Which is Better between the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever? A Very Detailed Review.

Dutch Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever

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Dutch Shepherd Versus Flat-Coated Retriever: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever? 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Dutch Shepherd and for the Flat-Coated Retriever. 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever.

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

Dutch Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever

Dutch Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever: Overview

Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are similar in size. The Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Dutch 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 Flat-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.

Dutch Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dutch Shepherd to the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Dutch Shepherd Flat-Coated Retriever
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Height 21 to 25 inches 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Weight 50 to 70 pounds 55 to 70 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1590 $1350
Price Range $900 – $2000 $1150 – $1800
Temperament Score 96.2 percent 92.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • *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 Dutch 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 Flat-Coated Retriever. 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 Dutch Shepherd is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dutch Shepherd is a better pet than the Flat-Coated Retriever. So, you should get the Dutch 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Dutch Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever

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

  • Dutch Shepherds are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Flat-Coated Retrievers are very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever

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

  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are very playful.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever are very easy to train.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dutch Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever

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

    Dutch Shepherds weigh 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Dutch Shepherds are 21 to 25 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Flat-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Dutch Shepherd Versus the Flat-Coated Retriever

    The Dutch Shepherd has a better temperament than the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    This is because the temperament score for the Dutch Shepherd is 96.2 percent while the temperament score for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 92.0 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 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 96.2 percent, the Dutch Shepherd has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 92.0 percent, the Flat-Coated Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever by measuring the temperaments of 26 Dutch Shepherds and 87 Flat-Coated Retrievers.

    Price of Dutch Shepherd versus Price of Flat-Coated Retriever

    The average price of the Dutch Shepherd puppy is $1590. The price of the Dutch Shepherd typically ranges from $900 – $2000. However, the price of a Dutch Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 116 Dutch Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy is $1350. The price of the Flat-Coated Retriever typically ranges from $1150 – $1800. However, the price of a Flat-Coated Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 8 Flat-Coated Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Dutch Shepherd is more expensive than the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    Dutch Shepherd Flat-Coated Retriever
    Average Price $1590 $1350
    Price Range $900 to $2000 $1150 to $1800

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Dutch Shepherd and Flat-Coated Retriever. For different price points, the charts show how many Dutch Shepherd puppies or how many Flat-Coated Retriever puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dutch Shepherd puppy or the Flat-Coated Retriever 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.

    Dutch Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever

    Adopting the Dutch Shepherd versus Adopting the Flat-Coated Retriever

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dutch Shepherds and many Flat-Coated Retrievers 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 Dutch Shepherd named Saber that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dutch Shepherds like Saber on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Dutch Shepherds, Flat-Coated Retrievers are also available for adoption. For example, Kaluha is a Male Flat-Coated Retriever that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Flat-Coated Retrievers like Kaluha that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Toby 1078 is the name of another Dutch Shepherd (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also Palisade, an adorable Male Flat-Coated Retriever on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Dutch Shepherds and Flat-Coated Retrievers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Dutch Shepherds and Flat-Coated Retrievers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dutch Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever

    Dutch Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Which one drools more, the Dutch Shepherd or the Flat-Coated Retriever

    Dutch Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Do Dutch Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Flat-Coated Retrievers?

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

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dutch Shepherd vs. Flat-Coated Retriever

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

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

    Is the Dutch Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Dutch Shepherds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dutch Shepherd or the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Dutch Shepherds are OK for new dog owners.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dutch Shepherd or the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Dutch Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Dutch Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Dutch Shepherds have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dutch Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dutch Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Are Dutch Shepherds good family dogs? What about Flat-Coated Retrievers?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Dutch Shepherds and Flat-Coated Retrievers?

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

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dutch Shepherd or the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Dutch Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

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

    Do Dutch Shepherds shed more than Flat-Coated Retrievers?

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

    Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

    Is the Dutch Shepherd Easier to Train than the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Dutch Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dutch Shepherd

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dutch 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 Dutch Shepherd:

  • French Spaniel (80 percent match with Dutch Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever vs French Spaniel.
  • Japanese Spitz (79 percent match with Dutch Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever vs Japanese Spitz.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever:

  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (81 percent match with Flat-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Dutch Shepherd vs Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dutch Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dutch Shepherd versus Collie     Dutch Shepherd versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Dutch Shepherd versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Dutch Shepherd versus German Longhaired Pointer     Dutch Shepherd versus Bearded Collie     Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Terrier     Dutch Shepherd versus Bernedoodle     Dutch Shepherd versus Beagle     Dutch Shepherd versus Akbash     Dutch Shepherd versus Chorkie     

    Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Flat-Coated Retriever versus American Hairless Terrier     Flat-Coated Retriever versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Labradoodle     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Akbash     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Akita     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Scottish Deerhound     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Pug     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Scottish Terrier     

    Conclusion: Dutch Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever. 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Flat-Coated Retriever better suits you and your family.