Let’s compare some of the qualities of a King German Shepherd with those of a German Shepherd.
Family Tree
The King Shepherd is a large German Shepherd. The King was developed by David Turkheimer and Shelley Watts-Cross in the 1990s.
The breeders wanted to develop a dog that was larger, friendlier, and more importantly, had fewer health issues than the German Shepherd.
According to the American King Shepherd Club (AKSC), the King Shepherd is a crossbreed between the American and European German Shepherd and the Shiloh Shepherd. The Shiloh Shepherd, a flock guardian, is a crossbreed between the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd.
Temperament
The King Shepherd and the German Shepherd are intelligent, confident dogs with a strong protective streak. Because of these traits, both breeds are popular choices for duties such as rescuing, livestock guarding, and police service.
That said, the German Shepherd has a distinct aloofness and will take time to make friends. The King Shepherd is equally cautious but has a friendlier disposition, making it a wonderful family companion and even a therapy dog.
Size
The King Shepherd is the largest German Shepherd breed. King Shepherds can grow quite large to stand at an average height of 27 to 32 inches and weigh between a whopping 110 to 150 lbs. On the other hand, German Shepherds are usually 24 to 26 inches tall with an average weight of 65 to 90 lbs.