German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier Comparison – Which dog is better Alsatian wolf dog or Pit?

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

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	German Shepherd	American Pit Bull Terrier
Origins	Germany	United States
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Hunting Dogs
Popularity Rank	2	336
Reviews	18	9
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian	Pit Pit Bull Pitbull Pitty APBT
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred

German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which dog is bigger, German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier? Is the German Shepherd bigger than the American Pit Bull Terrier breed? Is a German Shepherd smaller than an American Pit Bull Terrier?	Large	Medium
Weight Which is heavier, German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier? German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier weight comparison:	Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg)	22-78 pounds (10-35 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)	50 pounds (22.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier? Is a German Shepherd taller than an American Pit Bull Terrier?	Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm)	14-24 inches (35-60 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)	19 inches (47.5 cm)

German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier? Which is more expensive? What is the difference in price between German Shepherd and American Pit Bull Terrier?	$800-$2000	$500-$700
Availability Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier?	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Average: The American Pit Bull Terrier is a commonly available dog breed.

German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which dog has more intelligence? Is a German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier smarter? Which is best? German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier intelligence:	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier trainability comparison. What's the difference between German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier?	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.	American Pit Bull Terrier dogs are easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier?	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	American Pit Bull Terrier dogs are average watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	American Pit Bull Terrier dogs are average defenders. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier Personality and Temperament Comparison

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

German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier Activity and Playfulness Comparison

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

German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Average: American Pit Bull Terrier dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier?	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	American Pit Bull 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.

German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ American Pit Bull Terrier bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Biting Potential Is a German Shepherd more dangerous than an American Pit Bull Terrier?	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.	High 🔼 The American Pit Bull Terrier has a high chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier mouthiness comparison:	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	American Pit Bull Terrier dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.

German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier health comparison. Which is the healthier: German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier?	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.	American Pit Bull Terriers tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier 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 Demodectic Mange Skin Allergies
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier?	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 Pit Bull Terrier should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier lifespan comparison. How long do German Shepherd and American Pit Bull Terrier breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy? What is the age limit of the German Shepherd and American Pit Bull Terrier?	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years	10-14 years The average lifespan of American Pit Bull Terrier: 12 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier?	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.

German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier? German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier energy level comparison:	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	American Pit Bull Terrier dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	American Pit Bull Terrier dogs have an average exercise need.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier?	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	American Pit Bull Terrier dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier? Does the German Shepherd breed eat more than the American Pit Bull Terrier breed?	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	Recommended daily amount: 1.5 to 2.5 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? German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier weight gain potential comparison:	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The American Pit Bull Terrier has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier coat comparison:	Fuzzy	Fine
Colors What are the original German Shepherd and American Pit Bull Terrier color? German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier color comparison:	Black Tan Red Silver	Black Gray Tan Red Blue White Brown Yellow
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier? German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier grooming comparison:	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Effortless: The American Pit Bull Terrier requires minimal grooming. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier? Do German Shepherd dogs shed more than American Pit Bull Terrier dogs?	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.	American Pit Bull Terrier dogs shed moderately. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier?	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. 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.
Hypoallergenic German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier?	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The American Pit Bull Terrier has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier?	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The American Pit Bull Terrier is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	American Pit Bull Terrier dogs do best when they’re the only pet at the family.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier? Which dog is more friendly?	German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.	American Pit Bull Terrier dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier?	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	American Pit Bull Terrier dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier?	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	American Pit Bull Terrier dogs are not cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier? Can a German Shepherd and an American Pit Bull Terrier be friends? Do German Shepherd dogs get along with American Pit Bull Terrier dogs?	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	American Pit Bull Terrier dogs are not dog-friendly.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is best for first time owners: German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier?	Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes American Pit Bull Terrier 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 Pit Bull Terrier 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 Pit Bull Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people.

German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier 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.	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: German Shepherd or American Pit Bull Terrier? Which is better for autism?	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?	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?	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: German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier?	Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really American Pit Bull Terrier 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.
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.

German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	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.
Litter Size How many puppies can German Shepherd and American Pit Bull Terrier have? German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier litter size comparison:	6-10 puppies	5-8 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

German Shepherd vs American Pit Bull Terrier Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed.	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the 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 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 Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club United Kennel Club Backwoods Bulldog Club

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