King Collie vs. German Shepherd: What's the Difference?

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Did you know there is a difference between a King Shepherd and a German Shepherd? They are technically two different dogs, although you may not know it yet. In this article, we will discuss the differences between these two dog breeds because they are very different.

Given that the German Shepherd is a purebred and the King Collie is a relatively new crossbreed, you can already tell that there will be differences between the two animals. Let's start talking about them now.

Comparing King Collie vs German Shepherd

King Shepherd vs German Shepherd
German Shepherds are purebreds, while King Shepherds are hybrids.

© AZ-Animals.com

shepherd king german shepherd
purebred status bastard purebred
size big medium to large
Behavior Ideal family dog with watchdog tendencies Designed for work and tends to be more protective overall
appearance Large body, long fur, darker and fluffy overall Medium build, short to long fur, mainly brown and dark brown
country of origin U.S. Germany

Key Differences Between King Shepherd and German Shepherd

King Shepherd vs German Shepherd
Imperial Shepherds are larger than German Shepherds, and the differences in behavior will become more apparent the longer you spend with them.

© iStock.com/Lulin

There are some differences between a King Shepherd and a German Shepherd. Although the two types of dogs look similar, German Shepherds are purebreds, while King Collies are crossbreeds. Imperial Shepherds are larger than German Shepherds, and the differences in behavior will become more apparent the longer you spend with them. Finally, German Shepherds and King Collies have different countries of origin, probably because of their purebred status.

Let us now look at some of these differences in more detail.

King Collie vs. German Shepherd: Purebred Status

King Shepherd vs German Shepherd
German Shepherds and King Collies have different countries of origin, probably because of their purebred status.

©Vach Photographer/Shutterstock.com

The main difference between King Shepherd and German Shepherd is their purebred status. German Shepherds are purebreds, while King Shepherds are hybrids. This is important, especially since German Shepherds have been around since 1900, while King Shepherds were first bred in 1991.

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King Shepherds and German Shepherds were also originally bred for different purposes. German Shepherds were originally bred to work on farmland and perform other protective duties, while King Shepherds were bred to be used as protective family dogs. Imperial Shepherds are also larger than German Shepherds, and they should have fewer health problems overall.

However, even accounting for health issues in German Shepherds, King Collies still have a shorter overall lifespan due to their larger size. It's an interesting point to make between these two breeds because, despite having fewer health problems, the King Collie has a shorter overall lifespan.

King Collie vs. German Shepherd: Size and Weight

King Shepherd vs German Shepherd
German Shepherds were originally bred to work on farmland and perform other protective duties, while King Shepherds were bred to be used as protective family dogs.

©dezy/Shutterstock.com

Another difference between a King Shepherd and a German Shepherd is their overall size and weight difference. German shepherds are considered medium to large dogs, while king shepherds are large if not extra large. Now let's talk more about their specific size differences.

The average male German Shepherd weighs between 60 and 80 pounds, while the average male King Collie weighs between 90 and 130 pounds, if not more. Female dogs of both breeds have similar size differences, but overall weigh less than male dogs. Given their large frames, King Collies are also taller than German Shepherds.

King Collie vs. German Shepherd: Appearance

While it may be difficult to tell them apart at first, the Imperial Shepherd differs from the German Shepherd in many ways. For the most part, Imperial Shepherds have a thicker and longer coat than German Shepherds, although German Shepherds can also have long coats. However, there are some other key physical differences between them

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For example, an Imperial Shepherd's paws, nose, and coat are always dark, while a German Shepherd's paws and coat are generally pink. German shepherds have more variation in their coat than king shepherds, and they come in more colors than king shepherds.

King Shepherd vs German Shepherd
The average male German Shepherd weighs between 60 and 80 pounds, while the average male King Collie weighs between 90 and 130 pounds, if not more.

©Northern Exposure by JR/Shutterstock.com

King Collie vs. German Shepherd: Behavior and Temperament

Another difference between King Shepherds and German Shepherds is their behavior and temperament. King Shepherds have some aspects of the German Shepherd personality, but they were bred for more family-oriented environments rather than working or herding purposes.

While it always depends on how the dog was bred or trained, most King Shepherds are more docile and loving compared to the protective nature of German Shepherds. In contrast, the German Shepherd is the ideal watchdog and protector. King Collies are more stable in terms of overall behavior and temperament. They don't necessarily approach strangers with good intentions, but they are less likely to get into a protective mood than German Shepherds.

King Shepherd vs. German Shepherd: Country of Origin

King Shepherd vs German Shepherd
Imperial Shepherds have a thicker and longer coat than German Shepherds, although German Shepherds can also have long coats.

The final difference between the Imperial Shepherd and the German Shepherd is their country of origin. The German Shepherd, as the name suggests, is native to Germany, while the Imperial Shepherd originated in the United States. Where they were originally bred also has something to do with how long the breed has been around.

For example, German Shepherds were bred before 1900 for protection and working purposes, while King Shepherds were bred in the 1990s for family affection and less intense protection. This may not seem like a big difference, but the needs of a German dog in the 1900's are very different from the needs of an American dog in the 90's!

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featured image

King Shepherd vs German Shepherd
Beautiful german shepherd lying on the grass. The German Shepherd is one of the smartest dogs and is also used as a K9 dog to assist the police.

© Callipso/Shutterstock.com


about the author

august croft


I am a non-binary freelance writer working full time in Oregon. A graduate of Southern Oregon University with a BA in Theater and a major in Creative Writing, I have an interest in a variety of topics, especially the history of the Pacific Northwest. When I'm not writing personally or professionally, you can find me camping on the Oregon coast with my high school sweetheart and Chihuahua mix, or in my family's kitchen, perfecting recipes in a gleaming cast-iron skillet.

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