American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon Comparison - Dog breed selector: Stafford or Alsatian wolf dog or Continental Toy Spaniel? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon" Compare American Staffordshire Terrier and German Shepherd. Which is better: American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon?

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 Staffordshire Terrier	German Shepherd	Papillon
Origins	United States	Germany	Spain France Belgium
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Hunting Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Companion Dogs
Popularity Rank	83	2	53
Reviews	6	19	4
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Stafford Staffy Amstaff	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian	Continental Toy Spaniel Epagneul Nain Epagneul Nain Continental Phalène Squirrel Dog Butterfly Dog
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon? Which is the smallest dog, American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon?	Medium	Large	Small
Weight Which is heavier, American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or German Shepherd? American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon weight comparison:	57-67 pounds (25-30 kg)	Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg)	Male: 8-10 pounds (4-5 kg), Female: 7-9 pounds (3-4 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	62 pounds (27.5 kg)	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)	Male: 9 pounds (4.5 kg), Female: 8 pounds (3.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon? American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon height comparison:	Male: 17-19 inches (43-48 cm), Female: 16-18 inches (41-46 cm)	Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm)	Male: 8-11 inches (20-28 cm), Female: 8-11 inches (20-28 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 18 inches (45.5 cm), Female: 17 inches (43.5 cm)	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)	Male: 9.5 inches (24 cm), Female: 9.5 inches (24 cm)

American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon? Which is more expensive?	$800-$1000	$800-$2000	$400-$600
Availability Which is easier to get, American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon?	Very frequent: The American Staffordshire Terrier is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Papillon is quite easy to get.

American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon intelligence:	Smart: The American Staffordshire Terrier dogs have great intelligence. See more.	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Outstanding: Papillon is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon trainability comparison.	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are easy to train. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.	Papillon dogs are easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon?	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Papillon dogs are average watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are average defenders. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Papillon dogs strongly protect their territory. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon? American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon behavior/temperament comparison:	Courageous Intelligent Friendly Loyal Devoted Attentive Tenacious	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful	Happy Energetic Alert Intelligent Friendly
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. See more.	Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Papillon dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon?	High: American Staffordshire Terrier 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: Papillon dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon social needs comparison:	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are a social breed. See more.	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Papillon dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	Papillon dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	American Staffordshire Terrier 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.	Papillon dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon playfulness comparison:	The American Staffordshire Terrier is a playful breed. See more.	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	The Papillon is a highly playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon?	Average: The American Staffordshire Terrier barks occasionally. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	A lot: Papillon is a particularly loud breed. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon?	It is not recommended to keep the American Staffordshire Terrier breed in the home.	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 Papillon indoors.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Average: American Staffordshire Terrier dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.	German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Papillon dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon?	American Staffordshire Terrier 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.	Papillon dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ American Staffordshire Terrier bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Papillon bite force: Weak.
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:	Low 🔽 The American Staffordshire Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody.	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Papillon has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon mouthiness comparison:	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Papillon dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.

American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon health comparison. Which is the healthier: American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon?	The American Staffordshire Terrier is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.	The Papillon is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon health problems comparison:	No data available	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	Collapsed Trachea Open Fontanel Patellar Luxation Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Hypoglycemia
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Average The American Staffordshire Terrier should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).	Average The Papillon should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon lifespan comparison. How long do American Staffordshire Terrier, German Shepherd and Papillon breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	12-14 years The average lifespan of American Staffordshire Terrier: 13 years	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years	12-16 years The average lifespan of Papillon: 14 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon?	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.	Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. See more.

American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon? American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon energy level comparison:	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Papillon dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	Papillon dogs need a lot of exercises.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon?	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered a lazy breed.	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Papillon dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon?	2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	1/4 to 1 cup 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 Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon weight gain potential comparison:	Low to Average: The American Staffordshire Terrier 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: The Papillon has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon coat comparison:	Fine	Fuzzy	Feathered
Colors What are the original American Staffordshire Terrier, German Shepherd and Papillon color?	Black Blue White Brown	Black Tan Red Silver	Black Tan Red White Sable Lemon
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon? American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon grooming comparison:	Effortless: The American Staffordshire Terrier requires minimal grooming. See more.	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Average: The Papillon requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon? American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or {name3 shedding:	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs shed none to minimal. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.	Papillon dogs shed none to minimal. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon?	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.	6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.
Hypoallergenic American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon 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 Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon?	Medium ⏺ The American Staffordshire Terrier has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Low 🔽 The Papillon has a low chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The American Staffordshire Terrier is an average drooler. See more.	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Papillon is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs do best when they’re the only pet at the family.	German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	Papillon dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon? Which dog is more friendly?	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.	Papillon dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon?	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Papillon dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon?	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are not cat-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Papillon dogs are very cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly American Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon?	American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are not dog-friendly.	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	Papillon dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon?	Yes American Staffordshire Terrier 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.	Yes Papillon dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	Yes American Staffordshire Terrier is one of the best dog breeds for office environment	No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Papillon is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	American Staffordshire Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people.	German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Papillons are usually recommended for elderly people.

American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Yes This breed makes good 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 Staffordshire Terrier or German Shepherd or Papillon? 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.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a 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.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon?	Not really American Staffordshire Terrier 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 Papillon breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?	Not really 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.	Not really 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.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon 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 Staffordshire Terrier and German Shepherd and Papillon have?	5-10 puppies	6-10 puppies	2-4 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936 as a Terrier breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1915 as a Toy breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Recognized by FCI in the Terriers group, in the Bull type Terriers section.	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Continental Toy Spaniel and Russian Toy section.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	No data available	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

Popular Dog Compares

Despite the best intentions, there may be errors. If you find one, please let us know and we will fix it as soon as possible. Contact us here.

Rate This Comparsion - American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd vs Papillon

Reviews