In total there are 56 recognized German Shepherd breeds. The following 16 breeds also have gray fur:
- #1 Australian Cattle Dog
- #2 Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
- #3 Bearded Collie
- #4 Bergamasco Shepherd Dog
- #5 Berger de Picardy
- #6 Berger des Pyrénées
- #7 Bouvier des Flandres
- #8 Ciobănesc Românesc Carpatin
- #9 Gos d'Atura Català
- #10 Caucasian Ovcharka
- #11 Komondor
- #12 Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog
- #13 Polski Owczarek Nizinny
- #14 Puli
- #15 Pumi
- #16 Västgötaspets
Depending on which animals these dogs are supposed to herd, the gray coat can have advantages and disadvantages. They can hardly be distinguished from sheep, for example, which makes the work more difficult.
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#1 Australian Cattle Dog
With the Australian Cattle Dog, the country of origin is already in the name. The four-legged friends can now also be found all over the world. Because they are excellent for training.
In addition, according to research, gray German Shepherds are among the top 10 most intelligent breeds in the world. Incidentally, they are descended from the Australian dingo.
The animals are also considered very protective, vigilant and loyal. Their trusting and playful nature also makes them ideal as family dogs.
In most cases, they get along well with children. However, some dogs react aggressively towards strange dogs. They also live up to 14 years.
Compared to other breeds, gray German Shepherds bark relatively little, need a lot of exercise and have a strong hunting instinct.
Fun fact: If these dogs encounter stubborn animals while herding, they usually nip at their heels with their teeth. This will get even the most stubborn animals running.
#2 Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is usually just called “Stumpy”. Because of a genetic mutation, his tail is unusually short or even completely missing.
The gray German Shepherds are also suitable as family and working dogs. However, they are less suitable as guard dogs due to their friendly nature.
However, they are not made for living in apartments. They are too active for that. And if they can't get rid of their energy, they often tend to bark constantly.
Since they usually only bark a little, this can be easily recognized. In addition, they shed a lot and are only moderately trainable.
The gray, short-haired German Shepherds are considered very loyal, but they are not a dog to cuddle with. Early socialization is also necessary for living with other dogs.
Fun fact: If these four-legged friends don't get enough exercise, they like to let out their excess energy by digging. If there is no garden available, some people resort to the sofa.
#3 Bearded Collie
The Bearded Collie comes from Scotland, where it was once primarily used as a sheepdog. Today, however, the dogs are mainly kept as family dogs.
The reason for this is her trusting and charismatic nature towards the family. In addition, the gray German Shepherds get along excellently with children, strange dogs and other pets.
The latter is due to the fact that the four-legged friends only have a moderately strong hunting instinct. They are also very easy to train, shed heavily and need a lot of exercise.
Compared to other breeds, these dogs learn particularly quickly and are considered very intelligent. However, this also means that they get bored quickly.
Without anything to do, they like to pass their time by barking and gnawing. The gray, long-haired German Shepherds can also be seen very often on television.
Fun fact: If the beard of these dogs is not trimmed regularly, it will hang almost completely in the water when they drink. You can tell by the large puddle of water they leave behind after drinking.
#4 Bergamasco Shepherd Dog
The Bergamasco Shepherd Dog originally comes from Italy. To this day, the four-legged friends are primarily used as shepherd, family and guard dogs.
The gray German Shepherds are also available in white and black. They do well with height and, despite their size, even live between 13 and 15 years.
In general, however, the dogs are considered rare. And this despite the fact that their non-shedding fur is often suitable even for allergy sufferers. They also get along well with children.
Your plate-shaped dreadlocks develop completely automatically. The only way to prevent this is to get a short haircut.
However, most shepherds prefer the long coat. Because it serves as additional protection for gray German Shepherds from other predators such as wolves.
Fun fact: These dogs are so alert that their nap is jokingly described as a “vegetative state.”
#5 Berger de Picardy
The Berger de Picardie comes from France. More precisely, they come from the former province called “Picard”. By the way, the “Berger” in the name stands for “Shepherd Dog”.
During the First and Second World Wars, the gray German Shepherds almost died out. With only around 3,500 living specimens, they are still considered relatively rare today.
They are mostly used as family dogs and for herding herd animals. They are also easy to train, bark little and need a lot of exercise.
The bearded dogs love activity. She could also be described as “workaholic”. They are also considered to be very gentle, loyal and friendly.
In the 19th century, the gray sheepdogs were also sometimes used for smuggling tobacco. To do this, tobacco was stuck to their bodies and covered with fur.
Fun fact: The eyebrows and beard of these dogs are shaped in such a way that the neutral facial expression looks like a smile.
#6 Berger des Pyrénées
The Berger des Pyrénées comes from France. In his homeland he is still kept primarily as a shepherd and family dog. He also gets along well with children.
For farmers, the gray sheepdogs are very cost-effective. A single dog of this breed can herd up to 500 sheep. However, they are less suitable for first-time owners.
In order to obey, animals need strict instructions. In addition, animals are considered so energetic that they often appear nervous when calm.
According to statistics, the dogs are among the 20 most unpopular breeds in the world. During the First World War they were also used to transmit messages.
In addition, the gray German Shepherds are considered to be alert and trusting. They also need a lot of attention and activity. They like loneliness less.
Fun fact: These dogs are so active that they are also known as “Ball of Fire” in English-speaking countries.
#7 Bouvier des Flandres
The Bouvier des Flandres has its origins in Belgium and France. Initially, the four-legged friends were primarily used for farm work and as guard dogs.
The gray sheepdogs' duties included pulling carts and guarding the property from predators and thieves.
Today, however, the animals serve as guard, police and family dogs. They also reach a shoulder height of up to 68 cm and are considered very fast.
In addition, the dogs are hypoallergenic, highly protective, loyal and courageous. They are also very easy to train, bark a lot and need a lot of exercise.
However, without socialization, this gray German Shepherd species is often aggressive towards strange dogs and shy towards people. This breed is therefore not recommended for beginners.
Fun fact: While many dogs' fur naturally sheds dirt, these dogs' hair seems to be more likely to absorb dirt.
#8 Ciobănesc Românesc Carpatin
The Ciobănesc Românesc Carpatin comes from Romania and is primarily used as a sheepdog and guard dog – mostly to protect against wolves, bears and thieves.
A single dog of this breed can take on a wolf. The gray German Shepherds can reach up to 50 kg and a shoulder height of a whopping 73 cm.
In addition, they are considered very courageous, protective and dominant. In order to live as a family dog, these animals have to be accustomed to people very early on.
Otherwise they often react shyly or even become aggressive. The same applies to other dogs and pets. They are therefore less suitable for first-time owners.
There is also a huge difference in size between the males and females of this breed. The gray German Shepherds are also only available in gray.
Fun fact: Apparently there was no real agreement on the name of these dogs. Because the dogs have 9 officially recognized names.
#9 Gos d'Atura Català
The Gos d'Atura Català has its origins in Catalonia – the north-east of Spain. This also explains why the four-legged friends are known as the “Catalan Shepherd Dog”.
The guardian instinct of gray German Shepherds is so naturally strong that the animals hardly need any instructions. They literally guard everything that moves.
In order for the four-legged friends to make great family dogs, they have to be used to people very early on. Especially if there are children in the household.
In addition, the animals are very obedient, easy to train and need a lot of exercise. They are therefore less suitable for living in smaller flats and apartments.
The gray German Shepherds are also relatively rare internationally. They are described as very intelligent, agile and alert. On the other hand, they do very little barking or shedding.
Fun fact: The fur on these dogs' legs is so long that large snowballs usually form around them in the snow.
#10 Caucasian Ovcharka
To this day, the Caucasian Ovcharka is primarily used as a guard dog. It is usually only used for herding animals when there are many predators in the region.
Because these gray German Shepherds are among the strongest and heaviest dog breeds in the world. They naturally reach a weight of up to 100 kg.
A pack of these dogs intimidates even the largest bears. This also explains why the animals were sometimes used to guard prisoners.
Four-legged friends are naturally reserved towards strangers. They are also available with three different fur lengths – depending on which climate zone they come from.
The gray German Shepherds also have one of the strongest bites in the world. They are also considered very alert, dominant, courageous and energetic.
Fun fact: If you give these dogs too much food, they can weigh up to 150 kg.
#11 Komondor
The Komondor is also known as the “Hungarian Shepherd Dog” due to its country of origin. However, he is known…