Is the Shetland Sheepdog Better than the Standard Schnauzer as a Pet? Answer…

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Shetland Sheepdog Versus Standard Schnauzer: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer? 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer 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 Shetland Sheepdog and for the Standard Schnauzer. 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Shetland Sheepdog or the Standard Schnauzer.

Shetland Sheepdog versus Standard Schnauzer: Overview

A very important difference between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Shetland Sheepdog is a small-sized dog while the Standard Schnauzer is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, the Standard Schnauzer 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.

Shetland Sheepdog versus Standard Schnauzer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Shetland Sheepdog to the Standard Schnauzer 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer

Factor Shetland Sheepdog Standard Schnauzer
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 13 to 16 years
Height 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the s
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Weight Starts at 20 pounds 30 to 50 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.5 years
Average Price $1590 $1710
Price Range $1000 – $2000 $1200 – $2150
Temperament Score 68.9 percent 71.1 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 24 months, recommend every other year until age 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 23 90
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 6 18

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Standard Schnauzer. 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 Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Standard Schnauzer is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shetland Sheepdog is a better pet than the Standard Schnauzer. So, you should get the Shetland Sheepdog!

    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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer

    Below is a list of where the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer are most different:

  • Shetland Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Standard Schnauzers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Shetland Sheepdogs are very friendly towards strangers. However, Standard Schnauzers are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Standard Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer

    The Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer are most similar:

  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer are very playful.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Shetland Sheepdog versus Standard Schnauzer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer.

    Shetland Sheepdogs weigh Starts at 20 pounds when fully grown. Shetland Sheepdogs are 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Standard Schnauzers weigh 30 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Standard Schnauzers are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Shetland Sheepdog versus Standard Schnauzer

    The lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Standard Schnauzers is between 13 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Standard Schnauzers is 14.5 years.

    Standard Schnauzers live longer than Shetland Sheepdogs.

    Temperament of the Standard Schnauzer Versus the Shetland Sheepdog

    The Standard Schnauzer has a better temperament than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Standard Schnauzer is 71.1 percent while the temperament score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 68.9 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 68.9 percent, the Shetland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 71.1 percent, the Standard Schnauzer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer by measuring the temperaments of 515 Shetland Sheepdogs and 76 Standard Schnauzers.

    Price of Shetland Sheepdog versus Price of Standard Schnauzer

    The average price of the Shetland Sheepdog puppy is $1590. The price of the Shetland Sheepdog typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Shetland Sheepdog can be as low as $500 and as high as $3145. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 153 Shetland Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Standard Schnauzer puppy is $1710. The price of the Standard Schnauzer typically ranges from $1200 – $2150. However, the price of the Standard Schnauzer can be as low as $600 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 26 Standard Schnauzer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Standard Schnauzer is more expensive than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Shetland Sheepdog Standard Schnauzer
    Average Price $1590 $1710
    Price Range $1000 to $2000 $1200 to $2150

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Shetland Sheepdog and Standard Schnauzer. For different price points, the charts show how many Shetland Sheepdog puppies or how many Standard Schnauzer puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Standard Schnauzers

    A breakdown of the prices of Standard Schnauzers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Shetland Sheepdog puppy or the Standard Schnauzer puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Shetland Sheepdog versus Adopting the Standard Schnauzer

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Shetland Sheepdogs and many Standard Schnauzers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Shetland Sheepdog named ~Courtesy~Simon And Shu Shu that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Shetland Sheepdogs like ~Courtesy~Simon And Shu Shu on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Shetland Sheepdogs, Standard Schnauzers are also available for adoption. For example, Mickey is a Male Standard Schnauzer that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Standard Schnauzers like Mickey that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Toby is the name of another Shetland Sheepdog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Clyde is an adorable Male Standard Schnauzer on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Shetland Sheepdogs and Standard Schnauzers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Shetland Sheepdogs and Standard Schnauzers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog versus the Intelligence of the Standard Schnauzer

    Shetland Sheepdog Standard Schnauzer
    Intelligence Rank 6 out of 130 dog breeds 18 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Shetland Sheepdog has an obedience intelligence rank of 6 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Shetland Sheepdogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The Standard Schnauzer has an obedience intelligence rank of 18 out of 130 dog breeds. The Standard Schnauzer belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Standard Schnauzers tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The Shetland Sheepdog is more intelligent than the Standard Schnauzer.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog versus Popularity of Standard Schnauzer

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shetland Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Standard Schnauzer. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shetland Sheepdog is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Standard Schnauzer is 90 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Standard Schnauzer

    Popularity of Standard Schnauzer

    Year Shetland Sheepdog Popularity Rank Standard Schnauzer Popularity Rank
    2013 21 90
    2014 21 90
    2015 23 91
    2016 24 85
    2017 24 90
    2018 25 89
    2019 25 97
    2020 27 92

    Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog versus Health Problems of Standard Schnauzer

    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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer 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 Standard Schnauzer is prone to more genetic health problems than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Standard Schnauzer than for the Shetland Sheepdog.

    4 health tests are recommended for Shetland Sheepdog while 6 tests are recommended for the Standard Schnauzer.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Shetland Sheepdogs and in Standard Schnauzers.

    Shetland Sheepdog Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shetland Sheepdogs here.

    Standard Schnauzer Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 24 months, recommend every other year until age 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Standard Schnauzers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Shetland Sheepdogs and Standard Schnauzers

    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 Shetland Sheepdog Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

    This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks 3 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 633 Shetland Sheepdogs, 5 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

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

  • Collie Eye Anomaly problems: Rank 3 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems: Rank 4 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 5 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 6 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 6 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 46 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 89 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 101 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 122 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 166 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 Standard Schnauzer Breed is Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems.

    This is because the Standard Schnauzer ranks 2 out of 3 dog breeds for Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1749 Standard Schnauzers, 8 of them had Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems.

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

  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems: Rank 2 out of 3 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 40 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 54 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 103 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 128 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Shetland Sheepdog and in Standard Schnauzer and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer:

    Disease Shetland Sheepdog Rank Standard Schnauzer Rank
    Collie Eye Anomaly problems 3 out of 7 dog breeds Not Common
    Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems 4 out of 7 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 5 out of 115 dog breeds 40 out of 115 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems 6 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Von Willebrands problems 6 out of 15 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 46 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 89 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 101 out of 144 dog breeds 54 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 122 out of 182 dog breeds 103 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 166 out of 198 dog breeds 128 out of 198 dog breeds
    Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems Not Common 2 out of 3 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: Shetland Sheepdog versus Standard Schnauzer

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Standard Schnauzers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Shetland Sheepdogs shed more than Standard Schnauzers?

    Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Standard Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Shetland Sheepdog or the Standard Schnauzer

    Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Standard Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Shetland Sheepdog or the Standard Schnauzer?

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

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

    Does the Shetland Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Standard Schnauzer?

    Shetland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Standard Schnauzers 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.

    Do Shetland Sheepdogs Bark and Howl? What about Standard Schnauzers?

    Shetland Sheepdogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Standard Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Standard Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Shetland Sheepdog vs. Standard Schnauzer

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

    Standard Schnauzers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Standard Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Shetland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Standard Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Shetland Sheepdog or the Standard Schnauzer?

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Standard Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Shetland Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Standard Schnauzers?

    Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Standard Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Shetland Sheepdogs and Standard Schnauzers?

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Standard Schnauzers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Shetland Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Standard Schnauzer?

    Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Standard Schnauzers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Shetland Sheepdog Better for Apartment Owners than the Standard Schnauzer?

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Standard Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Shetland Sheepdog or the Standard Schnauzer?

    Shetland Sheepdogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Standard Schnauzers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog

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

  • Collie (81 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Standard Schnauzer vs Collie.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi (79 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Standard Schnauzer vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Standard Schnauzer

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

  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (77 percent match with Standard Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Shetland Sheepdog and how the Standard Schnauzer compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog and of the Standard Schnauzer to other breeds:

    Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Yorkipoo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Gordon Setter     Shetland Sheepdog versus Shiba Inu     Shetland Sheepdog versus Japanese Spitz     Shetland Sheepdog versus Chihuahua     Shetland Sheepdog versus Japanese Spitz     Shetland Sheepdog versus American Hairless Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bull Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Shetland Sheepdog versus Whoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bernedoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Tibetan Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus Cockalier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Labradoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Border Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Shetland Sheepdog versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Puli     Shetland Sheepdog versus Labrador Retriever     Shetland Sheepdog versus English Springer Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Stabyhoun     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bloodhound     Shetland Sheepdog versus Redbone Coonhound     

    Standard Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Standard Schnauzer versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Standard Schnauzer versus Boxerdoodle     Standard Schnauzer versus Canaan Dog     Standard Schnauzer versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Standard Schnauzer versus English Setter     Standard Schnauzer versus Bull Terrier     Standard Schnauzer versus American Bulldog     Standard Schnauzer versus Cavapoo     Standard Schnauzer versus Australian Kelpie     Standard Schnauzer versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Standard Schnauzer versus French Spaniel     Standard Schnauzer versus Pomsky     Standard Schnauzer versus Shiranian     Standard Schnauzer versus Patterdale Terrier     Standard Schnauzer versus Lhasa Apso     Standard Schnauzer versus Collie     Standard Schnauzer versus Norfolk Terrier     Standard Schnauzer versus Rottweiler     Standard Schnauzer versus Finnish Lapphund     Standard Schnauzer versus Papillon     Standard Schnauzer versus Sussex Spaniel     Standard Schnauzer versus Tibetan Spaniel     Standard Schnauzer versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Standard Schnauzer versus Portuguese Pointer     Standard Schnauzer versus Portuguese Water Dog     

    Conclusion: Shetland Sheepdog versus Standard Schnauzer. 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Standard Schnauzer better suits you and your family.