Breed Comparison: German Shepherd Dog Versus Shichon

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German Shepherd Dog Versus Shichon: Introduction

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

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

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 Shichon.

German Shepherd Dog versus Shichon

German Shepherd Dog versus Shichon: Overview

A very important difference between the German Shepherd Dog and the Shichon is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Shepherd Dog is a large-sized dog while the Shichon is a small-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 Shichon belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

German Shepherd Dog versus Shichon: Comparison Table

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

Factor German Shepherd Dog Shichon
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall 9 to 12 inches
Life Span 10 to 14 years 12 to 18 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
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 2/5
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 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 75 to 95 pounds 9 to 15 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 15.0 years
Average Price $1280 $1610
Price Range $800 – $1500 $1200 – $2000
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 Shichon. 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 Shichon is 95 out of 125.

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

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

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

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

  • German Shepherd Dogs have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Shichons 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, Shichons do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • German Shepherd Dogs are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Shichons are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • German Shepherd Dogs do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Shichons do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the German Shepherd Dog and the Shichon

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

  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Shichon do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Shichon do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Shichon are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Shichon 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 Shichon are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Shichon 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 Shichon 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 Shichon are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Shichon get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Shichon are very easy to groom.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Shichon are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Shichon have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Shepherd Dog and the Shichon are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of German Shepherd Dog versus Shichon

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

    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, Shichons weigh 9 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Shichons are 9 to 12 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of German Shepherd Dog versus Shichon

    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 Shichons is between 12 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Shichons is 15.0 years.

    Shichons live longer than German Shepherd Dogs.

    Price of German Shepherd Dog versus Price of Shichon

    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 Shichon puppy is $1610. The price of the Shichon typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. However, the price of the Shichon can be as low as $700 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 155 Shichon puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Shichon is more expensive than the German Shepherd Dog.

    German Shepherd Dog Shichon
    Average Price $1280 $1610
    Price Range $800 to $1500 $1200 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the German Shepherd Dog and Shichon. For different price points, the charts show how many German Shepherd Dog puppies or how many Shichon 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 Shichons?

    A breakdown of the prices of Shichons?

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Shepherd Dog versus Shichon

    German Shepherd Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Shichons do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Shepherd Dogs shed more than Shichons?

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

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

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

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

    Shichons do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Shichons are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Shichons 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 Shichons?

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

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

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

    German Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shichons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Shepherd Dog vs. Shichon

    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.

    Shichons 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 Shichons Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Shichons cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

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

    Shichons get along very well with other dogs.

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

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are German Shepherd Dogs and Shichons?

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

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

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

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to train.

    Shichons are fairly easy to train.

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

    German Shepherd Dogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Shichons adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

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

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

  • Biewer Terrier (78 percent match with Shichon). Here is our comparison of the German Shepherd Dog vs Biewer Terrier.
  • Cockalier (83 percent match with Shichon). Here is our comparison of the German Shepherd Dog vs Cockalier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    German Shepherd Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Shepherd Dog versus Azawakh     German Shepherd Dog versus Chihuahua     German Shepherd Dog versus Plott     German Shepherd Dog versus Ibizan Hound     German Shepherd Dog versus Cesky Terrier     German Shepherd Dog versus Lhasapoo     German Shepherd Dog versus Skye Terrier     German Shepherd Dog versus American Foxhound     German Shepherd Dog versus Kai Ken     German Shepherd Dog versus Shiloh Shepherd     German Shepherd Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog     German Shepherd Dog versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     German Shepherd Dog versus Afador     German Shepherd Dog versus Irish Terrier     German Shepherd Dog versus French Bulldog     German Shepherd Dog versus Spanish Mastiff     German Shepherd Dog versus Scottish Deerhound     German Shepherd Dog versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     German Shepherd Dog versus Bolognese     German Shepherd Dog versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     German Shepherd Dog versus Siberian Husky     German Shepherd Dog versus Akbash     German Shepherd Dog versus Mastiff     German Shepherd Dog versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     German Shepherd Dog versus Berger Picard     

    Shichon Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shichon versus Scottish Deerhound     Shichon versus Tibetan Mastiff     Shichon versus Westiepoo     Shichon versus Border Collie     Shichon versus English Setter     Shichon versus English Springer Spaniel     Shichon versus German Longhaired Pointer     Shichon versus Australian Terrier     Shichon versus Labrador Retriever     Shichon versus Rottweiler     Shichon versus Havanese     Shichon versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Shichon versus Lhasa Apso     Shichon versus Miniature Schnauzer     Shichon versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Shichon versus Giant Schnauzer     Shichon versus Border Collie     Shichon versus Lhasapoo     Shichon versus Boykin Spaniel     Shichon versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Shichon versus Stabyhoun     Shichon versus Keeshond     Shichon versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Shichon versus Boxerdoodle     Shichon versus Black Russian Terrier     

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