Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Better than the Shiloh Shepherd as a Pet? Answer…

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Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Curly-Coated Retriever and for the Shiloh Shepherd. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Shiloh Shepherd

Curly-Coated Retriever versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

A very important difference between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Curly-Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog while the Shiloh Shepherd is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Shiloh Shepherd 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.

Curly-Coated Retriever versus Shiloh Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Curly-Coated Retriever to the Shiloh Shepherd 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.

Factor Curly-Coated Retriever Shiloh Shepherd
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 26 to 30 inches
Does NOT Drool 4/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 65 to 100 pounds 80 to 130 pounds
Life Span 9 to 12 years 9 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 11.5 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Temperament Score 91.7 percent 80.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cord-1 PRA
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • GSD IIIa
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • *Data from 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 Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Shiloh Shepherd. 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 a Curly-Coated Retriever is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Shiloh Shepherd is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shiloh Shepherd is a better pet than the Curly-Coated Retriever. So, you should get the Shiloh Shepherd!

    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 Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd

    Below is a list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd are most different:

  • Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Shiloh Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd

    The Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd are most similar:

  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd are very easy to train.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Curly-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Shiloh Shepherds weigh 80 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Shiloh Shepherds are 26 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Curly-Coated Retriever Versus the Shiloh Shepherd

    The Curly-Coated Retriever has a better temperament than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Curly-Coated Retriever is 91.7 percent while the temperament score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 80.8 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 they 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 91.7 percent, the Curly-Coated Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 80.8 percent, the Shiloh Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 181 Curly-Coated Retrievers and 26 Shiloh Shepherds.

    Health Problems of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Shiloh Shepherd

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

    Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Curly-Coated Retriever is prone to more genetic health problems than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Curly-Coated Retriever than for the Shiloh Shepherd.

    7 health tests are recommended for Curly-Coated Retriever while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Curly-Coated Retrievers and in Shiloh Shepherds.

    Curly-Coated Retriever Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cord-1 PRA
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • GSD IIIa
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Curly-Coated Retrievers here.

    Shiloh Shepherd Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiloh Shepherds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Curly-Coated Retrievers and Shiloh Shepherds

    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 Curly-Coated Retriever Breed is Exercise Induced Collapse problems.

    This is because the Curly-Coated Retriever ranks 1 out of 6 dog breeds for Exercise Induced Collapse problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 145 Curly-Coated Retrievers, 12 of them had Exercise Induced Collapse problems.

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

  • Exercise Induced Collapse problems: Rank 1 out of 6 Dog Breeds
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 10 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 24 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 73 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 84 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 136 out of 144 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 Shiloh Shepherd Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Shiloh Shepherd ranks 39 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 740 Shiloh Shepherds, 3 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 39 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 40 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 42 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 52 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 97 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Curly-Coated Retriever and in Shiloh Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd:

    Disease Curly-Coated Retriever Rank Shiloh Shepherd Rank
    Exercise Induced Collapse problems 1 out of 6 dog breeds Not Common
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 10 out of 32 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 24 out of 159 dog breeds 39 out of 159 dog breeds
    Hips problems 73 out of 198 dog breeds 42 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 84 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 136 out of 144 dog breeds 52 out of 144 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 40 out of 70 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 97 out of 115 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.

    Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which one drools more, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Shiloh Shepherd

    Curly-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Curly-Coated Retrievers shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

    Shiloh Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are moderately easy to groom.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

    Do Curly-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Curly-Coated Retriever vs. Shiloh Shepherd

    Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Are Curly-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Curly-Coated Retrievers and Shiloh Shepherds?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Does the Curly-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers 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.

    Shiloh Shepherds 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Curly-Coated Retriever:

  • Airedale Terrier (82 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Airedale Terrier.
  • English Springer Spaniel (79 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • Irish Setter (82 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Irish Setter.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiloh Shepherd

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shiloh Shepherd that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Shiloh Shepherd:

  • Flat-Coated Retriever (78 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (79 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Curly-Coated Retriever and how the Shiloh Shepherd compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever and of the Shiloh Shepherd to other breeds:

    Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Curly-Coated Retriever versus Basset Hound     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Field Spaniel     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Manchester Terrier     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Bracco Italiano     Curly-Coated Retriever versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Basset Hound     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Kishu Ken     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus Puggle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Australian Kelpie     Shiloh Shepherd versus Brussels Griffon     Shiloh Shepherd versus Dalmatian     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pharaoh Hound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Cavapoo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pomapoo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Schnoodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Kerry Blue Terrier     

    Conclusion: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Curly-Coated Retriever and the Shiloh Shepherd better suits you and your family.