German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier Comparison - Dog breed selector: Deutscher Spitz or Ameri or Decker Giant? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier" Compare German Spitz and Miniature American Shepherd. Which is better: German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier?

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 Spitz	Miniature American Shepherd	Rat Terrier
Origins	Germany	United States	United States
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Companion Dogs	Working Dogs	Hunting Dogs
Popularity Rank	344	35	97
Reviews	2	1	2
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Deutscher Spitz	Ameri Mini American North American Shepherd	Decker Giant Rat Rattie Ratting Terrier American Rat Terrier
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier? Which is the smallest dog, German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier?	Small Medium	Small Medium	Small
Weight Which is heavier, German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Miniature American Shepherd? German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier weight comparison:	Male: 24-33 pounds (11-15 kg), Female: 18-27 pounds (8-12 kg)	15-35 pounds (6-16 kg)	Standard: 12-35 pounds (5.5-16 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 28.5 pounds (13 kg), Female: 22.5 pounds (10 kg)	25 pounds (11 kg)	Standard: 23.5 pounds (5.10.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier? German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier height comparison:	Male: 19-23 inches (48-58 cm), Female: 15-19 inches (38-48 cm)	Male: 14–18 inches (36–46 cm), Female: 13–17 inches (33–43 cm)	Standard: 14-23 inches (35.5-58.5 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 21 inches (53 cm), Female: 17 inches (43 cm)	Male: 14–18 inches (36–46 cm), Female: 13–17 inches (33–43 cm)	Standard: 18.5 inches (35.5-58.5 cm)

German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier? Which is more expensive?	$800-$1000	$900-$1000	$300-$500
Availability Which is easier to get, German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier?	Average: The German Spitz is a commonly available dog breed.	Very frequent: The Miniature American Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Rat Terrier is quite easy to get.

German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier intelligence:	Very smart: German Spitz is an excellent dog breed. See more.	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.	Smart: The Rat Terrier dogs have great intelligence. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier trainability comparison.	German Spitz dogs are easy to train. See more.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are very easy to train. See more.	Rat Terrier dogs are quite easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier?	German Spitz dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	Rat Terrier dogs are average watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	German Spitz dogs are average defenders. See more.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are average defenders. See more.	Rat Terrier dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier? German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier behavior/temperament comparison:	Independent Devoted Lively Attentive Trainable	Energetic Intelligent Loyal Devoted	Loving Alert Affectionate Lively Inquisitive
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	Sensitive: German Spitz 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.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier?	Average: German Spitz dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. See more.	Average to High: Miniature American Shepherd dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.	High: Rat Terrier dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier social needs comparison:	German Spitz dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Rat Terrier dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	German Spitz dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. See more.	The wanderlust potential of the Rat Terrier is strong enough to escape from home. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	German Spitz dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Rat Terrier dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier playfulness comparison:	The German Spitz is a playful breed. See more.	The Miniature American Shepherd is a highly playful breed. See more.	Average: Rat Terriers, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier?	Average to High: The German Spitz is a vocal breed. See more.	Low to Average: The Miniature American Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Average: The Rat Terrier 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 Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier?	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 Spitz 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 Miniature American Shepherd indoors.	Very house-friendly dog the Rat Terrier breed.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Average: German Spitz dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs don't adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.	Rat Terrier dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier?	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.	Rat Terrier dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier?	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 German Spitz bite force: Weak.	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Miniature American Shepherd bite force: Weak.	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Rat Terrier bite force: Weak.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	Low 🔽 The German Spitz has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Miniature American Shepherd has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Rat Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier mouthiness comparison:	German Spitz dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Rat Terrier dogs have a lower than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.

German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier health comparison. Which is the healthier: German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier?	German Spitzs are commonly healthy dogs.	Miniature American Shepherds tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.	The Rat Terrier 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 Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier health problems comparison:	Luxating Patella Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Dental Problems	No data available	Hip Dysplasia Legg-perthes Disease Patellar Luxation Eye Problems Heart Problems
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Rare The German Spitz should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).	Frequent The Miniature American Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year.	Average The Rat Terrier should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier lifespan comparison. How long do German Spitz, Miniature American Shepherd and Rat Terrier breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	12-14 years The average lifespan of German Spitz: 13 years	13-15 years The average lifespan of Miniature American Shepherd: 14 years	14-18 years The average lifespan of Rat Terrier: 16 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier?	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.	Prefers warm weather Dogs that prefer warm weather conditions are typically breeds that were originally bred in warmer climates. See more.

German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier? German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier energy level comparison:	German Spitz dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Rat Terrier dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	German Spitz dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs have an average exercise need.	Rat Terrier dogs have an average exercise need.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier?	German Spitz dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered a lazy breed.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Rat Terrier dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier?	1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	No data available
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier weight gain potential comparison:	Low to Average: The German Spitz has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The Miniature American Shepherd has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The Rat Terrier has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier coat comparison:	Dense Straight	Smooth	Dense Shiny
Colors What are the original German Spitz, Miniature American Shepherd and Rat Terrier color?	Black White Orange Tricolor	Black Blue White Merle	Black Tan Blue White Brown Tricolor
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier? German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier grooming comparison:	Advanced: The German Spitz requires a lot of grooming. See more.	Easy to groom: The Miniature American Shepherd doesn't require a lot of grooming. See more.	Effortless: The Rat Terrier requires minimal grooming. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier? German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or {name3 shedding:	German Spitz dogs shed above average. See more.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs shed moderately. See more.	Rat Terrier dogs shed above average. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier?	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.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.
Hypoallergenic German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	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 Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier?	Medium ⏺ The German Spitz has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Miniature American Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Rat Terrier has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The German Spitz is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Miniature American Shepherd is a perfect example of a low drooling tendency. See more.	The Rat Terrier is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	German Spitz dogs are generally with other pets.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	Rat Terrier dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier? Which dog is more friendly?	German Spitz dogs are average friendly towards strangers.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	Rat Terrier dogs are 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 Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier?	German Spitz dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	Rat Terrier dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier?	German Spitz dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Rat Terrier dogs are cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly German Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier?	German Spitz dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Rat Terrier dogs are dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier?	Yes German Spitz dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	No Miniature American Shepherd dogs are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	Yes Rat Terrier dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No German Spitz is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Miniature American Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Rat Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	German Spitzs are usually recommended for elderly people.	Miniature American Shepherds are usually recommended for elderly people.	Rat Terriers are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	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.	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 Spitz or Miniature American Shepherd or Rat Terrier? Which is better for autism?	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.	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?	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.	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?	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.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier?	Not really German Spitz breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Miniature American Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Rat Terrier 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	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.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier 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 Spitz and Miniature American Shepherd and Rat Terrier have?	2-4 puppies	2-6 puppies	5-7 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

German Spitz vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Rat Terrier Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2015 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2013 as a Terrier breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the European Spitz section.	Not recognized by FCI.	Not recognized by FCI.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service	No data available	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club United Kennel Club

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