Strong lookalikes:

1. Doberman
   I believe there are four strong lookalikes of the Rottweiler, and no one will be surprised that one of them is the Doberman. Both breeds share the same black-and-tan coloring, similar height, and a muscular, tough appearance. However, the Doberman has a more slender and agile frame compared to the bulkier Rottweiler. While both make excellent guard dogs, the Doberman is much more energetic than the Rottweiler.
2. Laizhou Hong (Chinese Red Dog)
   This video features a mix of well-known breeds like the Doberman and rare ones like the Laizhou Hong, also known as the Chinese Red Dog. The similarities with the Rottweiler is no coincidence, because the Laizhou Hong was developed in China by crossing Rottweilers with local working dogs. They share the same black-and-tan coloration, muscular build, and protective nature. However, Laizhou Hongs tend to be leaner and more agile than Rottweilers.
3. Serbian Defense Dog
   Another rare breed you’ve probably never heard of—but one that looks extremely similar to the Rottweiler—is the Serbian Defense Dog. This breed was developed in the 1980s as an attempt to recreate the ancient Serbian Mastiff. To achieve this, breeders crossed powerful dogs like the Neapolitan Mastiff, Bosnian Tornjak, and—you guessed it—the Rottweiler, which explains the striking similarities. The Serbian Defense Dog is even bigger and heavier than the Rottweiler, with an even stronger protective instinct.
4. Beauceron
   ​The last of the four strong Rottweiler lookalikes is the Beauceron, a powerful French herding breed. At first glance, their black-and-tan coat, similar facial features and muscular build make them look very similar to a Rottweiler. However, the Beauceron is a true herding dog, known for its incredible intelligence, endurance, and agility. Unlike the stockier Rottweiler, the Beauceron has a leaner and more athletic frame. But especially thanks to their coloring, i consider them as one of the strong lookalikes.

Moderate Lookalikes

1. Canis Panther
   Now i will mention 6 dog breeds that do resemble the Rottweilers a lot, but they differ in some areas a bit more than the previous dogs. The first one is the rare and intimidating Canis Panther. The Canis Panther was developed in the USA as a personal protection dog by mixing Dobermans, black Great Danes, black Labradors and American Staffordshire Terriers.
2. Cane Corso
   The Cane Corso is a powerful Italian mastiff breed that shares some key similarities with the Rottweiler, but also several distinct differences. Both breeds are robust, muscular, and naturally protective, making them exceptional guard dogs. In appearance, they both have very intimidating muscular stature, but the Cane Corso has even larger head than the Rottweiler and on the first sight they look heavier than the Rottweiler. They also have different coloring, but when they are in black color, they definitely look like Rottweilers a lot!
3. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
   The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a close relative of the famous Bernese Mountain Dog. It’s a strong, muscular working breed with a tri-color coat, making it a moderate Rottweiler lookalike. Even their face has some similarities. However, the Swissy has a thicker coat, a more relaxed expression, and a slightly bulkier frame. And, of course, its coloration differs slightly from the classic black-and-tan Rottweiler.
4. Hovawart
   The Hovawart, when in black-and-tan coloration, looks like a long-haired version of the Rottweiler. Just like the Rottweiler, it has a strong, muscular build and a confident, protective nature. This versatile German breed excels not only as a guardian but also in tracking and search-and-rescue work. And here’s a fun fact—when Hovawarts come in a golden color instead of black-and-tan, they become one of the closest lookalikes to the Golden Retriever!
5. Tosa Inu
   The Tosa Inu is another breed that, if it had a black-and-tan coat, could easily be mistaken for a Rottweiler. Like the Rottweiler, the Tosa is a powerful, muscular, and highly protective dog. However, the Tosa Inu has a more mastiff-like appearance with looser skin and a heavier build.
6. Gaddi Kutta
   When the Gaddi Kutta has a black and tan coat, it can almost look like a long-haired Rottweiler, right? They also have similar protective instict, they are probably even more protective and territorial than the Rottie. The Gaddi Kutta is primarily used as a livestock protector and it is also known as Himalayan Sheepdog or Indian Panther Hound.

More Distinct Lookalikes

1. Bullmastiff
   Now we will finish the video with 5 more distinct lookalikes. In terms of body structure, the Bullmastiff is a solid Rottweiler lookalike. However, the Bullmastiff has a more mastiff-like face with a broader skull, shorter muzzle, and typically looser skin. And of course, the color is also different.
2. Tibetan Mastiff
   There are various types of Tibetan Mastiffs, depending on the region where they were developed. Some of them have slightly shorter coat and lack the mane, which is famous for Tibetan Mastiffs. If that is the case and they come in the black-and-tan color, than can resemble Rottweilers quite a bit. However, even then, they are significantly larger and have a more mastiff-like build than the Rottweiler.
3. Slovensky Kopov
   The Slovenský Kopov, also known as the Slovakian Hound, is a breed that might not be the first to come to mind when thinking of Rottweiler lookalikes, but thanks to the black-and-tan coloration, the resemblance is definitely there. However, unlike the stocky and muscular Rottweiler, the Slovenský Kopov is a leaner, more agile scent hound, bred primarily for hunting rather than guarding. It has a longer snout, a sleeker body
4. Cimarrón Uruguayo
   Lets end the video with two powerful dog breeds, that share Rottweilers strong body structure, but lacks the color and face similarities. The first one is Cimarron Uruguayo. You can see on the first sight, that the Cimarron is more molloser-like with broader head and shorter muzzle.
5. Presa Canario
   Similarly to Cimarron, the Presa Canario shares strong and muscular body with the Rottweiler, but they are much more mastiff like. They also have shorter muzzle, broader head and looser skin. Overall they are heavier-looking than the Rottweiler.

1) Australian Terrier
Let’s start with one of the biggest Yorkie lookalikes—the Australian Terrier. It’s no coincidence that these two breeds resemble each other, as the Australian Terrier was developed in the 1820s in Australia, with ancestors including Cairn Terriers, Skye Terriers, Dandie Dinmont Terriers, and yes, the Yorkshire Terrier itself.
The Australian Terrier shares the Yorkie's spunky personality and lively energy. With its rough coat and playful attitude, this breed makes a perfect alternative for those who love the Yorkie look!

​2) Australian Silky Terrier
Almost identical to the Australian Terrier, the Australian Silky Terrier is also extremely similar to Yorkies. Bred in 1900s Australia from a mix of Australian Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers, their resemblance is no surprise. Up until the 1930s, all three breeds—Silky, Australian, and Yorkshire Terriers—could even be born in the same litter, with their differences only becoming apparent as they grew. Since then, crossbreeding has been discouraged, and all three breeds have been recognized as distinct. The Silky Terrier is known for its affectionate and playful nature, making it a delightful companion for anyone who loves the Yorkie look.

3) Norwich Terrier
Another breed with a similar body type, coat type, and head shape is the Norwich Terrier. While the ancestry is uncertain, it’s quite possible that one of the ancestors of the Norwich Terrier was the Yorkshire Terrier, alongside Irish Terriers and East Anglian Red Terriers.
With its feisty personality and small size, the Norwich Terrier closely resembles the Yorkie. Their wiry coat and playful nature make them lively companions, perfect for active households.

4) Norfolk Terrier
A close relative to the Norwich Terrier, the Norfolk Terrier is another undeniable Yorkie lookalike. In the past, they were considered a variety of the Norwich Terrier, distinguished by their folded ears, but since 1964, they have been recognized as a separate breed.
Similar to the Norwich Terrier, the Norfolk Terrier has a lovable and cheerful demeanor. Its small stature and shaggy coat are reminiscent of the Yorkshire Terrier, making it a fantastic alternative for Yorkie lovers.

5) Biewer Terrier
The Biewer Terrier is a direct relative of the Yorkshire Terrier, so the similarity between them is no surprise. This breed was developed from Yorkshire Terriers through the breeding of a recessive piebald gene, which means the primary difference between them and Yorkies lies in their coat color.
With their playful and affectionate nature, Biewer Terriers are lively companions, making them perfect for families or individuals seeking a small dog that brings joy and energy into their lives.

6) Mi-Ki
Originating in the 1980s in Wisconsin, the Mi-Ki is still a relatively young dog breed. It was developed as a mixture of several established breeds, including the Maltese, Shih Tzu, Japanese Chin, Papillon, and, of course, the Yorkshire Terrier.
Unlike the typical mischievous traits often associated with terriers, Mi-Kis tend to be calmer and more relaxed. They are also known for their loyalty and adaptability, making them excellent companions for those who appreciate a more easygoing alternative to the Yorkie

7) Löwchen
From the dogs featured in this video, I personally think the Löwchen resembles the Yorkshire Terrier the least. However, they still share similarities, particularly with long-haired Yorkies. With its distinctive long, flowing coat and cheerful expression, the Löwchen has a charming appearance that is adored by many dog lovers

8) Cairn Terrier
We'll finish the video with three well-known terrier breeds, all quite similar to Yorkies. The first is the Cairn Terrier, a breed that combines charm and ruggedness, closely resembling the Yorkshire Terrier in both size and appearance. Known for their shaggy, weather-resistant coat, Cairn Terriers share a playful spirit and feisty personality with Yorkies, making them delightful companions for active families

9) Skye Terrier
The second one is Skye Terrier, which just like Lowchen, resembles the long haired variety of Yorkshire Terrier, even though they have much longer body. Especially with its long, flowing coat and distinctively shaped head, the Skye Terrier captures the essence of the Yorkie's elegance.
Originating from the Isle of Skye in Scotland, this breed is known for its loyalty and strong character. Skye Terriers have a playful and spirited nature, similar to Yorkies.

10) West Highland White Terrier
And last, but certainly not least, we have the West Highland White Terrier. While they may appear quite different at first glance due to their white distinctive color, they share many similarities with Yorkies, including size and playful demeanor.
Originally bred in Scotland for hunting small game, Westies are known for their cheerful and confident personalities. Their lively nature and affectionate disposition make them fantastic companions, especially for those who admire the Yorkie's charm.

The AmStaff and Staffy, or American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier are two breeds of dogs that share a common ancestry but have distinct characteristics. These two breeds are also very oten confuse to each other.

The reason why these two dogs are so similar is their common ancestry. They are both descendants of dogs known as „Bull and Terrier“ a Bulldog and Terrier crosses commonly used for dog fighting in Great Britain and Ireland. The Bull and Terrier is a common ancestor to AmStaff, Staffie, but also to American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier and Boston Terrier.

On the other hand, there is also a reason, why these two dogs are not completely the same. While the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was developed by British breeders, the AmStaff was developed from Bull and Terrier descendants that arrived to USA in the second half of the 19th century. So for more than 100 years these two breeds are bred separately on each other, which causes some minor differences.

The first main difference is the size. The American Staffordshire Terrier is larger in both height and weight compared to the average Staffordshire Bull Terrier. You can see the size comparison on the screen right now and as you can see, the difference is quite big. So when these two dogs will stand next to each other, it is actually quite simple to distinquish them apart. The bigger one is AmStaff and the smaller one is Staffy.
But beside the size, the appearance is extremely similar. They have the same coat, muzzle, ears and eyes.

However, the body of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is much more compact compared to the more athletic body of the American Staffordshire Terrier.

When we compare the temperament and personality of AmStaff and Staffy, we can also find some differences. It is true, that both dogs are smart, confident and good natured companions and that both are courageous, loyal and trustworthy.

Both dogs are also known to be very gentle with kids and overall with the whole family. For generations these dogs are not bred for agression anymore and indeed, none of them should be agressive without a reason and they are typically quite friendly towards strangers. But as you probably expect, this is also vastly influenced by early socialization and training.

There are some small differences as well. The AmStaff is typically better around other dogs and animals, while the Staffordshire Bull Terrier can have higher prey drive. The American Staffordshire Terrier is also slightly more sensitive than the even-tempered Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is often described as slightly more energetic and more playful breed, in comparison to slightly calmer AmStaff. But all these temperamental differences are rather subtle and the temperaments of both dogs is extremely similar.

Last but not least, lets compare the health and lifespan. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has average lifespan around 13 years, while the American Staffordshire Terrier around 14 years. Both dogs suffer from similar health issues, such as hip dysplasia, skin allergies, cerebellar ataxia, luxating patella or congenital heart disease.

​In conclusion, these two breeds are extremely similar. The major difference is the size, which should be your main factor when choosing between these two dogs. Other than that, they are almost identical.  

The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed in the world, but did you know that there are two unofficial varieties of this lovely dog breed? The American and the English Labrador. Why i say unofficial? Well, officially, the english and american breed standard is essentially identical with one slight difference, which is the height – the American standard allows taller dogs than the brittish standard.
But even though the rest of the breed standards is basically the same, when you put English and American Labrador side by side, you will spot some important differences.
The English Labrador is typically stockier dog with shorter legs and deep barrell chest, wider neck and thick straight tail. On the other hand, the American Labrador looks much more athletic, they are thinner, taller and they have visibly longer legs. The tail is also thinner and can have a slight curl. You can also find some differences in face, because the American Labrador has longer muzzle and narrower face.
I would love to mention that this is a generalization and even pure English Labs can be very athletic with longer legs. This is my pure English Labrador i previously owned and most people would say that he was American Labrador. It is because every dog is different. Most of them will fit the criteria for English and American Labs i previously mentioned, but not all of them.
With that said, the difference between the American and English Labs goes deeper than height, body shape or face shape. There are even slight differences in temperament. Why? It is because of the differences in breeding practices in America and England.
The English Labrador was primarily bred for a long time for show and conformation and they are bred to fit the breed standard criteria as much as possible. On the other hand, the American Labrador was primarly bred for generations to be the best hunters companion, worker and retriever. This not only cause differences in appearance, but also in temperament. So what are those differences?
Well, British Labs are calmer, quieter, softer and less active as opposed to the American Labs generally being more active with higher energy and greater drive.
When i say it like this, it sounds that the difference is quite big, but these two varieties are much closer than most people think. Both – American and English Labs – share the same loving, eager to please, empathetic, gentle, trusting and outgoing temperament and the differences are rather subtle.
Vast majority of Labs, i would definitely say that more than 90% of them, lives as companion dogs today and for a good reason, they are just amazing companions. And you will not make a mistake if you will choose an American or English Labrador.
But if you are very very active person that loves long hikes, walks, jogs, swims, who would possibly do some kind of dog sport or maybe even go for a hunt with the dog, than the American Labrador is better choice.
If you are looking for calmer and more relaxed dog, than you should go for English Labrador. But even the English Labrador is active breed, be prepared for it. They still need daily longer walks, vigorous playtime or fun training sessions to stay in good mental and physical health. Neither of these two varieties are coach potatoes.
In conclusion, both types of Labs make terrific active family dogs and even though there are some slight differences between them, they are not that big. If you are ready to meet the exercise needs of Labrador and you want loving, trainable and always fun to be around companion, you will be happy with either American or English Lab.

Lets start with the visual differences. For me personally, these two dogs are easy to distinguish apart, especially thanks to their different body types. It is true, that both are big and powerful, but Rottweilers are considerably heavier and bulkier dogs, they are built more like a tank. On the other hand, the Doberman is on average slightly taller, but much more slender and they have more sleek appearance. You can see the size comparison on the screen right now. In general, the Rottweiler has more mastiff like appearance, while the Doberman is more compact and many people will agree, that they are much more elegant and noble looking dogs.
The body type is not the only visual difference. The Rottweiler has much bigger head with a square muzzle, compared to the longer muzzle of Doberman. Both breeds have naturally dropped ears, but especially in some countries, most Dobermans will have cropped ears, which is another major difference.
The coat color is another difference in appearance. It is true, that majority of Rotties and Dobies have black and tan coats, but Dobermans can also be in red and tan and unofficially in blue and tan, all black, red, white or blue.
Now lets jump into temperament comparison. Again, there are many similarities and both dogs are known for their loyalty, intelligence, courage and independence. But there are many differences and it is important to know them before choosing one of these dogs.
Of course, this is a generalization and dogs temperament is individual and vastly depends on early socialization, but in general, the Doberman is more alert and much more suspicious around strangers. That definitely does not mean that Rottweiler will welcome anyone into your home, but they are more chill around other people. Dobies seems to be always guarding, watching and checking its surroundings, while the Rottweiler is little bit more laid back and relaxed.
Both breeds share the history of working guarding dogs, but are they good companions? Well, of course they can make wonderful family companions. The Rottweilers are little bit more docile and cuddly, while the Doberman is more energetic, lively and playful and they are better choice for active people and active families.
Of course, none of these two dogs is a good choice for novices, due to their enormous strength and protectivness. But in the right hands, they can make superb companions.
The reason for some of the similarities is in the origin of both dogs. The Rottweiler is much older breed, with its ancestry dating back to Roman dogs that were brought to the area of todays Germany, where they were crossed with local dogs, especially around the southern Germany town Rottweil, hence the breeds name Rottweiler.
The Doberman is a much more recent development from about the turn of the 20th century. The foundation of the Dobe is the German Pinscher, but other breeds were added into the mix and next to Beauceron and Weimaraner, one of the breeds that was used in the creation of Doberman is the Rottweiler.
Last, but not least, lets compare the health of both breeds. Both dogs are prone to some more or less serious health problems. Both can suffer from joint problems such as hip dysplasia and they are both at risk of suffering gastric torsion. The Doberman is in danger of von Willebrand’s disease or cardiomyopathy but in general, Dobermans tend to outlive the heavier Doberman. The average lifespan of Dobie is around 11 years while the average lifspan of Rottie is only around 9 years.

 Poodles are one of the most popular dog breeds of all, mainly thanks to their high intelligence, non-shedding coat, elegance and active character. But did you know that there are three different Poodle types? The Standard, Toy and Miniature. 
First of all, lets explain why we have three different recognized Poodle breeds. The largest – Standard – Poodle is the original one. It is very old breed with its ancestry in Middle Ages and the exact origin is rather unknown. This dog was used mostly in Germany and France as a water retriever.
Later, french circuses discovered the talent and intelligence of Poodles and started using them for the circus shows. They needed slightly smaller dogs and they selectively bred down the Poodle in size to create what is now known as the Miniature Poodle.
The Toy Poodle is the latest variety, developed only in the 20th century. People loved Poodles, but they wanted them in smaller size so they can keep them as home companions. That is why breeders once again selectively bred Miniature and Standard Poodles down in size in order to achieve that. At first, many bad breeders were doing this, which led to unhealthy Toy Poodle dogs with unpropriate temperaments, but later, responsible breeders started breeding Toy Poodles and the Toy Poodle truly became a small replica of the Standard Poodle.
According to official breed standards, all three varieties are basically identical, except for the size. And indeed, the size is definitely the most important difference. You can see the size comparison on the screen right now and as you can see, the difference is very big.
All three Poodle breeds have the same almost non-shedding curly coat that comes in various colors, including white, black, brown, blue, gray, silver, cream or apricot. You can easily find Standard Poodles in all color varieties, but the smaller versions are most often found in white or cream. But all three breeds can be in all the mentioned colors.
Speaking of coat, lets mention grooming as well. As you probably know, Poodles need quite extensive grooming. It is recommended that you have your Poodle professionally groomed at least once every six weeks. But since the smaller Poodle breeds have less coat, their grooming is easier and cheaper. On contrary, grooming of Standard Poodle by professional services can be quite expensive.
BTW, interesting fact about Poodles is, that in the past, it was quite common to find Poodles with corded coats, but this variety is unfortunatelly extremely rare these days.
Now lets compare the temperaments of all three Poodle breeds. In theory, all three breeds should have identical temperament, which can be characterized as intelligent, sociable, energetic, faithful, alert and instinctual. But after speaking to relatively large number of Poodle owners, there were some repetitive answers which imply žý.
The Standard Poodles should in general be the most active and energetic and they are most often used as service dogs. The Miniature Poodle is still very active breed, but not to the extent of Standard Poodle. And logically, the Toy Poodle is the most laid back of these three breeds. So if you are looking for a very active companion, i would choose the Standard or perhaps the Miniature Poodle. If you are looking for a dog, that will be more suited as a typical household companion, i would choose the Toy Poodle.
This can not be said about barking. All three breeds are known to like barking, but it seems the smaller the Poodle is, the bigger barker it is.
This can be said about separation anxiety as well. All three Poodle breeds are known as total velcro dogs. They want to be everywhere with their owners. Sadly, they are also known to have separation anxiety. But this condition is quite rare in Standard Poodle, but you will find it very very often in Toy Poodles.
Last, but not least, lets talk about the health. As you can see on the screen, the Standard Poodle, like most large dogs, tending to be more short-lived in comparison to the smaller Miniature and Toy Poodle. But all three varieties tend to be pretty healthy. All of them can suffer from progressive retinal atrophy, catarats or Addison Disease. Especially the larger dogs can have problems with hip dysplasia or bloating. On the other hand, the Toy Poodles are known to suffer a lot from dental issues.
I would also love to mention, that there is a so called Teacup Poodle variety. This refers to extremely small Poodles, even smaller than Toy Poodles. But i would advice you to stay away from any breed that is called as teacup. Teacup breeding practices prioritize creating the smallest possible dog instead of a healthy dog. This can produce health issues ranging from fragile bones to dental problems to organ failure. Teacup dogs are extremely often unhealthy and by buying teacup dog you are most likely supporting unethical breeder.