14 Dogs That Look Like German Shepherds

The Shiloh Shepherd is a relatively new breed, dating from the 1970s. They’re one of the dog breeds similar to German Shepherds, but are slightly larger — the average weight is 100 pounds, and with fuzzy coats.

However, it won’t be easy to find one at your local shelter because they are rare. This dog is a super smart animal with such an easygoing nature that makes it ideal for therapy work in addition to rescue and search missions.

Dutch Shepherds look similar to German Shepherds or wolves, some say they’re even hyena-like — thanks to their markings. In Dutch Golden Age portraits of sheep-herding villages, these dogs were mostly delegated with the safeguard of flocks on occasions when thefts were prevalent. 

Highly trainable and obedient, yet also extremely lively — the Dutch Shepherd is a natural at agility training or any activity that burns off that energy. Providing mental stimulation is also another must.

The Bohemian Sheepdog, also known as the Czech Sheepdog, is a medium-sized breed that’s well-natured and suited to family life. 

As the name suggests, the Bohemian is a working dog, which means they like to keep busy. Hence, you’ll need to offer this breed plenty of exercise to prevent boredom kicking in — and naughty behavior. 

This tricolor, former Soviet Union breed, also known as the Belarusian Shepherd, was bred to be a guard dog.

Nowadays, this innately calm and self-assured canine makes a great protective four-legged friend. But this dog that looks like a german shepherd does have some downsides. Socialization is a must to train properly — the Eastern is an alert dog and will bark at just about everything around them. Plus, they’re a dominant breed, so you’ll need to be firm but fair.

And, ensure you don't consider leaving this smart pup alone for too long, they’re extremely adept at figuring out how things work.

The Tervuren Shepherd is a descendant of the centuries-old Belgian Shepherd family. This vibrant and intelligent dog flourishes in the great outdoors, which makes them ideal herders.

Northern Inuits are a relatively new dog breed that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1980s. They're a cross between a German Shepherd, a Husky, a Malamute, and a wolf crossover. And, yes, they have wolfish looks and character.

The Northern Inuit is typically very sociable but takes some effort to train. Because their appearance and attitudes are equivalent to that of wolves, early training is essential to prevent future issues.

This large breed dog that looks like a German Shepherd is called an American Alsatian. They were created with the intention to mimic an extinct wolf from California.

These dogs are stronger and larger than their European cousins. However, with the right temperament, they can make excellent family companions.

While they’re perceived as a difficult-to-handle breed, contrary to popular belief, American Alsatians have a great relationship with kids. In fact, you'll mostly see them playing alongside children in playgrounds or running around the yard.

The Panda Shepherd is the rarest of all dog breeds and deserves a mention. These pups have a hereditary mutation that leads them to be white with black spots rather than brown or yellow like the majority of shepherd dogs.

Despite being not a completely separate breed, but instead a very rare color variation, these incredible dogs exhibit intellectual prowess and devotion similar to any other German Shepherd.

The Laekenois (also known as the Belgian Shepherd) has a distinctive coat that distinguishes it from other breeds. The hair isn’t smooth, it has a rough, tousled appearance —  and they’re slimmer than the German Shepherd. 

Even with a brindle coat, the Groenendael is a breed of dog that looks like a German Shepherd.  A dog with an astute demeanor and extremely obedient, but be cautious, this pup can be overprotective.

And the best of all? They have a lot of energy that never runs out — certainly a four-legged friend for an active family. However, the Groenendael shouldn’t be left alone for prolonged periods — they can suffer from separation anxiety and become easily nervous.

The White Shepherd looks a lot like its cousin — the German Shepherd Dog. These dogs have been subjected to far more inbreeding compared to any other breed. All of this hasn’t resulted in serious health issues for the White Shepherd, but it has resulted in an intriguing coloration — white! 

White Shepherds are not particularly fond of other dogs. They are, however, very intelligent and highly trainable pooches.

Finally, the Caucasian Shepherd. This large dog resembles the German Shepherd in certain ways. They can weigh up to 220 pounds and are widely regarded as one of the most vigilant breeds around, making them ideal for protection — particularly if you have children.

The problem is that they can be skeptical and wary of strangers, so they should be introduced to new friends gradually and closely monitored by you at all times.