Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better Golden Flat Coat or Alsatian wolf dog?
"Find similarities and differences between Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd"
Compare Golden Retriever and German Shepherd. Which is better: Golden Retriever or German Shepherd?
 |  |
| Name | Golden Retriever | German Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  Scotland |  Germany |
| Group | Gun Dog | Pastoral / Herding Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 3 | 2 |
| Reviews | 13 | 13 |
| User Ratings |
| Other Names
What other names do they have? |
Golden Flat Coat Yellow Retriever |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Type
Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd breed type comparison: | Purebred | Purebred |
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison
| Price
Which is cheaper, Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? Which is more expensive? What is the difference in price between Golden Retriever and German Shepherd? | $1000-$2000 | $800-$2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? | Very frequent: The Golden Retriever is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get. |
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd Size Comparison
| Size
Which dog is bigger, Golden Retriever or German Shepherd?
Is the Golden Retriever bigger than the German Shepherd breed?
Is a Golden Retriever smaller than a German Shepherd? | Large | Large |
|---|---|---|
| Weight
Which is heavier, Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd weight comparison: | Male: 60-80 pounds (27-36 kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg) | Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) |
| Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight? | Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg) | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? Is a Golden Retriever taller than a German Shepherd? | Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 20-22 inches (51-56 cm) | Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) |
| Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 21 inches (53.5 cm) | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) |
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd Grooming, Hair and Care Comparison
| Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat/fur do they have? Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd coat comparison: |
Silky Wavy Shiny Straight | Fuzzy |
|---|---|---|
| Colors
What are the original Golden Retriever and German Shepherd color? Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd color comparison: | Golden Light |
Black Tan Red Silver |
| Grooming
Which dog is easy to maintain, Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd grooming comparison: | Average: The Golden Retriever requires average grooming effort. | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? Do Golden Retriever dogs shed more than German Shepherd dogs? | Golden Retriever dogs shed moderately. | German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. |
| Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
Which dog should be bathed more: Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? | 2-3 weeks Frequent. This breed has high-maintenance hair and may require a bath every 2-3 weeks. | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. |
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd Personality / Temperament Comparison
| Temperament
Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd behavior/temperament comparison: |
Intelligent Confident Friendly Reliable Kind Trustworthy |
Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Rank
Which dog has more intelligence? Is a Golden Retriever or German Shepherd smarter? Which is best? Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd intelligence: | Outstanding: Golden Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. |
| Trainability
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd trainability comparison. What's the difference between Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd? | Golden Retriever dogs are easy to train. | German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. |
| Playfulness
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd playfulness comparison: | The Golden Retriever is a highly playful breed. | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd? | Golden Retriever dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. | Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. |
| Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd? | High: Golden Retriever dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd social needs comparison: | Golden Retriever dogs need a lot of social interaction. | German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. |
| Barking
Which dog barks more/less: Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd? | Low to Average: The Golden Retriever rarely barks. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. |
| Watchdog Ability
Which is the better watchdog: Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? | Golden Retriever dogs are average watchdogs. | German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. |
| Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Which is a better guard dog Golden Retriever or German Shepherd?
Which dog is most likely to protect its owner?
Which is the best dog to use for protection? | Golden Retriever dogs are average defenders. | German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
| Biting Potential
Is a Golden Retriever more dangerous than a German Shepherd? | Moderate ⏺ The Golden Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody. | High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. |
| Bite Force
Which bite is stronger: Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Golden Retriever bite force: Ordinary. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. |
| Mouthiness
Which is the better dog? Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd mouthiness comparison: | Golden Retriever dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. | German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd? | Golden Retriever dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. | German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. |
| Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd? Which can be better for hunting? | Golden Retriever dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. | German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
| Apartment Friendly
Which dog is more apartment friendly Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? | It is not recommended to keep the Golden Retriever breed in the home. | 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. |
| Adaptability
Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog? | Golden Retriever dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone
Which dog can be left alone: Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? | Golden Retriever dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. |
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd Good With Comparison
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? Which dog is more friendly? | Golden Retriever dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Pet Friendly
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | Golden Retriever dogs are usually friendly towards other pets. | German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets. |
| Child Friendly
Which dog is more child/kid friendly Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? | Golden Retriever dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? | Golden Retriever dogs are cat-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? Can a Golden Retriever and a German Shepherd be friends? Do Golden Retriever dogs get along with German Shepherd dogs? | Golden Retriever dogs are very dog-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. |
| Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd? |
Yes Golden Retriever dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
| Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office? |
Yes Golden Retriever is one of the best dog breeds for office environment |
No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
| Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people? | Golden Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd Health Comparison
| Health Issues
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd health comparison. Which is the healthier: Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd? | Golden Retrievers are commonly healthy dogs. | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd health problems comparison: |
Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Elbow Dysplasia Osteochondrosis Dissecans Hemangiosarcoma Osteosarcoma Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis |
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 |
| Veterinarian Visits
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd? |
Rare The Golden Retriever should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
| Life Expectancy
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd lifespan comparison. How long do Golden Retriever and German Shepherd breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy? What is the age limit of the Golden Retriever and German Shepherd? |
10-12 years The average lifespan of Golden Retriever: 11 years |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
| Hypoallergenic
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not? | No See more. | No See more. |
| Energy Level
Who has more energy a Golden Retriever or German Shepherd?
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd energy level comparison: | Golden Retriever dogs are high-energy dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. |
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | Golden Retriever dogs need a lot of exercises. | German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? | Golden Retriever dogs don't need too much sleep. | German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. |
| Average daily food consumption
Which dog eats more: Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? Does the Golden Retriever breed eat more than the German Shepherd breed? | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 3 to 4 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? Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd weight gain potential comparison: | High: The Golden Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. |
| Weather and Climate
Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd? | 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. |
| Stinkiness
Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? | Medium ⏺ The Golden Retriever has an average chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least? What's the difference between Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd? | The Golden Retriever drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. | The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. |
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog
Which one could be a service dog? | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy Dog
Which one could be a therapy dog: Golden Retriever or German Shepherd? Which is better for autism? | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. | Yes This breed makes a perfect 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. | Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work. |
| 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. | Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog. |
| Boat and Sailor Dog
Which one could be a boat dog: Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd? | Yes Golden Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. | Not really German Shepherd 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 | Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. |
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd 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 Golden Retriever and German Shepherd have? Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd litter size comparison: | 5-10 puppies | 6-10 puppies |
Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd Recognition Comparison
| AKC Group
Which dog is recognized by the AKC? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1925 as a Sporting breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. |
|---|---|---|
| FCI Group
Which dog is recognized by the FCI? | Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section. | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs 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 |
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 |
Popular Dog Compares
Sharing is caring.
Help our free service by spreading information about dog breeds.
Link to this: Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better Golden Flat Coat or Alsatian wolf dog?
<a href="https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/golden-retriever-vs-german-shepherd">Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better Golden Flat Coat or Alsatian wolf dog?</a>
Help our free service by spreading information about dog breeds.
Link to this: Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better Golden Flat Coat or Alsatian wolf dog?
<a href="https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/golden-retriever-vs-german-shepherd">Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better Golden Flat Coat or Alsatian wolf dog?</a>
Rate This Comparsion - Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd
Reviews
- iotiufgm
May 27, 2020, 4:35:46 PM:
- Golden lover
Aug 6, 2020, 11:57:11 AM:
- blank
Dec 11, 2020, 5:50:10 PM:
- hi
Jan 20, 2021, 3:37:00 PM:
- hi
Jan 20, 2021, 3:37:54 PM: