When talking about dogs the most famous breed that comes up in everybody’s mind is a German shepherd. A German shepherd is of different types that is long haired German shepherd and short-haired German shepherd. Short-Haired German Shepherds are the classic German shepherds.
When talking about their differences the only difference that comes to mind is the hair (whether long or short), but many more points differentiate long haired German shepherd from a short-haired German shepherd. These are:
| Points | Short haired | Long haired |
| COAT | Double coat; short and flat or wavy hair | long, fringed hair |
| TEMPERAMENT | Energetic, protective, athletic | Calmer, more friendly, eager to please |
| GROOMING | Less groomed | Mostly groomed |
| USES | The family dog, guard dog, police dog, show dog | Family dog |
| COST | More expensive $1,500 – $4,000 | Less expensive $800 – $2,000 |
Coat:
Short haired have two coats: an outer coat and a denser-looking thick woolly undercoat. The length of the outer coat is short or medium. The undercoat covers the outer coat. The double coat makes this breed hot and ‘waterproof.’ Working outside in harsh conditions and working, in general, becomes easy for them.
Long-haired mostly miss an undercoat. Instead, they have a single-layered coat that has long silky hair. However, there are a few long-haired GSDs that have undercoats with a length of only 2 inches.
Temperament:
Short haired are courageous, mighty, and intimidating. However, they also have a protective nature. They are a bit cautious around strangers. It may happen because they originally were bred for sheep herding in Germany. In the modern days, they serve in the police and military.
Long haired are bred mainly for human companions. So, besides being mighty and courageous, they are friendly with human beings. However, if they sense that the stranger has an evil purpose, they can prove fatal to that stranger. The loyalty to the owners and their family members is a trademark of this breed.
Grooming:
Short-haired German Shepherds require minimal grooming. Regular brushing can help keep their coat in good condition and reduce shedding.
Long-haired German Shepherds need more frequent grooming to prevent matting and tangles. Regular brushing is necessary to maintain their longer coat and to minimize shedding around the house.