Is the Australian Kelpie or the German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) better for families with children?

Both the Australian Kelpie and the German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Australian Kelpie or the German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund)?

The Australian Kelpie and German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) shed a similar amount (medium).

Which is easier to train, the Australian Kelpie or the German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund)?

Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.

Is Australian Kelpie or German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) bigger?

Australian Kelpie and German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) are a similar size (Medium).

Which barks more, Australian Kelpie or German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund)?

Both bark a similar amount (medium).

Which is better for apartment living, Australian Kelpie or German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund)?

For apartment or apartment living, Australian Kelpie and German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) are an even match — either can work well.

Australian Kelpie vs German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund)

Australian Kelpie vs German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund): full comparison

Trait	Australian Kelpie	German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund)
Size	Medium	Medium
Energy level	Very High	Very High
Trainability	High	High
Friendliness	Medium	Medium
Good with children	Medium	Medium
Grooming needs	Low	Medium
Shedding	Medium	Medium
Barking	Medium	Medium
Protectiveness	Medium	Medium
Adaptability	Low	Low
Typical lifespan	14 years	12 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Size and living space

The Australian Kelpie is a moderately built dog that adapts to an average home, with a little outdoor space preferred. By comparison, the German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) is a moderately built dog that adapts to an average home, with a little outdoor space preferred. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The Australian Kelpie is a canine athlete needing hard daily work and a purpose, or it turns restless. The German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) is a canine athlete needing hard daily work and a purpose, or it turns restless. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The Australian Kelpie asks for a light brush once or twice a week and sheds moderately, with heavier blowouts as the seasons turn. The German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) wants brushing on a regular schedule to stay tidy and sheds moderately, with heavier blowouts as the seasons turn. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Australian Kelpie is quick to learn and a pleasure to train, gives voice moderately, typically when something warrants it and usually does well with children given socialization and supervision. The German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) is quick to learn and a pleasure to train, gives voice moderately, typically when something warrants it and usually does well with children given socialization and supervision. On guarding instinct, Australian Kelpie will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian, whereas German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Australian Kelpie and German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) are an even match — either can work well.
For families with young children, Australian Kelpie and German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Australian Kelpie and German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) are an even match — either can work well.
For being left alone during the workday, Australian Kelpie has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, Australian Kelpie and German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Australian Kelpie if you want a longer-lived breed or you prefer lower grooming upkeep.

Choose the German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) if you simply prefer the breed — it's very closely matched with the Australian Kelpie on temperament, size and care.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Australian Kelpie or the German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) better for families with children?: Both the Australian Kelpie and the German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Australian Kelpie or the German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund)?: The Australian Kelpie and German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) shed a similar amount (medium).
Which is easier to train, the Australian Kelpie or the German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund)?: Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
Is Australian Kelpie or German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) bigger?: Australian Kelpie and German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) are a similar size (Medium).
Which barks more, Australian Kelpie or German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund)?: Both bark a similar amount (medium).
Which is better for apartment living, Australian Kelpie or German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund)?: For apartment or apartment living, Australian Kelpie and German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) are an even match — either can work well.