Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound Comparison - Dog breed selector: Italian Bulldog or Alsatian wolf dog or Otter Dog? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound" Compare Neapolitan Mastiff and German Shepherd. Which is better: Neapolitan Mastiff or German Shepherd or Otterhound?

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	Neapolitan Mastiff	German Shepherd	Otterhound
Origins	Italy	Germany	England
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Working Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Hunting Dogs
Popularity Rank	107	2	186
Reviews	8	19	1
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Italian Bulldog Italian Mastiff Italian Molosso Mastino Napoletano Neo	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian	Otter Dog
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Neapolitan Mastiff or German Shepherd or Otterhound? Which is the smallest dog, Neapolitan Mastiff or German Shepherd or Otterhound?	Giant	Large	Large
Weight Which is heavier, Neapolitan Mastiff or German Shepherd or German Shepherd? Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound weight comparison:	Male: 130-150 pounds (59-68 kg), Female: 100-120 pounds (45-54 kg)	Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg)	66-115 pounds (30-52 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 140 pounds (63.5 kg), Female: 110 pounds (49.5 kg)	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)	90.5 pounds (41 kg)
Height Which is taller, Neapolitan Mastiff or German Shepherd or Otterhound? Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound height comparison:	Male: 26-30 inches (65-75 cm), Female: 24-28 inches (60-70 cm)	Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm)	24-26 inches (60-65 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 28 inches (70 cm), Female: 26 inches (65 cm)	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)	25 inches (62.5 cm)

Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Neapolitan Mastiff or German Shepherd or Otterhound? Which is more expensive?	$1500-$2000	$800-$2000	$500-$600
Availability Which is easier to get, Neapolitan Mastiff or German Shepherd or Otterhound?	Frequent: The Neapolitan Mastiff is easier than average to get.	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Frequent: The Otterhound is easier than average to get.

Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

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

Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Neapolitan Mastiff or German Shepherd or Otterhound? Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound behavior/temperament comparison:	Stubborn Protective Obedient Dominant Trainable Fearless	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful	Outright Tempered Boisterous Amiable
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.	Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Otterhound dogs are less sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound?	Average: Neapolitan Mastiff dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. See more.	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	Average: Otterhound dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound social needs comparison:	Neapolitan Mastiff dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Otterhound dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	Neapolitan Mastiff dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	Otterhound dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	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.	Otterhound dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound playfulness comparison:	Neapolitan Mastiffs are not the most playful dog breed. See more.	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	The Otterhound is a highly playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound?	Low to Average: The Neapolitan Mastiff rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Average: The Otterhound 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 Neapolitan Mastiff or German Shepherd or Otterhound?	It is not recommended to keep the Neapolitan Mastiff 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.	Not an apartment-friendly dog the Otterhound breed.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Neapolitan Mastiff dogs don't adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.	German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Average: Otterhound dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Neapolitan Mastiff or German Shepherd or Otterhound?	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.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.

Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound Bite Characteristics Comparison

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

Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound health comparison. Which is the healthier: Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound?	Very healthy dog breed.	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.	Otterhounds tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound health problems comparison:	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	Joint Problems Bloat Epilepsy Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Rare The Neapolitan Mastiff 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).	Frequent The Otterhound should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound lifespan comparison. How long do Neapolitan Mastiff, German Shepherd and Otterhound breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	8-10 years The average lifespan of Neapolitan Mastiff: 9 years	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years	10-12 years The average lifespan of Otterhound: 11 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound?	Prefers warm weather Dogs that prefer warm weather conditions are typically breeds that were originally bred in warmer climates. 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 average to cold weather conditions The Otterhound can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. See more.

Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound Energy and Activity Comparison

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

Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Neapolitan Mastiff or German Shepherd or Otterhound?	5 to 6 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.	3 to 5 cups of a high-quality dog food daily, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound weight gain potential comparison:	High: The Neapolitan Mastiff breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The Otterhound has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound coat comparison:	Dense	Fuzzy	Rough Waterproof
Colors What are the original Neapolitan Mastiff, German Shepherd and Otterhound color?	Black Blue Tawny Mahogany	Black Tan Red Silver	Black Tan Blue Cream Wheaten
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Neapolitan Mastiff or German Shepherd or Otterhound? Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound grooming comparison:	Easy to groom: The Neapolitan Mastiff doesn't require a lot of grooming. See more.	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Advanced: The Otterhound requires a lot of grooming. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Neapolitan Mastiff or German Shepherd or Otterhound? Neapolitan Mastiff or German Shepherd or {name3 shedding:	Neapolitan Mastiff dogs shed moderately. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.	Otterhound 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: Neapolitan Mastiff or German Shepherd or Otterhound?	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.	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.
Hypoallergenic Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound 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, Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound?	High 🔼 The Neapolitan Mastiff has a high chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Otterhound has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The Neapolitan Mastiff is a big drooler, so if you're disgusted by slobber spots on your clothes, you should choose a dog from another breed. See more.	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Otterhound is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound Good With Comparison

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

Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound 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.	Yes This breed makes good 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: Neapolitan Mastiff or German Shepherd or Otterhound? 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.	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.	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 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.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound?	Not really Neapolitan Mastiff 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.	Yes Otterhound breed usually likes 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.	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	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound 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 Neapolitan Mastiff and German Shepherd and Otterhound have?	6-12 puppies	6-10 puppies	4-7 puppies
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Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Otterhound Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2004 as a Working breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1909 as a Hound 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.	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Recognized by FCI in the Scent hounds and related breeds group, in the Scent hounds section.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	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	American Kennel Club Canadian Kennel Club Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club

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