Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd Comparison - Dog breed selector: Hovie or Alpine Mastiff or Alsatian wolf dog? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd" Compare Hovawart and St. Bernard. Which is better: Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd?

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	Hovawart	St. Bernard	German Shepherd
Origins	Germany	Switzerland Italy	Germany
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Guard Dogs	Working Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	375	48	2
Reviews	2	9	19
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Hovie	Alpine Mastiff Bernhardiner St. Barnhardshund St. Bernard Saint	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd? Which is the smallest dog, Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd?	Large Giant	Giant	Large
Weight Which is heavier, Hovawart or St. Bernard or St. Bernard? Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd weight comparison:	55 - 90 pounds (25 - 51 kg)	110-200 pounds (50-91 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?	55 - 90 pounds (25 - 51 kg)	155 pounds (70.5 kg)	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)
Height Which is taller, Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd? Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd height comparison:	23 - 28 inches (58 - 70 cm)	25.5-27.5 inches (61-70 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?	23 - 28 inches (58 - 70 cm)	25.5-27.5 inches (65.5 cm)	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)

Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd? Which is more expensive?	$1000-$1200	$1500-$1800	$800-$2000
Availability Which is easier to get, Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd?	Average: The Hovawart is a commonly available dog breed.	Very frequent: The St.	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.

Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd intelligence:	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.	Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. See more.	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd trainability comparison.	Hovawart dogs are easy to train. See more.	A slightly harder to train than average. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd?	Hovawart dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	St. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Hovawart dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	St. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd? Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd behavior/temperament comparison:	Active Devoted Outright Tempered Watchful Reserved	Independent Happy Friendly Gentle Going Social Quiet	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	Hovawart dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. See more.	Sensitive: St. See more.	Sensitive: German Shepherd 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: Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd?	Average to High: Hovawart dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.	High: St. See more.	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd social needs comparison:	Hovawart dogs are a social breed. See more.	St. See more.	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	Hovawart dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. See more.	St. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Hovawart 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. See more.	Their prey drive is low. See more.	German Shepherd 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

Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd playfulness comparison:	Average: Hovawarts, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	St. See more.	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd?	Low to Average: The Hovawart rarely barks. See more.	Low: The St. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd?	Not an apartment-friendly dog the Hovawart breed.	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.	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.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Hovawart dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	St.	German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd?	Hovawart dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.	St.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.

Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd?	Above 400 PSI 🔼 Hovawart bite force: The Strongest.	Above 400 PSI 🔼 St.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.
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 Hovawart has a low chance of biting somebody.	Moderate ⏺ The St.	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd mouthiness comparison:	Hovawart dogs have a low tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	St. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.

Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd health comparison. Which is the healthier: Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd?	The Hovawart is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	Very healthy dog breed.	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd health problems comparison:	Hip Dysplasia Underactive Thyroid	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Bloat Epilepsy Entropion Elbow Dysplasia Dilated Cardiomyopathy	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?	Average The Hovawart should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Rare The St.	Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd lifespan comparison. How long do Hovawart, St. Bernard and German Shepherd breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	10-14 years The average lifespan of Hovawart: 12 years	8-10 years The average lifespan of St.	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Hovawart vs St. Bernard 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. 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.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.

Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd? Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd energy level comparison:	Hovawart dogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.	St.	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Hovawart dogs have an average exercise need.	St.	German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd?	Hovawart dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered a lazy breed.	St.	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd?	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.	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd weight gain potential comparison:	Average: The Hovawart has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the St. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd coat comparison:	Silky	Dense Rough Smooth	Fuzzy
Colors What are the original Hovawart, St. Bernard and German Shepherd color?	Black Blonde Golden	Black Red White Brown Brindle Tricolor	Black Tan Red Silver
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd? Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd grooming comparison:	Easy to groom: The Hovawart doesn't require a lot of grooming. See more.	Average: The St. See more.	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd? Hovawart or St. Bernard or {name3 shedding:	Hovawart dogs shed moderately. See more.	St. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd?	2-3 weeks Frequent. This breed has high-maintenance hair and may require a bath every 2-3 weeks. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.
Hypoallergenic Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd 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, Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd?	Medium ⏺ The Hovawart has an average chance of bad smell.	High 🔼 The St.	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The Hovawart is a perfect example of a low drooling tendency. See more.	The St. See more.	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd Good With Comparison

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

Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd 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.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Hovawart or St. Bernard or German Shepherd? Which is better for autism?	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect 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.	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?	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.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd?	Not really Hovawart breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really St. See more.	Not really German Shepherd 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?	Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Yes 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.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd 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 Hovawart and St. Bernard and German Shepherd have?	6-8 puppies	6-8 puppies	6-10 puppies
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Hovawart vs St. Bernard vs German Shepherd 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 1885 as a Working 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 Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type section.	Not recognized by FCI.	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 America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service	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

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