Short Haired Vs. Long-Haired German Shepherd: What’s The Difference?

When there are so many dog breeds for you to choose from, it can take time to decide which dog breed will suit you best. Different dog breeds indeed have distinct personalities. This is why you must understand all these differences before getting into adoption or even foster care for a dog. It is quick and easy to get attached to a dog, but you need to understand the responsibilities that come with it. 

Within a dog breed, too, there are differences that you need to understand. German Shepherds are a prevalent dog breed. However, there are some fundamental differences within a do breed too. For example, more than one kind of German Shepherd is available for you to adopt. There are short-haired German Shepherds and long-haired German Shepherds. This article will show you the similarities and differences between the two. Here is the complete guide to short-haired German Shepherds and long-haired German Shepherds:

Comparison: Short-Haired GSD vs. Long-Haired GSD

The short-haired and long-haired German Shepherd dogs are from the same dog breed family. There are just some characteristic differences between the two. However, these are minor differences, and they are essentially the same dog. There are some minor differences in appearance and a few other characteristics. However, these differences and comparisons are essential to make. 

Here are some similarities between short-haired and long-haired German Shepherd dogs:

• They are both roughly the same size, weight, and height.
• Energy levels are the same for both, meaning they need the same amount of exercise daily. 
• Their life expectancy is also the same. However, this can vary based on a lot of factors. 

Differences: Short-Haired GSD Vs. Long-Haired GSD

Once you see both short-haired and long-haired German Shepherd dogs, you will notice specific differences. No matter how obvious or standard they are, it is important to point these differences out to ensure that you are well aware of them. 

• The coat of short-haired and long-haired German Shepherd dogs are not the same. The short-haired German Shepherd is around 1 inch long. The long-haired German Shepherd’s coat is 2-3 inches long.
• This difference in the coat’s length implies that the short-haired German Shepherd will have a thick undercoat and get matted quickly as opposed to the long-haired German Shepherd’s longer coat, which can be brushed out much more quickly. 
• However, this double-layered coat also makes the short-haired German Shepherd a better choice for farm work and fieldwork. 
• Since short-haired German Shepherds are taken and brought up to herd sheep, they tend to be more protective and stay away from strangers.  

German Shepherd Breed	Long-Haired GSD	Short-Haired GSD
Size	22- 26 inch tall	22- 26 inch tall
Weight	50- 90 pound	50- 90 pound
Coat	Single-layered, silky	Double layered, dense undercoat and a coarser outer coat
Colour	Black, brown, silver, tan, red and black, tan and black	Black, brown, silver, tan, red and black, tan and black
Lifespan	10- 13 years	10- 13 years
Temperament	Loyal, affectionate, protective	Loyal, affectionate, protective
Intelligence	Extremely intelligent	Extremely intelligent
Socialization	Need to be trained to socialize but are very friendly thereon	Need to be trained to socialize but are very friendly thereon
Destructive Behaviour	Quick response will lead to agile behavior	Quick response will lead to agile behavior
People Skills	A great addition to a family	Great addition to a family but are protective
Initial Purpose	For domestication and being a companion	Bred to help out on the farm to herd sheep
Energy Levels	Extremely high	Extremely high
Health	Very healthy	Very healthy

Short-Haired German Shepherd Breed Information

Here is some more detailed information about short-haired German Shepherds. Read further to know about short-haired German Shepherds in detail. 

Appearance: The males are generally more significant than the females, which is valid for most dog breeds. They have a long muzzle with their backs and ears standing erect—the most prominent feature of their coat is double layered. Their coat color is usually black, tan, black and tan, or red and black.  

Size: Short-haired German Shepherds are generally 22 to 26 inches tall and weigh 50 to 90 pounds. 

Cost: If you are looking to buy a short-haired German Shepherd, their price is estimated at around $500 to $1500. This cost entirely depends on what kind of breeder you are buying your short-haired German Shepherd and its breed’s purity. 

Lifespan: short haired German Shepherds generally have a long lifespan of up to 10 to 15 years. 

Temperament: They are incredibly loyal and go well with a family. However, they have high levels of energy that can only be channelized with daily exercise. 

Also Read: The Great Pyrenees German Shepherd Mix: Everything You Need to Know

Long-Haired German Shepherd Breed Information 

Here is some more detailed information about long-haired German Shepherds. Read further to know about long-haired German Shepherds in detail. 

Appearance: Both short-haired and long-haired German Shepherd dogs are similar in appearance. Their males, too, are generally more significant than the females, which is valid for most dog breeds. They have a long muzzle with their backs and ears standing erect. The most prominent feature of their coat is long and shiny, unlike the shirt-haired German Shepherd. The color of their coat is the same too. They come in black, tan, black, and tan, or red and black.

Size: Long-haired German Shepherds are generally 22 to 26 inches tall and weigh 50 to 90 pounds.

Cost: Long-haired German Shepherds can cost between $500 and $1000. 

Lifespan: They have the same lifespan as a short-haired German Shepherd, up to 10 to 15 years. 

Temperament: Their temperament is slightly different from a short-haired German Shepherd because long-haired German Shepherds are not suited for an active lifestyle. It is simply because their coat does not allow them to engage in physical work on that level. They can also have certain levels of separation anxiety. 

Which Dog Is Best For You?

Two German Shepherd breeds are available, one short-haired and one long-haired. However, it differs as per the preferences you are buying the dog. These preferences include dog shows, upscale suburbs, civilian guard duties, and institutional service. Here is a detailed explanation of your choices about which dog will be best for you. 

Dog Shows (Short-Haired): Many factors and even stereotypes go into dog shows. It is a misnomer that long-haired German Shepherds cannot do well in dog shows. However, it is true that short-haired German Shepherds have more chances of being qualified for these dog shows and even stand a chance at winning.  

Upscale Suburbs (Long-Haired): City life can sometimes be limiting. While German Shepherds can engage in meaningful physical activity in the cities, it cannot be compared to life on the farm, which is more suited for short-haired German Shepherds. More importantly, a dog with a shinier coat that looks approachable and is friendly with children will be more widely accepted in urban spaces. They will be able to adjust to this kind of atmosphere as well.  

Civilian Guard Duties (Long-Haired): German Shepherds are the top choice for civilian guard duties worldwide. Since they are descendants of wolves, they look physically agile and robust. They can easily be trained and are still friendly and easy to control. They are inherently protective and are very competent. Long-haired German Shepherds are the obvious choice for civilian guard duties because of their physical appearance compared to short-haired German Shepherds.    

Institutional Service (Short-Haired): Historically and even now, short-haired German Shepherds are bred for physical and outdoor work. They can take on much more physical exertion than the long-haired German Shepherds. While they can be trained for similar work, short-haired German Shepherds are naturally better at dealing with extreme levels of physical and mental ability. 

Budget-Friendly (Long-Haired): It is not just the buying cost of short-haired and long-haired German Shepherd dogs that can be taken into account to consider any one of them to be more budget-friendly than the other. It would be best if you accepted the long-term costs of keeping a German Shepherd. In such situations, a long-haired German Shepherd dog is much better because its lifestyle is relatively less intensive than the short-haired German Shepherd. Other than that, their characteristics and needs are essentially the same. 

Also Check: The Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix- Everything You Want to Know

Bottom Line

There is a slight difference in the characteristics and needs of both kinds of German Shepherds. However, it is essential to consider these fundamental differences when you are looking to buy or adopt a German Shepherd. You need all this information to know what you are looking for and whether or not German Shepherds are the right choice for you. 

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