How to Spot the Difference between King Shepherd and German shepherd?

When it comes to size, the King shepherd dogs are far superior in size to their purebred counterparts – the German shepherds. The former is classified as large dogs, while the latter is medium and large.

In some cases, the King shepherds are also classified as giants because some of these individuals weigh over 100 pounds!

The King shepherd dogs usually weigh between 75 and 150 pounds, while the German shepherds, on the other hand, weigh between 75 and 95 pounds.

The Kings also tend to be taller than the Germans by around 3-5 inches. So, if you ever come across a German who weighs over 100 pounds, there is a high chance that they are a King.      

The head of a King is larger than that of a German – as it looks a lot more imposing.

German Shepherd vs King Shepherd:

The difference in appearance

Perhaps, both these breeds differ in their appearance. When you look at them the first time, it is hard to make out any difference as such. Have you made this mistake as well?

In that case, you need not worry because you are in pretty good company. An area of difference between them both is in the coat. A King’s coat is usually thicker and longer than a German.

Yet another difference is that the Kings have darker colors on their paws, fur, and noses. The Germans are usually fairer and may also have shades of pink on their paws.

The difference in energy 

Both King shepherds and German shepherds tend to be highly energetic breeds. Since they are working dogs, they love it when they have a lot of scopes to work their bodies and minds.

Both these breeds are not suitable for parents who are laidback and idle. Both of them can live in apartments if they get enough exercise.

The adult Kings need at least a couple of hours a day of workouts. When these dogs are pups, they need around 20 to 30 minutes of low-intensity exercise. The numbers are pretty much the same for the Germans.

Read Also: Different Types of German Shepherds (With Pictures)

The difference in temperament

The King shepherds are noticeably different from the German shepherds. The Kings were bred to have the temperament of the Germans, albeit with a gentler edge to the same.

The Germans were bred so that they could work, while those who bred the Kings intended them to be family dogs. The latter is gentler and is friendly even towards people they do not know.

The Germans tend to be polite to visitors who accommodate them. However, they generally tend to be reserved and aloof.

The difference in trainability 

Both German and King shepherds are intelligent breeds and love the prospect of working. Qualities like these make them as highly trainable as they both are. However, please understand they are not everybody’s cup of tea.

If you are a pet parent for the first time, you may find it hard to train them because of how independent they tend to be.

In fact, at times, they can be rather stubborn. Both these breeds need to be trained from an early age or with the help of a professional. If adults, the Germans need more socialization because of their aloof nature.

The difference in life expectancy 

Both King shepherds and German shepherds are healthy breeds. However, the latter tend to live longer than the former. The Kings usually do not live for over 11 years.

In the case of Germans, this goes up to 14 years. Both tend to suffer from hip dysplasia. It is a common condition among the bigger dog breeds and, for that matter, a few small ones.

Read Also: Difference between Long Haired VS Short Haired German Shepherd

The difference in coat and grooming 

Both the German shepherds and King shepherds have double coats. However, the texture and length of the respective coats are different.

In the case of the Kings, the coat grows longer. Hence, it tends to be thicker as well. However, the grooming needs are the same for both breeds. Since these dog breeds shed, they need to be brushed with the same frequency.

Buy good vacuum cleaners if you have these babies at your home. Bathe them when it becomes necessary. If you bathe these dogs frequently, you are actually removing the oils from their skins. So, it is advisable not to do so.

The difference in terms of status 

The German Shepherds are a pure breed best recognized by the Herding Group of the American Kennel Club. The Kings, on the contrary, are not regarded as purebred dogs. There is also little chance that they would get there anytime soon. It is a designer breed of a high standard.

The difference in origin 

The German shepherds originated in Germany and became popular in the USA (United States of America) only after the World War ended. The King Shepherds originated in the USA during the 1990s.

These dog breeds are somewhat related as the German Shepherds were used to create the Kings. It could explain why both these breeds resemble each other so much.

Read Also: German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever

The difference in feeding requirements 

Both King shepherds and German shepherds tend to be big eaters. However, since the Kings are as gigantic, they need more food than the Germans. It is not set in stone because several other factors play in the nutritional necessities that both these breeds have.

Usually, the Kings need 3-4 cups of meal divided into a couple of meals. The German Shepherd, on the other hand, needs between 2.5 and 3.5 cups a day.