German Shepherd vs Australian Kelpie vs Komondor – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Australian Kelpie vs Komondor"
Compare German Shepherd and Australian Kelpie. Which is better: German Shepherd or Australian Kelpie or Komondor?
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| Name | German Shepherd | Australian Kelpie | Komondor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origins |  Germany |  Australia |  Hungary |
| Group | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) | Working Dogs | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) |
| Popularity Rank | 2 | 523 | 163 |
| Reviews | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Rate |
| Other Names | Alsatian, Berger Allemand, Alsatian wolf dog (UK), Deutscher Schäferhund, Schäferhund | Australian Sheepdog, Australischer Kelpie, Kelpie, Barb | Mop Dog, Hungarian Sheepdog, Hungarian Komondor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred | Purebred |
| AKC Group | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1937 as a Working breed. |
| FCI Group | 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 Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. |
| Breed Recognition | 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 America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service | No set |
| Price | $800-$2000 | $500-$700 | $800-$1200 |
General Appearance - German Shepherd vs Australian Kelpie vs Komondor
| Size | Large | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) | 25-45 pounds (11-20 kg) | 125 pounds (59 kg) |
| Avg. Weight | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) | 35 pounds (15.5 kg) | 125 pounds (59 kg) |
| Height | Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) | 17-20 inches (43-51 cm) | 25.5 inches (65 cm) |
| Avg. Height | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) | 18.5 inches (47 cm) | 25.5 inches (65 cm) |
Hair & Care - German Shepherd vs Australian Kelpie vs Komondor
| Coat | Fuzzy | Double | Thick Coarser Topcoat Finer Undercoat Shaggy Dense Wavy Corded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver Tan Red Black | Blue Chocolate Red Tan Brown Fawn Black | White Ivory |
| Grooming | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. | Effortless: The Australian Kelpie requires minimal grooming. | Advanced: The Komondor requires a lot of grooming. |
| Shedding Level | German Shepherds are heavy shedders. | Australian Kelpies shed moderately. | Komondors shed none to minimal. |
Characteristics - German Shepherd vs Australian Kelpie vs Komondor
| Temperament | Alert Courageous Intelligent Obedient Confident Curious Loyal Watchful | Alert Energetic Intelligent Robust Eager Friendly Loyal | Affectionate Fearless Independent Calm Gentle Steady |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Rank | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Average: Australian Kelpie's has average obedience intelligence. | Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. |
| Trainability | German Shepherds are easy to train. | Australian Kelpies are very easy to train. | Komondors are easy to train. |
| Playfulness | German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The Australian Kelpie is a playful breed. | Komondors, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
| Sensitivity Level | German Shepherds don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. |
| Affection Level | German Shepherds are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Australian Kelpies are average dogs regarding their affection level. | Komondors are average dogs regarding their affection level. |
| Social Needs | German Shepherds need for social interaction is average. | Australian Kelpies need for social interaction is average. | Komondors need for social interaction is average. |
| Barking | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. | Low to Average: The Australian Kelpie rarely barks. | Average to high: The Komondor is a vocal breed. |
| Watchdog Ability | German Shepherds are one of the best watchdogs. | Australian Kelpies are one of the best watchdogs. | Komondors are one of the best watchdogs. |
| Territorial | German Shepherds are extremely protective guard dogs. | Australian Kelpies are extremely protective guard dogs. | Komondors are extremely protective guard dogs. |
| Biting Potential |
High The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Australian Kelpie has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Komondor has a low chance of biting somebody. |
| Mouthiness | German Shepherds have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Australian Kelpies have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Komondors have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam | German Shepherds are not the biggest explorers. | Wanderlust potential of the Australian Kelpie is strong enough to escape from home. | Wanderlust potential of the Komondor is strong enough to escape from home. |
| Prey Drive | German Shepherds have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Australian Kelpies have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Komondors have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. |
| Apartment Friendly | German Shepherds are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day. | Australian Kelpies are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle. | Komondors are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle. |
| Adaptability | German Shepherds adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Australian Kelpies adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Komondors adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually. |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone | 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. | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. |
| Fighting Dog |
Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog. |
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. |
Good With - German Shepherd vs Australian Kelpie vs Komondor
| Stranger Friendly | German Shepherds are stranger friendly dogs. | Australian Kelpies are not the most stranger friendly dogs. | Komondors are not stranger friendly dogs. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Friendly | German Shepherds are very kid-friendly dogs. | Australian Kelpies are kid-friendly dogs. | Komondors are kid-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly | German Shepherds are average friendly towards cats. | Australian Kelpies are average friendly towards cats. | Komondors are cat-friendly dogs. |
| Dog Friendly | German Shepherds are not the most dog-friendly dogs. | Australian Kelpies are average friendly towards other dogs. | Komondors are not the most dog-friendly dogs. |
| Office Friendly |
No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Australian Kelpie is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Komondor is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
| Senior Citizens Friendly | German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Australian Kelpies are usually recommended for elderly people. | Komondors are usually recommended for elderly people. |
| Pet Friendly | German Shepherds are generally with other pets. | Australian Kelpies are generally with other pets. | Komondors are usually friendly towards other pets. |
| Good For First Time Owners |
No German Shepherds are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Australian Kelpies are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Komondors are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
| Service Dog |
Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
| Therapy Dog |
Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
| Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog |
Yes A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) |
Yes The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
| Boat Dog |
Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Australian Kelpie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Komondor breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
| Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog |
Not really 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. |
Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Health Factors - German Shepherd vs Australian Kelpie vs Komondor
| Health Issues | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. | Australian Kelpies tend to have more and frequent health issues than other breeds. | The Komondor is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Problems | 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 | Cerebellar Abiotrophy Collie Eye Anomaly Hip Dysplasia Osteoarthritis Patellar Luxation Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) | No set |
| Life Expectancy | 10-13 years | 10-14 years | 10-12 years |
| Hypoallergenic | No | No | No |
| Energy Level | German Shepherds are high energy dogs. | Australian Kelpies are high energy dogs. | Komondors have a lower energy level than other dogs. |
| Exercise Need | German Shepherds need quite a lot of exercise. | Australian Kelpies need quite a lot of exercise. | Komondors have an average exercise need. |
| Sleeping Need | German Shepherds don't need too much sleep. | Australian Kelpies don't need too much sleep. | Komondors like sleeping so they do sleep a lot. |
| Avg. daily food consumption | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 1 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 6 to 8 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
| Weight Gain Potential | Low to Average. | Low to Average. | Average. |
| Weather & Climate | Tolerates warm and cold weather. | Tolerates warm and cold weather. |
Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Komondor can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. |
| Stinkiness |
Medium The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Australian Kelpie has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Komondor has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Drooling tendency | The German Shepherd is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Australian Kelpie is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Komondor is a perfect example for low drooling tendency. |
Reproducibility - German Shepherd vs Australian Kelpie vs Komondor
| Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| How often can the have a litter? |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
| Litter Size | 6-10 puppies | 4-7 puppies | 3-10 puppies |
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