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German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle Comparison - Dog breed selector: Alsatian wolf dog or Sheepdog or Barbone? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle" Compare German Shepherd and Border Collie. Which is better: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle?
 
 
 
Name German Shepherd Border Collie Poodle
OriginsGermany flagGermany England flagEngland Scotland flagScotland Wales flagWales Germany flagGermany France flagFrance
Group Pastoral / Herding Dogs Pastoral / Herding Dogs Companion Dogs
Popularity Rank2387
Reviews191314
User Ratings

Other Names
What other names do they have?
Alsatian wolf dog
Berger Allemand
Deutscher Schäferhund
Schäferhund
Alsatian
Sheepdog
Scotch Sheep Dog
Barbone
Caniche
Chien Canne
Grosse Pudel
French Poodle
Breed Type
Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle breed type comparison:
Purebred Purebred Purebred

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle Size and Weight Comparison

Size
Which is bigger, German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle? Which is the smallest dog, German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle?
Large Large Medium
Weight
Which is heavier, German Shepherd or Border Collie or Border Collie? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle weight comparison:
Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) Male: 30-45 pounds (14-20 kg), Female: 27-42 pounds (12-19 kg) Male: 45-70 pounds (20-32 kg), Female: 45-60 pounds (20-27 kg)
Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?
Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) Male: 37.5 pounds (17 kg), Female: 34.5 pounds (15.5 kg) Male: 57.5 pounds (26 kg), Female: 52.5 pounds (23.5 kg)
Height
Which is taller, German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle height comparison:
Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) Male: 19-22 inches (48-56 cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46-53 cm) 15 inches (38 cm) or more
Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?
Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) Male: 20.5 inches (52 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (49.5 cm) 15 inches (38 cm) or more

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle Price and Availability Comparison

Price
Which is cheaper, German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle? Which is more expensive?
$800-$2000 $600-$800 $1000-$1500
Availability
Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle?
Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.
Very frequent: The Border Collie is quite easy to get.
Very frequent: The Poodle is quite easy to get.

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank
Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle intelligence:
Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds.
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Outstanding: Border Collie is one of the brightest dog breeds.
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Outstanding: Poodle is one of the brightest dog breeds.
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Trainability
German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle trainability comparison.
German Shepherd dogs are easy to train.
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Border Collie dogs are easy to train.
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Poodle dogs are easy to train.
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Watchdog Ability
Which is the better watchdog: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle?
German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs.
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Border Collie dogs are one of the best watchdogs.
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Poodle dogs are good watchdogs.
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Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Which is a better guard dog German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?
German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs.
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Border Collie dogs are extremely protective guard dogs.
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Poodle dogs strongly protect their territory.
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German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament
Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle behavior/temperament comparison:
Curious
Alert
Courageous
Intelligent
Confident
Obedient
Loyal
Watchful
Energetic
Protective
Alert
Intelligent
Responsive
Loyal
Tenacious
Active
Alert
Intelligent
Trainable
Faithful
Instinctual
Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?
Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.
See more.
Sensitive: Border Collie dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.
See more.
They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.
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Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle?
High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
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High: Border Collie dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
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High: Poodle dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
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Social Needs
German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle social needs comparison:
German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average.
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Border Collie dogs need a lot of social interaction.
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Poodle dogs need a lot of social interaction.
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Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?
German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers.
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Border Collie dogs have average wanderlust potential.
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Poodle dogs have average wanderlust potential.
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Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?
German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.
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Border Collie dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen.
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Poodle dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals.
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German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness
German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle playfulness comparison:
Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing.
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The Border Collie is a highly playful breed.
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The Poodle is a playful breed.
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Barking
Which dog barks more/less: German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle?
Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks.
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Low to Average: The Border Collie rarely barks.
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Average to High: The Poodle is a vocal breed.
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Apartment Friendly
Which dog is more apartment friendly German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle?
It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors.
It is not recommended to keep the Border Collie breed in the home.
Very house-friendly dog the Poodle breed.

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability
Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?
German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Border Collie dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Poodle dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone
Which dog can be left alone: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle?
Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.
Border Collie dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.
Poodle dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI
Which bite is stronger: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle?

Between 200 and 400 PSI

German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.

Between 200 and 400 PSI

Border Collie bite force: Ordinary.

Between 200 and 400 PSI

Poodle bite force: Ordinary.
Biting Potential
Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:

High 🔼

The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.

Low 🔽

The Border Collie has a low chance of biting somebody.

Low 🔽

The Poodle has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness
Which is the better dog? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle mouthiness comparison:
German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
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Border Collie dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
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Poodle dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people.
See more.

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues
German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle health comparison. Which is the healthier: German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle?
German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.
The Border Collie is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
The Poodle is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle health problems comparison:
Cataracts
Hip Dysplasia
Allergies
Cancer
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Von Willebrand's Disease
Bloat
Epilepsy
Blindness
Cherry Eye
Elbow Dysplasia
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Retinal Dysplasia
Demodectic Mange
Degenerative Myelopathy
Wobbler's Syndrome
Panosteitis
Hemophilia B
Megaesophagus
Cushing's Syndrome
Lens Luxation
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Chronic Diarrhea
Cruciate Ligament Rupture
Digestive Problems
Hemophilia A
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
Lupus
Myasthenia Gravis
Nail Bed Disease
Osteochondrosis
Pannus
Paralysis
Perianal Fistula
Seborrhea
Vitiligo
Hip Dysplasia
Allergies
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Epilepsy
Collie Eye Anomaly
Osteochondrosis Dissecans
Cataracts
Hip Dysplasia
Legg-perthes Disease
Patellar Luxation
Allergies
Hypothyroidism
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Von Willebrand's Disease
Bloat
Epilepsy
Sebaceous Adenitis
Ear Infections
Addison's Disease
Cushing's Syndrome
Runny Eyes
Canine Atrial Septal Defect (asd)
Neonatal Encephalopathy (news)
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
Premature Graying
Veterinarian Visits
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?
Rare
The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Average
The Border Collie should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Average
The Poodle should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Life Expectancy
German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle lifespan comparison. How long do German Shepherd, Border Collie and Poodle breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?
9-13 years
The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years
11-15 years
The average lifespan of Border Collie: 13 years
11-15 years
The average lifespan of Poodle: 13 years
Weather and Climate
Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle?
Tolerates warm and cold weather
Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur.
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Prefers average to cold weather conditions
The Border Collie can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.
See more.
Tolerates warm and cold weather
Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur.
See more.

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level
Who has more energy a German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle energy level comparison:
German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.
Border Collie dogs are high-energy dogs.
Poodle dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?
German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Border Collie dogs need a lot of exercises.
Poodle dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle?
German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.
Border Collie dogs don't need too much sleep.
Poodle dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping.

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption
Which dog eats more: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle?
3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two or three meals. 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle weight gain potential comparison:
Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity.
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Average: The Border Collie has an average risk for obesity.
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Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Poodle's weight, he can easily gain weight.
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German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat/fur do they have? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle coat comparison:
Fuzzy Dense
Feathered
Straight
Short
Moderately Long
Curly
Colors
What are the original German Shepherd, Border Collie and Poodle color?
Black
Tan
Red
Silver
Black
Tan
Red
Sable
Brindle
Lilac
Gold
Seal
White & Red
Slate
Sable Merle
Black & White
Tricolor
Blue merle
Blue merle-tricolor
Slate merle
Red merle
Saddleback Sable
White & Blue
White & Blue Merle
White & Red Merle
White Ticked
White & Gold
White & Sable
White & Seal
Black
Gray
Red
Blue
Cream
White
Silver
Brown
Fawn
Beige
Apricot
Grooming
Which dog is easy to maintain, German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle? German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle grooming comparison:
Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort.
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Average: The Border Collie requires average grooming effort.
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Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition.
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Shedding Level
Who sheds more German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle? German Shepherd or Border Collie or {name3 shedding:
German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders.
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Border Collie dogs shed moderately.
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Poodle dogs shed none to minimal.
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Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
Which dog should be bathed more: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle?
8-12 weeks
Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one.
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6-8 weeks
Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one.
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3-4 weeks
More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds.
See more.
Hypoallergenic
German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?
No See more. No See more. Yes See more.
Stinkiness
Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle?

Medium

The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.

Medium

The Border Collie has an average chance of bad smell.

Medium

The Poodle has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency
Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?
The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
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The Border Collie is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
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The Poodle is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
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German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?
German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.
Border Collie dogs are generally with other pets.
Poodle dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.
Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle? Which dog is more friendly?
German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.
Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Poodle dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.
Child Friendly
Which dog is more child/kid friendly German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle?
German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Border Collie dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Poodle dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle?
German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Poodle dogs are cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle?
German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.
Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Poodle dogs are dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is good for the first-time owners: German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle?
Yes
German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Yes
Border Collie dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Yes
Poodle dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office?
No
German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.
No
Border Collie is not the best dog breed for office environment.
No
Poodle is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people?
German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.
Border Collies are one of the best breeds for elderly people.
Poodles are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog
Which one could be a service dog?

Yes

This breed makes good as a service dog.
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Yes

This breed makes good as a service dog.
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Yes

This breed makes good as a service dog.
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Therapy Dog
Which one could be a therapy dog: German Shepherd or Border Collie or Poodle? Which is better for autism?

Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.
See more.

Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.
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Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.
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Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?

Yes

After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.

Yes

After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.

Not really

They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Which one could be a search and rescue dog?

Yes

This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.

Yes

This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog
Which one could be a boat dog: German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle?

Not really

German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
See more.

Not really

Border Collie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
See more.

Yes

Poodle breed usually likes being on a boat.
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Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog
Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?

Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.
See more.

Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.
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Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.
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Fighting Dog / Military Dog

Yes

In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length 60-64 days See more. 60-64 days See more. 60-64 days See more.
Litter Frequency

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy.
See more.

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy.
See more.

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy.
See more.
Litter Size
How many puppies can German Shepherd and Border Collie and Poodle have?
6-10 puppies 4-8 puppies 2-4 puppies

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs Poodle Recognition Comparison

AKC Group
Which dog is recognized by the AKC?
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 as a Herding breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1887 as a Non-Sporting & Toy breed.
FCI Group
Which dog is recognized by the FCI?
Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Poodle section.
Breed Recognition
What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?
American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
German Shepherd Dog Club Of America
American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
The American Int. Border Collie Registry
The American Border Collie Association
American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
Canadian Canine Registry

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