Differences Between the German Shepherd and the Belgian Shepherd

Often, it's not easy to tell the German Shepherd and the Belgian Shepherd apart, since both dogs share several traits. Medium size, upright ears, and an elongated muzzle are some of their similarities, though there are also some details that help set them apart.

Have you ever mixed up one of these dogs for the other? Let's look at their main traits so you can tell them apart at a glance without any trouble. Ready?

Characteristics of the German Shepherd

Native to Germany, it's among the best-known dog breeds in the world. It's a medium-sized dog with an elongated body. Males stand 60 to 65 centimeters at the withers, while females reach 55 to 60 centimeters.

This shepherd's head is proportional to its body size, wedge-shaped, with a slightly elongated muzzle. It has a black nose and a scissor bite. The breed's eyes are almond-shaped with a light-colored iris, in shades like yellow or greenish. The ears, meanwhile, stand upright and pointed, forming a triangle.

The German Shepherd's coat can be short or long, both with a double coat. The typical color is black with tan or gray patches; however, there are also solid black and gray German Shepherds, either pure or with a mask. German Shepherd types can also be classified by the work they do (working or companion lines) and where the variety developed, since there are Czech, American, West German, and East German lines.

The German Shepherd is a noble, protective dog that makes a good guardian. It's also playful and obedient, and loves spending time with its owners and enjoying outdoor adventures.

German Shepherd

Characteristics of the Belgian Shepherd

This shepherd dog is native to Belgium, where it was used to herd sheep flocks and act as a guard dog. It's medium-sized and lean, but very strong in the legs and torso. Males stand 62 centimeters at the withers, while females reach only 58 centimeters.

The Belgian Shepherd's head is straight and elongated, with a black nose, and its black-lipped muzzle hides a scissor or level bite. The eyes are almond-shaped and dark brown, framed by black eyelids.

The breed's coat varies, since there are several Belgian Shepherd varieties. The Belgian Groenendael resembles the black German Shepherd in coat color, while the black-and-tan or fawn combination belongs to the Malinois and Tervueren varieties. In these three Belgian Shepherd varieties the coat is smooth and soft, long in the Groenendael and Tervueren, and short in the Malinois.

The Belgian Shepherd, regardless of coat color, is energetic and very playful, so it needs plenty of space to thrive. It also needs training to channel its energy, and can be trained as a guard dog.

How to Tell a German Shepherd and a Belgian Shepherd Apart

At first glance, it can be tricky to tell the German Shepherd and the Belgian Shepherd apart, especially given the coat varieties within each breed. Even so, look for the following details to tell them apart:

• Origin: although both dogs are shepherd breeds, they developed in different countries.
• Size: the Belgian Shepherd is a few centimeters taller than the German.
• Bite: German Shepherds only have a scissor bite, while Belgian Shepherds can also have a level bite.
• Eyes: both breeds have almond-shaped eyes, but the German's iris is always light-colored while the Belgian's is dark.
• Ears: the shape is the same, but the German Shepherd's ears tend to be longer.
• Tail: very similar in both breeds, but the Belgian Shepherd's tail extends past the hock, while the German Shepherd's does not.
• Shoulders: the shoulders connect to the shoulder blades similarly in both breeds, but in the Belgian they form an angle of 110 to 115 degrees, while in the German it ranges between 90 and 110 degrees.

Care Needed for a Belgian or German Shepherd

The different varieties of Belgian and German Shepherd need specific care. Even so, these breeds share the following needs:

• Both need a diet suited to large dogs, whether that's kibble formulated for this size or homemade food with a good protein ratio.
• Frequent physical exercise. These breeds are used to herding and protection work, and need activities that test their physical abilities, are fun for them, and stimulate their intelligence through problem-solving.
• Both need early socialization. A protective personality is necessary for training guard dogs; however, this can become a problem if it isn't channeled from puppyhood, since both the Belgian and the German develop possessive behavior toward their owners.