Differences and Similarities between the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli.

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Shiloh Shepherd Versus Xoloitzcuintli: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli 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 Shiloh Shepherd and for the Xoloitzcuintli. 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 Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Shiloh Shepherd or the Xoloitzcuintli.

Shiloh Shepherd versus Xoloitzcuintli: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Xoloitzcuintli 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.

Shiloh Shepherd versus Xoloitzcuintli: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Shiloh Shepherd to the Xoloitzcuintli 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 Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli

Factor Shiloh Shepherd Xoloitzcuintli
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Height 26 to 30 inches 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 1/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Weight 80 to 130 pounds 10 to 50 pounds
Life Span 9 to 14 years 14 to 20 years
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 17.0 years
Price Range No Data $1000 – $2500
Average Price No Data $1890
Temperament Score 80.8 percent 87.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Opthalmologist
  • OFA Hip Evaluation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Xoloitzcuintli. 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 Shiloh Shepherd is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Xoloitzcuintli is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shiloh Shepherd is a better pet than the Xoloitzcuintli. 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 Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli

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

  • Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Xoloitzcuintlis adapt well to apartment living.
  • Shiloh Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Xoloitzcuintlis have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Shiloh Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Xoloitzcuintlis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Shiloh Shepherds are very friendly towards strangers. However, Xoloitzcuintlis are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli

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

  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli 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 Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Shiloh Shepherd versus Xoloitzcuintli

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

    Shiloh Shepherds weigh 80 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Shiloh Shepherds are 26 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Xoloitzcuintlis weigh 10 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Xoloitzcuintlis are 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Shiloh Shepherd versus Xoloitzcuintli

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

    The lifespan of Xoloitzcuintlis is between 14 to 20 years. The average lifespan of Xoloitzcuintlis is 17.0 years.

    Xoloitzcuintlis live longer than Shiloh Shepherds.

    Temperament of the Xoloitzcuintli Versus the Shiloh Shepherd

    The Xoloitzcuintli has a better temperament than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Xoloitzcuintli is 87.5 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 80.8 percent, the Shiloh Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 87.5 percent, the Xoloitzcuintli has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli by measuring the temperaments of 26 Shiloh Shepherds and 8 Xoloitzcuintlis.

    Health Problems of Shiloh Shepherd versus Health Problems of Xoloitzcuintli

    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 Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Shiloh Shepherd.

    4 health tests are recommended for Shiloh Shepherd while 4 tests are recommended for the Xoloitzcuintli.

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

    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.

    Xoloitzcuintli Health Problems

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

  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Opthalmologist
  • OFA Hip Evaluation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Xoloitzcuintlis here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Shiloh Shepherds and Xoloitzcuintlis

    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
  • 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 Xoloitzcuintli Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Xoloitzcuintli ranks 55 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 50 Xoloitzcuintlis, 1 of them had Eyes problems.

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

  • Eyes problems: Rank 55 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Shiloh Shepherd and in Xoloitzcuintli and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Shiloh Shepherd and the Xoloitzcuintli:

    Disease Shiloh Shepherd Rank Xoloitzcuintli Rank
    Congenital Cardiac problems 39 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 40 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 42 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 52 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 97 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems Not Common 55 out of 182 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: Shiloh Shepherd versus Xoloitzcuintli

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Shiloh Shepherds shed more than Xoloitzcuintlis?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Shiloh Shepherd or the Xoloitzcuintli

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Xoloitzcuintlis 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 Shiloh Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Xoloitzcuintlis?

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

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

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

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Xoloitzcuintlis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Shiloh Shepherd vs. Xoloitzcuintli

    Shiloh Shepherds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Xoloitzcuintlis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Xoloitzcuintlis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Shiloh Shepherds good family dogs? What about Xoloitzcuintlis?

    Shiloh Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Shiloh Shepherds and Xoloitzcuintlis?

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

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

    Is the Shiloh Shepherd Easier to Train than the Xoloitzcuintli?

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are fairly easy to train.

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

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Xoloitzcuintlis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Shiloh Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    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 Xoloitzcuintli vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (79 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Xoloitzcuintli vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Xoloitzcuintli

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

  • Glen of Imaal Terrier (70 percent match with Xoloitzcuintli). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Glen of Imaal Terrier.
  • Karelian Bear Dog (70 percent match with Xoloitzcuintli). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Karelian Bear Dog.
  • Lhasapoo (71 percent match with Xoloitzcuintli). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Lhasapoo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus Sloughi     Shiloh Shepherd versus Carolina Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Cavachon     Shiloh Shepherd versus Patterdale Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bracco Italiano     Shiloh Shepherd versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Saint Berdoodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Affenpinscher     Shiloh Shepherd versus Shiranian     Shiloh Shepherd versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Shiloh Shepherd versus English Springer Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bernedoodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Norwich Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Peek A Poo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bracco Italiano     Shiloh Shepherd versus Papillon     Shiloh Shepherd versus Kishu Ken     Shiloh Shepherd versus Stabyhoun     Shiloh Shepherd versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Shiloh Shepherd versus English Springer Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Labradoodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Cavachon     

    Xoloitzcuintli Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Xoloitzcuintli versus Golden Retriever     Xoloitzcuintli versus Cairn Terrier     Xoloitzcuintli versus Clumber Spaniel     Xoloitzcuintli versus Boerboel     Xoloitzcuintli versus Chihuahua     Xoloitzcuintli versus Catahoula Bulldog     Xoloitzcuintli versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Xoloitzcuintli versus Norfolk Terrier     Xoloitzcuintli versus English Cocker Spaniel     Xoloitzcuintli versus Yorkipoo     Xoloitzcuintli versus Samoyed     Xoloitzcuintli versus Pomeranian     Xoloitzcuintli versus Cane Corso     Xoloitzcuintli versus Spinone Italiano     Xoloitzcuintli versus Dogo Argentino     Xoloitzcuintli versus Border Terrier     Xoloitzcuintli versus Brussels Griffon     Xoloitzcuintli versus Schipperke     Xoloitzcuintli versus Morkie     Xoloitzcuintli versus Pomapoo     Xoloitzcuintli versus Airedale Terrier     Xoloitzcuintli versus Lancashire Heeler     Xoloitzcuintli versus Chihuahua     Xoloitzcuintli versus Whoodle     Xoloitzcuintli versus Bernedoodle     

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