German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Comparison – Which dog is better Alsatian wolf dog or Alpine Mastiff?
"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs St. Bernard"
Compare German Shepherd and St. Bernard. Which is better: German Shepherd or St. Bernard?
Name | German Shepherd | St. Bernard |
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Origins | ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
Group | Pastoral / Herding Dogs | Working Dogs |
Popularity Rank | 2 | 48 |
Reviews | 21 | 9 |
User Ratings |
Common Names & Aliases
Compare different names used for German Shepherd and St. Bernard. What other names are these breeds known by? |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian |
Alpine Mastiff Bernhardiner St. Barnhardshund St. Bernard Saint |
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Breed Classification
Compare breed classifications between a German Shepherd and a St. Bernard. Learn about their genetic backgrounds. | Purebred | Purebred |
German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Size and Weight Comparison
Size Classification
Which is bigger: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare size differences between these breeds. | Large | Giant |
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Weight Statistics
Compare weight ranges between a German Shepherd and a St. Bernard. Which breed is heavier? | Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) | 110-200 pounds (50-91 kg) |
Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight? | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) | 155 pounds (70.5 kg) |
Height
Which is taller, German Shepherd or St. Bernard? Is a German Shepherd taller than a St. Bernard? | Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) | 25.5-27.5 inches (61-70 cm) |
Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) | 25.5-27.5 inches (65.5 cm) |
German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Price and Availability Comparison
Price Range
Compare puppy prices between a German Shepherd and a St. Bernard. Which breed costs more? | $800-$2000 | $1500-$1800 |
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Availability
Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or St. Bernard? | Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The St. |
German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
Intelligence Rating
Which is smarter: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities. | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. | |
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Training Difficulty
Which is easier to train: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare training requirements. | German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. | A slightly harder to train than average. | |
Watchdog Rating
Which makes a better watchdog: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare alertness levels. | German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | St. | |
Territorial Protection
Which is more protective: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare territorial behaviors. | German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. | St. | |
German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Personality and Temperament Comparison
Personality Traits
Compare personalities of a German Shepherd and a St. Bernard. How do their temperaments differ? |
Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful |
Independent Happy Friendly Gentle Going Social Quiet | |
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Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs St. Bernard? | Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. | Sensitive: St. | |
Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: German Shepherd vs St. Bernard? | High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | High: St. | |
Social Needs
German Shepherd vs St. Bernard social needs comparison: | German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. | St. | |
Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs St. Bernard? | German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. | St. | |
Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs St. Bernard? Which can be better for hunting? | German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Their prey drive is low. | |
German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Activity and Playfulness Comparison
Barking Frequency
Which breed barks more: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare vocalization tendencies. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. | Low: The St. | |
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Playful Nature
Which breed is more playful: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare play drive and energy. | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. | St. | |
Apartment Adaptability
Which is better for apartments: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare living space needs. | 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 St. | |
German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Adaptability and Independence Comparison
Lifestyle Adaptability
Which adapts better to changes: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare adaptability levels. | German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | St. |
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Alone Time Tolerance
Which dog can be left alone: German Shepherd or St. Bernard? | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. | St. |
German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Bite Characteristics Comparison
Bite Risk Assessment
Which has lower bite risk: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare biting tendencies. | High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. | Moderate ⏺ The St. | |
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Mouthing Tendency
Which is more mouthy: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare mouthing behaviors. | German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | St. | |
Bite Strength Rating
Which has a stronger bite: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare bite force PSI. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. | Above 400 PSI 🔼 St. | |
German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Health and Lifespan Comparison
Average Lifespan
Which lives longer: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare average lifespans. |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
8-10 years The average lifespan of St. |
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Climate Tolerance
Which handles weather better: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare climate tolerances. | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. |
Health Concerns
Compare common health issues between a German Shepherd and a St. Bernard. Which breed is healthier? | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. | Very healthy dog breed. |
Vet Care Frequency
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: German Shepherd vs St. Bernard? |
Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
Rare The St. |
Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs St. Bernard? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs St. Bernard 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 Allergies Bloat Epilepsy Entropion Elbow Dysplasia Dilated Cardiomyopathy |
German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Energy and Activity Comparison
Energy Rating
Which breed is more energetic: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare activity levels. | German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. | St. | |
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Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
German Shepherd vs St. Bernard exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or St. Bernard? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise. | St. | |
Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or St. Bernard? | German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. | St. | |
German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Diet and Weight Management Comparison
Obesity Tendency
Which gains weight easier: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare obesity risks. | 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 St. |
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Food Consumption
Which eats more: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare daily food needs. | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 6 to 8 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Allergies and Grooming Comparison
Allergy Friendliness
Which is more hypoallergenic: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare allergy friendliness. | No See more. | No See more. | |
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Coat Colors
What color variations exist for German Shepherd and St. Bernard? Compare breed colors. |
Black Tan Red Silver |
Black Red White Brown Brindle Tricolor | |
Grooming Requirements
Which needs more grooming: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare maintenance needs. | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. | Average: The St. | |
Drooling Tendency
Which drools more: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare drooling amounts. | The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. | The St. | |
Stinkiness Rating
Which has less odor: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare natural smell levels. | Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. | High 🔼 The St. | |
Coat Characteristics
How do coats differ between a German Shepherd and a St. Bernard? Compare fur types. | Fuzzy |
Dense Rough Smooth | |
Bathing Needs
Which needs more baths: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare bathing frequencies. | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. | 4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. | |
Shedding Level
Who sheds more German Shepherd or St. Bernard? Do German Shepherd dogs shed more than St. Bernard dogs? | German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. | St. | |
German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Good With Comparison
Child Compatibility
Which is better with children: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare kid-friendliness. | German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | St. | |
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Pet Compatibility
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets. | St. | |
Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or St. Bernard? Which dog is more friendly? | German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. | St. | |
Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or St. Bernard? | German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. | St. | |
Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or St. Bernard? Can a German Shepherd and a St. Bernard be friends? Do German Shepherd dogs get along with St. Bernard dogs? | German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. | St. | |
Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: German Shepherd vs St. Bernard? |
Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
No St. | |
Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office? |
No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No St. | |
Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people? | German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | St. |
German Shepherd vs St. Bernard As a Working Dog Comparison
Service Dog Capability
Which makes a better service dog: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare service capabilities. | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
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Therapy Work Suitability
Which is better for therapy work: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare therapy capabilities. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
Scent Detection Ability
Which is better at detection work: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare scenting abilities. | 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 & Rescue Potential
Which is better for search and rescue: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare SAR abilities. | Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog. | Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog. |
Maritime Work Ability
Which is better on boats: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare maritime abilities. | Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really St. |
Draft Work Capability
Which is better at pulling: a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard? Compare draft work capabilities. | 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. |
Military Service Background
Compare military history between German Shepherd and St. Bernard. Which has stronger military background? | 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 St. Bernard Reproducibility Comparison
Puppy Litter Size
Compare litter sizes between German Shepherd and St. Bernard. Which has larger litters? | 6-10 puppies | 6-8 puppies |
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Pregnancy Duration
Compare pregnancy duration between German Shepherd and St. Bernard breeds. | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
Breeding Frequency
Compare breeding frequencies between German Shepherd and St. Bernard. Which needs longer recovery? | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
German Shepherd vs St. Bernard Recognition Comparison
AKC Classification
Compare AKC classifications of German Shepherd and St. Bernard. Which groups do they belong to? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Working breed. |
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FCI Classification
Compare FCI classifications of German Shepherd and St. Bernard. Which groups are they in? | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. | Not recognized by FCI. |
Kennel Club Recognition
Compare kennel club recognition between German Shepherd and St. Bernard. Which is more widely recognized? |
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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