Is the Dutch Shepherd Better than the Standard Schnauzer as a Pet? Answer…

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Dutch Shepherd Versus Standard Schnauzer: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer? 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer 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 Standard Schnauzer.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer 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 Standard Schnauzer. 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer.

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 Standard Schnauzer.

Dutch Shepherd versus Standard Schnauzer: Overview

Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer are similar in size. The Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer 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 Standard Schnauzer 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.

Dutch Shepherd versus Standard Schnauzer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dutch Shepherd to the Standard Schnauzer 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer

Factor Dutch Shepherd Standard Schnauzer
Life Span 12 to 15 years 13 to 16 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Height 21 to 25 inches 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the s
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
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 3/5
Weight 50 to 70 pounds 30 to 50 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.5 years
Average Price $1590 $1710
Price Range $900 – $2000 $1200 – $2150
Temperament Score 96.2 percent 71.1 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 24 months, recommend every other year until age 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • 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 Standard Schnauzer. 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 Dutch Shepherd is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Standard Schnauzer is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dutch Shepherd is a better pet than the Standard Schnauzer. 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 Standard Schnauzer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer

    Below is a list of where the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer are most different:

  • Dutch Shepherds do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Standard Schnauzers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Dutch Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Standard Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer

    The Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer are most similar:

  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dutch Shepherd versus Standard Schnauzer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer.

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

    On the other hand, Standard Schnauzers weigh 30 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Standard Schnauzers are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Dutch Shepherd versus Standard Schnauzer

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

    The lifespan of Standard Schnauzers is between 13 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Standard Schnauzers is 14.5 years.

    Standard Schnauzers live longer than Dutch Shepherds.

    Temperament of the Standard Schnauzer Versus the Dutch Shepherd

    The Dutch Shepherd has a better temperament than the Standard Schnauzer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Dutch Shepherd is 96.2 percent while the temperament score for the Standard Schnauzer is 71.1 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 96.2 percent, the Dutch Shepherd has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 71.1 percent, the Standard Schnauzer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer by measuring the temperaments of 26 Dutch Shepherds and 76 Standard Schnauzers.

    Price of Dutch Shepherd versus Price of Standard Schnauzer

    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 Standard Schnauzer puppy is $1710. The price of the Standard Schnauzer typically ranges from $1200 – $2150. However, the price of the Standard Schnauzer can be as low as $600 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 26 Standard Schnauzer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Standard Schnauzer is more expensive than the Dutch Shepherd.

    Dutch Shepherd Standard Schnauzer
    Average Price $1590 $1710
    Price Range $900 to $2000 $1200 to $2150

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Dutch Shepherd and Standard Schnauzer. For different price points, the charts show how many Dutch Shepherd puppies or how many Standard Schnauzer 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 Standard Schnauzers

    A breakdown of the prices of Standard Schnauzers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dutch Shepherd puppy or the Standard Schnauzer 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.

    Adopting the Dutch Shepherd versus Adopting the Standard Schnauzer

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dutch Shepherds and many Standard Schnauzers 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 Sax – Located In Georgia that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dutch Shepherds like Sax – Located In Georgia on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Dutch Shepherds, Standard Schnauzers are also available for adoption. For example, Mickey is a Male Standard Schnauzer that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Standard Schnauzers like Mickey that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Dutch Shepherd and the Standard Schnauzer can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Rebel – Located In Michigan is the name of another Dutch Shepherd (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Dutch Shepherds and Standard Schnauzers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dutch Shepherd versus Standard Schnauzer

    Dutch Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Standard Schnauzers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Dutch Shepherds shed more than Standard Schnauzers?

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

    Standard Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Dutch Shepherd or the Standard Schnauzer

    Dutch Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Standard Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dutch Shepherd or the Standard Schnauzer?

    Dutch Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Does the Dutch Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Standard Schnauzer?

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

    Standard Schnauzers 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 Dutch Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Standard Schnauzers?

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

    Standard Schnauzers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Standard Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dutch Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Standard Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dutch Shepherd vs. Standard Schnauzer

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

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

    Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Standard Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dutch Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Standard Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dutch Shepherd or the Standard Schnauzer?

    Dutch Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Standard Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Dutch Shepherds good family dogs? What about Standard Schnauzers?

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

    Standard Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Dutch Shepherds and Standard Schnauzers?

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

    Standard Schnauzers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Dutch Shepherd Easier to Train than the Standard Schnauzer?

    Dutch Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Standard Schnauzers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Dutch Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Standard Schnauzer?

    Dutch Shepherds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Standard Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dutch Shepherd or the Standard Schnauzer?

    Dutch Shepherds are OK for new dog owners.

    Standard Schnauzers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Standard Schnauzer 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 Standard Schnauzer:

  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (77 percent match with Standard Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Dutch Shepherd vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Dutch Shepherd and how the Standard Schnauzer compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dutch Shepherd and of the Standard Schnauzer to other breeds:

    Dutch Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dutch Shepherd versus Pomsky     Dutch Shepherd versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Dutch Shepherd versus Pointer     Dutch Shepherd versus Redbone Coonhound     Dutch Shepherd versus Puggle     Dutch Shepherd versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Dutch Shepherd versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Dutch Shepherd versus Alaskan Malamute     Dutch Shepherd versus Whoodle     Dutch Shepherd versus Portuguese Pointer     Dutch Shepherd versus Morkie     Dutch Shepherd versus Sheepadoodle     Dutch Shepherd versus Portuguese Pointer     Dutch Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear     Dutch Shepherd versus Patterdale Terrier     Dutch Shepherd versus Bulldog     Dutch Shepherd versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Dutch Shepherd versus Azawakh     Dutch Shepherd versus Brussels Griffon     Dutch Shepherd versus Whoodle     Dutch Shepherd versus Cavapoo     Dutch Shepherd versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Dutch Shepherd versus Lhasapoo     Dutch Shepherd versus Portuguese Water Dog     Dutch Shepherd versus Shihpoo     

    Standard Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Standard Schnauzer versus Finnish Lapphund     Standard Schnauzer versus English Toy Spaniel     Standard Schnauzer versus Saluki     Standard Schnauzer versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Standard Schnauzer versus Sloughi     Standard Schnauzer versus Kai Ken     Standard Schnauzer versus Brittany     Standard Schnauzer versus Cocker Spaniel     Standard Schnauzer versus Cairn Terrier     Standard Schnauzer versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Standard Schnauzer versus Field Spaniel     Standard Schnauzer versus Toy Fox Terrier     Standard Schnauzer versus English Springer Spaniel     Standard Schnauzer versus Biewer Terrier     Standard Schnauzer versus Pyredoodle     Standard Schnauzer versus Patterdale Terrier     Standard Schnauzer versus Coton de Tulear     Standard Schnauzer versus Pekingese     Standard Schnauzer versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Standard Schnauzer versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Standard Schnauzer versus Cocker Spaniel     Standard Schnauzer versus English Cocker Spaniel     Standard Schnauzer versus Berger Picard     Standard Schnauzer versus English Setter     Standard Schnauzer versus Chi-Poo     

    Conclusion: Dutch Shepherd versus Standard Schnauzer. 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 Standard Schnauzer better suits you and your family.