Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Comparison - Dog breed selector: Carriage Dog or Lab or Alsatian wolf dog? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd" Compare Dalmatian and Labrador Retriever. Which is better: Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?

Price and Availability Size Grooming, Hair and Care Personality / Temperament Good With Health As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Dalmatian	Labrador Retriever	German Shepherd
Origins	Croatia	England Canada	Germany
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Companion Dogs	Gun Dog	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	63	1	2
Reviews	1	6	13
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Carriage Dog Dally Firehouse Dog Plum Pudding Dog Spotted Coach Dog Dal	Lab Labrador	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd? Which is more expensive?	$500-$600	$1000-$2000	$800-$2000
Availability Which is easier to get, Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?	Very frequent: The Dalmatian is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Labrador Retriever is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.

Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Size Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd? Which is the smallest dog, Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?	Large	Large	Large
Weight Which is heavier, Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or Labrador Retriever? Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd weight comparison:	about 55 pounds (25 kg)	Male: 60-75 pounds (27-34kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 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?	about 55 pounds (25 kg)	Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg)	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)
Height Which is taller, Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd? Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd height comparison:	Male: 22 - 24 inches (50 – 60 cm), Female: 20 - 22 inches (50 - 55 cm)	Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 21-23 inches (53-58 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: 22 - 24 inches (50 – 60 cm), Female: 20 - 22 inches (50 - 55 cm)	Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22 inches (55.5 cm)	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)

Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Grooming, Hair and Care Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd coat comparison:	Fine	Dense Waterproof Hard Short	Fuzzy
Colors What are the original Dalmatian, Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd color?	Black White Brown Liver	Black Yellow Chocolate	Black Tan Red Silver
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd? Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd grooming comparison:	Effortless: The Dalmatian requires minimal grooming. See more.	Effortless: The Labrador Retriever requires minimal grooming. See more.	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd? Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or {name3 shedding:	Dalmatian dogs are heavy shedders. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs shed moderately. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.	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.

Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Personality / Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd? Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd behavior/temperament comparison:	Active Playful Energetic Sensitive Intelligent Friendly Outgoing	Playful Loving Energetic Alert Intelligent Friendly Responsive Affectionate Loyal Gentle Going Social Cheerful	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful
Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd intelligence:	Smart: The Dalmatian dogs have great intelligence. See more.	Outstanding: Labrador Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd trainability comparison.	Dalmatian dogs are quite easy to train. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs are very easy to train. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Playfulness Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd playfulness comparison:	The Dalmatian is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Labrador Retriever is a highly playful breed. See more.	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
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: Labrador Retriever dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd?	High: Dalmatian dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	Slightly Below Average: Labrador Retriever dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. See more.	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd social needs comparison:	Dalmatian dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd?	Average: The Dalmatian barks occasionally. See more.	Average: The Labrador Retriever barks occasionally. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?	Dalmatian dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Dalmatian dogs are average defenders. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs are average defenders. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	Low 🔽 The Dalmatian has a low chance of biting somebody.	Moderate ⏺ The Labrador Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody.	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.
Bite Force Which bite is stronger: Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Dalmatian bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Labrador Retriever bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd mouthiness comparison:	Dalmatian dogs have a lower than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	The wanderlust potential of the Dalmatian is strong enough to escape from home. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Dalmatian dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. See more.	German Shepherd 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
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?	Not an apartment-friendly dog the Dalmatian breed.	It is not recommended to keep the Labrador Retriever 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.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List
Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Dalmatian dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Labrador Retriever dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?	Dalmatian dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Labrador Retriever dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.

Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Good With Comparison

Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd? Which dog is more friendly?	Dalmatian dogs are average friendly towards strangers.	Labrador Retriever dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Dalmatian dogs are generally with other pets.	Labrador Retriever dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.	German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?	Dalmatian dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Labrador Retriever dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?	Dalmatian dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Labrador Retriever dogs are cat-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?	Dalmatian dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.	Labrador Retriever dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd?	Yes Dalmatian dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Labrador Retriever 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 Dalmatian is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Labrador Retriever 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?	Dalmatians are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Labrador Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Health Comparison

Health Issues Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd health comparison. Which is the healthier: Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd?	Dalmatians are commonly healthy dogs.	The Labrador Retriever is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd health problems comparison:	Hip Dysplasia Allergies Deafness Skin Allergies Iris Sphincter Dysplasia Urolithiasis	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Bloat Epilepsy Ear Infections Elbow Dysplasia Osteochondrosis Dissecans Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia Acute Moist Dermatitis Cold Tail Myopathy	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
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Rare The Dalmatian should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).	Average The Labrador Retriever 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).
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd lifespan comparison. How long do Dalmatian, Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	12-14 years The average lifespan of Dalmatian: 13 years	10-12 years The average lifespan of Labrador Retriever: 11 years	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Hypoallergenic Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Energy Level Who has more energy a Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd? Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd energy level comparison:	Dalmatian dogs are high-energy dogs.	Labrador Retriever dogs are high-energy dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Dalmatian dogs need a lot of exercises.	Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of exercises.	German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?	Dalmatian dogs don't need too much sleep.	Labrador Retriever dogs don't need too much sleep.	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot
Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?	Recommended daily amount: 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	Recommended daily amount: 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.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd weight gain potential comparison:	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Dalmatian's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.	High: The Labrador Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd?	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.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd?	Low 🔽 The Dalmatian has a low chance of bad smell.	High 🔼 The Labrador Retriever has a high chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The Dalmatian is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Labrador Retriever is an average drooler. See more.	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd 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.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Dalmatian or Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd? Which is better for autism?	Yes This breed makes a perfect 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.	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.
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: Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd?	Not really Dalmatian breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Yes Labrador Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. See more.	Not really German Shepherd 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	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd 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 Dalmatian and Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd have?	6-9 puppies	5-10 puppies	6-10 puppies
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Dalmatian vs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888 as a Non-Sporting breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917 as a Sporting breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Recognized by FCI in the Scent hounds and related breeds group, in the Related breeds section.	Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section.	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	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	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 Canadian Canine Registry	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

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