Breed Comparison: German Shepherd Dog Versus Kooikerhondje

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

German Shepherd Dog Versus Kooikerhondje: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje 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 Shepherd Dog and for the Kooikerhondje. 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 Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the German Shepherd Dog or the Kooikerhondje.

German Shepherd Dog versus Kooikerhondje

German Shepherd Dog versus Kooikerhondje: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Kooikerhondje 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.

German Shepherd Dog versus Kooikerhondje: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Shepherd Dog to the Kooikerhondje 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 Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje

Factor German Shepherd Dog Kooikerhondje
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 14 years 12 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Easy To Train 5/5 1/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 75 to 95 pounds 20 to 25 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1280 No Data
Price Range $800 – $1500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annually until age 6, every 2 years thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Temperament Test
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Shepherd Dog 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 Kooikerhondje. 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 Shepherd Dog is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Kooikerhondje is 70 out of 125.

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

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

    German Shepherd Dog versus Kooikerhondje

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje

    Below is a list of where the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje are most different:

  • German Shepherd Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Kooikerhondjes do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom. However, Kooikerhondjes require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to train. However, Kooikerhondjes are not easy to train.

    • The Similarities Between the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje

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

  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje 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 German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of German Shepherd Dog versus Kooikerhondje

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje.

    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.

    On the other hand, Kooikerhondjes weigh 20 to 25 pounds when fully grown. Kooikerhondjes are 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of German Shepherd Dog versus Kooikerhondje

    The lifespan of German Shepherd Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Shepherd Dogs is 12.0 years.

    The lifespan of Kooikerhondjes is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Kooikerhondjes is 13.0 years.

    Kooikerhondjes live longer than German Shepherd Dogs.

    German Shepherd Dog versus Kooikerhondje
    German Shepherd Dog versus Kooikerhondje

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Shepherd Dog versus Kooikerhondje

    German Shepherd Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Kooikerhondjes do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Shepherd Dogs shed more than Kooikerhondjes?

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

    Kooikerhondjes shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the German Shepherd Dog or the Kooikerhondje

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

    Kooikerhondjes do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the German Shepherd Dog or the Kooikerhondje?

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the German Shepherd Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kooikerhondje?

    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.

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

    Do German Shepherd Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Kooikerhondjes?

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

    Kooikerhondjes bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kooikerhondjes Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Kooikerhondjes can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Shepherd Dog vs. Kooikerhondje

    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.

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

    Can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kooikerhondjes Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Kooikerhondjes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Shepherd Dog or the Kooikerhondje?

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

    Kooikerhondjes do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are German Shepherd Dogs good family dogs? What about Kooikerhondjes?

    German Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Kooikerhondjes are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are German Shepherd Dogs and Kooikerhondjes?

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

    Kooikerhondjes do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the German Shepherd Dog Easier to Train than the Kooikerhondje?

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to train.

    Kooikerhondjes are not easy to train.

    Is the German Shepherd Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Kooikerhondje?

    German Shepherd Dogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Kooikerhondjes adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Shepherd Dog or the Kooikerhondje?

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

    Kooikerhondjes are OK for new dog owners.

    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 Kooikerhondje vs American Pit Bull Terrier.
  • Belgian Malinois (74 percent match with German Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Kooikerhondje vs Belgian Malinois.
  • Entlebucher Mountain Dog (74 percent match with German Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Kooikerhondje vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kooikerhondje

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

  • Lakeland Terrier (75 percent match with Kooikerhondje). Here is our comparison of the German Shepherd Dog vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Lhasapoo (75 percent match with Kooikerhondje). Here is our comparison of the German Shepherd Dog vs Lhasapoo.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    German Shepherd Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Shepherd Dog versus Whippet     German Shepherd Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog     German Shepherd Dog versus Pomchi     German Shepherd Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog     German Shepherd Dog versus Chinese Crested     German Shepherd Dog versus Scottish Terrier     German Shepherd Dog versus Stabyhoun     German Shepherd Dog versus Basenji     German Shepherd Dog versus Field Spaniel     German Shepherd Dog versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     German Shepherd Dog versus Goldador     German Shepherd Dog versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     German Shepherd Dog versus Portuguese Pointer     German Shepherd Dog versus Cockalier     German Shepherd Dog versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     German Shepherd Dog versus Maltese     German Shepherd Dog versus Korean Jindo Dog     German Shepherd Dog versus Scottish Deerhound     German Shepherd Dog versus Frenchton     German Shepherd Dog versus Dachshund     German Shepherd Dog versus English Cocker Spaniel     German Shepherd Dog versus Maltese     German Shepherd Dog versus American Pit Bull Terrier     German Shepherd Dog versus Kuvasz     German Shepherd Dog versus Beagle     

    Kooikerhondje Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kooikerhondje versus Hovawart     Kooikerhondje versus Coton de Tulear     Kooikerhondje versus Weimaraner     Kooikerhondje versus Tibetan Spaniel     Kooikerhondje versus Affenpinscher     Kooikerhondje versus Norwegian Buhund     Kooikerhondje versus Belgian Sheepdog     Kooikerhondje versus Newfoundland     Kooikerhondje versus Brussels Griffon     Kooikerhondje versus Aussiedoodle     Kooikerhondje versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Kooikerhondje versus Bich Poo     Kooikerhondje versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Kooikerhondje versus Akbash     Kooikerhondje versus Cavachon     Kooikerhondje versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Kooikerhondje versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Kooikerhondje versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Kooikerhondje versus American Bulldog     Kooikerhondje versus Schipperke     Kooikerhondje versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Kooikerhondje versus Chow Chow     Kooikerhondje versus Irish Water Spaniel     Kooikerhondje versus Valley Bulldog     Kooikerhondje versus Coton de Tulear     

    Conclusion: German Shepherd Dog versus Kooikerhondje. 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 Shepherd Dog and the Kooikerhondje better suits you and your family.