Which is Better between the Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd? A Very Detailed Review.

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Italian Greyhound Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound or the Shiloh Shepherd.

Italian Greyhound versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

A very important difference between the Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Italian Greyhound is a small-sized dog while the Shiloh Shepherd is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Italian Greyhound 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.

On the other hand, the Shiloh Shepherd 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.

Italian Greyhound versus Shiloh Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd

Factor Italian Greyhound Shiloh Shepherd
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Height 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 30 inches
Life Span 14 to 15 years 9 to 14 years
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Weight 6 to 15 pounds 80 to 130 pounds
Average Lifespan 14.5 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1930 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2250 No Data
Temperament Score 81.5 percent 80.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination at 36 months, recommend annual testing to age 10
  • Hip Dysplasia/Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound is 82 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 not better or worse than the Italian Greyhound. So, you can get the Shiloh Shepherd or the Italian Greyhound!

    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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd

    Below is a list of where the Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd are most different:

  • Italian Greyhounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate cold weather.
  • Italian Greyhounds adapt well to apartment living. However, Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Italian Greyhounds are good for new dog owners. However, Shiloh Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd are very easy to groom.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Italian Greyhound versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd.

    Italian Greyhounds weigh 6 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Italian Greyhounds are 13 to 15 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 Italian Greyhound versus Shiloh Shepherd

    The lifespan of Italian Greyhounds is between 14 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Italian Greyhounds is 14.5 years.

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

    Italian Greyhounds live longer than Shiloh Shepherds.

    Temperament of the Italian Greyhound Versus the Shiloh Shepherd

    The Italian Greyhound has a better temperament than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Italian Greyhound is 81.5 percent while the temperament score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 80.8 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 81.5 percent, the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 54 Italian Greyhounds and 26 Shiloh Shepherds.

    Health Problems of Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 the same number of genetic health problems as the Italian Greyhound.

    4 health tests are recommended for Italian Greyhound while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Italian Greyhounds and in Shiloh Shepherds.

    Italian Greyhound Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination at 36 months, recommend annual testing to age 10
  • Hip Dysplasia/Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhound Breed is Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    This is because the Italian Greyhound ranks 3 out of 32 dog breeds for Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 96 Italian Greyhounds, 4 of them had Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

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

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 3 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 30 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 58 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 62 out of 145 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 Italian Greyhound and in Shiloh Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd:

    Disease Italian Greyhound Rank Shiloh Shepherd Rank
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 3 out of 32 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 30 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 58 out of 115 dog breeds 97 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems 62 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 39 out of 159 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 40 out of 70 dog breeds
    Hips problems Not Common 42 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 52 out of 144 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: Italian Greyhound versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Italian Greyhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Italian Greyhounds shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Italian Greyhound or the Shiloh Shepherd

    Italian Greyhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Italian Greyhound or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Italian Greyhounds are very easy to groom.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Italian Greyhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds Bark and Howl? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Italian Greyhounds bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Italian Greyhounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Italian Greyhound vs. Shiloh Shepherd

    Italian Greyhounds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get 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 Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Italian Greyhounds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Italian Greyhound or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Italian Greyhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Italian Greyhounds good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds and Shiloh Shepherds?

    Italian Greyhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Italian Greyhound Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Italian Greyhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Is the Italian Greyhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Italian Greyhounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Italian Greyhound or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Italian Greyhounds are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Italian Greyhound

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

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

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

    Italian Greyhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Italian Greyhound versus Samoyed     Italian Greyhound versus Affenhuahua     Italian Greyhound versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Italian Greyhound versus Pekingese     Italian Greyhound versus Bernedoodle     Italian Greyhound versus Spanish Mastiff     Italian Greyhound versus Morkie     Italian Greyhound versus Labrador Retriever     Italian Greyhound versus Norwich Terrier     Italian Greyhound versus Boston Terrier     Italian Greyhound versus Boerboel     Italian Greyhound versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Italian Greyhound versus Maltese     Italian Greyhound versus Bracco Italiano     Italian Greyhound versus Great Pyrenees     Italian Greyhound versus Airedale Terrier     Italian Greyhound versus Spanish Mastiff     Italian Greyhound versus Miniature Schnauzer     Italian Greyhound versus German Shepherd Dog     Italian Greyhound versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Italian Greyhound versus Boxer     Italian Greyhound versus Toy Poodle     Italian Greyhound versus Xoloitzcuintli     Italian Greyhound versus German Pinscher     Italian Greyhound versus Basenji     

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus Pomsky     Shiloh Shepherd versus Kai Ken     Shiloh Shepherd versus Papillon     Shiloh Shepherd versus Canaan Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bouvier des Flandres     Shiloh Shepherd versus Cocker Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Chorkie     Shiloh Shepherd versus American Hairless Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Plott     Shiloh Shepherd versus Chinese Crested     Shiloh Shepherd versus Swedish Vallhund     Shiloh Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Shiranian     Shiloh Shepherd versus Border Collie     Shiloh Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Tibetan Mastiff     Shiloh Shepherd versus Schnoodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Doberman Pinscher     Shiloh Shepherd versus Morkie     Shiloh Shepherd versus Norwegian Buhund     Shiloh Shepherd versus Standard Schnauzer     Shiloh Shepherd versus Papillon     Shiloh Shepherd versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     

    Conclusion: Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Shiloh Shepherd better suits you and your family.