American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Comparison - Dog breed selector: AM Bulldog or Alsatian wolf dog or Alpine Mastiff? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard" Compare American Bulldog and German Shepherd. Which is better: American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	American Bulldog	German Shepherd	St. Bernard
Origins	United States	Germany	Switzerland Italy
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Guard Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Working Dogs
Popularity Rank	272	2	48
Reviews	1	19	9
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	AM Bulldog American Bulldogge American Bulldoggee Old Country Bulldog AmBulldog	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian	Alpine Mastiff Bernhardiner St. Barnhardshund St. Bernard Saint
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard? Which is the smallest dog, American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard?	Large	Large	Giant
Weight Which is heavier, American Bulldog or German Shepherd or German Shepherd? American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard weight comparison:	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)	110-200 pounds (50-91 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)	155 pounds (70.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard? American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard height comparison:	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)	25.5-27.5 inches (61-70 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)	25.5-27.5 inches (65.5 cm)

American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard? Which is more expensive?	$500-$600	$800-$2000	$1500-$1800
Availability Which is easier to get, American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard?	Average: The American Bulldog is a commonly available dog breed.	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The St.

American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard intelligence:	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard trainability comparison.	American Bulldog dogs are quite easy to train. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.	A slightly harder to train than average. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard?	American Bulldog dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	St. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	American Bulldog dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	St. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard? American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard behavior/temperament comparison:	Loving Energetic Alert Courageous Affectionate Gentle Going Social	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful	Independent Happy Friendly Gentle Going Social Quiet
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.	Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Sensitive: St. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard?	High: American Bulldog dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: St. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard social needs comparison:	American Bulldog dogs are a social breed. See more.	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	St. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	American Bulldog dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	St. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? 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. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Their prey drive is low. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard playfulness comparison:	The American Bulldog is a playful breed. See more.	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	St. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard?	Low to Average: The American Bulldog rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Low: The St. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard?	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.	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 St.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	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.	St.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard?	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.	St.

American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ American Bulldog bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.	Above 400 PSI 🔼 St.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	Moderate ⏺ The American Bulldog has an average chance of biting somebody.	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.	Moderate ⏺ The St.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard mouthiness comparison:	American Bulldog dogs have a lower than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	St. See more.

American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard health comparison. Which is the healthier: American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard?	American Bulldogs tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.	Very healthy dog breed.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard 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	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Bloat Epilepsy Entropion Elbow Dysplasia Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	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).	Rare The St.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard lifespan comparison. How long do American Bulldog, German Shepherd and St. Bernard breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	10-12 years The average lifespan of American Bulldog: 11 years	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years	8-10 years The average lifespan of St.
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard?	Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. See more.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.

American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard? American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard energy level comparison:	American Bulldog dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	St.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard? 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.	St.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard?	American Bulldog dogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot.	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	St.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard?	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.	6 to 8 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard weight gain potential comparison:	Low to Average: The American Bulldog has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the St. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard coat comparison:	Fine	Fuzzy	Dense Rough Smooth
Colors What are the original American Bulldog, German Shepherd and St. Bernard color?	Black White Brown Fawn	Black Tan Red Silver	Black Red White Brown Brindle Tricolor
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard? American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard grooming comparison:	Effortless: The American Bulldog requires minimal grooming. See more.	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Average: The St. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard? American Bulldog or German Shepherd or {name3 shedding:	American Bulldog dogs shed moderately. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.	St. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard?	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.
Hypoallergenic American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard?	Medium ⏺ The American Bulldog has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	High 🔼 The St.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	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. See more.	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The St. See more.

American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly 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.	St.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard? Which dog is more friendly?	American Bulldog dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.	St.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard?	American Bulldog dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	St.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard?	American Bulldog dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	St.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard?	American Bulldog dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	St.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard?	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.	No St.
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.	No St.
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.	St.

American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: American Bulldog or German Shepherd or St. Bernard? Which is better for autism?	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?	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.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) Which one could be a search and rescue dog?	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.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard?	Not really American Bulldog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really St. See more.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?	Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Fighting Dog / Military Dog	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.	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 vs St. Bernard Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Litter Frequency	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.
Litter Size How many puppies can American Bulldog and German Shepherd and St. Bernard have?	7-14 puppies	6-10 puppies	6-8 puppies
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American Bulldog vs German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Working breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Not recognized by FCI.	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Not recognized by FCI.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	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	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

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