Differences and Similarities between the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd.

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Leonberger Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

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

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

Leonberger versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

Both the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd are similar in size. The Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd are both giant-sized dogs.

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

Leonberger versus Shiloh Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Leonberger 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 Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd

Factor Leonberger Shiloh Shepherd
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 4/5
General Health 1/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 9 to 14 years
Weight 120 to 170 pounds 80 to 130 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Height 25 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 30 inches
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $870 No Data
Price Range $300 – $1150 No Data
Temperament Score 96.0 percent 80.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • CGC
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy (LPN1)
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy 2
  • Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP)
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Leonberger 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 Leonberger is 63 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 Leonberger. 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 Leonberger 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 Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Leonbergers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
  • Leonbergers are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Shiloh Shepherds are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Leonbergers are not easy to train. However, Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.
  • Leonbergers 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 Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Both the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Leonberger 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 Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Leonberger versus Shiloh Shepherd

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

    Leonbergers weigh 120 to 170 pounds when fully grown. Leonbergers are 25 to 31 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 Leonberger versus Shiloh Shepherd

    The lifespan of Leonbergers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Leonbergers 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 Leonbergers.

    Temperament of the Shiloh Shepherd Versus the Leonberger

    The Leonberger has a better temperament than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Leonberger is 96.0 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 96.0 percent, the Leonberger has an above-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 Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 25 Leonbergers and 26 Shiloh Shepherds.

    Health Problems of Leonberger 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 Leonberger 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 Leonberger is prone to more genetic health problems than the Shiloh Shepherd.

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

    10 health tests are recommended for Leonberger while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

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

    Leonberger Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • CGC
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy (LPN1)
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy 2
  • Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP)
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Leonbergers 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 Leonbergers 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 Leonberger Breed is Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems.

    This is because the Leonberger ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1600 Leonbergers, 22 of them had Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems.

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

  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy 2 problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Leukoencephalomyelopathy problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 20 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 34 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 38 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 41 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 74 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 83 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 Leonberger and in Shiloh Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Leonberger and the Shiloh Shepherd:

    Disease Leonberger Rank Shiloh Shepherd Rank
    Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems 1 out of 1 dog breeds Not Common
    Leonberger Polyneuropathy 2 problems 1 out of 1 dog breeds Not Common
    Leukoencephalomyelopathy problems 1 out of 1 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 20 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 34 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 38 out of 115 dog breeds 97 out of 115 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems 41 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 74 out of 144 dog breeds 52 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 83 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: Leonberger versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Leonbergers do not like to be left alone.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Leonbergers shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

    Leonbergers 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 Leonberger or the Shiloh Shepherd

    Leonbergers drool moderately.

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Leonberger or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Leonbergers are very easy to groom.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Leonberger Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Leonbergers 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 Leonbergers Bark and Howl? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Leonbergers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Leonbergers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Leonbergers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Leonberger vs. Shiloh Shepherd

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

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

    Can Leonbergers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Leonbergers 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 Leonberger or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Leonbergers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Leonbergers good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Leonbergers 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 Leonbergers and Shiloh Shepherds?

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

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

    Is the Leonberger Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Leonbergers are not easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Is the Leonberger Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Leonbergers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Leonbergers 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 Leonberger

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

  • Bernese Mountain Dog (75 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Bernese Mountain Dog.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (75 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
  • Mastiff (73 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Mastiff.
  • 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 Leonberger vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (79 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Leonberger vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Leonberger Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Leonberger versus Bolognese     Leonberger versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Leonberger versus Cockapoo     Leonberger versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Leonberger versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Leonberger versus Collie     Leonberger versus Havanese     Leonberger versus French Bulldog     Leonberger versus Scottish Terrier     Leonberger versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Leonberger versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Leonberger versus Newfoundland     Leonberger versus Tibetan Mastiff     Leonberger versus Borzoi     Leonberger versus Chihuahua     Leonberger versus Gordon Setter     Leonberger versus Keeshond     Leonberger versus Doberman Pinscher     Leonberger versus Bullmastiff     Leonberger versus Black Mouth Cur     Leonberger versus Clumber Spaniel     Leonberger versus Pointer     Leonberger versus French Bulldog     Leonberger versus Golden Retriever     Leonberger versus Havanese     

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus Tibetan Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bich Poo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Maltipoo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Dalmatian     Shiloh Shepherd versus Lhasapoo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pointer     Shiloh Shepherd versus Plott     Shiloh Shepherd versus Norfolk Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Komondor     Shiloh Shepherd versus Australian Kelpie     Shiloh Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bluetick Coonhound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Shiloh Shepherd versus French Bulldog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Shichon     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bolognese     Shiloh Shepherd versus Great Dane     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pomsky     Shiloh Shepherd versus Welsh Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Standard Poodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pomapoo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Shihpoo     

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