Differences and Similarities between the Mastiff and the Shiloh Shepherd.

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Mastiff Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

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

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

Mastiff versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

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

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

Mastiff versus Shiloh Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Mastiff 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 Mastiff and the Shiloh Shepherd

Factor Mastiff Shiloh Shepherd
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 3/5
Weight 130 to 220 pounds 80 to 130 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Intelligence 2/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Height 27 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 30 inches
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 1/5 3/5
Life Span 6 to 10 years 9 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 8.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1740 No Data
Price Range $1100 – $2200 No Data
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 80.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cystinuria
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Minimum age 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • PennGen
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Mastiff 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 Mastiff is 72 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 Mastiff. 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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Mastiffs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
  • Mastiffs are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Shiloh Shepherds are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Mastiffs not very intelligent. However, Shiloh Shepherds are highly intelligent.
  • The Similarities Between the Mastiff and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Both the Mastiff and the Shiloh Shepherd are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Shiloh Shepherd do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Shiloh Shepherd have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Shiloh Shepherd can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Shiloh Shepherd gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Shiloh Shepherd are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Shiloh Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Shiloh Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Mastiff versus Shiloh Shepherd

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

    Mastiffs weigh 130 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Mastiffs are 27 to 32 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 Mastiff versus Shiloh Shepherd

    The lifespan of Mastiffs is between 6 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Mastiffs is 8.0 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 Mastiffs.

    Temperament of the Mastiff Versus the Shiloh Shepherd

    The Mastiff has a better temperament than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Mastiff is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Mastiff 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 Mastiff and the Shiloh Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 8 Mastiffs and 26 Shiloh Shepherds.

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

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

    7 health tests are recommended for Mastiff while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

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

    Mastiff Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cystinuria
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Minimum age 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • PennGen
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Mastiffs 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 Mastiffs 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 Mastiff Breed is Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems.

    This is because the Mastiff ranks 3 out of 6 dog breeds for Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 891 Mastiffs, 14 of them had Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems.

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

  • Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems: Rank 3 out of 6 Dog Breeds
  • Cystinuria problems: Rank 3 out of 6 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 9 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 12 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 26 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 39 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 39 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 43 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 49 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 53 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 72 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 131 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 Mastiff and in Shiloh Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Mastiff and the Shiloh Shepherd:

    Disease Mastiff Rank Shiloh Shepherd Rank
    Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems 3 out of 6 dog breeds Not Common
    Cystinuria problems 3 out of 6 dog breeds Not Common
    Shoulder problems 9 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 12 out of 32 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 26 out of 144 dog breeds 52 out of 144 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems 39 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 39 out of 198 dog breeds 42 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 43 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 49 out of 70 dog breeds 40 out of 70 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 53 out of 159 dog breeds 39 out of 159 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 72 out of 115 dog breeds 97 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems 131 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common

    *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: Mastiff versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Mastiffs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Mastiffs shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

    Mastiffs shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Mastiff or the Shiloh Shepherd

    Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

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

    Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

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

    Mastiffs 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.

    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 Mastiffs Bark and Howl? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

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

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

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

    Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Mastiff vs. Shiloh Shepherd

    Mastiffs 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 Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Mastiffs 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 Mastiff or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Mastiffs good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Mastiffs 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 Mastiffs and Shiloh Shepherds?

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

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

    Is the Mastiff Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

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

    Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Mastiffs 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 Mastiff

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

  • Black Russian Terrier (73 percent match with Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Black Russian Terrier.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dog (72 percent match with Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
  • Dogue de Bordeaux (72 percent match with Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Dogue de Bordeaux.
  • Leonberger (73 percent match with Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Leonberger.
  • 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 Mastiff vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (79 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Mastiff vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mastiff versus Cockapoo     Mastiff versus Welsh Terrier     Mastiff versus Harrier     Mastiff versus Standard Schnauzer     Mastiff versus Newfoundland     Mastiff versus Westiepoo     Mastiff versus Goldendoodle     Mastiff versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Mastiff versus Toy Poodle     Mastiff versus Cavapoo     Mastiff versus Pointer     Mastiff versus Plott     Mastiff versus Doberman Pinscher     Mastiff versus Komondor     Mastiff versus Puli     Mastiff versus German Longhaired Pointer     Mastiff versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Mastiff versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Mastiff versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Mastiff versus Ibizan Hound     Mastiff versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Mastiff versus Alaskan Malamute     Mastiff versus Kooikerhondje     Mastiff versus Labrador Retriever     Mastiff versus Tibetan Terrier     

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus Kuvasz     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pomsky     Shiloh Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund     Shiloh Shepherd versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Shiloh Shepherd versus Tibetan Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Chow Chow     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bracco Italiano     Shiloh Shepherd versus Puggle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pomapoo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Leonberger     Shiloh Shepherd versus Rottweiler     Shiloh Shepherd versus American Foxhound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Doberman Pinscher     Shiloh Shepherd versus Australian Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Puli     Shiloh Shepherd versus Black Russian Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Spanish Mastiff     Shiloh Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Shiloh Shepherd versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Cavapoo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Basenji     Shiloh Shepherd versus Scottish Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Shiloh Shepherd versus French Bulldog     

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