Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Cocker Spaniel Versus German Shepherd Dog: Introduction
- Cocker Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog: Overview
- Cocker Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog
- The Similarities Between the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog
- Size Comparison of Cocker Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog
- Lifespan of Cocker Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog
- Temperament of the German Shepherd Dog Versus the Cocker Spaniel
- Price of Cocker Spaniel versus Price of German Shepherd Dog
- The Intelligence of the Cocker Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the German Shepherd Dog
- Health Problems of Cocker Spaniel versus Health Problems of German Shepherd Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Cocker Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog
- Do Cocker Spaniels shed more than German Shepherd Dogs?
- Which one drools more, the Cocker Spaniel or the German Shepherd Dog
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Cocker Spaniel or the German Shepherd Dog?
- Does the Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Shepherd Dog?
- Do Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about German Shepherd Dogs?
- Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Cocker Spaniel vs. German Shepherd Dog
- Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cocker Spaniel or the German Shepherd Dog?
- Are Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about German Shepherd Dogs?
- How Kid-friendly are Cocker Spaniels and German Shepherd Dogs?
- Is the Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the German Shepherd Dog?
- Conclusion: Cocker Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Cocker Spaniel Versus German Shepherd Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel or the German Shepherd Dog.
Cocker Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog: Overview
A very important difference between the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cocker Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the German Shepherd Dog is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Cocker Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
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.
Cocker Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog
| Factor | Cocker Spaniel | German Shepherd Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s | 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 24 to 28 pounds | 75 to 95 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $1760 | $1280 |
| Price Range | $1200 – $2000 | $800 – $1500 |
| Temperament Score | 82.0 percent | 85.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 20 | 3 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel is 77 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 German Shepherd Dog is not better or worse than the Cocker Spaniel. So, you can get the German Shepherd Dog or the Cocker Spaniel!
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 Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog
Below is a list of where the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog are most different:
- Cocker Spaniels require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.
- Cocker Spaniels do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, German Shepherd Dogs do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
The Similarities Between the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog
The Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog are most similar:
- Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog do not like to be left alone.
- Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
- Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog can tolerate cold weather.
- Both the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog are highly intelligent.
- Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog are prone to nip and chew at things.
- Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
- Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog are very playful.
- Both the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog are very easy to train.
- Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
Size Comparison of Cocker Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog.
Cocker Spaniels weigh 24 to 28 pounds when fully grown. Cocker Spaniels are 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s 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 Cocker Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog
The lifespan of Cocker Spaniels is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Cocker Spaniels 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.
Cocker Spaniels live longer than German Shepherd Dogs.
Temperament of the German Shepherd Dog Versus the Cocker Spaniel
The German Shepherd Dog has a better temperament than the Cocker Spaniel.
This is because the temperament score for the German Shepherd Dog is 85.3 percent while the temperament score for the Cocker Spaniel is 82.0 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 82.0 percent, the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog by measuring the temperaments of 233 Cocker Spaniels and 3383 German Shepherd Dogs.
Price of Cocker Spaniel versus Price of German Shepherd Dog
The average price of the Cocker Spaniel puppy is $1760. The price of the Cocker Spaniel typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 297 Cocker Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the German Shepherd Dog puppy is $1280. The price of the German Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $800 – $1500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1776 German Shepherd Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Cocker Spaniel is more expensive than the German Shepherd Dog.
The charts below show the price distribution for the Cocker Spaniel and German Shepherd Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Cocker Spaniel puppies or how many German Shepherd Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Cocker Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.
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 Cocker Spaniel 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 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.
The Intelligence of the Cocker Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the German Shepherd Dog
`| Cocker Spaniel | German Shepherd Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 20 out of 130 dog breeds | 3 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Cocker Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 20 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cocker Spaniel belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Cocker Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 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 German Shepherd Dog is more intelligent than the Cocker Spaniel.
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.
Health Problems of Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the German Shepherd Dog than for the Cocker Spaniel.
2 health tests are recommended for Cocker Spaniel while 7 tests are recommended for the German Shepherd Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cocker Spaniels and in German Shepherd Dogs.
Cocker Spaniel Health Problems
Cocker Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cocker Spaniels 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Shepherd Dogs here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Cocker Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog
Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
German Shepherd Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Cocker Spaniels shed more than German Shepherd Dogs?
Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.
German Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Cocker Spaniel or the German Shepherd Dog
Cocker Spaniels 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 Cocker Spaniel or the German Shepherd Dog?
Cocker Spaniels require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.
Does the Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Shepherd Dog?
Cocker Spaniels 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 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 Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about German Shepherd Dogs?
Cocker Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
German Shepherd Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
German Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Cocker Spaniel vs. German Shepherd Dog
Cocker Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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 Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Cocker Spaniels can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
German Shepherd Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cocker Spaniel or the German Shepherd Dog?
Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
German Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about German Shepherd Dogs?
Cocker Spaniels 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 Cocker Spaniels and German Shepherd Dogs?
Cocker Spaniels get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
German Shepherd Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the German Shepherd Dog?
Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.
German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to train.
Is the Cocker Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the German Shepherd Dog?
Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
German Shepherd Dogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cocker Spaniel or the German Shepherd Dog?
Cocker Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.
German Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel and the German Shepherd Dog better suits you and your family.