German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever Comparison – Which dog is better Alsatian wolf dog or Lab?

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

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	Labrador Retriever
Origins	Germany	England Canada
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Gun Dog
Popularity Rank	2	1
Reviews	13	7
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian	Lab Labrador
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred

German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which dog is bigger, German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever? Is the German Shepherd bigger than the Labrador Retriever breed? Is a German Shepherd smaller than a Labrador Retriever?	Large	Large
Weight Which is heavier, German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever? German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever weight comparison:	Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg)	Male: 60-75 pounds (27-34kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)	Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever? Is a German Shepherd taller than a Labrador Retriever?	Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm)	Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 21-23 inches (53-58 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)	Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22 inches (55.5 cm)

German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever? Which is more expensive? What is the difference in price between German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever?	$800-$2000	$1000-$2000
Availability Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever?	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Labrador Retriever is quite easy to get.

German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which dog has more intelligence? Is a German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever smarter? Which is best? German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever intelligence:	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Outstanding: Labrador Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever trainability comparison. What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever?	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs are very 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 Labrador Retriever?	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs are average watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever? 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.	Labrador Retriever dogs are average defenders. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever? German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever behavior/temperament comparison:	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful	Playful Loving Energetic Alert Intelligent Friendly Responsive Affectionate Loyal Gentle Going Social Cheerful
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever?	Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Sensitive: Labrador Retriever 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: German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever?	High: German Shepherd 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.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever social needs comparison:	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever?	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever? Which can be better for hunting?	German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. 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.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever playfulness comparison:	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	The Labrador Retriever is a highly playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever?	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Average: The Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever?	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 Labrador Retriever breed in the home.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever 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.	Labrador Retriever dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever?	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	Labrador Retriever dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever Bite Characteristics Comparison

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

German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever health comparison. Which is the healthier: German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever?	German Shepherds 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.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever 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	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Bloat Epilepsy Ear Infections Elbow Dysplasia Osteochondrosis Dissecans Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia Acute Moist Dermatitis Cold Tail Myopathy
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever?	Rare The German Shepherd 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.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever lifespan comparison. How long do German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy? What is the age limit of the German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever?	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years	10-12 years The average lifespan of Labrador Retriever: 11 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 Labrador Retriever?	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.

German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever? German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever energy level comparison:	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Labrador Retriever dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of exercises.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever?	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Labrador Retriever dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever? Does the German Shepherd breed eat more than the Labrador Retriever breed?	3 to 4 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.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever weight gain potential comparison:	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	High: The Labrador Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever coat comparison:	Fuzzy	Dense Waterproof Hard Short
Colors What are the original German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever color? German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever color comparison:	Black Tan Red Silver	Black Yellow Chocolate
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever? German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever grooming comparison:	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Effortless: The Labrador Retriever requires minimal grooming. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever? Do German Shepherd dogs shed more than Labrador Retriever dogs?	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.	Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever?	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 Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever?	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	High 🔼 The Labrador Retriever has a high chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever?	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Labrador Retriever is an average drooler. See more.

German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	Labrador Retriever dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever? Which dog is more friendly?	German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.	Labrador Retriever 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 German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever?	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Labrador Retriever dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever?	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Labrador Retriever dogs are cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever? Can a German Shepherd and a Labrador Retriever be friends? Do German Shepherd dogs get along with Labrador Retriever dogs?	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	Labrador Retriever dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is best for first time owners: German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever?	Yes German Shepherd 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.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Labrador Retriever 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.	Labrador Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever 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.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever? 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.
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.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever?	Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Yes Labrador Retriever breed usually likes 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.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever have? German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever litter size comparison:	6-10 puppies	5-10 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917 as a Sporting breed.
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.	Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers 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 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 Canadian Canine Registry

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Reviews

Rohan Patel
Apr 26, 2020, 8:05:29 PM:
I love the gss but can you make a St. Bernard comparison
Noah
Feb 10, 2021, 5:06:06 PM:
Everything is great except that labs arent affectionate.
Giovanni
Dec 28, 2021, 1:48:11 PM:
Re. GS health issues.... it all depends on the breeding.... in the US breeding is terrible.... I should know, I am a breeder.