German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie Comparison - Dog breed selector: Alsatian wolf dog or Bjelkier or English Collie? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie" Compare German Shepherd and Samoyed. Which is better: German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	German Shepherd	Samoyed	Rough Collie
Origins	Germany	Russia	Scotland
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Sled Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	2	57	40
Reviews	19	15	6
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian	Bjelkier Nenetskaya Laika Sammy Samoiedskaya Sobaka Smiley Samoyedskaya	English Collie Lassie Dog Long-Haired Collie Scottish Collie Collie
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie? Which is the smallest dog, German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie?	Large	Medium	Large
Weight Which is heavier, German Shepherd or Samoyed or Samoyed? German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie weight comparison:	Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg)	Male: 45-65 pounds (20.5-30 kg), Female: 35-50 pounds (16-20.5 kg)	Male: 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg), Female: 53-65 pounds (24-29 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)	Male: 55 pounds (25 kg), Female: 42.5 pounds (19 kg)	Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 57.5 pounds (26 kg)
Height Which is taller, German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie? German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie height comparison:	Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm)	Male: 21-23.5 inches (53-60 cm), Female: 19-21 inches (48-53 cm)	Male: 24–26 inch (60–66 cm), Female: 22–24 inch (55–61 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)	Male: 21-23.5 inches (56.5 cm), Female: 20 inches (50.5 cm)	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (58.5 cm)

German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie? Which is more expensive?	$800-$2000	$1200-$1500	$400-$600
Availability Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie?	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Samoyed is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Rough Collie is quite easy to get.

German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie intelligence:	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Smart: The Samoyed dogs have great intelligence. See more.	Very smart: Rough Collie is an excellent dog breed. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie trainability comparison.	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.	Samoyed dogs are easy to train. See more.	Rough Collie dogs are very easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie?	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Samoyed dogs are good watchdogs. See more.	Rough Collie dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie? 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. See more.	Samoyed dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Rough Collie dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie? German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie behavior/temperament comparison:	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful	Playful Stubborn Alert Intelligent Friendly Lively Sociable	Protective Intelligent Friendly Responsive Docile Obedient Loyal Gentle Social Elegant Hard working Herding
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. See more.	Samoyed dogs are less sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.	Sensitive: Rough Collie dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie?	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: Samoyed dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: Rough Collie dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie social needs comparison:	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Samoyed dogs are a social breed. See more.	Rough Collie dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	The wanderlust potential of the Samoyed is strong enough to escape from home. See more.	Rough Collie dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.
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. See more.	Samoyed dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something. See more.	Rough Collie dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie playfulness comparison:	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	Average: Samoyeds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	The Rough Collie is a playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie?	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Average: The Samoyed barks occasionally. See more.	Low to Average: The Rough Collie rarely barks. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie?	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 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 Samoyed indoors.	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 Rough Collie indoors.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie 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.	Samoyed dogs adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.	Rough Collie dogs adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie?	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	Samoyed 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.	Rough Collie dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Samoyed bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Rough Collie bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
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 Samoyed has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Rough Collie has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie mouthiness comparison:	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Samoyed dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Rough Collie dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.

German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie health comparison. Which is the healthier: German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie?	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.	The Samoyed is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Rough Collie is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie 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 Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Bloat Diabetes Pulmonic Stenosis	Hip Dysplasia Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Drug Sensitivity Collie Eye Anomaly Gray Collie Syndrome
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 Samoyed should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Rough Collie should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie lifespan comparison. How long do German Shepherd, Samoyed and Rough Collie breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years	12-14 years The average lifespan of Samoyed: 13 years	14-16 years The average lifespan of Rough Collie: 15 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie?	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Prefers cold weather The Samoyed can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog. See more.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Rough Collie can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. See more.

German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie? German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie energy level comparison:	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Samoyed dogs are high-energy dogs.	Rough Collie dogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	Samoyed dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	Rough Collie dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie?	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Samoyed dogs don't need too much sleep.	Rough Collie dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered a lazy breed.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie?	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie weight gain potential comparison:	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Samoyed's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.	Average: The Rough Collie has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie coat comparison:	Fuzzy	Dense	Rough Soft Thick Straight Harsh Furry
Colors What are the original German Shepherd, Samoyed and Rough Collie color?	Black Tan Red Silver	Cream White Biscuit	White Sable Merle Black & White & Tan Blue & Merle Blue & Merle & White Sable & White White & Merle
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie? German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie grooming comparison:	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Advanced: The Samoyed requires a lot of grooming. See more.	Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie? German Shepherd or Samoyed or {name3 shedding:	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.	Samoyed dogs are heavy shedders. See more.	Rough Collie dogs are heavy shedders. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie?	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.
Hypoallergenic German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	Yes See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie?	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Low 🔽 The Samoyed has a low chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Rough Collie 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. See more.	The Samoyed is a perfect example of a low drooling tendency. See more.	The Rough Collie is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	Samoyed dogs are generally with other pets.	Rough Collie dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie? Which dog is more friendly?	German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.	Samoyed dogs are average friendly towards strangers.	Rough Collie dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie?	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Samoyed dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Rough Collie dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie?	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Samoyed dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Rough Collie dogs are very cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie?	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	Samoyed dogs are dog-friendly dogs.	Rough Collie dogs are dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie?	Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Samoyed dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Rough Collie 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 Samoyed is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Rough Collie 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.	Samoyeds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Rough Collies are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: German Shepherd or Samoyed or Rough Collie? Which is better for autism?	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
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.	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?	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.	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 Samoyed vs Rough Collie?	Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Samoyed breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Rough Collie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
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. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
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 Samoyed vs Rough Collie 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 Samoyed and Rough Collie have?	6-10 puppies	4-6 puppies	4-8 puppies
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German Shepherd vs Samoyed vs Rough Collie 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 1906 as a Working breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Herding 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 Spitz and primitive types group, in the Nordic Sledge Dogs section.	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 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 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	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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