Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd Comparison - Dog breed selector: Japanese Fighting Dog or South African Mastiff or Alsatian wolf dog? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd" Compare Tosa Ken and Boerboel. Which is better: Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd?

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	Tosa Ken	Boerboel	German Shepherd
Origins	Japan	South Africa	Germany
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Guard Dogs	Working Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	352	124	2
Reviews	0	1	19
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Japanese Fighting Dog Japanese Mastiff Japanese Tosa Tosa Fighting Dog Tosa Ken Tosa Tōken Tosa Inu	South African Mastiff South African Boerboel	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd breed type comparison:	Cross Breed	Purebred	Purebred

Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd? Which is the smallest dog, Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd?	Large Giant	Large Giant	Large
Weight Which is heavier, Tosa Ken or Boerboel or Boerboel? Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd weight comparison:	Male: 88-176 lbs (40-80 kg), Female: 84-120 lbs (38-54 kg)	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?	Male: 132 pounds (60 kg), Female: 102 pounds (46 kg)	177 pounds (80 kg)	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)
Height Which is taller, Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd? Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd height comparison:	Male: 22-24 inches (55-62 cm), Female: 21-24 inches (54-60 cm)	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: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22.5 inches (57 cm)	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)

Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd? Which is more expensive?	$600-$1000	$1500-$2000	$800-$2000
Availability Which is easier to get, Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd?	Average: The Tosa Ken is a commonly available dog breed.	Frequent: The Boerboel is easier than average to get.	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.

Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd intelligence:	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.	Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. See more.	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd trainability comparison.	A slightly harder to train than average. See more.	Boerboel dogs are quite easy to train. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd?	Tosa Ken dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Boerboel dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Tosa Ken dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Boerboel dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd? Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd behavior/temperament comparison:	Sensitive Intelligent Aggressive Fearless Brave Suspicious	Intelligent Confident Obedient Dominant Territorial	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.	Boerboel dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. See more.	Sensitive: German Shepherd 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: Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd?	Average: Tosa Ken dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. See more.	Average: Boerboel dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. See more.	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd social needs comparison:	Tosa Ken dogs are a social breed. See more.	Boerboel dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	The wanderlust potential of the Tosa Ken is strong enough to escape from home. See more.	The wanderlust potential of the Boerboel is strong enough to escape from home. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Tosa Ken dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	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. See more.	German Shepherd 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

Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd playfulness comparison:	Average: Tosa Kens, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	Average: Boerboels, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd?	Low to Average: The Tosa Ken rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The Boerboel rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd 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 Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd?	Not an apartment-friendly dog the Tosa Ken breed.	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.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Tosa Ken dogs don't adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.	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: Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd?	Tosa Ken 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.	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.

Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd?	Above 400 PSI 🔼 Tosa Ken bite force: The Strongest.	Above 400 PSI 🔼 Boerboel bite force: The Strongest.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd 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:	Low 🔽 The Tosa Ken has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Boerboel has a low chance of biting somebody.	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd mouthiness comparison:	Tosa Ken dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Boerboel dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.

Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd health comparison. Which is the healthier: Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd?	Tosa Kens tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.	Boerboels tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd health problems comparison:	Bloat	Hip Dysplasia Allergies Epilepsy Joint Dysplasia Vaginal Hyperplasia	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
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Frequent The Tosa Ken should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year.	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).
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd lifespan comparison. How long do Tosa Ken, Boerboel and German Shepherd breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	10-12 years The average lifespan of Tosa Ken: 11 years	10-12 years The average lifespan of Boerboel: 11 years	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Tosa Ken vs 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. See more.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.

Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd? Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd energy level comparison:	Tosa Ken dogs have a lower energy level than other dogs.	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.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Tosa Ken dogs exercise need is minimal.	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: Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd?	Tosa Ken dogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot.	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.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd?	4 to 7 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	3 to 4 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? Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd weight gain potential comparison:	High: The Tosa Ken breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.	Average: The Boerboel has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd coat comparison:	Dense Hard	Dense Shiny Smooth	Fuzzy
Colors What are the original Tosa Ken, Boerboel and German Shepherd color?	Black Brown Fawn Yellow Brindle	Red Cream Brown Tawny Brindle Reddish	Black Tan Red Silver
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd? Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd grooming comparison:	Effortless: The Tosa Ken requires minimal grooming. See more.	Effortless: The Boerboel requires minimal grooming. See more.	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd? Tosa Ken or Boerboel or {name3 shedding:	Tosa Ken dogs shed moderately. See more.	Boerboel dogs shed moderately. See more.	German Shepherd 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: Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd?	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.
Hypoallergenic Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd?	Medium ⏺ The Tosa Ken has an average chance of bad smell.	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?	The Tosa Ken is an average drooler. See more.	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. See more.	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Tosa Ken dogs usually don’t get on well with other pets.	Boerboel dogs usually don’t get on well with other pets.	German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd? Which dog is more friendly?	Tosa Ken dogs are not stranger friendly dogs.	Boerboel dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd 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 Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd?	Tosa Ken dogs are average friendly dogs towards children.	Boerboel dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd?	Tosa Ken dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs.	Boerboel dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd?	Tosa Ken dogs are not dog-friendly.	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 good for the first-time owners: Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd?	No Tosa Ken dogs are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	Yes Boerboel 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.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Tosa Ken is not the best dog breed for office environment.	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?	Tosa Kens are commonly okay with elderly people.	Boerboels are usually recommended for elderly people.	German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Tosa Ken vs 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. 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: Tosa Ken or Boerboel or German Shepherd? Which is better for autism?	Not really This breed is generally not used as a 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?	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	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.	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: Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd?	Not really Tosa Ken breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Boerboel breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really German Shepherd 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?	Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Yes 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.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd 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 Tosa Ken and Boerboel and German Shepherd have?	6-8 puppies	7-10 puppies	6-10 puppies
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Tosa Ken vs Boerboel vs German Shepherd Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.	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.	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 Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service	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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