German Shepherd vs American Bulldog vs Great Pyrenees – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs American Bulldog vs Great Pyrenees"
Compare German Shepherd and American Bulldog. Which is better: German Shepherd or American Bulldog or Great Pyrenees?
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Name | German Shepherd | American Bulldog | Great Pyrenees |
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Origins | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
Group | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) | Guard Dogs | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) |
Popularity Rank | 2 | 272 | 66 |
Reviews | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Rate |
Other Names | Alsatian, Berger Allemand, Alsatian wolf dog (UK), Deutscher Schäferhund, Schäferhund | AmBulldog, AM Bulldog, American Bulldogge, American Bulldoggee, Old Country Bulldog | Great Pyrenees, Patou, Chien Des Pyrénées, Chien De Montagne Des Pyrénées, Montañés Del Pirineo, Gos De Muntanya Dels Pirineus |
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Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred | Purebred |
AKC Group | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1933 as a Working breed. |
FCI Group | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. | Not recognized by FCI. | Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type section. |
Breed Recognition |
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 |
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 |
Price | $800-$2000 | $500-$600 | $500-$600 |
General Appearance - German Shepherd vs American Bulldog vs Great Pyrenees
Size | Large | Large | Giant |
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Weight | 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) | Male: from 100 pounds (45 kg), Female: from 85 pounds (38 kg) |
Avg. Weight | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) | Male: 95 pounds (43 kg), Female: 80 pounds (36 kg) | Male: from 100 pounds (45 kg), Female: from 85 pounds (38 kg) |
Height | 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) | Male: 27-32 inches (69-81 cm), Female: 25-29 inches (63-74 cm) |
Avg. 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) | Male: 29.5 inches (75 cm), Female: 27 inches (68.5 cm) |
Hair & Care - German Shepherd vs American Bulldog vs Great Pyrenees
Coat | Fuzzy | Fine |
Dense Double |
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Colors |
Silver Tan Red Black |
Fawn Brown White Black | White |
Grooming | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. | Effortless: The American Bulldog requires minimal grooming. | Average: The Great Pyrenees requires average grooming effort. |
Shedding Level | German Shepherds are heavy shedders. | American Bulldogs shed moderately. | Great Pyreneess shed above average. |
Characteristics - German Shepherd vs American Bulldog vs Great Pyrenees
Temperament |
Alert Courageous Intelligent Obedient Confident Curious Loyal Watchful |
Affectionate Courageous Gentle Going Alert Energetic Loving Social |
Affectionate Fearless Patient Confident Gentle Strong Willed |
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Intelligent Rank | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Average: American Bulldog's has average obedience intelligence. | Average: Great Pyrenees's has average obedience intelligence. |
Trainability | German Shepherds are easy to train. | American Bulldogs are quite easy to train. | Great Pyreneess are easy to train. |
Playfulness | German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The American Bulldog is a playful breed. | Great Pyreneess are not the most playful dog breed. |
Sensitivity Level | German Shepherds don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. |
Affection Level | German Shepherds are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | American Bulldogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Great Pyreneess are average dogs regarding their affection level. |
Social Needs | German Shepherds need for social interaction is average. | American Bulldogs are a social breed. | Great Pyreneess are a social breed. |
Barking | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. | Low to Average: The American Bulldog rarely barks. | Average to high: The Great Pyrenees is a vocal breed. |
Watchdog Ability | German Shepherds are one of the best watchdogs. | American Bulldogs are one of the best watchdogs. | Great Pyreneess are one of the best watchdogs. |
Territorial | German Shepherds are extremely protective guard dogs. | American Bulldogs are extremely protective guard dogs. | Great Pyreneess strongly protect their territory. |
Biting Potential |
High The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. |
Moderate The American Bulldog has an average chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Great Pyrenees has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Mouthiness | German Shepherds have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | American Bulldogs have lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Great Pyreneess have lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam | German Shepherds are not the biggest explorers. | American Bulldogs tend to escape less than other breeds. | Great Pyreneess have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. |
Prey Drive | German Shepherds have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | American Bulldogs 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. | Great Pyreneess have a high impulse to chase and catch something. |
Apartment Friendly | German Shepherds are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day. | American Bulldogs are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day. | Great Pyreneess are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle. |
Adaptability | German Shepherds adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | American Bulldogs adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. | Great Pyreneess adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. |
Tolerates Being Left Alone | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. | American Bulldogs 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. | Great Pyreneess 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. |
Fighting Dog |
Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog. |
Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Good With - German Shepherd vs American Bulldog vs Great Pyrenees
Stranger Friendly | German Shepherds are stranger friendly dogs. | American Bulldogs are not the most stranger friendly dogs. | Great Pyreneess are average friendly towards strangers. |
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Child Friendly | German Shepherds are very kid-friendly dogs. | American Bulldogs are kid-friendly dogs. | Great Pyreneess are kid-friendly dogs. |
Cat Friendly | German Shepherds are average friendly towards cats. | American Bulldogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs. | Great Pyreneess are cat-friendly dogs. |
Dog Friendly | German Shepherds are not the most dog-friendly dogs. | American Bulldogs are average friendly towards other dogs. | Great Pyreneess are average friendly towards other dogs. |
Office Friendly |
No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No American Bulldog is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Great Pyrenees is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly | German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | American Bulldogs are usually recommended for elderly people. | Great Pyreneess are usually recommended for elderly people. |
Pet Friendly | German Shepherds are generally with other pets. | American Bulldogs usually don’t get on well with other pets. | Great Pyreneess are usually friendly towards other pets. |
Good For First Time Owners |
No German Shepherds are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No American Bulldogs are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Great Pyreneess are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
Service Dog |
Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Therapy Dog |
Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog |
Yes A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) |
Yes The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Boat Dog |
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. |
Not really Great Pyrenees breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog |
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. |
Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Health Factors - German Shepherd vs American Bulldog vs Great Pyrenees
Health Issues | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. | American Bulldogs tend to have more and frequent health issues than other breeds. | Great Pyreneess are commonly healthy dogs. |
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Health Problems |
Allergies Blindness Bloat Cancer Cataracts Cherry Eye Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Cushing's Syndrome Degenerative Myelopathy Demodectic Mange Diabetes Digestive Problems Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Heart Disease Hemophilia A Hemophilia B Hip Dysplasia Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lens Luxation Lupus Megaesophagus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Panosteitis Paralysis Perianal Fistula Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Retinal Dysplasia Seborrhea Vitiligo Von Willebrand's Disease Wobbler's Syndrome |
Allergies Cancer Cherry Eye Ectropion Elbow Dysplasia Entropion Hip Dysplasia |
Addison's Disease Bloat Cataracts Drug Sensitivity Elbow Dysplasia Entropion Hip Dysplasia Patellar Luxation |
Life Expectancy | 10-13 years | 10-12 years | 10-12 years |
Hypoallergenic | No | No | No |
Energy Level | German Shepherds are high energy dogs. | American Bulldogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. | Great Pyreneess have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. |
Exercise Need | German Shepherds need quite a lot of exercise. | American Bulldogs have an average exercise need. | Great Pyreneess have an average exercise need. |
Sleeping Need | German Shepherds don't need too much sleep. | American Bulldogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot. | Great Pyreneess don't need too much sleep. |
Avg. daily food consumption | 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. | 8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals |
Weight Gain Potential | Low to Average. | Low to Average. | Average to High. |
Weather & Climate | Tolerates warm and cold weather. | Prefers average to warm weather conditions |
Prefers cold weather The Great Pyrenees can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog. |
Stinkiness |
Medium The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The American Bulldog has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Great Pyrenees has an average chance of bad smell. |
Drooling tendency | The German Shepherd is a perfect example for 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. | The Great Pyrenees is a perfect example for low drooling tendency. |
Reproducibility - German Shepherd vs American Bulldog vs Great Pyrenees
Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
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How often can the have a litter? |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Litter Size | 6-10 puppies | 7-14 puppies | 6-9 puppies |
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