German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky Comparison - Dog breed selector: Alsatian wolf dog or Gra Norsk Elghund or Husky? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky" Compare German Shepherd and Norwegian Elkhound. Which is better: German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky?

Price and Availability Size Grooming, Hair and Care Personality / Temperament Good With Health As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	German Shepherd	Norwegian Elkhound	Alaskan Husky
Origins	Germany	Norway	United States
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Hunting Dogs	Sled Dogs
Popularity Rank	2	91	495
Reviews	13	1	3
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian	Gra Norsk Elghund Gray Norwegian Elkhound Harmaa Norjanhirvikoira Norsk Elghund Norwegian Moose Dog Small Grey Elk Dog Elkhound	Husky
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Cross Breed

German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky? Which is more expensive?	$800-$2000	$500-$700	$1000-$1500
Availability Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky?	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Norwegian Elkhound is quite easy to get.	Rare: You may rarely see each other in everyday life, but you might catch a glimpse of each other at dog shows.

German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky Size Comparison

Size Which is bigger, German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky? Which is the smallest dog, German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky?	Large	Large	Medium
Weight Which is heavier, German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Norwegian Elkhound? German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky weight comparison:	Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg)	Male: 50-60 pounds (23-27 kg), Female: 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg)	Male: 40-60 pounds (18-27 kg), Female: 35-48 pounds (16-22 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)	Male: 55 pounds (25 kg), Female: 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg)	Male: 50 pounds (22.5 kg), Female: 41.5 pounds (19 kg)
Height Which is taller, German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky? German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky height comparison:	Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm)	Male: 19-21 inches (48-53 cm), Female: 18-20 inches (46-51 cm)	20-24 inches (51-61 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)	Male: 20 inches (50.5 cm), Female: 19 inches (48.5 cm)	22 inches (56 cm)

German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky Grooming, Hair and Care Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky coat comparison:	Fuzzy	Dense	Dense
Colors What are the original German Shepherd, Norwegian Elkhound and Alaskan Husky color?	Black Tan Red Silver	Black Gray White Silver	Black Gray White Blonde Orange
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky? German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky grooming comparison:	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Average: The Norwegian Elkhound requires average grooming effort. See more.	Average: The Alaskan Husky requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky? German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or {name3 shedding:	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.	Norwegian Elkhound dogs shed above average. See more.	Alaskan Husky 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 Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky?	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.

German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky Personality / Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky? German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky behavior/temperament comparison:	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful	Playful Alert Intelligent Loyal Strong Willed Bold	Agile Energetic Protective Alert Powerful Sensitive
Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky intelligence:	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Smart: The Norwegian Elkhound dogs have great intelligence. 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 Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky trainability comparison.	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.	Norwegian Elkhound dogs are easy to train. See more.	A slightly harder to train than average. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Playfulness German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky playfulness comparison:	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	Average: Norwegian Elkhounds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	The Alaskan Husky is a highly playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	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.	Sensitive: Alaskan Husky 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 Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky?	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: Norwegian Elkhound dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	Average to High: Alaskan Husky dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky social needs comparison:	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Norwegian Elkhound dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Alaskan Husky dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.
Barking Which dog barks more/less: German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky?	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	A lot: Norwegian Elkhound is a particularly loud breed. See more.	Average to High: The Alaskan Husky is a vocal breed. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky?	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Norwegian Elkhound dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Alaskan Husky dogs are average watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky? 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.	Norwegian Elkhound dogs are average defenders. See more.	Alaskan Husky dogs are average defenders. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Norwegian Elkhound has a low chance of biting somebody.	Moderate ⏺ The Alaskan Husky has an average chance of biting somebody.
Bite Force Which bite is stronger: German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Norwegian Elkhound bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Alaskan Husky bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky mouthiness comparison:	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Norwegian Elkhound dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Alaskan Husky dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	The wanderlust potential of the Norwegian Elkhound is strong enough to escape from home. See more.	Alaskan Husky dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Norwegian Elkhound dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Alaskan Husky dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky?	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 Norwegian Elkhound indoors.	Not an apartment-friendly dog the Alaskan Husky breed.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List
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.	Norwegian Elkhound dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Alaskan Husky 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 Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky?	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.

German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky Good With Comparison

Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky? Which dog is more friendly?	German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.	Norwegian Elkhound dogs are average friendly towards strangers.	Alaskan Husky dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	Norwegian Elkhound dogs are generally with other pets.	Alaskan Husky dogs do best when they’re the only pet at the family.
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky?	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Norwegian Elkhound dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	Alaskan Husky dogs are average friendly dogs towards children.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky?	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Norwegian Elkhound dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Alaskan Husky 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 Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky?	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	Norwegian Elkhound dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Alaskan Husky dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky?	Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Norwegian Elkhound dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	No Alaskan Husky dogs are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Norwegian Elkhound is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Alaskan Husky 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.	Norwegian Elkhounds are usually recommended for elderly people.	Alaskan Huskys are commonly okay with elderly people.

German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky Health Comparison

Health Issues German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky health comparison. Which is the healthier: German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky?	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.	The Norwegian Elkhound is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	Alaskan Huskys 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 Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky 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	No data available	Hyperthyroidism Laryngeal Paresis Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).	Average The Norwegian Elkhound should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Frequent The Alaskan Husky should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky lifespan comparison. How long do German Shepherd, Norwegian Elkhound and Alaskan Husky breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years	10-12 years The average lifespan of Norwegian Elkhound: 11 years	9-15 years The average lifespan of Alaskan Husky: 12 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Hypoallergenic German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Energy Level Who has more energy a German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky? German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky energy level comparison:	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Norwegian Elkhound dogs are high-energy dogs.	Alaskan Husky dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	Norwegian Elkhound dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	Alaskan Husky dogs need a lot of exercises.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky?	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Norwegian Elkhound dogs don't need too much sleep.	Alaskan Husky dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot
Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: German Shepherd or Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky?	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	2.5 to 3.5 cups of a high-quality dog food daily, divided into two meals.	1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two or three meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky weight gain potential comparison:	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Norwegian Elkhound's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.	Low to Average: The Alaskan Husky has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky?	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 cold weather The Norwegian Elkhound can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog. See more.	Prefers cold weather The Alaskan Husky can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog. See more.
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky?	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Norwegian Elkhound has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Alaskan Husky has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Norwegian Elkhound is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Alaskan Husky is an average drooler. See more.

German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky 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.	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 Norwegian Elkhound or Alaskan Husky? 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.	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.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	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.	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 Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky?	Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Norwegian Elkhound breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Alaskan Husky 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.	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.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	60-64 days See more.	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.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.
Litter Size How many puppies can German Shepherd and Norwegian Elkhound and Alaskan Husky have?	6-10 puppies	5-10 puppies	4-10 puppies
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German Shepherd vs Norwegian Elkhound vs Alaskan Husky 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 1913 as a Hound 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.	Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the Nordic Hunting Dogs 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	No data available	Dog Registry of America Inc.

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