The AKC's Weimaraner page sums the breed up as "friendly / fearless / obedient." Its Dutch Shepherd page says "intelligent / lively / athletic." Here is how the two compare, from both AKC breed pages, both official standards and two AKC articles. Both are athletic, high-energy dogs: the AKC scores each 5 of 5 for energy and for mental stimulation needs. Our honest read is that neither is the easy choice for a quiet home. We breed Dutch Shepherds, and on the AKC's scores we think the Weimaraner may be the easier fit for a home with young children, though the AKC adds a rule about supervision, below.

Dabo, Alpha Kennels' brindle Dutch Shepherd, sitting on a red-brown wooden deck in dark goggles with his mouth open and tongue out, palm trees, a blue house and a black grill behind him under a clear blue sky
Dabo, on the deck.

At a glance

Heights come from each official standard. Weights come from the AKC breed pages, which give separate ranges for Weimaraner males and females and one range for the whole Dutch Shepherd breed. Trait scores are each AKC breed page's own score out of 5, with the two end labels of each scale as the AKC shows them.

Our pair, for the record: Azul (our female) is 75 to 80 pounds and Dabo (our male) is heavier. Those are two adult dogs, not a promise about any puppy's adult size. Our size guide has more, and our Stud Book explainer covers the 2027 move.

What each was built for

The AKC says the Weimaraner was developed in the early 1800s, and that Germany's Grand Duke Karl August, "like so many European nobles of the age, was an avid sportsman." In the AKC's words, "His dream was to develop the perfect hunting dog." The AKC says the breed went on to find "new work as an all-purpose hunter who points and retrieves gamebirds."

The AKC says the Dutch Shepherd "was developed as an all-purpose farm dog, working originally as a farm guard, drover, and livestock dog," and adds that "since its original duties were to keep flocks of sheep in a particular location, it is able to run all day." One breed was developed for the hunting field, the other for a farm's work.

Size and coat

On the AKC's numbers the Weimaraner is the taller dog for both sexes. A Weimaraner female's 55 to 75 pounds overlaps the Dutch Shepherd's 42 to 75, and a male's 70 to 90 runs higher. Our pair, at 75 to 80 pounds and heavier, sits at or past the top of that Dutch range. The Weimaraner standard asks for a coat that is "short, smooth and sleek, solid color, in shades of mouse-gray to silver-gray." The Dutch Shepherd comes in three coat types, short, long and rough. The AKC says the Dutch Shepherd's short-hair types "will only need occasional brushing," with daily brushing in the spring and fall shedding periods, while the longhaired dogs "will need to be groomed about once per week." Our coat guide covers the Dutch coat types.

Energy and daily work

The AKC says "Weimaraners have high exercise requirements" and "love a good run," and adds, "A tired Weimaraner is a good Weimaraner." An AKC seminar article says they "love to run and can go all day long," and do best "with lots of human companionship and some kind of job to do."

For the Dutch Shepherd the AKC says: "Driven to do its chosen work, this dog will differentiate between work, play, and chill time, adjusting its energy level accordingly." It also says: "This breed does not want to be a pet left at home; they want to be your partner in life." An AKC article of breeder tips carries the heading "Weimaraners don't like to be left alone," and breeder Carole Lee Richards writes that "it may take some work to accustom a Weimaraner to the fact that they can't be with you 24/7, it's a training issue and one that can be accomplished." Our guides to exercise and mental exercise cover the Dutch side.

Training and mental work

The AKC quotes a longtime breeder: "The good news is that Weimaraners are smart; the bad news is that Weimaraners are smart." The AKC adds that "they learn quickly, and that includes both good and bad behaviors," and that "early socialization and puppy training are vital."

For the Dutch Shepherd the AKC warns: "Without training, this breed will become very independent and will start to make its own decisions, so obedience training is highly recommended." Both score 5 of 5 for trainability.

People and strangers

The AKC scores both breeds 3 of 5 for openness to strangers. The Weimaraner standard says "the temperament should be friendly, fearless, alert and obedient." The Dutch Shepherd standard asks for "loyalty and reliability, alertness, and watchfulness." Our temperament guide goes deeper.

With young children the scores split: the AKC gives the Weimaraner 5 of 5 and the Dutch Shepherd 3 of 5, and says "Weimaraners are excellent with kids and yearn to be full-fledged family members." Both breed pages carry the same rule: "Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs." The Dutch Shepherd page says the breed "has retained its herding instinct for which it was originally developed," and our puppy biting guide covers herding nips.

The short version: the AKC scores both breeds 5 of 5 for energy and for mental stimulation needs. For young children it scores the Weimaraner 5 of 5 and the Dutch Shepherd 3 of 5, and both breed pages say dogs should always be supervised around young children. The AKC says Weimaraners make "excellent pets, as long as owners are committed to keeping them physically active and mentally engaged," and that the Dutch Shepherd "makes a great pet for an active family familiar with dogs," provided with proper mental and physical exercise.

When the Weimaraner may be the easier fit

The AKC attaches a condition: Weimaraners make "excellent pets, as long as owners are committed to keeping them physically active and mentally engaged."

When the Dutch Shepherd may fit

The honest answer

Both are athletic, high-energy dogs, and the AKC scores them the same, 5 of 5, for energy, mental stimulation needs, trainability and affection with family. If you have young children, the Weimaraner may be the easier fit on the AKC's scores, though the AKC says to supervise around young children with either breed. If your family is active and familiar with dogs, the Dutch Shepherd may be a good fit. We would rather say so than point you toward the wrong dog.

Still weighing breeds? See our comparisons with the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever, or ask whether a Dutch Shepherd can fit a quieter home, then work through our ten honest questions.

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