Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd Comparison - Dog breed selector: Lab or English Pointer or Alsatian wolf dog? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd" Compare Labrador Retriever and English Pointer. Which is better: Labrador Retriever or English Pointer 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	Labrador Retriever	English Pointer	German Shepherd
Origins	England Canada	England	Germany
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Gun Dog	Gun Dog	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	1	113	2
Reviews	9	1	19
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Lab Labrador	English Pointer	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd? Which is the smallest dog, Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd?	Large	Medium	Large
Weight Which is heavier, Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or English Pointer? Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd weight comparison:	Male: 60-75 pounds (27-34kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg)	44-66 pounds (20-30 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: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg)	55 pounds (25 kg)	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)
Height Which is taller, Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd? Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd height comparison:	Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 21-23 inches (53-58 cm)	Male: 22-24 inches (55-62 cm), Female: 21-24 inches (54-60 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: 22 inches (55.5 cm)	Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22.5 inches (57 cm)	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)

Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd? Which is more expensive?	$1000-$2000	$400-$500	$800-$2000
Availability Which is easier to get, Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd?	Very frequent: The Labrador Retriever is quite easy to get.	Frequent: The English Pointer is easier than average to get.	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.

Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd intelligence:	Outstanding: Labrador Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd trainability comparison.	Labrador Retriever dogs are very easy to train. See more.	English Pointer dogs are very easy to train. 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: Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd?	Labrador Retriever dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	English Pointer dogs are good watchdogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Labrador Retriever dogs are average defenders. See more.	English Pointer dogs strongly protect their territory. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd? Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd behavior/temperament comparison:	Playful Loving Energetic Alert Intelligent Friendly Responsive Affectionate Loyal Gentle Going Social Cheerful	Active Intelligent Affectionate Loyal Outright Tempered Kind Amiable	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	Sensitive: Labrador Retriever dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	English Pointer dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. 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: Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd?	Slightly Below Average: Labrador Retriever dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. See more.	Average to High: English Pointer dogs are highly affectionate dogs. 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 Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd social needs comparison:	Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	English Pointer dogs need for social interaction is average. 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?	Labrador Retriever dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.	English Pointer dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. 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?	Labrador Retriever dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. See more.	English Pointer dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something. 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

Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd playfulness comparison:	The Labrador Retriever is a highly playful breed. See more.	The English Pointer is a highly playful breed. See more.	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd?	Average: The Labrador Retriever barks occasionally. See more.	Average: The English Pointer barks occasionally. 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 Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd?	It is not recommended to keep the Labrador Retriever breed in the home.	Not an apartment-friendly dog the English Pointer 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 German Shepherd indoors.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Labrador Retriever dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	English Pointer 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: Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd?	Labrador 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.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.

Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd Bite Characteristics Comparison

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

Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd health comparison. Which is the healthier: Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd?	The Labrador Retriever is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	English Pointers tend to have a lot and frequent health issues.	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd health problems comparison:	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Bloat Epilepsy Ear Infections Elbow Dysplasia Osteochondrosis Dissecans Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia Acute Moist Dermatitis Cold Tail Myopathy	No data available	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 Labrador Retriever should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Frequent The English Pointer should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year.	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 Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd lifespan comparison. How long do Labrador Retriever, English Pointer and German Shepherd breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	10-12 years The average lifespan of Labrador Retriever: 11 years	11-15 years The average lifespan of English Pointer: 13 years	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: Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer 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.	Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. 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.

Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd? Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd energy level comparison:	Labrador Retriever dogs are high-energy dogs.	English Pointer dogs are high-energy dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of exercises.	English Pointer dogs need a lot of exercises.	German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd?	Labrador Retriever dogs don't need too much sleep.	English Pointer dogs don't need too much sleep.	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd?	Recommended daily amount: 2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	2 to 3 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? Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd weight gain potential comparison:	High: The Labrador Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.	Average: The English Pointer has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd coat comparison:	Dense Waterproof Hard Short	Dense	Fuzzy
Colors What are the original Labrador Retriever, English Pointer and German Shepherd color?	Black Yellow Chocolate	Black White Brown Yellow	Black Tan Red Silver
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd? Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd grooming comparison:	Effortless: The Labrador Retriever requires minimal grooming. See more.	Effortless: The English Pointer requires minimal grooming. 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 Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd? Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or {name3 shedding:	Labrador Retriever dogs shed moderately. See more.	English Pointer dogs shed none to minimal. 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: Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd?	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. 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 Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer 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, Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd?	High 🔼 The Labrador Retriever has a high chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The English Pointer 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?	The Labrador Retriever is an average drooler. See more.	The English Pointer is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Labrador Retriever dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.	English Pointer dogs do best when they’re the only pet at the family.	German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd? Which dog is more friendly?	Labrador Retriever dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.	English Pointer dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	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 Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd?	Labrador Retriever dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	English Pointer dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd?	Labrador Retriever dogs are cat-friendly dogs.	English Pointer dogs are not cat-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd?	Labrador Retriever dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.	English Pointer dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd?	Yes Labrador Retriever dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes English Pointer 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?	No Labrador Retriever is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No English Pointer is not the best dog breed 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?	Labrador Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	English Pointers are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer 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. 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: Labrador Retriever or English Pointer or German Shepherd? Which is better for autism?	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a 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?	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.	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.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd?	Yes Labrador Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. See more.	Not really English Pointer breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. 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?	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.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer 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 Labrador Retriever and English Pointer and German Shepherd have?	5-10 puppies	4-6 puppies	6-10 puppies
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Labrador Retriever vs English Pointer vs German Shepherd Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917 as a Sporting breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1878 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.	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 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 Canadian Canine Registry	No data available	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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