German Shepherd vs Papillon Comparison – Which dog is better Alsatian wolf dog or Continental Toy Spaniel?
"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Papillon"
Compare German Shepherd and Papillon. Which is better: German Shepherd or Papillon?
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| Name | German Shepherd | Papillon |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  Germany |  Spain  France  Belgium |
| Group | Pastoral / Herding Dogs | Companion Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 2 | 53 |
| Reviews | 19 | 4 |
| User Ratings |
| Other Names
What other names do they have? |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian |
Continental Toy Spaniel Epagneul Nain Epagneul Nain Continental Phalène Squirrel Dog Butterfly Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Type
Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? German Shepherd vs Papillon breed type comparison: | Purebred | Purebred |
German Shepherd vs Papillon Size and Weight Comparison
| Size
Which dog is bigger, German Shepherd or Papillon?
Is the German Shepherd bigger than the Papillon breed?
Is a German Shepherd smaller than a Papillon? | Large | Small |
|---|---|---|
| Weight
Which is heavier, German Shepherd or Papillon? German Shepherd vs Papillon weight comparison: | Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) | Male: 8-10 pounds (4-5 kg), Female: 7-9 pounds (3-4 kg) |
| Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight? | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) | Male: 9 pounds (4.5 kg), Female: 8 pounds (3.5 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, German Shepherd or Papillon? Is a German Shepherd taller than a Papillon? | Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) | Male: 8-11 inches (20-28 cm), Female: 8-11 inches (20-28 cm) |
| Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) | Male: 9.5 inches (24 cm), Female: 9.5 inches (24 cm) |
German Shepherd vs Papillon Price and Availability Comparison
| Price
Which is cheaper, German Shepherd or Papillon? Which is more expensive? What is the difference in price between German Shepherd and Papillon? | $800-$2000 | $400-$600 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Papillon? | Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The Papillon is quite easy to get. |
German Shepherd vs Papillon Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
| Intelligent Rank
Which dog has more intelligence? Is a German Shepherd or Papillon smarter? Which is best? German Shepherd vs Papillon intelligence: | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Outstanding: Papillon is one of the brightest dog breeds. |
|---|---|---|
| Trainability
German Shepherd vs Papillon trainability comparison. What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Papillon? | German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. | Papillon dogs are easy to train. |
| Watchdog Ability
Which is the better watchdog: German Shepherd or Papillon? | German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | Papillon dogs are average watchdogs. |
| Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Which is a better guard dog German Shepherd or Papillon?
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. | Papillon dogs strongly protect their territory. |
German Shepherd vs Papillon Personality and Temperament Comparison
| Temperament
Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, German Shepherd or Papillon? German Shepherd vs Papillon behavior/temperament comparison: |
Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful |
Happy Energetic Alert Intelligent Friendly |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Papillon? | Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. | Papillon dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. |
| Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: German Shepherd vs Papillon? | High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | High: Papillon dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs
German Shepherd vs Papillon social needs comparison: | German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. | Papillon 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 Papillon? | German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. | Papillon dogs are not the biggest explorers. |
| Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Papillon? Which can be better for hunting? | German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Papillon dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
German Shepherd vs Papillon Activity and Playfulness Comparison
| Playfulness
German Shepherd vs Papillon playfulness comparison: | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The Papillon is a highly playful breed. |
|---|---|---|
| Barking
Which dog barks more/less: German Shepherd vs Papillon? | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. | A lot: Papillon is a particularly loud breed. |
| Apartment Friendly
Which dog is more apartment friendly German Shepherd or Papillon? | 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 Papillon indoors. |
German Shepherd vs Papillon 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. | Papillon 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 Papillon? | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. | Papillon dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. |
German Shepherd vs Papillon Bite Characteristics Comparison
| Bite Force PSI
Which bite is stronger: German Shepherd or Papillon? | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. | Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Papillon bite force: Weak. |
|---|---|---|
| Biting Potential
Is a German Shepherd more dangerous than a Papillon? | High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. | Low 🔽 The Papillon has a low chance of biting somebody. |
| Mouthiness
Which is the better dog? German Shepherd vs Papillon mouthiness comparison: | German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Papillon dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. |
German Shepherd vs Papillon Health and Lifespan Comparison
| Health Issues
German Shepherd vs Papillon health comparison. Which is the healthier: German Shepherd vs Papillon? | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. | The Papillon is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. |
|---|---|---|
| Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs Papillon? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Papillon 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 |
Collapsed Trachea Open Fontanel Patellar Luxation Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Hypoglycemia |
| Veterinarian Visits
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: German Shepherd vs Papillon? |
Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
Average The Papillon should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year. |
| Life Expectancy
German Shepherd vs Papillon lifespan comparison. How long do German Shepherd and Papillon breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy? What is the age limit of the German Shepherd and Papillon? |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
12-16 years The average lifespan of Papillon: 14 years |
| Weather and Climate
Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: German Shepherd vs Papillon? | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. | Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. |
German Shepherd vs Papillon Energy and Activity Comparison
| Energy Level
Who has more energy a German Shepherd or Papillon?
German Shepherd vs Papillon energy level comparison: | German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. | Papillon dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
German Shepherd vs Papillon exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Papillon? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise. | Papillon dogs need a lot of exercises. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Papillon? | German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. | Papillon dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping. |
German Shepherd vs Papillon Diet and Weight Management Comparison
| Average daily food consumption
Which dog eats more: German Shepherd or Papillon? Does the German Shepherd breed eat more than the Papillon breed? | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 1/4 to 1 cup 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 Papillon weight gain potential comparison: | Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. | Average: The Papillon has an average risk for obesity. |
German Shepherd vs Papillon Allergies and Grooming Comparison
| Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat/fur do they have? German Shepherd vs Papillon coat comparison: | Fuzzy | Feathered |
|---|---|---|
| Colors
What are the original German Shepherd and Papillon color? German Shepherd vs Papillon color comparison: |
Black Tan Red Silver |
Black Tan Red White Sable Lemon |
| Grooming
Which dog is easy to maintain, German Shepherd or Papillon? German Shepherd vs Papillon grooming comparison: | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. | Average: The Papillon requires average grooming effort. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more German Shepherd or Papillon? Do German Shepherd dogs shed more than Papillon dogs? | German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. | Papillon dogs shed none to minimal. |
| Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
Which dog should be bathed more: German Shepherd or Papillon? | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. | 6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. |
| Hypoallergenic
German Shepherd vs Papillon 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 Papillon? | Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. | Low 🔽 The Papillon has a low chance of bad smell. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Papillon? | The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. | The Papillon is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. |
German Shepherd vs Papillon Good With Comparison
| Pet Friendly
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets. | Papillon dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds. |
|---|---|---|
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or Papillon? Which dog is more friendly? | German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. | Papillon dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs. |
| Child Friendly
Which dog is more child/kid friendly German Shepherd or Papillon? | German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | Papillon dogs are kid-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Papillon? | German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. | Papillon dogs are very cat-friendly dogs. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or Papillon? Can a German Shepherd and a Papillon be friends? Do German Shepherd dogs get along with Papillon dogs? | German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. | Papillon dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. |
| Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: German Shepherd vs Papillon? |
Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes Papillon 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 Papillon 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. | Papillons are usually recommended for elderly people. |
German Shepherd vs Papillon 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 Papillon? 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 Papillon? | Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really Papillon 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. | Not really 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 Papillon 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 Papillon have? German Shepherd vs Papillon litter size comparison: | 6-10 puppies | 2-4 puppies |
German Shepherd vs Papillon 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 1915 as a Toy 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 Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Continental Toy Spaniel and Russian Toy 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 |
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