Is the Lowchen Better than the Shiloh Shepherd as a Pet? Answer…

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Lowchen Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

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

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

Lowchen versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Lowchen 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.

Lowchen versus Shiloh Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lowchen 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 Lowchen and the Shiloh Shepherd

Factor Lowchen Shiloh Shepherd
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Height 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 30 inches
Life Span 13 to 15 years 9 to 14 years
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 9 to 18 pounds 80 to 130 pounds
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $2870 No Data
Price Range $1642 – $4500 No Data
Temperament Score 75.0 percent 80.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 82 out of 125.

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

    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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Lowchens 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.
  • Lowchens adapt well to apartment living. However, Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Lowchen and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Both the Lowchen and the Shiloh Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Shiloh Shepherd are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Shiloh Shepherd are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Shiloh Shepherd are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Shiloh Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Shiloh Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Shiloh Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Shiloh Shepherd are very easy to train.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lowchen versus Shiloh Shepherd

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

    Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 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 Lowchen versus Shiloh Shepherd

    The lifespan of Lowchens is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lowchens is 14.0 years.

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

    Lowchens live longer than Shiloh Shepherds.

    Temperament of the Shiloh Shepherd Versus the Lowchen

    The Shiloh Shepherd has a better temperament than the Lowchen.

    This is because the temperament score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 80.8 percent while the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Lowchen 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 Lowchen and the Shiloh Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 12 Lowchens and 26 Shiloh Shepherds.

    Health Problems of Lowchen 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen.

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

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

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

    Lowchen Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lowchens 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 Lowchens 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 Lowchen Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Lowchen ranks 19 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 Lowchens, 9 of them had Patella problems.

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

  • Patella problems: Rank 19 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 42 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 163 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 Lowchen and in Shiloh Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Lowchen and the Shiloh Shepherd:

    Disease Lowchen Rank Shiloh Shepherd Rank
    Patella problems 19 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 42 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 163 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
    Elbow problems Not Common 52 out of 144 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 97 out of 115 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: Lowchen versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lowchens shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

    Lowchens shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Lowchen or the Shiloh Shepherd

    Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

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

    Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

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

    Lowchens 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 Lowchens Bark and Howl? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Lowchens 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 Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lowchen vs. Shiloh Shepherd

    Lowchens 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 Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Lowchens 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 Lowchen or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Lowchens good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Lowchens 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 Lowchens and Shiloh Shepherds?

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

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

    Is the Lowchen Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Lowchens are very easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

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

    Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Lowchens 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 Lowchen

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

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (80 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
  • 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 Lowchen vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (79 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lowchen versus Afghan Hound     Lowchen versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Lowchen versus Puggle     Lowchen versus Lakeland Terrier     Lowchen versus Mal Shi     Lowchen versus Standard Poodle     Lowchen versus Kai Ken     Lowchen versus Akita     Lowchen versus Cavapoo     Lowchen versus Papillon     Lowchen versus Lhasapoo     Lowchen versus Briard     Lowchen versus Belgian Tervuren     Lowchen versus Belgian Sheepdog     Lowchen versus Puli     Lowchen versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Lowchen versus Bouvier des Flandres     Lowchen versus Australian Shepherd     Lowchen versus Irish Water Spaniel     Lowchen versus Canaan Dog     Lowchen versus Maltipoo     Lowchen versus Pharaoh Hound     Lowchen versus Puli     Lowchen versus Finnish Spitz     Lowchen versus Shihpoo     

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus Kuvasz     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Shiloh Shepherd versus Komondor     Shiloh Shepherd versus Saluki     Shiloh Shepherd versus Boston Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus American Hairless Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Giant Schnauzer     Shiloh Shepherd versus West Highland White Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Australian Shepherd     Shiloh Shepherd versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Shiloh Shepherd versus West Highland White Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bearded Collie     Shiloh Shepherd versus Shichon     Shiloh Shepherd versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Dutch Shepherd     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pekingese     Shiloh Shepherd versus Frenchton     Shiloh Shepherd versus Cavapoo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Akbash     Shiloh Shepherd versus Boykin Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bearded Collie     Shiloh Shepherd versus Welsh Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Sloughi     Shiloh Shepherd versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Chi-Poo     

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