Differences and Similarities between the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd.

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Giant Schnauzer Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd? 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Giant Schnauzer and for the Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd.

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

Giant Schnauzer versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

A very important difference between the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Giant Schnauzer is a large-sized dog while the Shiloh Shepherd is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd are Working Dogs. This means both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd 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.

Giant Schnauzer versus Shiloh Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Giant Schnauzer to the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd

Factor Giant Schnauzer Shiloh Shepherd
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 9 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 30 inches
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 55 to 80 pounds 80 to 130 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $2220 No Data
Price Range $1800 – $2500 No Data
Temperament Score 77.4 percent 80.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Giant Schnauzer 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 Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Giant Schnauzer is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shiloh Shepherd is a better pet than the Giant Schnauzer. So, you should get the Shiloh Shepherd!

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd

    Below is a list of where the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd are most different:

  • Giant Schnauzers are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Shiloh Shepherds are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Giant Schnauzers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Shiloh Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd

    The Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd are most similar:

  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd are very easy to train.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Giant Schnauzer versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd.

    Giant Schnauzers weigh 55 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Giant Schnauzers are 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Shiloh Shepherds weigh 80 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Shiloh Shepherds are 26 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Giant Schnauzer versus Shiloh Shepherd

    The lifespan of Giant Schnauzers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Giant Schnauzers is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Shiloh Shepherds is between 9 to 14 years . The average lifespan of Shiloh Shepherds is 11.5 years.

    Shiloh Shepherds live longer than Giant Schnauzers.

    Temperament of the Giant Schnauzer Versus the Shiloh Shepherd

    The Shiloh Shepherd has a better temperament than the Giant Schnauzer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 80.8 percent while the temperament score for the Giant Schnauzer is 77.4 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 77.4 percent, the Giant Schnauzer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 80.8 percent, the Shiloh Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 265 Giant Schnauzers and 26 Shiloh Shepherds.

    Health Problems of Giant Schnauzer versus Health Problems of Shiloh Shepherd

    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 Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Giant Schnauzer.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Shiloh Shepherd than for the Giant Schnauzer.

    3 health tests are recommended for Giant Schnauzer while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Giant Schnauzers and in Shiloh Shepherds.

    Giant Schnauzer Health Problems

    Giant Schnauzers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Giant Schnauzers here.

    Shiloh Shepherd Health Problems

    Shiloh Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherds for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiloh Shepherds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Giant Schnauzers and Shiloh Shepherds

    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 Giant Schnauzer Breed is Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    This is because the Giant Schnauzer ranks 9 out of 32 dog breeds for Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 86 Giant Schnauzers, 1 of them had Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

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

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 9 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 26 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 48 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 51 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 54 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 Shiloh Shepherd Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Shiloh Shepherd ranks 39 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 740 Shiloh Shepherds, 3 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 39 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 40 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 42 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 52 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 97 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Giant Schnauzer and in Shiloh Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd:

    Disease Giant Schnauzer Rank Shiloh Shepherd Rank
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 9 out of 32 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 26 out of 115 dog breeds 97 out of 115 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 48 out of 144 dog breeds 52 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 51 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 54 out of 198 dog breeds 42 out of 198 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 39 out of 159 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 40 out of 70 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: Giant Schnauzer versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Giant Schnauzers do not like to be left alone.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Giant Schnauzers shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

    Giant Schnauzers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Shiloh Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Giant Schnauzer or the Shiloh Shepherd

    Giant Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Giant Schnauzer or the Shiloh Shepherd?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Giant Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Giant Schnauzers 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.

    Shiloh Shepherds 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 Giant Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Giant Schnauzers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Shiloh Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Giant Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Giant Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Giant Schnauzer vs. Shiloh Shepherd

    Giant Schnauzers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can Giant Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Giant Schnauzers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Giant Schnauzer or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Giant Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Giant Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Giant Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Shiloh Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Giant Schnauzers and Shiloh Shepherds?

    Giant Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Giant Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Giant Schnauzers are very easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Is the Giant Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Giant Schnauzers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Giant Schnauzer or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Giant Schnauzers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Shiloh Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Giant Schnauzer

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

  • Airedale Terrier (76 percent match with Giant Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Airedale Terrier.
  • Gordon Setter (79 percent match with Giant Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Gordon Setter.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Flat-Coated Retriever (78 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Giant Schnauzer vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (79 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Giant Schnauzer vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Giant Schnauzer and how the Shiloh Shepherd compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Giant Schnauzer and of the Shiloh Shepherd to other breeds:

    Giant Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Giant Schnauzer versus Finnish Lapphund     Giant Schnauzer versus Maltipoo     Giant Schnauzer versus English Springer Spaniel     Giant Schnauzer versus Shiba Inu     Giant Schnauzer versus Newfoundland     Giant Schnauzer versus Irish Wolfhound     Giant Schnauzer versus Shetland Sheepdog     Giant Schnauzer versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Giant Schnauzer versus Affenpinscher     Giant Schnauzer versus Norfolk Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Dachshund     Giant Schnauzer versus Maltipoo     Giant Schnauzer versus Kishu Ken     Giant Schnauzer versus Shichon     Giant Schnauzer versus Affenhuahua     Giant Schnauzer versus German Longhaired Pointer     Giant Schnauzer versus Kishu Ken     Giant Schnauzer versus Shiba Inu     Giant Schnauzer versus Dogo Argentino     Giant Schnauzer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Giant Schnauzer versus Kishu Ken     Giant Schnauzer versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Giant Schnauzer versus Bordoodle     Giant Schnauzer versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Bedlington Terrier     

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus Papillon     Shiloh Shepherd versus Harrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Dachshund     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bouvier des Flandres     Shiloh Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Shiloh Shepherd versus American Bulldog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Aussiedoodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Akita Chow     Shiloh Shepherd versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pointer     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bearded Collie     Shiloh Shepherd versus Xoloitzcuintli     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pomeranian     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bedlington Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Akbash     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bolognese     Shiloh Shepherd versus Samoyed     Shiloh Shepherd versus Chow Chow     Shiloh Shepherd versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pointer     Shiloh Shepherd versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pointer     Shiloh Shepherd versus Chinook     Shiloh Shepherd versus Skye Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Curly-Coated Retriever     

    Conclusion: Giant Schnauzer versus Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Shiloh Shepherd better suits you and your family.