All 36 Long-Haired German Shepherd Breeds | With pictures [2024] –

Shepherd dogs are available with a wide variety of coat types. The following 36 breeds are naturally long-haired:

Incidentally, the long hair is not just a visual adornment, but also usually serves as protection for dogs from attacks by other predators, from high and low temperatures and from the weather.

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#1 Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is best known for its intelligence. According to a study from 1994, the breed is one of the top 10 most intelligent dogs in the world. [1]

In addition, the long-haired German Shepherds are considered to be very alert, protective and playful. Their very good trainability also makes them ideal for first-time owners.

Originally, the energetic four-legged friends primarily served as guardians. Nowadays, however, they are mainly kept as family and guard dogs.

Fun fact: In order to be able to drive even stubborn herd animals, these dogs pinch the animals' heels. However, their guardian instinct is naturally so strong that they sometimes repeat this behavior on people.

#2 Basque Shepherd Dog

The Basque Shepherd Dog, as the name suggests, comes from the Basque Country – the north of Spain. There he is primarily used as a shepherd and guard dog.

Compared to other long-haired German Shepherds, these four-legged friends also need a lot of attention and activity. In addition, they learn particularly quickly.

However, they are far too active and lively to live in apartments. They are also considered to be very friendly, familiar, loyal and intelligent. [2]

Fun fact: The more children there are around these dogs, the happier and cheerful they are. They often show their joy by spinning in circles on the spot several times.

#3 Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie has its origins in Scotland. Bearded dogs were once primarily used for herding, herding and guarding the herd.

Nowadays, however, long-haired German Shepherds primarily serve as family dogs. Because they are considered very trusting and get along well with children.

Even strange dogs and people are warmly welcomed by the four-legged friends. They are also easy to train, need a lot of exercise and shed relatively heavily. [3]

Fun fact: When drinking, these dogs' long beards hang almost completely in the water. So be prepared for permanent puddles around the water bowl.

#4 Bergamasco Shepherd Dog

The Bergamasco Shepherd Dog comes from Italy and naturally develops large plate-shaped dreadlocks. These serve as protective armor for dogs against predators.

Purely statistically, long-haired German Shepherds are among the 10 most unpopular dog breeds in the world. However, this is more due to their unfamiliarity. [4]

In addition, the four-legged friends are considered very alert, independent and gentle. They also shed very little, have a weak hunting instinct and learn very quickly.

Fun fact: This breed's daily nap is often described as a «vegetative state.» Even when they are sleeping, dogs are very alert.

#5 Berger de Picardy

The Berger de Picardie is known after its homeland. Because he comes from the former French province called “Picard”. The “Berger” means German Shepherd.

Since the Second World War, however, long-haired German Shepherds have been considered very rare. There are currently only around 3,500 living specimens left worldwide. [5]

The animals are primarily known for their pointed ears and their energetic and self-confident nature. They also bark very little and need a lot of exercise.

Fun fact: Be careful when choosing dog food. These dogs are very picky when it comes to food.

#6 Berger des Pyrénées

The Berger des Pyrénées comes from France and is also known as the “Pyrenean Shepherd Dog”. In addition to their shaggy fur, the four-legged friends are primarily known for their efficiency.

A single dog of this breed can herd up to 500 sheep alone. In addition, the long-haired German Shepherds are considered to be very alert, trusting and active.

Among other things, they also make great family dogs. They also get along very well with children. Because the more attention they get, the happier they are. [6]

Fun fact: Because this breed is very active compared to other dogs, they are also known internationally as “Ball of Fire”.

#7 Bobtail

The bobtail comes from England and got its name because its tail was almost always shortened into a bob. However, this practice is now banned.

The fact that this long-haired type of German Shepherd has a strong guardian instinct is already evident in the name. Because in English-speaking countries they are known as “Old English Sheepdog”.

These four-legged friends are also considered to be very friendly and trusting towards families, children and other dogs. They also shed relatively little and are considered very adaptable. [7]

Fun fact: This breed is ideal for people who enjoy watching series. Because the dogs have no problem lying lazily on the sofa almost all day long.

#8 Border Collie

According to statistics, the Border Collie is one of the 35 most popular dog breeds in the world. This is probably due to his excellent trainability and friendly nature.

While these long-haired German Shepherds were once bred primarily for herding sheep, they are now primarily kept as family dogs.

These four-legged friends literally guard everything that moves. No matter whether children, bicycles or even cars. They also bark very little, need a lot of exercise and are very curious. [8]

Fun fact: The border collie named “Sweet Pea” holds the world record for balancing a can on his head. He could run a full 100 meters with it.

#9 Bouvier des Flandres

The Bouvier des Flandres was once primarily used for farm work. In addition to herding animals, they also pulled carts and guarded the property.

Nowadays, long-haired German Shepherds are primarily kept as guard, family and police dogs. Because they are very clever and easy to train.

However, they are not recommended for beginners. Without appropriate socialization, they often react aggressively towards strange dogs and are very dominant. [9]

Fun fact: These dogs' long beards suck out so much water when they drink that they almost always leave a mess after going out to drink.

#10 Chodsky Pes

The Chodský Pes comes from the Czech Republic and is considered very friendly, trusting and loyal. To this day, this breed is used, among other things, as a guard dog at the border.

This long-haired German Shepherd breed also makes great family dogs. She also gets along very well with children, other dogs and other pets. [10]

But they are too active to live in apartments. A house with hard ones is ideal here so that they can run out their energy every day. Incidentally, they only bark very rarely.

Fun fact: These pets are ideal for having other pets. Because if they don't get any attention from people, they like to get it from cats, rabbits or even mice.

#11 Ciobănesc Românesc Carpatin

The Ciobănesc Românesc Carpatin comes from Romania and is still used there primarily as a shepherd and guard dog. They are also very brave and protective.

In addition, the long-haired German Shepherds reach a shoulder height of up to 73 cm and a weight of 50 kg. This makes them one of the heaviest dogs in the world.

However, in order to keep these four-legged friends as family dogs, early socialization is necessary. They are therefore less suitable for first-time owners. [11]

Fun fact: The association members apparently did not agree on the name of this breed. In total, the animals were given a whopping nine official names.

#12 German top

Deutsche Spitze is very popular both nationally and internationally. This breed also comes in 5 different sizes. When fully grown they weigh between 2-30 kg.

The larger German Shepherds used to serve primarily as herding and guard dogs, while the smaller ones were primarily used as family dogs. [12]

In addition, the long-haired German Shepherds are easy to train and have almost no hunting instinct. They are also considered very devoted, caring and courageous.

Fun fact: These dogs are less suitable for annoying neighbors. They often start barking when a bird sits on a tree.

#13 English Shepherd

The English Shepherd comes from the USA, where it is primarily kept as a guard and family dog. However, it was originally used for herding on the farm.

These long-haired German Shepherds naturally have a strong instinct to catch things and bring them back to their master – ideal for tennis balls and Frisbees.

Compared to short-haired German Shepherds, they are also very easy to train and need a lot of exercise and attention. They are also considered energetic and friendly. [13]

Fun fact: These dogs get used to fixed routines particularly quickly. So be prepared for loud barking if the food ends up in the bowl 5 minutes late.

#14 Finnish Lapphund

The Finnish Lapphund's country of origin is already in the name. The dogs are one of the most popular breeds in his homeland. Internationally, however, they are rather rare.

These long-haired German Shepherds live up to 17 years and make excellent jogging partners. Even deep snow is no problem for their cold-resistant fur.

They also have a strong hunting instinct, need a lot of exercise and are easy to train. Combined with their friendly nature, they are also suitable for beginners. [14]

Fun fact: Finnish Lapphunds can be prone to constant barking in the wrong environment. At the slightest hint of potential danger, the dogs speak out loudly.

#15 Gos d'Atura Català

The Gos d'Atura Català comes from Catalonia – the…