A Detailed Comparison of the Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd.

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Samoyed Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

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

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

Samoyed versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

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

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

Samoyed versus Shiloh Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Samoyed 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 Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd

Factor Samoyed Shiloh Shepherd
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 4/5
Height 1 foot, 7 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder 26 to 30 inches
Life Span 12 to 14 years 9 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 50 to 60 pounds 80 to 130 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $2460 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $3000 No Data
Temperament Score 80.3 percent 80.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 1 year
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (X-L PRA) DNA Test
  • RD/OSD
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Samoyed 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 Samoyed is 71 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 Samoyed. 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 Samoyed 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 Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Samoyeds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
  • Samoyeds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.
  • Samoyeds 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 Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Both the Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Samoyed 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 Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Samoyed versus Shiloh Shepherd

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

    Samoyeds weigh 50 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Samoyeds are 1 foot, 7 inches to 2 feet 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 Samoyed versus Shiloh Shepherd

    The lifespan of Samoyeds is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Samoyeds is 13.0 years.

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

    Samoyeds live longer than Shiloh Shepherds.

    Temperament of the Shiloh Shepherd Versus the Samoyed

    The Shiloh Shepherd has a better temperament than the Samoyed.

    This is because the temperament score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 80.8 percent while the temperament score for the Samoyed is 80.3 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 80.3 percent, the Samoyed 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 Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 294 Samoyeds and 26 Shiloh Shepherds.

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

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

    5 health tests are recommended for Samoyed while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

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

    Samoyed Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 1 year
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (X-L PRA) DNA Test
  • RD/OSD
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Samoyeds 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 Samoyeds 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 Samoyed Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Samoyed ranks 46 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 486 Samoyeds, 1 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.

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

  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 46 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 50 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 98 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 100 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 103 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 110 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 123 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 Samoyed and in Shiloh Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Samoyed and the Shiloh Shepherd:

    Disease Samoyed Rank Shiloh Shepherd Rank
    Advanced Cardiac problems 46 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 50 out of 159 dog breeds 39 out of 159 dog breeds
    Patella problems 98 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 100 out of 144 dog breeds 52 out of 144 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 103 out of 115 dog breeds 97 out of 115 dog breeds
    Hips problems 110 out of 198 dog breeds 42 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 123 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    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: Samoyed versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Samoyeds do not like to be left alone.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Samoyeds shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

    Samoyeds 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 Samoyed or the Shiloh Shepherd

    Samoyeds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

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

    Samoyeds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

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

    Samoyeds 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 Samoyeds Bark and Howl? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Samoyeds bark and howl, but not very much.

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

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

    Samoyeds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Samoyed vs. Shiloh Shepherd

    Samoyeds 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 Samoyeds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Samoyeds 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 Samoyed or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Samoyeds get along very well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Samoyeds good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Samoyeds 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 Samoyeds and Shiloh Shepherds?

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

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

    Is the Samoyed Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Samoyeds are fairly easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

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

    Samoyeds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Samoyeds 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 Samoyed

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

  • English Setter (75 percent match with Samoyed). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs English Setter.
  • Siberian Husky (75 percent match with Samoyed). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Siberian Husky.
  • 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 Samoyed vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (79 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Samoyed vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Samoyed Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Samoyed versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Samoyed versus Cocker Spaniel     Samoyed versus Japanese Chin     Samoyed versus Chihuahua     Samoyed versus Labrador Retriever     Samoyed versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Samoyed versus Manchester Terrier     Samoyed versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Samoyed versus Bluetick Coonhound     Samoyed versus Dogo Argentino     Samoyed versus Alaskan Malamute     Samoyed versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Samoyed versus Canaan Dog     Samoyed versus Japanese Spitz     Samoyed versus Affenpinscher     Samoyed versus Leonberger     Samoyed versus Maltese     Samoyed versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Samoyed versus Pomsky     Samoyed versus Kai Ken     Samoyed versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Samoyed versus American Foxhound     Samoyed versus Welsh Terrier     Samoyed versus Golden Retriever     Samoyed versus Great Dane     

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus Barbet     Shiloh Shepherd versus Havanese     Shiloh Shepherd versus Goldendoodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Irish Setter     Shiloh Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund     Shiloh Shepherd versus American Water Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Kuvasz     Shiloh Shepherd versus Japanese Chin     Shiloh Shepherd versus Skye Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Dutch Shepherd     Shiloh Shepherd versus Affenpinscher     Shiloh Shepherd versus Goldador     Shiloh Shepherd versus Akita Chow     Shiloh Shepherd versus Clumber Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Portuguese Water Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus American Eskimo Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Shiba Inu     Shiloh Shepherd versus Lakeland Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Giant Schnauzer     Shiloh Shepherd versus Labrador Retriever     Shiloh Shepherd versus Mountain Cur     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pomsky     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pointer     

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