A Detailed Comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog.

Flat-Coated Retriever versus German Shepherd Dog

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Flat-Coated Retriever Versus German Shepherd Dog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever or the German Shepherd Dog

Flat-Coated Retriever versus German Shepherd Dog

Flat-Coated Retriever versus German Shepherd Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Flat-Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog while the German Shepherd Dog is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, 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.

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.

Flat-Coated Retriever versus German Shepherd Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Flat-Coated Retriever 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.

Factor Flat-Coated Retriever German Shepherd Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 75 to 95 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1350 $1280
Price Range $1150 – $1800 $800 – $1500
Temperament Score 92.0 percent 85.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annually until age 6, every 2 years thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Temperament Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 94 2
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 18 3

    *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 Flat-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 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 a Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a German Shepherd Dog is 77 out of 125.

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

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

    Flat-Coated Retriever versus German Shepherd Dog

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

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

  • Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with other dogs. However, German Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.
  • The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog

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

  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus German Shepherd Dog

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

    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.

    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.

    Temperament of the Flat-Coated Retriever Versus the German Shepherd Dog

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 92.0 percent while the temperament score for the German Shepherd Dog is 85.3 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 92.0 percent, the Flat-Coated Retriever has an above-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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog by measuring the temperaments of 87 Flat-Coated Retrievers and 3383 German Shepherd Dogs.

    Price of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Price of German Shepherd Dog

    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 reviewing the prices of 8 Flat-Coated Retriever 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. However, the price of a German Shepherd Dog can be as low as $195 and as high as $6500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1776 German Shepherd Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

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

    Flat-Coated Retriever German Shepherd Dog
    Average Price $1350 $1280
    Price Range $1150 to $1800 $800 to $1500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shepherd Dogs

    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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 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.

    Flat-Coated Retriever versus German Shepherd Dog

    Adopting the Flat-Coated Retriever versus Adopting the German Shepherd Dog

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

    Also, like Flat-Coated Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs are also available for adoption. For example, Apollo is a Male German Shepherd Dog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more German Shepherd Dogs like Apollo that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

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

    Palisade is the name of another Flat-Coated Retriever (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also Baxter, an adorable Male German Shepherd Dog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers and German Shepherd Dogs are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Flat-Coated Retrievers and German Shepherd Dogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Flat-Coated Retriever versus the Intelligence of the German Shepherd Dog

    Flat-Coated Retriever German Shepherd Dog
    Intelligence Rank 18 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 Flat-Coated Retriever has an obedience intelligence rank of 18 out of 130 dog breeds. The Flat-Coated Retriever belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Flat-Coated Retrievers 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 Flat-Coated Retriever.

    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.

    The Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of German Shepherd Dog

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Shepherd Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Flat-Coated Retriever. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the German Shepherd Dog is 2 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 94 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of German Shepherd Dog

    Popularity of German Shepherd Dog

    Year Flat-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank German Shepherd Dog Popularity Rank
    2013 94 2
    2014 92 2
    2015 86 2
    2016 89 2
    2017 96 2
    2018 91 2
    2019 104 2
    2020 102 3

    Health Problems of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of German Shepherd Dog

    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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the German Shepherd Dog than for the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    3 health tests are recommended for Flat-Coated Retriever while 7 tests are recommended for the German Shepherd Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Flat-Coated Retrievers and in German Shepherd Dogs.

    Flat-Coated Retriever Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Flat-Coated Retrievers here.

    German Shepherd Dog Health Problems

    German Shepherd Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Shepherd Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a German Shepherd Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Shepherd Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen German Shepherd Dogs for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annually until age 6, every 2 years thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Temperament Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Shepherd Dogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Flat-Coated Retrievers and German Shepherd Dogs

    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 Flat-Coated Retriever Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Flat-Coated Retriever ranks 28 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 241 Flat-Coated Retrievers, 14 of them had Thyroid problems.

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

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 28 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 85 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 129 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 129 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 172 out of 198 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 German Shepherd Dog Breed is Shoulder problems.

    This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks 8 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 German Shepherd Dogs, 5 of them had Shoulder problems.

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

  • Shoulder problems: Rank 8 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 11 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 22 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 40 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 41 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 42 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 64 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 71 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 102 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Flat-Coated Retriever and in German Shepherd Dog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog:

    Disease Flat-Coated Retriever Rank German Shepherd Dog Rank
    Thyroid problems 28 out of 115 dog breeds 71 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems 85 out of 145 dog breeds 102 out of 145 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 129 out of 144 dog breeds 22 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 129 out of 182 dog breeds 64 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 172 out of 198 dog breeds 40 out of 198 dog breeds
    Shoulder problems Not Common 8 out of 22 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 11 out of 70 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems Not Common 41 out of 71 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 42 out of 49 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 Flat-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the German Shepherd Dog?

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

    German Shepherd Dogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus German Shepherd Dog

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

    German Shepherd Dogs do not like to be left alone.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than German Shepherd Dogs?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

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

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

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

    Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    German Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

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

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

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.

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

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to train.

    Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about German Shepherd Dogs?

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

    German Shepherd Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. German Shepherd Dog

    Flat-Coated Retrievers 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.

    Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about German Shepherd Dogs?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers 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 Flat-Coated Retrievers and German Shepherd Dogs?

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

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

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

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

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

    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 German Shepherd Dog vs Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Shepherd Dog

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

  • American Pit Bull Terrier (77 percent match with German Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever vs American Pit Bull Terrier.
  • Belgian Malinois (74 percent match with German Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever vs Belgian Malinois.
  • Entlebucher Mountain Dog (74 percent match with German Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Flat-Coated Retriever versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Keeshond     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Coton de Tulear     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Jack Russell Terrier     Flat-Coated Retriever versus English Cocker Spaniel     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Bouvier des Flandres     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Brittany     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Dachshund     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Chi-Poo     

    German Shepherd Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Shepherd Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     German Shepherd Dog versus Afghan Hound     German Shepherd Dog versus Cavapoo     German Shepherd Dog versus Kooikerhondje     German Shepherd Dog versus Papillon     German Shepherd Dog versus Manchester Terrier     German Shepherd Dog versus Swedish Vallhund     German Shepherd Dog versus Chorkie     German Shepherd Dog versus American Water Spaniel     German Shepherd Dog versus Black and Tan Coonhound     

    Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the German Shepherd Dog better suits you and your family.