Bohemian Shepherd vs German Shepherd: Size, Coat, Energy, Strength & Temperament

Hello Readers! We bring you here a breed battle series, where we will compare and contrast German Shepherd with other similar dog species. Our aim is to provide you a clearer overview of breed qualities so that you know what you have signed for when you pick two dogs that may look similar in appearance. So, let’s start with Bohemian Shepherd vs German Shepherd, the two most enticing breeds known for their loyalty, agility, and dutiful nature.

Bohemian Shepherd Vs German Shepherd

1. Origin

Bohemian Shepherd’s origin records date back to the 1300s. This dog is a Czech breed and was recognized as a herding dog due to its penchant for wild surroundings. However, sooner people realized the loyal and eager-to-serve nature of these dogs and started rearing these for using them as task dogs. With the introduction of organized breeding programs, this species became more city-friendly and turned out to be a common pet option.

German Shepherds are a bit younger species than Bohemian and their development started somewhere near the late 1800s. The British name of this dog is Alsatian. These dogs became more popular as military dogs and got an entry into the US from the UK after the military retreat that followed World War I. Often used as guard dogs or service dogs, the German Shepherd is very stylish in appearance as their body is quite proportionately built.

2. Physical characteristics

Bohemian and German Shepherd dogs are medium to big size puppy breeds. Their confident and poised stature makes them look quite royal in appearance. It is their intimidating looks that won them the title of guard dogs. Originally recognized as herding dogs, these breeds became popular among humans due to their love for serving people and extreme loyalty.

Height and Weight: Bohemian Shepherd dogs are about 19 to 22 inches in height and their weight can be anywhere between 32 to 65 pounds. German Shepherd dogs are normally 3-4 inches bigger than Bohemian Shepherd and can weigh up to 90 pounds in a fully grown stage.

Coat: Bohemian Shepherd has a normal to dense coat, medium to long in size and it is mostly straight. Coat color is typically black in pure-bred Bohemian Shepherds. German Shepherd is typically having a double coat of fur. Black, grey, black, and tan, black and red are some of the acceptable coat colors in pure-bred GSDs.

3. Activity Level

Bohemian Shepherds need a constant dose of activity to remain calm. They are not the ones to sit quietly, if left alone or idle, they tend to become disturbing. These pets are not meant for first-timers, but if you are patient, and have a lot of time in hand to spend it with them, you can do well as first-time dog parent to Bohemian Shepherd. This breed is open to training and lots of games, but need a lot of motivation to keep on trying to learn. So, you may need a dog attendant or spend time with them amply to drain them out if you require going out to work. With good amount of energy spent in walks and morning training sessions, these pets spend time sleeping or resting when you are away.

German Shepherds are equally agile and active as Bohemian Shepherds. They also enjoy games and training, and are quick learners. These pets can be well-maintained if you have included lots of activities and games in their daily routine. They are hardly irritated or aroused, but can show attacking behavior around strangers. So, these do require obedience training to settle in the city life.

4. Overall health, vaccination needs and natural tendencies

Overall health

Generally, both the Bohemian and German Shepherd are healthy dogs. Still, you have to pay attention to their being prone to allergies. Food allergies are the most common type that both breeds exhibit. Other common health disorders both breeds may suffer from are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, bloat. Mostly, these are due to irregular growth patterns of the bones and joints, which commonly happen in medium to large size puppy breeds. Eye and ear infections are more common in Bohemian Shepherds than German Shepherd dogs.

Natural Tendencies include:

• Shedding: Bohemian Shepherds are average shedders, and sometimes, the shedding tendencies become higher. These pets require regular brushing. German Shepherds show high shedding tendencies all around the year. Their shedding too much requires owners to take steps like using medicated shampoos, washing heads often, keeping the dog hydrated, regular bath and brushing, and others.

• Drooling: Bohemian Shepherds are average droolers while German Shepherds do no drool much. If a GSD is drooling, then that is a sign of some health issue.
• Attacking behavior: German Shepherds are not attacking types, but they are trained to do so in order to make them work as watchdogs. So, whether a GSD will show attacking behavior or not will depend upon the type of owner and the kind of grooming given to him. Bohemian Shepherds are gentle and are not aggressive at all. They also come into attacking mode only on the owners’ commands.
• Destructive Nature: Both German Shepherd and Bohemian Shepherd tend to become destructive when they are left alone or kept idle, locked in the home. If you want to go out to work, you give a nice work out to these dogs first. Walking them out once or twice a day is also required to keep them happy and calm.
• Attitude towards family members, pets, and guests: Both German Shepherd and Bohemian Shepherd are quite loving and loyal to their human families. They are tolerant of other pets and do get along well with them nicely. But, German Shepherd, due to poor training, can show little aggression towards other pets or other male dogs living with them.

Vaccination Requirements

German Shepherd vaccination chart looks something like this:

• 4-6 weeks: parvovirus
• 6-8 weeks: parvovirus, distemper
• 10-12 weeks: DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza)
• 16-18 weeks: DHPP, rabies
• 12-16 months: DHPP, rabies

Bohemian Shepherd immunization schedule includes

2,3,4 months and then yearly: A combo vaccine (DHPP and leptospirosis)

If the puppy of Bohemian Shepherd breed is adopted or bought after the age of 4 months, then combo vaccination is to be done weekly and then yearly.

5. Food Requirements

Both German Shepherd and Bohemian Shepherd require protein-rich foods. About 22% of their daily nutrition must comprise animal-based proteins derived from organ meat, beef, liver, etc. Fat content should be between 10-12%. GSD puppies need and consume more food than adults. Pups need to be fed twice while giving food once in 24 hours to adult GSD is fine or you may divide the feeding into two small meals a day.

Bohemian Shepherd, at 3-6 months of age, is to be fed thrice. The frequency is reduced to once between 6-12 months. On attaining one year of age, the feeding is done just like you do for a GSD.

6. Apartment-friendliness

The apartment-friendliness of German Shepherds and Bohemian Shepherds can be derived from their companionship and training needs. Though they are big dogs, but their behavior or tendency to stay close to their human all the time make them a good fit for small spaces too.

• Companionship Needs: German Shepherds have high companionship needs. They do not like being left alone or isolated from fellow pups or other pets. Bohemian Shepherd dogs are quite sociable too. They become sad when left alone for long.
• Training Needs: Both German Shepherd and Bohemian Shepherd need to be trained to make them apartment-friendly. They are active and fast learners but require a lot of positive reinforcement to grasp the tips of obedience training.