Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher.

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Australian Shepherd Versus German Pinscher: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher? 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 Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher 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 Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher 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 Australian Shepherd and for the German Pinscher. 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 Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher.

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

Australian Shepherd versus German Pinscher: Overview

Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher are similar in size. The Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd 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.

On the other hand, the German Pinscher belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Australian Shepherd versus German Pinscher: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the German Pinscher 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 Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher

Factor Australian Shepherd German Pinscher
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Height 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Weight 40 to 65 pounds 25 to 45 pounds
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1210 $2690
Price Range $800 – $1500 $2500 – $2825
Temperament Score 82.2 percent 91.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
    		•
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd 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 Pinscher. 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 Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the German Pinscher is 78 out of 125.

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

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher

    Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher are most different:

    • Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, German Pinschers are very easy to groom.
    • Australian Shepherds get along well with other dogs. However, German Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher

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

    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher 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 Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher are very easy to train.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Australian Shepherd versus German Pinscher

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher.

    Australian Shepherds weigh 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Australian Shepherds are 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, German Pinschers weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. German Pinschers are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus German Pinscher

    The lifespan of Australian Shepherds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Shepherds is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of German Pinschers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Pinschers is 13.0 years.

    Australian Shepherds live longer than German Pinschers.

    Temperament of the German Pinscher Versus the Australian Shepherd

    The German Pinscher has a better temperament than the Australian Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the German Pinscher is 91.9 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 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 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 91.9 percent, the German Pinscher has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 37 German Pinschers.

    Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of German Pinscher

    The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1210. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1764 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the German Pinscher puppy is $2690. The price of the German Pinscher typically ranges from $2500 – $2825. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 6 German Pinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The German Pinscher is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of German Pinschers

    A breakdown of the prices of German Pinschers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the German Pinscher 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of German Pinscher

    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 Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher 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 Australian Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the German Pinscher.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Shepherd than for the German Pinscher.

    7 health tests are recommended for Australian Shepherd while 4 tests are recommended for the German Pinscher.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in German Pinschers.

    Australian Shepherd Health Problems

    Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherds for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity

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

    German Pinscher Health Problems

    German Pinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Pinscher 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 Pinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Pinscher 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 Pinschers for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus German Pinscher

    Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    German Pinschers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Australian Shepherds shed more than German Pinschers?

    Australian Shepherds shed moderately.

    German Pinschers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the German Pinscher

    Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    German Pinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the German Pinscher?

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

    German Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Pinscher?

    Australian Shepherds 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.

    German Pinschers 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 Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about German Pinschers?

    Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    German Pinschers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    German Pinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. German Pinscher

    Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    German Pinschers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    German Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    German Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about German Pinschers?

    Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    German Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and German Pinschers?

    Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    German Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the German Pinscher?

    Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.

    German Pinschers are very easy to train.

    Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the German Pinscher?

    Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    German Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    German Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus German Pinscher. 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 Australian Shepherd and the German Pinscher better suits you and your family.