American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better AM Bulldog or Alsatian wolf dog?
"Find similarities and differences between American Bulldog vs German Shepherd"
Compare American Bulldog and German Shepherd. Which is better: American Bulldog or German Shepherd?
 |  |
| Name | American Bulldog | German Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  United States |  Germany |
| Group | Guard Dogs | Pastoral / Herding Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 272 | 2 |
| Reviews | 3 | 21 |
| User Ratings |
| Common Names & Aliases
Compare different names used for American Bulldog and German Shepherd. What other names are these breeds known by? |
AM Bulldog American Bulldogge American Bulldoggee Old Country Bulldog AmBulldog |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Classification
Compare breed classifications between an American Bulldog and a German Shepherd. Learn about their genetic backgrounds. | Purebred | Purebred |
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Size and Weight Comparison
| Size Classification
Which is bigger: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare size differences between these breeds. | Large | Large |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Statistics
Compare weight ranges between an American Bulldog and a German Shepherd. Which breed is heavier? | Male: 70-120 pounds (32-54 kg), Female: 60-100 pounds (27-45 kg) | Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) |
| Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight? | Male: 95 pounds (43 kg), Female: 80 pounds (36 kg) | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, American Bulldog or German Shepherd? Is an American Bulldog taller than a German Shepherd? | Male: 22-28 inches (55-70 cm), Female: 20-26 inches (52-65 cm) | Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) |
| Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (58.5 cm) | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) |
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison
| Price Range
Compare puppy prices between an American Bulldog and a German Shepherd. Which breed costs more? | $500-$600 | $800-$2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, American Bulldog or German Shepherd? | Average: The American Bulldog is a commonly available dog breed. | Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get. |
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
| Intelligence Rating
Which is smarter: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities. | Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. |
|---|---|---|
| Training Difficulty
Which is easier to train: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare training requirements. | American Bulldog dogs are quite easy to train. | German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. |
| Watchdog Rating
Which makes a better watchdog: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare alertness levels. | American Bulldog dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. |
| Territorial Protection
Which is more protective: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare territorial behaviors. | American Bulldog dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Personality and Temperament Comparison
| Personality Traits
Compare personalities of an American Bulldog and a German Shepherd. How do their temperaments differ? |
Loving Energetic Alert Courageous Affectionate Gentle Going Social |
Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between American Bulldog vs German Shepherd? | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. |
| Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: American Bulldog vs German Shepherd? | High: American Bulldog dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd social needs comparison: | American Bulldog dogs are a social breed. | German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between American Bulldog vs German Shepherd? | American Bulldog dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. | German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. |
| Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between American Bulldog vs German Shepherd? Which can be better for hunting? | American Bulldog dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. | German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Activity and Playfulness Comparison
| Barking Frequency
Which breed barks more: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare vocalization tendencies. | Low to Average: The American Bulldog rarely barks. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. |
|---|---|---|
| Playful Nature
Which breed is more playful: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare play drive and energy. | The American Bulldog is a playful breed. | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
| Apartment Adaptability
Which is better for apartments: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare living space needs. | It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep American Bulldog indoors. | It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors. |
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Adaptability and Independence Comparison
| Lifestyle Adaptability
Which adapts better to changes: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare adaptability levels. | American Bulldog dogs adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. | German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
|---|---|---|
| Alone Time Tolerance
Which dog can be left alone: American Bulldog or German Shepherd? | American Bulldog dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. |
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Bite Characteristics Comparison
| Bite Risk Assessment
Which has lower bite risk: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare biting tendencies. | Moderate ⏺ The American Bulldog has an average chance of biting somebody. | High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. |
|---|---|---|
| Mouthing Tendency
Which is more mouthy: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare mouthing behaviors. | American Bulldog dogs have a lower than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. | German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
| Bite Strength Rating
Which has a stronger bite: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare bite force PSI. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ American Bulldog bite force: Ordinary. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. |
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Health and Lifespan Comparison
| Average Lifespan
Which lives longer: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare average lifespans. |
10-12 years The average lifespan of American Bulldog: 11 years |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Tolerance
Which handles weather better: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare climate tolerances. | Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. |
| Health Concerns
Compare common health issues between an American Bulldog and a German Shepherd. Which breed is healthier? | American Bulldogs tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds. | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. |
| Vet Care Frequency
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: American Bulldog vs German Shepherd? |
Frequent The American Bulldog should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year. |
Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
| Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: American Bulldog vs German Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? American Bulldog vs German Shepherd health problems comparison: | Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Entropion Cherry Eye Ectropion Elbow Dysplasia |
Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Blindness Cherry Eye Elbow Dysplasia Diabetes Heart Disease Retinal Dysplasia Demodectic Mange Degenerative Myelopathy Wobbler's Syndrome Panosteitis Hemophilia B Megaesophagus Cushing's Syndrome Lens Luxation Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Digestive Problems Hemophilia A Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lupus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Paralysis Perianal Fistula Seborrhea Vitiligo |
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Energy and Activity Comparison
| Energy Rating
Which breed is more energetic: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare activity levels. | American Bulldog dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. | German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: American Bulldog or German Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | American Bulldog dogs have an average exercise need. | German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: American Bulldog or German Shepherd? | American Bulldog dogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot. | German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. |
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Diet and Weight Management Comparison
| Obesity Tendency
Which gains weight easier: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare obesity risks. | Low to Average: The American Bulldog has a low to the average risk for obesity. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. |
|---|---|---|
| Food Consumption
Which eats more: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare daily food needs. | 3 to 5 cups of a high-quality dog food daily, divided into two meals. | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Allergies and Grooming Comparison
| Allergy Friendliness
Which is more hypoallergenic: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare allergy friendliness. | No See more. | No See more. |
|---|---|---|
| Coat Colors
What color variations exist for American Bulldog and German Shepherd? Compare breed colors. |
Black White Brown Fawn |
Black Tan Red Silver |
| Grooming Requirements
Which needs more grooming: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare maintenance needs. | Effortless: The American Bulldog requires minimal grooming. | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which drools more: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare drooling amounts. | The American Bulldog drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. | The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. |
| Stinkiness Rating
Which has less odor: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare natural smell levels. | Medium ⏺ The American Bulldog has an average chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Coat Characteristics
How do coats differ between an American Bulldog and a German Shepherd? Compare fur types. | Fine | Fuzzy |
| Bathing Needs
Which needs more baths: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare bathing frequencies. | 3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more American Bulldog or German Shepherd? Do American Bulldog dogs shed more than German Shepherd dogs? | American Bulldog dogs shed moderately. | German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. |
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Good With Comparison
| Child Compatibility
Which is better with children: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare kid-friendliness. | American Bulldog dogs are kid-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Pet Compatibility
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | American Bulldog dogs usually don’t get on well with other pets. | German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets. |
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly American Bulldog or German Shepherd? Which dog is more friendly? | American Bulldog dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly American Bulldog or German Shepherd? | American Bulldog dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly American Bulldog or German Shepherd? Can an American Bulldog and a German Shepherd be friends? Do American Bulldog dogs get along with German Shepherd dogs? | American Bulldog dogs are average friendly towards other dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. |
| Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: American Bulldog vs German Shepherd? |
Yes American Bulldog dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
| Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office? |
No American Bulldog is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
| Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people? | American Bulldogs are usually recommended for elderly people. | German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog Capability
Which makes a better service dog: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare service capabilities. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy Work Suitability
Which is better for therapy work: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare therapy capabilities. | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
| Scent Detection Ability
Which is better at detection work: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare scenting abilities. | Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. | Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work. |
| Search & Rescue Potential
Which is better for search and rescue: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare SAR abilities. | Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. | Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog. |
| Maritime Work Ability
Which is better on boats: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare maritime abilities. | Not really American Bulldog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
| Draft Work Capability
Which is better at pulling: an American Bulldog or a German Shepherd? Compare draft work capabilities. | Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
| Military Service Background
Compare military history between American Bulldog and German Shepherd. Which has stronger military background? | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. |
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Reproducibility Comparison
| Puppy Litter Size
Compare litter sizes between American Bulldog and German Shepherd. Which has larger litters? | 7-14 puppies | 6-10 puppies |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy Duration
Compare pregnancy duration between American Bulldog and German Shepherd breeds. | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
| Breeding Frequency
Compare breeding frequencies between American Bulldog and German Shepherd. Which needs longer recovery? | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Recognition Comparison
| AKC Classification
Compare AKC classifications of American Bulldog and German Shepherd. Which groups do they belong to? | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. |
|---|---|---|
| FCI Classification
Compare FCI classifications of American Bulldog and German Shepherd. Which groups are they in? | Not recognized by FCI. | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. |
| Kennel Club Recognition
Compare kennel club recognition between American Bulldog and German Shepherd. Which is more widely recognized? |
American Canine Registry America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club United Kennel Club Backwoods Bulldog Club Animal Research Foundation American Rare Breed Association American Bulldog Association National American Bulldog Association John D Johnson Bulldog Registry American Bulldog Club Of Canada All American Bulldog Club |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club German Shepherd Dog Club Of America |
Popular Dog Compares
Sharing is caring.
Help our free service by spreading information about dog breeds.
Link to this: American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better AM Bulldog or Alsatian wolf dog?
<a href="https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/american-bulldog-vs-german-shepherd">American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better AM Bulldog or Alsatian wolf dog?</a>
Help our free service by spreading information about dog breeds.
Link to this: American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better AM Bulldog or Alsatian wolf dog?
<a href="https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/american-bulldog-vs-german-shepherd">American Bulldog vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better AM Bulldog or Alsatian wolf dog?</a>