Papillon versus Shiloh Shepherd. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Papillon Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

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

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

Papillon versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Papillon 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.

Papillon versus Shiloh Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Papillon 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 Papillon and the Shiloh Shepherd

Factor Papillon Shiloh Shepherd
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 9 to 14 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
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
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Weight 4 to 9 pounds 80 to 130 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 30 inches
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1800 No Data
Price Range $1400 – $2000 No Data
Temperament Score 82.3 percent 80.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- recommend screening every 2 years
  • 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 Papillon 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 Papillon is 89 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 82 out of 125.

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

    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 Papillon 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 Papillon and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Papillons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate cold weather.
  • Papillons 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.
  • Papillons adapt well to apartment living. However, Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Papillons are good for new dog owners. However, Shiloh Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Papillon and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

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

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

    Papillons weigh 4 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Papillons are 8 to 11 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 Papillon versus Shiloh Shepherd

    The lifespan of Papillons is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Papillons 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.

    Papillons live longer than Shiloh Shepherds.

    Temperament of the Shiloh Shepherd Versus the Papillon

    The Papillon has a better temperament than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Papillon is 82.3 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 82.3 percent, the Papillon 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 Papillon and the Shiloh Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 96 Papillons and 26 Shiloh Shepherds.

    Health Problems of Papillon 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 Papillon 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 Papillon.

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

    2 health tests are recommended for Papillon while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

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

    Papillon Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination- recommend screening every 2 years
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Papillons 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 Papillons 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 Papillon Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Papillon ranks 55 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2362 Papillons, 70 of them had Patella problems.

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

  • Patella problems: Rank 55 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 67 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 148 out of 182 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 Papillon and in Shiloh Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Papillon and the Shiloh Shepherd:

    Disease Papillon Rank Shiloh Shepherd Rank
    Patella problems 55 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 67 out of 159 dog breeds 39 out of 159 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 148 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    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
    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: Papillon versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Papillons do not like to be left alone.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Papillons shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

    Papillons 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 Papillon or the Shiloh Shepherd

    Papillons do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

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

    Papillons are moderately easy to groom.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

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

    Papillons 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 Papillons Bark and Howl? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Papillons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Papillon vs. Shiloh Shepherd

    Papillons 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 Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Papillons can tolerate hot weather.

    Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Papillons get along very well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Papillons good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Papillons 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 Papillons and Shiloh Shepherds?

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

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

    Is the Papillon Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Papillons are very easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

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

    Papillons adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Papillons 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 Papillon

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

  • Bichon Frise (78 percent match with Papillon). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Bichon Frise.
  • Cavachon (78 percent match with Papillon). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Cavachon.
  • Havanese (79 percent match with Papillon). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Havanese.
  • Papipoo (86 percent match with Papillon). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Papipoo.
  • 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 Papillon vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (79 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Papillon vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Papillon Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Papillon versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Papillon versus Affenpinscher     Papillon versus Cocker Spaniel     Papillon versus Kuvasz     Papillon versus Shihpoo     Papillon versus Gordon Setter     Papillon versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Papillon versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Papillon versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Papillon versus Lakeland Terrier     Papillon versus English Cocker Spaniel     Papillon versus Shetland Sheepdog     Papillon versus Barbet     Papillon versus Chow Chow     Papillon versus Cockalier     Papillon versus Pug     Papillon versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Papillon versus Finnish Spitz     Papillon versus Sussex Spaniel     Papillon versus Samoyed     Papillon versus Pomchi     Papillon versus Pomeranian     Papillon versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Papillon versus Cane Corso     Papillon versus Australian Cattle Dog     

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Frenchton     Shiloh Shepherd versus Yorkshire Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bernedoodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Shiloh Shepherd versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Basset Hound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Shichon     Shiloh Shepherd versus Irish Wolfhound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Karelian Bear Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pomapoo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Border Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus American Foxhound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Silky Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bordoodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Standard Poodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Cockapoo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Frenchton     Shiloh Shepherd versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Shiloh Shepherd versus Shiba Inu     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pekingese     Shiloh Shepherd versus Irish Setter     Shiloh Shepherd versus Toy Fox Terrier     

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