German Shepherd Dog versus Sheepadoodle. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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German Shepherd Dog Versus Sheepadoodle: Introduction

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

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

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 Sheepadoodle.

German Shepherd Dog versus Sheepadoodle

German Shepherd Dog versus Sheepadoodle: Overview

Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Sheepadoodle are similar in size. The German Shepherd Dog and the Sheepadoodle are both large-sized dogs.

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 Sheepadoodle belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

German Shepherd Dog versus Sheepadoodle: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Shepherd Dog to the Sheepadoodle 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 Sheepadoodle

Factor German Shepherd Dog Sheepadoodle
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall 16 to 22 inches
Life Span 10 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
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 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 75 to 95 pounds 60 to 80 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1280 $1910
Price Range $800 – $1500 $1471 – $2300
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 Sheepadoodle. 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 Sheepadoodle is 91 out of 125.

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

    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 Sheepadoodle so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    German Shepherd Dog versus Sheepadoodle

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

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

  • German Shepherd Dogs have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Sheepadoodles have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • German Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Sheepadoodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the German Shepherd Dog and the Sheepadoodle

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

  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Sheepadoodle do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Sheepadoodle do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Sheepadoodle 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 Sheepadoodle can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Sheepadoodle are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Sheepadoodle 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 Sheepadoodle 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 Sheepadoodle are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Sheepadoodle get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Sheepadoodle are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Sheepadoodle have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Sheepadoodle require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Sheepadoodle are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of German Shepherd Dog versus Sheepadoodle

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

    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, Sheepadoodles weigh 60 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Sheepadoodles are 16 to 22 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of German Shepherd Dog versus Sheepadoodle

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

    Sheepadoodles live longer than German Shepherd Dogs.

    German Shepherd Dog versus Sheepadoodle

    Price of German Shepherd Dog versus Price of Sheepadoodle

    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 reviewing the prices of 1776 German Shepherd Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Sheepadoodle puppy is $1910. The price of the Sheepadoodle typically ranges from $1471 – $2300. However, the price of the Sheepadoodle can be as low as $600 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 356 Sheepadoodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Sheepadoodle is more expensive than the German Shepherd Dog.

    German Shepherd Dog Sheepadoodle
    Average Price $1280 $1910
    Price Range $800 to $1500 $1471 to $2300

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

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shepherd Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shepherd Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Sheepadoodles?

    A breakdown of the prices of Sheepadoodles?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the German Shepherd Dog puppy or the Sheepadoodle 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.

    German Shepherd Dog versus Sheepadoodle

    Adopting the German Shepherd Dog versus Adopting the Sheepadoodle

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many German Shepherd Dogs and many Sheepadoodles 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 Shepherd Dog named Bullwinkle that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable German Shepherd Dogs like Bullwinkle on pefinder.com.

    Also, like German Shepherd Dogs, Sheepadoodles are also available for adoption. For example, Fritz is a Male Sheepadoodle that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Sheepadoodles like Fritz that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The German Shepherd Dog and the Sheepadoodle can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Kovack is the name of another German Shepherd Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more German Shepherd Dogs and Sheepadoodles that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Shepherd Dog versus Sheepadoodle

    German Shepherd Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Sheepadoodles do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Shepherd Dogs shed more than Sheepadoodles?

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

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

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

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

    Sheepadoodles do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Sheepadoodles are moderately easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Sheepadoodles have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

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

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

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

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

    German Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sheepadoodles can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Shepherd Dog vs. Sheepadoodle

    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.

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

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

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

    Sheepadoodles 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 Sheepadoodle?

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

    Sheepadoodles get along very well with other dogs.

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

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

    Sheepadoodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are German Shepherd Dogs and Sheepadoodles?

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

    Sheepadoodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to train.

    Sheepadoodles are fairly easy to train.

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

    German Shepherd Dogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Sheepadoodles adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

    Sheepadoodles are very good 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 Sheepadoodle vs American Pit Bull Terrier.
  • Belgian Malinois (74 percent match with German Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Sheepadoodle vs Belgian Malinois.
  • Entlebucher Mountain Dog (74 percent match with German Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Sheepadoodle vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sheepadoodle

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

  • Standard Poodle (77 percent match with Sheepadoodle). Here is our comparison of the German Shepherd Dog vs Standard Poodle.
  • Portuguese Water Dog (78 percent match with Sheepadoodle). Here is our comparison of the German Shepherd Dog vs Portuguese Water Dog.
  • Schnoodle (77 percent match with Sheepadoodle). Here is our comparison of the German Shepherd Dog vs Schnoodle.
  • Bernedoodle (79 percent match with Sheepadoodle). Here is our comparison of the German Shepherd Dog vs Bernedoodle.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    German Shepherd Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Shepherd Dog versus Standard Poodle     German Shepherd Dog versus Stabyhoun     German Shepherd Dog versus Miniature Poodle     German Shepherd Dog versus Bichon Frise     German Shepherd Dog versus Bichon Frise     German Shepherd Dog versus Silky Terrier     German Shepherd Dog versus Great Dane     German Shepherd Dog versus Alaskan Malamute     German Shepherd Dog versus Papillon     German Shepherd Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     German Shepherd Dog versus Shiranian     German Shepherd Dog versus Shiba Inu     German Shepherd Dog versus American Staffordshire Terrier     German Shepherd Dog versus Airedale Terrier     German Shepherd Dog versus Bulldog     German Shepherd Dog versus Miniature Poodle     German Shepherd Dog versus Yorkshire Terrier     German Shepherd Dog versus Lhasa Apso     German Shepherd Dog versus Great Pyrenees     German Shepherd Dog versus Maltese     German Shepherd Dog versus Basset Hound     German Shepherd Dog versus Boxer     German Shepherd Dog versus Golden Cocker Retriever     German Shepherd Dog versus Pomsky     German Shepherd Dog versus Australian Shepherd     

    Sheepadoodle Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sheepadoodle versus Miniature Poodle     Sheepadoodle versus Portuguese Water Dog     Sheepadoodle versus Westiepoo     Sheepadoodle versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Sheepadoodle versus Sealyham Terrier     Sheepadoodle versus Goldendoodle     Sheepadoodle versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Sheepadoodle versus Cavachon     Sheepadoodle versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Sheepadoodle versus Stabyhoun     Sheepadoodle versus Shichon     Sheepadoodle versus Redbone Coonhound     Sheepadoodle versus Mountain Cur     Sheepadoodle versus American Bulldog     Sheepadoodle versus Belgian Malinois     Sheepadoodle versus Hovawart     Sheepadoodle versus Cane Corso     Sheepadoodle versus Finnish Spitz     Sheepadoodle versus Pomeranian     Sheepadoodle versus Catahoula Bulldog     Sheepadoodle versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Sheepadoodle versus Pointer     Sheepadoodle versus Pekingese     Sheepadoodle versus Catahoula Bulldog     

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