Breed Comparison: Chinook Versus German Shepherd Dog

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Chinook Versus German Shepherd Dog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook or the German Shepherd Dog.

Chinook versus German Shepherd Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Chinook 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.

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.

Chinook versus German Shepherd Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinook 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 Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog

Factor Chinook German Shepherd Dog
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Height 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 1/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 75 to 95 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $800 – $1500
Average Price No Data $1280
Temperament Score 77.8 percent 85.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annually until age 6, every 2 years thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Temperament Test
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chinook 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 Chinook is 87 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 Chinook is a better pet than the German Shepherd Dog. So, you should get the Chinook!

    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 Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

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

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

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

    The Similarities Between the Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog

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

    • Both the Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
    • Both the Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog are very easy to train.
    • Both the Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog are very playful.
    • Both the Chinook 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 Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog are highly intelligent.

    Size Comparison of Chinook versus German Shepherd Dog

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

    Chinooks weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chinooks are 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    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.

    Lifespan of Chinook versus German Shepherd Dog

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

    The lifespan of German Shepherd Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Shepherd Dogs is 12.0 years.

    Chinooks live longer than German Shepherd Dogs.

    Temperament of the German Shepherd Dog Versus the Chinook

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

    This is because the temperament score for the German Shepherd Dog is 85.3 percent while the temperament score for the Chinook is 77.8 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 77.8 percent, the Chinook has a below-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 Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog by measuring the temperaments of 9 Chinooks and 3383 German Shepherd Dogs.

    Health Problems of Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook.

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

    3 health tests are recommended for Chinook while 7 tests are recommended for the German Shepherd Dog.

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

    Chinook Health Problems

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

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chinook versus German Shepherd Dog

    Chinooks do not like to be left alone.

    German Shepherd Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chinooks shed more than German Shepherd Dogs?

    Chinooks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

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

    Chinooks do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

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

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.

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

    Chinooks 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 Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about German Shepherd Dogs?

    Chinooks 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 Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.

    German Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. German Shepherd Dog

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

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

    Chinooks can tolerate hot weather.

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

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

    Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.

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

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

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Chinooks and German Shepherd Dogs?

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

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

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

    Chinooks are very easy to train.

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to train.

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

    Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.

    German Shepherd Dogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Chinooks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Conclusion: Chinook 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 Chinook and the German Shepherd Dog better suits you and your family.