Quick Links: Table of Contents
- German Pinscher Versus Papillon: Introduction
- German Pinscher versus Papillon: Overview
- German Pinscher versus Papillon: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Pinscher and the Papillon
- The Similarities Between the German Pinscher and the Papillon
- Size (Weight and Height) of German Pinscher versus Papillon
- Lifespan of German Pinscher versus Papillon
- Temperament of the German Pinscher Versus the Papillon
- Price of German Pinscher versus Price of Papillon
- Adopting the German Pinscher versus Adopting the Papillon
- The Popularity of German Pinscher versus Popularity of Papillon
- Health Problems of German Pinscher versus Health Problems of Papillon
- Tolerates Being Alone: German Pinscher versus Papillon
- Do German Pinschers shed more than Papillons?
- Which one drools more, the German Pinscher or the Papillon
- Which is Easier to Groom, the German Pinscher or the Papillon?
- Does the German Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Papillon?
- Do German Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Papillons?
- Can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: German Pinscher vs. Papillon
- Can German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Pinscher or the Papillon?
- Are German Pinschers good family dogs? What about Papillons?
- How Kid-friendly are German Pinschers and Papillons?
- Is the German Pinscher Easier to Train than the Papillon?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Pinscher
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: German Pinscher versus Papillon. Which One is a Better Pet?
German Pinscher Versus Papillon: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Pinscher and the Papillon? 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 German Pinscher and the Papillon 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 German Pinscher and the Papillon.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Pinscher and the Papillon 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 German Pinscher and for the Papillon. 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 German Pinscher and the Papillon.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the German Pinscher or the Papillon.
German Pinscher versus Papillon: Overview
A very important difference between the German Pinscher and the Papillon is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Pinscher is a medium-sized dog while the Papillon is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the German Pinscher 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.
On the other hand, the Papillon belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
German Pinscher versus Papillon: Comparison Table
The table below compares the German Pinscher to the Papillon 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 German Pinscher and the Papillon
| Factor | German Pinscher | Papillon |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Height | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 45 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $2040 | $1800 |
| Price Range | $1150 – $2688 | $1400 – $2000 |
| Temperament Score | 91.9 percent | 82.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 135 | 49 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Pinscher 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 Papillon. 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 German Pinscher is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Papillon is 89 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Papillon is a better pet than the German Pinscher. So, you should get the Papillon!
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 German Pinscher and the Papillon so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Pinscher and the Papillon
Below is a list of where the German Pinscher and the Papillon are most different:
The Similarities Between the German Pinscher and the Papillon
The German Pinscher and the Papillon are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Pinscher and the Papillon are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of German Pinscher versus Papillon
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Pinscher and the Papillon.
German Pinschers weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. German Pinschers are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Papillons weigh 4 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Papillons are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of German Pinscher versus Papillon
The lifespan of German Pinschers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Pinschers is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Papillons is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Papillons is 14.0 years.
Papillons live longer than German Pinschers.
Temperament of the German Pinscher Versus the Papillon
The German Pinscher has a better temperament than the Papillon.
This is because the temperament score for the German Pinscher is 91.9 percent while the temperament score for the Papillon is 82.3 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 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 91.9 percent, the German Pinscher has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 82.3 percent, the Papillon has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the German Pinscher and the Papillon by measuring the temperaments of 37 German Pinschers and 96 Papillons.
Price of German Pinscher versus Price of Papillon
The average price of the German Pinscher puppy is $2040. The price of the German Pinscher typically ranges from $1150 – $2688. However, the price of a German Pinscher can be as low as $500 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 10 German Pinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Papillon puppy is $1800. The price of the Papillon typically ranges from $1400 – $2000. However, the price of the Papillon can be as low as $700 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 108 Papillon puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The German Pinscher is more expensive than the Papillon.
| German Pinscher | Papillon | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2040 | $1800 |
| Price Range | $1150 to $2688 | $1400 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the German Pinscher and Papillon. For different price points, the charts show how many German Pinscher puppies or how many Papillon puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of German Pinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Papillons?
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the German Pinscher puppy or the Papillon 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 German Pinscher versus Adopting the Papillon
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many German Pinschers and many Papillons 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 German Pinscher named Remi that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable German Pinschers like Remi on pefinder.com.
Also, like German Pinschers, Papillons are also available for adoption. For example, Bucky Turner is a Male Papillon that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Papillons like Bucky Turner that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Skeeter is the name of another German Pinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Nash is an adorable Male Papillon on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more German Pinschers and Papillons that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of German Pinscher versus Popularity of Papillon
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 German Pinscher and the Papillon over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Papillon is more popular with dog owners than the German Pinscher. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Papillon is 49 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the German Pinscher is 135 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of German Pinscher
Popularity of Papillon
| Year | German Pinscher Popularity Rank | Papillon Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 130 | 38 |
| 2014 | 141 | 43 |
| 2015 | 138 | 48 |
| 2016 | 146 | 53 |
| 2017 | 136 | 53 |
| 2018 | 134 | 54 |
| 2019 | 123 | 53 |
| 2020 | 139 | 53 |
Health Problems of German Pinscher versus Health Problems of Papillon
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the German Pinscher and the Papillon 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 Pinscher is prone to more genetic health problems than the Papillon.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the German Pinscher than for the Papillon.
4 health tests are recommended for German Pinscher while 2 tests are recommended for the Papillon.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in German Pinschers and in Papillons.
German Pinscher Health Problems
German Pinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Pinscher 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 Pinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Pinscher 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 Pinschers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Pinschers here.
Papillon Health Problems
Papillons are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Papillon 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 Papillon puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Papillon 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 Papillons for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Papillons here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in German Pinschers and Papillons
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 Pinscher Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.
This is because the German Pinscher ranks 11 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 77 German Pinschers, 2 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in German Pinschers, and how common these diseases are in German Pinschers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
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 Papillon Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Papillon ranks 55 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2362 Papillons, 70 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Papillons, and how common these diseases are in Papillons relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in German Pinscher and in Papillon and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the German Pinscher and the Papillon:
| Disease | German Pinscher Rank | Papillon Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 11 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 15 out of 159 dog breeds | 67 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 56 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 95 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 110 out of 182 dog breeds | 148 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 196 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 55 out of 145 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.
Tolerates Being Alone: German Pinscher versus Papillon
German Pinschers can be left alone only for a short time.
Papillons do not like to be left alone.
Do German Pinschers shed more than Papillons?
German Pinschers shed moderately.
Papillons do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the German Pinscher or the Papillon
German Pinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Papillons do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the German Pinscher or the Papillon?
German Pinschers are very easy to groom.
Papillons are moderately easy to groom.
Does the German Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Papillon?
German Pinschers 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.
Papillons 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 German Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Papillons?
German Pinschers bark and howl, but not very much.
Papillons are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather?
German Pinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Papillons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: German Pinscher vs. Papillon
German Pinschers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Papillons do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather?
German Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.
Papillons can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Pinscher or the Papillon?
German Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
Papillons get along very well with other dogs.
Are German Pinschers good family dogs? What about Papillons?
German Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Papillons are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are German Pinschers and Papillons?
German Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Papillons get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the German Pinscher Easier to Train than the Papillon?
German Pinschers are very easy to train.
Papillons are very easy to train.
Is the German Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Papillon?
German Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Papillons adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Pinscher or the Papillon?
German Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.
Papillons are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Pinscher
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the German Pinscher 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 Pinscher:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Papillon 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 Papillon:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the German Pinscher and how the Papillon compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the German Pinscher and of the Papillon to other breeds:
German Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
German Pinscher versus Pointer German Pinscher versus Labradoodle German Pinscher versus Chinook German Pinscher versus Australian Cattle Dog German Pinscher versus Dutch Shepherd German Pinscher versus Chorkie German Pinscher versus Irish Terrier German Pinscher versus Maltese German Pinscher versus Patterdale Terrier German Pinscher versus Giant Schnauzer German Pinscher versus Havanese German Pinscher versus Labradoodle German Pinscher versus Chorkie German Pinscher versus Peek A Poo German Pinscher versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen German Pinscher versus Goldendoodle German Pinscher versus Portuguese Water Dog German Pinscher versus Mountain Cur German Pinscher versus French Bulldog German Pinscher versus Miniature Poodle German Pinscher versus Pug German Pinscher versus Afghan Hound German Pinscher versus Cockalier German Pinscher versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne German Pinscher versus Barbet
Papillon Versus Other Dog Breeds
Papillon versus Dachshund Papillon versus Carolina Dog Papillon versus Yorkshire Terrier Papillon versus Berger Picard Papillon versus Puggle Papillon versus Chow Chow Papillon versus Miniature Schnauzer Papillon versus Sussex Spaniel Papillon versus Boykin Spaniel Papillon versus Miniature Pinscher Papillon versus Irish Terrier Papillon versus Saluki Papillon versus Sealyham Terrier Papillon versus Portuguese Water Dog Papillon versus Shichon Papillon versus Plott Papillon versus Weimaraner Papillon versus Golden Cocker Retriever Papillon versus Yorkipoo Papillon versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Papillon versus Affenpinscher Papillon versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Papillon versus Lancashire Heeler Papillon versus Dogo Argentino Papillon versus Cockalier
Conclusion: German Pinscher versus Papillon. 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 German Pinscher and the Papillon better suits you and your family.