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Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Comparison - Dog breed selector: English Collie or Alsatian wolf dog or Apollo of Dogs? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane" Compare Rough Collie and German Shepherd. Which is better: Rough Collie or German Shepherd or Great Dane?
 
 
 
Name Rough Collie German Shepherd Great Dane
OriginsScotland flagScotland Germany flagGermany Germany flagGermany
Group Pastoral / Herding Dogs Pastoral / Herding Dogs Working Dogs
Popularity Rank40214
Reviews62114
User Ratings

Common Names & Aliases
Compare alternative names and nicknames used for Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane breeds.
English Collie
Lassie Dog
Long-Haired Collie
Scottish Collie
Collie
Alsatian wolf dog
Berger Allemand
Deutscher Schäferhund
Schäferhund
Alsatian
Apollo of Dogs
Deutsche Dogge
Gentle Giant
German Mastiff
Dane
Breed Classification
How do breed classifications differ between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane? Compare their breeding categories.
Purebred Purebred Purebred

Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Size and Weight Comparison

Size Classification
Compare size differences between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which breed is the largest?
Large Large Giant
Weight Statistics
How do weights compare between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane? Compare adult weight ranges.
Male: 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg), Female: 53-65 pounds (24-29 kg) Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) Male: 120-200 pounds (54-90 kg), Female: 100-130 pounds (45-59 kg)
Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?
Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 57.5 pounds (26 kg) Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) Male: 160 pounds (72 kg), Female: 115 pounds (52 kg)
Height
Which is taller, Rough Collie or German Shepherd or Great Dane? Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane height comparison:
Male: 24–26 inch (60–66 cm), Female: 22–24 inch (55–61 cm) Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) Male: 30-34 inches (76-86 cm), Female: 28-32 inches (71-81 cm)
Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?
Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (58.5 cm) Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) Male: 32 inches (81 cm), Female: 30 inches (76 cm)

Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Price and Availability Comparison

Price Range
Compare puppy costs for Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Find price differences between these breeds.
$400-$600 $800-$2000 $800-$1200
Availability
Which is easier to get, Rough Collie or German Shepherd or Great Dane?
Very frequent: The Rough Collie is quite easy to get.
Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.
Very frequent: The Great Dane is quite easy to get.

Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligence Rating
Compare intelligence levels between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which breed ranks highest?
Very smart: Rough Collie is an excellent dog breed.
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Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds.
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Smart: The Great Dane dogs have great intelligence.
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Training Difficulty
Compare training difficulty levels between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which is easiest to train?
Rough Collie dogs are very easy to train.
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German Shepherd dogs are easy to train.
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Great Dane dogs are quite easy to train.
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Watchdog Rating
Compare watchdog abilities of Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which breed is most alert?
Rough Collie dogs are one of the best watchdogs.
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German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs.
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Great Dane dogs are one of the best watchdogs.
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Territorial Protection
Compare territorial instincts between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which breed is most protective?
Rough Collie dogs are extremely protective guard dogs.
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German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs.
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Great Dane dogs are extremely protective guard dogs.
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Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Personality and Temperament Comparison

Personality Traits
How do personalities differ between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane? Compare temperaments.
Protective
Intelligent
Friendly
Responsive
Docile
Obedient
Loyal
Gentle
Social
Elegant
Hard working
Herding
Curious
Alert
Courageous
Intelligent
Confident
Obedient
Loyal
Watchful
Loving
Intelligent
Confident
Friendly
Devoted
Gentle
Reserved
Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?
Sensitive: Rough Collie dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.
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Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.
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Sensitive: Great Dane dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.
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Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane?
High: Rough Collie dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
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High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
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Average: Great Dane dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level.
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Social Needs
Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane social needs comparison:
Rough Collie dogs need a lot of social interaction.
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German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average.
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Great Dane dogs are a social breed.
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Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?
Rough Collie dogs are not the biggest explorers.
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German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers.
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Great Dane dogs have average wanderlust potential.
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Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?
Rough Collie dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.
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German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.
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Great Dane 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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Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Barking Frequency
Compare barking frequencies of Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which breed is most vocal?
Low to Average: The Rough Collie rarely barks.
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Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks.
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Low to Average: The Great Dane rarely barks.
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Playful Nature
Compare playfulness levels between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which breed is most playful?
The Rough Collie is a playful breed.
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Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing.
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Great Danes are not the most playful dog breed.
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Apartment Adaptability
Compare apartment suitability of Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which adapts best to small spaces?
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.
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.
Very house-friendly dog the Great Dane breed.

Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Lifestyle Adaptability
Compare adaptability between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which breed is most flexible?
Rough Collie dogs adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.
German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Average: Great Dane dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Alone Time Tolerance
Which dog can be left alone: Rough Collie or German Shepherd or Great Dane?
Rough Collie dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.
Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.
Great Dane 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 vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Risk Assessment
Compare biting potential between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which has lowest bite risk?

Low 🔽

The Rough Collie has a low chance of biting somebody.

High 🔼

The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.

Low 🔽

The Great Dane has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthing Tendency
Compare mouthing tendencies between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which uses mouth most during play?
Rough Collie dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people.
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German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
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Great Dane dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people.
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Bite Strength Rating
Compare bite forces between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which has the strongest bite?

Between 200 and 400 PSI

Rough Collie bite force: Ordinary.

Between 200 and 400 PSI

German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.

Above 400 PSI 🔼

Great Dane bite force: The Strongest.

Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Health and Lifespan Comparison

Average Lifespan
Compare life expectancies of Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which breed lives longest?
14-16 years
The average lifespan of Rough Collie: 15 years
9-13 years
The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years
7-11 years
The average lifespan of Great Dane: 9 years
Climate Tolerance
Compare weather adaptability between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which handles climate changes best?
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.
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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 warm weather conditions
Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions.
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Health Concerns
Compare health problems common in Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which has fewer health issues?
The Rough Collie is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.
Great Danes are commonly healthy dogs.
Vet Care Frequency
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?
Average
The Rough Collie should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Rare
The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Rare
The Great Dane should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane health problems comparison:
Hip Dysplasia
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Drug Sensitivity
Collie Eye Anomaly
Gray Collie Syndrome
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
Patent Ductus Arteriosis
Cancer
Bloat
Mitral Valve Disease
Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Persistent Right Aortic Arch
Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia

Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Rating
Compare energy levels between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which breed is most active?
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.
German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.
Great Dane dogs are high-energy dogs.
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Rough Collie or German Shepherd or Great Dane? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?
Rough Collie dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Great Dane dogs exercise need is minimal.
Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: Rough Collie or German Shepherd or Great Dane?
Rough Collie 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.
Great Dane dogs don't need too much sleep.

Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Obesity Tendency
Compare weight gain tendencies between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which is most prone to obesity?
Average: The Rough Collie has an average risk for obesity.
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Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity.
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Low to Average: The Great Dane has a low to the average risk for obesity.
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Food Consumption
Compare food requirements between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which needs most food?
2 to 3 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. 8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals

Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Allergy Friendliness
Compare hypoallergenic qualities of Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which is best for allergy sufferers?
No See more. No See more. No See more.
Coat Colors
Compare color variations between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. What colors are available?
White
Sable
Merle
Black & White & Tan
Blue & Merle
Blue & Merle & White
Sable & White
White & Merle
Black
Tan
Red
Silver
Black
Blue
White
Fawn
Brindle
Merle
Grooming Requirements
Compare grooming needs between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which requires most maintenance?
Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition.
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Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort.
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Effortless: The Great Dane requires minimal grooming.
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Drooling Tendency
Compare drooling tendencies between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which drools least?
The Rough Collie is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
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The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
See more.
The Great Dane drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed.
See more.
Stinkiness Rating
Compare odor levels between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which has least natural smell?

Medium

The Rough Collie has an average chance of bad smell.

Medium

The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.

Medium

The Great Dane has an average chance of bad smell.
Coat Characteristics
Compare coat types between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. How do their fur characteristics differ?
Rough
Soft
Thick
Straight
Harsh
Furry
Fuzzy Dense
Bathing Needs
Compare bathing needs between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which requires most frequent baths?
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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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.
Shedding Level
Who sheds more Rough Collie or German Shepherd or Great Dane? Rough Collie or German Shepherd or {name3 shedding:
Rough Collie dogs are heavy shedders.
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German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders.
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Great Dane dogs shed moderately.
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Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Good With Comparison

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

Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Capability
Compare service dog potential between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which is best suited for service work?

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 Work Suitability
Compare therapy dog potential between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which excels in therapy work?

Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.
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Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.
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Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.
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Scent Detection Ability
Compare detection capabilities between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which has best nose work ability?

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 & Rescue Potential
Compare search and rescue potential between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which is best for SAR work?

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.

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Maritime Work Ability
Compare boating aptitude between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which is best suited for water work?

Not really

Rough Collie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
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Not really

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

Great Dane breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
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Draft Work Capability
Compare cart pulling abilities between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which is best for draft work?

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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Military Service Background
Compare military service history of Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which has most military use?

Not really

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

Yes

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

Yes

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

Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Reproducibility Comparison

Puppy Litter Size
Compare typical litter sizes of Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which has most puppies?
4-8 puppies 6-10 puppies 10-15 puppies
Pregnancy Duration
Compare gestation periods of Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Any breeding differences?
60-64 days See more. 60-64 days See more. 60-64 days See more.
Breeding Frequency
Compare breeding intervals between Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. What's recommended?

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.

Rough Collie vs German Shepherd vs Great Dane Recognition Comparison

AKC Classification
Compare AKC groups for Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. How are they classified?
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Herding breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1887 as a Working breed.
FCI Classification
Compare FCI groups for Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. How are they classified internationally?
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.
Kennel Club Recognition
Compare breed recognition status of Rough Collie, German Shepherd, and Great Dane. Which has most 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
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
Canadian Canine Registry

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