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