What's the Difference Between American and European German Shepherds?

 

German shepherd despite being smaller European dogs are actually more expensive than their American counterparts costing upwards of $5,000, but are less popular as family pets because of their intense nature, meanwhile an American dogs costs around $500, and is one of the most popular dog breeds in the US. For generations now, these dogs have been bred to make great family companions and it shows, while the American Dog is a better family pet. European shepherds are ideal working dogs and this is what they've been bred to do since day one. A female European German shepherd can grow up to 28 inches tall and weigh up to 110 pounds, while a male can grow up to 30 inches tall and weigh up to 130 pounds.

A European German shepherd has a wolf-like head, a long neck, thick collar fur and its back and loins are wide strong and long. These dogs have powerful jaw muscles and full teeth that can produce a dangerous bite. The European GSD is quiet, active, attentive, and confident and focuses on its owner's commands, putting it in an active defense position at all times. These working dogs are more capable police dogs and need regular exercise to channel their vast amounts of energy. They're less at risk of developing hip and elbow dysplasia (A term used to describe the presence of abnormal cells within a tissue or organ) as well as ear infections and can live for up to 14 years. Also known as east European shepherds they're actually a mix of classic German shepherds and native Russian dogs and the goal was to produce large and cold resistant dogs to help the Russian police and military.

The American German shepherd is regulated by the American kennel club and was bred for show which is why they're called show line dogs. These dogs do, however, still possess the intelligence and power of true German shepherds. Despite this, the American GSD is still more apt to suffer from nervousness and anxiety and isn't recommended for first-time pet owners. Females can grow up to 24 inches tall and weigh up to 70 pounds, while males can grow up to 26 inches tall and weigh up to 90 pounds. American German shepherds are typically bigger than the Europeans and this breed can live for up to 14 years. It has a short to medium coat, a narrower but bigger head as sloping back and angled rear leg. Although the temperament of the American German shepherd is harder to predict they remain highly intelligent dogs and better suited for families but are at greater risk of developing hip and elbow dysplasia.

Interestingly, although European German Shepherd are smaller, they actually have more muscle mass than American GSD. They'll also have longer hawks and darker colors, often displaying red and black colors. Whereas American German shepherds will normally be black or tan. European GSD will have more endurance and stability and are easier to train proving why they're the superior working and service dog and the strict breeding and trading policies in place for European GSD also helps protect them from genetic diseases. On the other hand, American German shepherds are more often bred to become family or therapy dogs and are therefore better suited in these areas thanks to their history surviving the Russian cold. European shepherds will be more tolerable of extremely cold weather whereas American GSDs can tolerate warm and cold weather but can't survive in extreme weather conditions.