German Shepherd vs Leonberger Comparison – Which dog is better Alsatian wolf dog or Gentle Giant?
"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Leonberger"
Compare German Shepherd and Leonberger. Which is better: German Shepherd or Leonberger?
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| Name | German Shepherd | Leonberger |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  Germany | Germany |
| Group | Pastoral / Herding Dogs | Working Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 2 | 100 |
| Reviews | 19 | 3 |
| User Ratings |
| Other Names
What other names do they have? |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian |
Gentle Giant Gentle Lion Leonbergi Leo |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Type
Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? German Shepherd vs Leonberger breed type comparison: | Purebred | Purebred |
German Shepherd vs Leonberger Size and Weight Comparison
| Size
Which dog is bigger, German Shepherd or Leonberger?
Is the German Shepherd bigger than the Leonberger breed?
Is a German Shepherd smaller than a Leonberger? | Large | Giant |
|---|---|---|
| Weight
Which is heavier, German Shepherd or Leonberger? German Shepherd vs Leonberger weight comparison: | Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) | Male: 130-170 pounds (59-77 kg), Female: 100-130 pounds (45-59 kg) |
| Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight? | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) | Male: 150 pounds (68 kg), Female: 115 pounds (52 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, German Shepherd or Leonberger? Is a German Shepherd taller than a Leonberger? | Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) | Male: 29-31 inches (74-80 cm), Female: 27-29 inches (61-74 cm) |
| Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) | Male: 30 inches (77 cm), Female: 28 inches (67.5 cm) |
German Shepherd vs Leonberger Price and Availability Comparison
| Price
Which is cheaper, German Shepherd or Leonberger? Which is more expensive? What is the difference in price between German Shepherd and Leonberger? | $800-$2000 | $1500-$2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Leonberger? | Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get. | Frequent: The Leonberger is easier than average to get. |
German Shepherd vs Leonberger Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
| Intelligent Rank
Which dog has more intelligence? Is a German Shepherd or Leonberger smarter? Which is best? German Shepherd vs Leonberger intelligence: | 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. |
|---|---|---|
| Trainability
German Shepherd vs Leonberger trainability comparison. What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Leonberger? | German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. | Leonberger dogs are quite easy to train. |
| Watchdog Ability
Which is the better watchdog: German Shepherd or Leonberger? | German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | Leonberger dogs are one of the best watchdogs. |
| Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Which is a better guard dog German Shepherd or Leonberger?
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. | Leonberger dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
German Shepherd vs Leonberger Personality and Temperament Comparison
| Temperament
Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, German Shepherd or Leonberger? German Shepherd vs Leonberger behavior/temperament comparison: |
Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful |
Loving Obedient Loyal Fearless Companionable Adaptable |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Leonberger? | 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 Leonberger? | High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | High: Leonberger dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs
German Shepherd vs Leonberger social needs comparison: | German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. | Leonberger dogs need a lot of social interaction. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Leonberger? | German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. | Leonberger 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 Leonberger? Which can be better for hunting? | German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Leonberger dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
German Shepherd vs Leonberger Activity and Playfulness Comparison
| Playfulness
German Shepherd vs Leonberger playfulness comparison: | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The Leonberger is a playful breed. |
|---|---|---|
| Barking
Which dog barks more/less: German Shepherd vs Leonberger? | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. | Low: The Leonberger barks none to minimal. |
| Apartment Friendly
Which dog is more apartment friendly German Shepherd or Leonberger? | 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. | Not an apartment-friendly dog the Leonberger breed. |
German Shepherd vs Leonberger 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: Leonberger 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 Leonberger? | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. | Leonberger dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. |
German Shepherd vs Leonberger Bite Characteristics Comparison
| Bite Force PSI
Which bite is stronger: German Shepherd or Leonberger? | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. | Above 400 PSI 🔼 Leonberger bite force: The Strongest. |
|---|---|---|
| Biting Potential
Is a German Shepherd more dangerous than a Leonberger? | High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. | Low 🔽 The Leonberger has a low chance of biting somebody. |
| Mouthiness
Which is the better dog? German Shepherd vs Leonberger mouthiness comparison: | German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Leonberger dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. |
German Shepherd vs Leonberger Health and Lifespan Comparison
| Health Issues
German Shepherd vs Leonberger health comparison. Which is the healthier: German Shepherd vs Leonberger? | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. | Leonbergers tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds. |
|---|---|---|
| Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs Leonberger? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Leonberger 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 Cancer Bloat Entropion Inherited Polyneuropathy Ectropion Elbow Dysplasia Addison's Disease Eosinophilic Panosteitis |
| Veterinarian Visits
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: German Shepherd vs Leonberger? |
Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
Frequent The Leonberger should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year. |
| Life Expectancy
German Shepherd vs Leonberger lifespan comparison. How long do German Shepherd and Leonberger breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy? What is the age limit of the German Shepherd and Leonberger? |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
8-10 years The average lifespan of Leonberger: 9 years |
| Weather and Climate
Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: German Shepherd vs Leonberger? | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. | Prefers cold weather The Leonberger can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog. |
German Shepherd vs Leonberger Energy and Activity Comparison
| Energy Level
Who has more energy a German Shepherd or Leonberger?
German Shepherd vs Leonberger energy level comparison: | German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. | Leonberger dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
German Shepherd vs Leonberger exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Leonberger? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise. | Leonberger dogs need quite a lot of exercise. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Leonberger? | German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. | Leonberger dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping. |
German Shepherd vs Leonberger Diet and Weight Management Comparison
| Average daily food consumption
Which dog eats more: German Shepherd or Leonberger? Does the German Shepherd breed eat more than the Leonberger breed? | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? German Shepherd vs Leonberger weight gain potential comparison: | Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. | Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Leonberger's weight, he can easily gain weight. |
German Shepherd vs Leonberger Allergies and Grooming Comparison
| Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat/fur do they have? German Shepherd vs Leonberger coat comparison: | Fuzzy | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
| Colors
What are the original German Shepherd and Leonberger color? German Shepherd vs Leonberger color comparison: |
Black Tan Red Silver | Red Brown Yellow Sandy Reddish Mahogany |
| Grooming
Which dog is easy to maintain, German Shepherd or Leonberger? German Shepherd vs Leonberger grooming comparison: | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. | Average: The Leonberger requires average grooming effort. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more German Shepherd or Leonberger? Do German Shepherd dogs shed more than Leonberger dogs? | German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. | Leonberger dogs are heavy shedders. |
| Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
Which dog should be bathed more: German Shepherd or Leonberger? | 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. |
| Hypoallergenic
German Shepherd vs Leonberger hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not? | No See more. | No See more. |
| Stinkiness
Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, German Shepherd or Leonberger? | Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The Leonberger 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 Leonberger? | The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. | The Leonberger is an average drooler. |
German Shepherd vs Leonberger Good With Comparison
| Pet Friendly
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets. | Leonberger dogs are generally with other pets. |
|---|---|---|
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or Leonberger? Which dog is more friendly? | German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. | Leonberger dogs are average friendly towards strangers. |
| Child Friendly
Which dog is more child/kid friendly German Shepherd or Leonberger? | German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | Leonberger dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Leonberger? | German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. | Leonberger dogs are average friendly towards cats. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or Leonberger? Can a German Shepherd and a Leonberger be friends? Do German Shepherd dogs get along with Leonberger dogs? | German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. | Leonberger dogs are dog-friendly dogs. |
| Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: German Shepherd vs Leonberger? |
Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes Leonberger 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 Leonberger 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. | Leonbergers are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
German Shepherd vs Leonberger As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog
Which one could be a service dog? | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy Dog
Which one could be a therapy dog: German Shepherd or Leonberger? Which is better for autism? | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. |
| 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. | Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. |
| 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 Leonberger? | Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really Leonberger breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
| 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. | Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
| 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 Leonberger 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. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
| Litter Size
How many puppies can German Shepherd and Leonberger have? German Shepherd vs Leonberger litter size comparison: | 6-10 puppies | 6-8 puppies |
German Shepherd vs Leonberger 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 2010 as a Working 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 Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type 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. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club |
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