shepherd behavior/temperament comparison: |
Confident Intelligent Territorial Dominant Obedient |
Alert Courageous Intelligent Obedient Confident Curious Loyal Watchful |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Rank
Which dog has more intelligence? Is a Boerboel or German Shepherd smarter? Which is best? Boerboel vs German Shepherd intelligence: | Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. |
| Trainability
Boerboel vs German Shepherd trainability comparison. What's the difference between Boerboel vs German Shepherd? | Boerboel dogs are quite easy to train. | German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. |
| Playfulness
Boerboel vs German Shepherd playfulness comparison: | Average: Boerboels, like any other dog breed, like playing. | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Boerboel vs German Shepherd? | Boerboel dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. | Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. |
| Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Boerboel vs German Shepherd? | Average: Boerboel dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. | High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs
Boerboel vs German Shepherd social needs comparison: | Boerboel dogs need for social interaction is average. | German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. |
| Barking
Which dog barks more/less: Boerboel vs German Shepherd? | Low to Average: The Boerboel rarely barks. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. |
| Watchdog Ability
Which is the better watchdog: Boerboel or German Shepherd? | Boerboel dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. |
| Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Which is a better guard dog Boerboel or German Shepherd?
Which dog is most likely to protect its owner?
Which is the best dog to use for protection? | Boerboel dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
| Biting Potential
Is a Boerboel more dangerous than a German Shepherd? | Low 🔽 The Boerboel has a low chance of biting somebody. | High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. |
| Bite Force
Which bite is stronger: Boerboel or German Shepherd? | Above 400 PSI 🔼 Boerboel bite force: The Strongest. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. |
| Mouthiness
Which is the better dog? Boerboel vs German Shepherd mouthiness comparison: | Boerboel dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. | German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between Boerboel vs German Shepherd? | The wanderlust potential of the Boerboel is strong enough to escape from home. | German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. |
| Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Boerboel vs German Shepherd? Which can be better for hunting? | Boerboel 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. | German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
| Apartment Friendly
Which dog is more apartment friendly Boerboel or German Shepherd? | It is not recommended to keep the Boerboel breed in the home. | 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. |
| Adaptability
Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog? | Average: Boerboel dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually. | German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone
Which dog can be left alone: Boerboel or German Shepherd? | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. |
Boerboel vs German Shepherd Good With Comparison
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly Boerboel or German Shepherd? Which dog is more friendly? | Boerboel dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Pet Friendly
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | Boerboels usually don’t get on well with other pets. | German Shepherds are generally with other pets. |
| Child Friendly
Which dog is more child/kid friendly Boerboel or German Shepherd? | Boerboel dogs are kid-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly Boerboel or German Shepherd? | Boerboel dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly Boerboel or German Shepherd? Can a Boerboel and a German Shepherd be friends? Do Boerboel dogs get along with German Shepherd dogs? | Boerboel dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. |
| Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: Boerboel vs German Shepherd? |
Yes Boerboels are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes German Shepherds are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
| Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office? |
No Boerboel is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
| Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people? | Boerboels are usually recommended for elderly people. | German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
Boerboel vs German Shepherd Health Comparison
| Health Issues
Boerboel vs German Shepherd health comparison. Which is the healthier: Boerboel vs German Shepherd? | Boerboels tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds. | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Boerboel vs German Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Boerboel vs German Shepherd health problems comparison: |
Allergies Epilepsy Hip Dysplasia Joint Dysplasia Vaginal Hyperplasia |
Allergies Blindness Bloat Cancer Cataracts Cherry Eye Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Cushing's Syndrome Degenerative Myelopathy Demodectic Mange Diabetes Digestive Problems Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Heart Disease Hemophilia A Hemophilia B Hip Dysplasia Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lens Luxation Lupus Megaesophagus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Panosteitis Paralysis Perianal Fistula Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Retinal Dysplasia Seborrhea Vitiligo Von Willebrand's Disease Wobbler's Syndrome |
| Veterinarian Visits
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: Boerboel vs German Shepherd? |
Frequent The Boerboel should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year. |
Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
| Life Expectancy
Boerboel vs German Shepherd lifespan comparison. How long do Boerboel and German Shepherd breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy? What is the age limit of the Boerboel and German Shepherd? |
10-12 years The average lifespan of Boerboel: 11 years |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
| Hypoallergenic
Boerboel vs German Shepherd hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not? | No See more. | No See more. |
| Energy Level
Who has more energy a Boerboel or German Shepherd?
Boerboel vs German Shepherd energy level comparison: | Boerboel dogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. | German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. |
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
Boerboel vs German Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Boerboel or German Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | Boerboel dogs need quite a lot of exercise. | German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: Boerboel or German Shepherd? | Boerboel dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered a lazy breed. | German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. |
| Average daily food consumption
Which dog eats more: Boerboel or German Shepherd? Does the Boerboel breed eat more than the German Shepherd breed? | 8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals | 3 to 4 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? Boerboel vs German Shepherd weight gain potential comparison: | Average: The Boerboel has an average risk for obesity. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. |
| Weather and Climate
Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Boerboel vs German Shepherd? | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. |
| Stinkiness
Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Boerboel or German Shepherd? | Medium ⏺ The Boerboel has an average chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least? What's the difference between Boerboel vs German Shepherd? | The Boerboel drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. | The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. |
Boerboel vs German Shepherd As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog
Which one could be a service dog? | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy Dog
Which one could be a therapy dog: Boerboel or German Shepherd? Which is better for autism? | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
| Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog? | Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. | Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work. |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Which one could be a search and rescue dog? | Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. | Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog. |
| Boat and Sailor Dog
Which one could be a boat dog: Boerboel vs German Shepherd? | Not really Boerboel breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
| Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog
Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog? | Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
| Fighting Dog / Military Dog | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. |
Boerboel vs German Shepherd Reproducibility Comparison
| Gestation Length | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
|---|---|---|
| Litter Frequency | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
| Litter Size
How many puppies can Boerboel and German Shepherd have? Boerboel vs German Shepherd litter size comparison: | 7-10 puppies | 6-10 puppies |
Boerboel vs German Shepherd Recognition Comparison
| AKC Group
Which dog is recognized by the AKC? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2015 as a Working breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. |
|---|---|---|
| FCI Group
Which dog is recognized by the FCI? | Not recognized by FCI. | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. |
| Breed Recognition
What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds? |
American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. |
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 |
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Reviews
- Jackson
Feb 1, 2021, 11:43:09 AM:
Fair comparison.It has helped me decide which to go for as a family dog.
- K GREAT
May 18, 2021, 8:16:48 PM:
Great review