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Is the Poodle Better than the German Shepherd Dog as a Pet? Answer…

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Poodle versus German Shepherd Dog

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Poodle Versus German Shepherd Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Poodle and for the German Shepherd Dog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Poodle or the German Shepherd Dog.

Note that there are 3 types of Poodles:

  • The Standard Poodle
  • The Miniature Poodle
  • The Toy Poodle


  • However, these 3 poodle `types` are basically the same. The only difference between them is size. Standard Poodles are big, toy poodles are small, and miniature poodles are medium-sized.

    Read more about the subtle differences between the standard poodle vs. miniature poodle here and the toy poodle versus miniature poodle here.

    In addition, we have articles on the detailed comparisons of the poodle to every other dog breed. Check out our articles on poodle versus other dog breeds here.

    Poodle versus German Shepherd Dog

    Poodle versus German Shepherd Dog: Overview

    Both the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog are similar in size. The Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog are both large-sized dogs.

    Furthermore, the Poodle belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

    On the other hand, the German Shepherd Dog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

    Poodle versus German Shepherd Dog: Comparison Table

    The table below compares the Poodle to the German Shepherd Dog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

    When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

    Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

    However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

    Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog

    FactorPoodleGerman Shepherd Dog
    Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
    Does NOT Shed5/51/5
    Does NOT Drool5/55/5
    Easy To Groom1/55/5
    Life Span12 to 15 years10 to 14 years
    General Health2/54/5
    Low Prey Drive4/52/5
    Does NOT Bark or Howl4/52/5
    Tolerates Cold Weather3/54/5
    Tendency NOT to Wander3/54/5
    Calmness/ Low Vigor3/51/5
    Weight
  • Standard Poodle: 38 to 70 pounds
  • Miniature Poodle: 10 and 20 pounds
  • Toy Poodle: 4.8 to 11.6 pounds
  • 75 to 95 pounds
    Easygoing2/51/5
    Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
    Dog Friendly4/52/5
    Friendly Toward Strangers4/54/5
    Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/54/5
    Does NOT chew on things2/51/5
    NOT Rambunctious2/51/5
    Minimal Exercise Needs2/51/5
    Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/53/5
    Good For Novice Owners5/52/5
    Affectionate With Family5/55/5
    Kid-Friendly5/55/5
    Easy To Train5/55/5
    Intelligence5/55/5
    Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
    Height
  • Standard Poodle: 24 to 27 inches
  • Miniature Poodle: 10 to 15 inches
  • Toy Poodle: less than 10 inches
  • 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall
    Average Lifespan13.5 years12.0 years
    Average Price
  • Standard Poodle: $1980
  • Miniature Poodle: $2500
  • Toy Poodle: $2760
  • $1280
    Price Range
  • Standard Poodle: $1400 – $2500
  • Miniature Poodle: $1500 – $3000
  • Toy Poodle: $1894 – $3500
  • $800 – $1500
    Temperament Score87.2 percent85.3 percent
    Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annually until age 6, every 2 years thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Temperament Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds62
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)23
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Poodle in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the German Shepherd Dog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Poodle is 88 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the German Shepherd Dog is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Poodle is a better pet than the German Shepherd Dog. So, you should get a Poodle!

    Poodle versus German Shepherd Dog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog

    Below is a list of where the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog are most different:

  • Poodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, German Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Poodles require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.
  • Poodles are good for new dog owners. However, German Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog

    The Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog are most similar:

  • Both the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Poodle versus German Shepherd Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog.

    Poodles come in three main size categories. These three size categories are referred to as the three varieties of the poodle. Poodles of different varieties are basically the same except for their size differences. The poodle varieties based on size categorization are:

  • Standard Poodles: Standard Poodles are the biggest of the poodle varieties. Adult Standard Poodles are 24 inches to 27 inches tall and weigh between 38 pounds and 70 pounds. To learn more about Standard Poodle Growth, Weight, and Height, check out our article on Standard Poodle growth, weight and height.
  • Miniature Poodles: Miniature Poodles are mid-sized poodles. An adult miniature poodle grows to weigh between 10 and 20 pounds (4.5 kg to 9 kg) and stands between 10 to 15 inches tall (25.4 cm to 38.1 cm). To learn more about Miniature Poodle Growth, Weight and Height, check out our article on Miniature Poodle growth, weight and height.
  • Toy Poodles: The Toy Poodle is the smallest official member of the poodle club. Although there is a smaller poodle variety that is smaller than the toy poodle. This tiny poodle variety is called the micro/teacup poodle. However, this micro/teacup poodle size category is not recognized by the official poodle association, The Poodle Club of America. Adult toy poodles are no more than ten inches tall withers. In weight, a toy poodle will grow to be about 4.8 to 11.6 pounds in weight. To learn more about Toy Poodle Growth, Weight and Height, check out our article on Toy Poodle growth, weight and height.
  • There is another variety of poodle that is not recognized in the USA but is recognized in Europe. This poodle size variety is called the Moyen Poodle. In size, the Moyen Poodle is smaller than the Standard poodle but bigger than the miniature poodle.

    See below the figure that compares the different poodle sizes:

    Poodle Sizes

    On the other hand, German Shepherd Dogs weigh 75 to 95 pounds when fully grown. German Shepherd Dogs are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall when fully grown.

    Temperament of the German Shepherd Dog Versus the Poodle

    The Poodle has a better temperament than the German Shepherd Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Poodle is 87.2 percent while the temperament score for the German Shepherd Dog is 85.3 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 87.2 percent, the Poodle has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 85.3 percent, the German Shepherd Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog by measuring the temperaments of 266 Poodles and 3383 German Shepherd Dogs.

    Price of Poodle versus Price of German Shepherd Dog

    The average price of the Standard Poodle puppy is $1980. The price of the Standard Poodle typically ranges from $1400 – $2500. However, the price of a Standard Poodle can be as low as $200 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2524 Standard Poodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.
    The average price of the Miniature Poodle puppy is $2500. The price of the Miniature Poodle typically ranges from $1500 – $3000. However, the price of a Miniature Poodle can be as low as $350 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1190 Miniature Poodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.
    The average price of the Toy Poodle puppy is $2760. The price of the Toy Poodle typically ranges from $1894 – $3500. However, the price of a Toy Poodle can be as low as $450 and as high as $9835. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 872 Toy Poodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    To know about standard poodle prices and standard poodle buying advice, check out our article on standard poodle cost.

    To know about miniature poodle prices, check out this article on miniature poodle price.

    To learn more about toy poodle price and for toy poodle buying advice, check out this article on toy poodle price.

    The average price of the German Shepherd Dog puppy is $1280. The price of the German Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of a German Shepherd Dog can be as low as $195 and as high as $6500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1776 German Shepherd Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Poodle is more expensive than the German Shepherd Dog.

    Poodle German Shepherd Dog
    Average Price $2260 $1280
    Price Range $1500 to $2800 $800 to $1500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Poodle and German Shepherd Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Poodle puppies or how many German Shepherd Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Poodles. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Poodles. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shepherd Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shepherd Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Poodle puppy or the German Shepherd Dog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Poodle versus German Shepherd Dog

    Adopting the Poodle versus Adopting the German Shepherd Dog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Poodles and many German Shepherd Dogs are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Poodle named Bowie that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Poodles like Bowie on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Poodles, German Shepherd Dogs are also available for adoption. For example, Dog is a Male German Shepherd Dog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more German Shepherd Dogs like Dog that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Bougie (Sweet Timid Boy) is the name of another Poodle (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Jake is an adorable Male German Shepherd Dog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Poodles and German Shepherd Dogs are always available for adoption. Images and image labels from petfinder.com

    You can find more Poodles and German Shepherd Dogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Poodle versus the Intelligence of the German Shepherd Dog

    Poodle German Shepherd Dog
    Intelligence Rank 2 out of 130 dog breeds 3 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Poodle has an obedience intelligence rank of 2 out of 130 dog breeds. The Poodle belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Poodles tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The German Shepherd Dog has an obedience intelligence rank of 3 out of 130 dog breeds. The German Shepherd Dog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that German Shepherd Dogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The Poodle is more intelligent than the German Shepherd Dog.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Poodle versus Popularity of German Shepherd Dog

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Shepherd Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Poodle. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the German Shepherd Dog is 2 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Poodle is 6 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Poodle

    Popularity of Poodle

    Popularity of German Shepherd Dog

    Popularity of German Shepherd Dog

    Year Standard Poodle Popularity Rank German Shepherd Dog Popularity Rank
    2013 8 2
    2014 7 2
    2015 8 2
    2016 7 2
    2017 7 2
    2018 7 2
    2019 6 2
    2020 6 3
    2021 5 4

    Health Problems of Poodle versus Health Problems of German Shepherd Dog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the German Shepherd Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Poodle.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the German Shepherd Dog than for the Poodle.

    4 health tests are recommended for Poodle while 7 tests are recommended for the German Shepherd Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Poodles and in German Shepherd Dogs.

    Poodle Health Problems

    Poodles are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Poodle puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Poodle puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Poodle breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Poodles for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Poodles here.

    German Shepherd Dog Health Problems

    German Shepherd Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Shepherd Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a German Shepherd Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Shepherd Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen German Shepherd Dogs for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annually until age 6, every 2 years thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Temperament Test

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Shepherd Dogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Poodles and German Shepherd Dogs

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Poodle Breed is Basic Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Poodle ranks 1 out of 16 dog breeds for Basic Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 270 Poodles, 2 of them had Basic Cardiac problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Poodles, and how common these diseases are in Poodles relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Basic Cardiac problems: Rank 1 out of 16 Dog Breeds
  • Neonatal Encephalopathy W/Seizures problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Sebaceous Adenitis problems: Rank 1 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems: Rank 3 out of 5 Dog Breeds
  • Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 4 out of 8 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 7 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 11 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 14 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 21 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 49 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 57 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 61 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 73 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 84 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 88 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 100 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 127 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the German Shepherd Dog Breed is Shoulder problems.

    This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks 8 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 German Shepherd Dogs, 5 of them had Shoulder problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in German Shepherd Dogs, and how common these diseases are in German Shepherd Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Shoulder problems: Rank 8 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 11 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 22 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 40 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 41 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 42 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 64 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 71 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 102 out of 145 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Poodle and in German Shepherd Dog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog:

    Disease Poodle Rank German Shepherd Dog Rank
    Basic Cardiac problems 1 out of 16 dog breeds Not Common
    Neonatal Encephalopathy W/Seizures problems 1 out of 1 dog breeds Not Common
    Sebaceous Adenitis problems 1 out of 2 dog breeds Not Common
    Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems 3 out of 5 dog breeds Not Common
    Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 4 out of 8 dog breeds Not Common
    Von Willebrands problems 7 out of 15 dog breeds Not Common
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems 11 out of 40 dog breeds Not Common
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 14 out of 32 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 21 out of 49 dog breeds 42 out of 49 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems 49 out of 71 dog breeds 41 out of 71 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 57 out of 70 dog breeds 11 out of 70 dog breeds
    Patella problems 61 out of 145 dog breeds 102 out of 145 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 73 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 84 out of 115 dog breeds 71 out of 115 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 88 out of 144 dog breeds 22 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 100 out of 198 dog breeds 40 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 127 out of 182 dog breeds 64 out of 182 dog breeds
    Shoulder problems Not Common 8 out of 22 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Poodle versus German Shepherd Dog

    Poodles do not like to be left alone.

    Poodles, by nature, are companion dogs. They like and thrive on human companionship more than most dog breeds. Poodles do not like to be left alone. Leaving a poodle alone for more than 4 hours day after day will cause separation anxiety and isolation distress in a poodle. If you plan to get a poodle, make sure you can be around your poodle most of the time, or arrange for a dog walker.

    See our article on how long you can leave a poodle alone.

    German Shepherd Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Poodles shed more than German Shepherd Dogs?

    Poodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Although all dogs shed, and poodles are no different in this regard. But poodles shed less than many other breeds of dogs. However, if you own a poodle, you will not have the problem of having balls of dog hair on your couch and over your house. This is because the curly coat of the poodle traps the hair and other things that the poodle sheds. Therefore, people that are allergic to dogs tend to tolerate poodles better.

    Check out our articles to learn more on why poodles do not shed, and on standard poodle shedding, and on shedding in toy poodles

    German Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Poodle or the German Shepherd Dog?

    Poodles require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    To learn more about how to properly groom a poodle, check out our article on how to groom a poodle.

    Learn more on how to take care of a poodle here.

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Poodle or the German Shepherd Dog?

    Poodles get along very well with other dogs.

    Poodles get along very well with other dogs. Poodles are very friendly. However, it is up to the other dog to reciprocate the friendliness. Some dog breeds are just unfriendly and aggressive.

    Read this article to learn about the dog breeds that get along well with poodle and the dog breeds that do not along with poodles.

    German Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Poodles good family dogs? What about German Shepherd Dogs?

    Poodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Poodles make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.

    Learn about standard poodles as family dogs here, and about how family-friendly are toy poodles here..

    German Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Poodle Easier to Train than the German Shepherd Dog?

    Poodles are very easy to train.

    Poodles are easy to train because they are intelligent and eager to please their owners. However, it is important that you begin training a poodle to make the most out of their natural intelligence. Moreover, training your Poodle should be based on positive reinforcement and repetition. Be sure to give your Poodle praise when he obeys a command and ignores your poodle`s bad behavior.

    To learn more, check out our article on how to train a poodle.

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Poodle or the German Shepherd Dog

    Poodles do have a very low tendency to drool.

    German Shepherd Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Poodles and German Shepherd Dogs?

    Poodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    German Shepherd Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Poodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Shepherd Dog?

    Poodles have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    German Shepherd Dogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Poodles Bark and Howl? What about German Shepherd Dogs?

    Poodles are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    German Shepherd Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Poodles can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    German Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Poodle vs. German Shepherd Dog

    Poodles have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    German Shepherd Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Poodles can tolerate hot weather.

    German Shepherd Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Poodle Better for Apartment Owners than the German Shepherd Dog?

    Poodles adapt very well to apartment living.

    German Shepherd Dogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Poodle or the German Shepherd Dog?

    Poodles are very good for new dog owners.

    German Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Poodle Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the poodle compares to other breeds aside from the German Shepherd Dog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the poodle to other breeds:

    poodle versus Coton de Tulear     poodle versus Pomapoo     poodle versus Poodle     poodle versus French Bulldog     poodle versus Shihpoo     poodle versus Spanish Mastiff     poodle versus Boxer     poodle versus Sussex Spaniel     poodle versus Irish Setter     poodle versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     

    Conclusion: Poodle versus German Shepherd Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Poodle and the German Shepherd Dog better suits you and your family.