Being confused and trying to decide between a German shepherd and a golden retriever? Then this article will help you a lot.
That is a callous decision because they both have their strengths and weaknesses.
In this article, we will try to give you the Difference between a German shepherd and a golden retriever.
Let’s talk about their overview first.
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are runaway dogs who like to work.
They are loyal, intelligent, brave, and beautiful with their worn ears, bushy tails, and black and tan or red coats. They are the second most popular breed in America and one of the most recognized dog breeds globally. Like the Golden Retriever, the traits that make them great pet dogs make them great and sometimes challenging family companions. Although, now let’s talk about how these two breeds compare among the specific reasons for dog ownership.
Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are exceptionally playful, sweet, and family dogs. They are the third most popular breed in America and love everyone and everything. They have beautiful coats ranging from cream, golden, and red and have floppy ears and feathered legs and tails. Although they are now mostly family pets, they were bred in Scotland more than 150 years ago to recover birds that had died at gunpoint. The traits that made them good hunting dogs in the field are still present today, and we will talk later in this article about how gold recovery helps or hits owners.
Also read about most popular dog breeds in the USA
Size
German Shepherd
The German Shepherd’s weight can go up to 40kg, and their height is 65cm.
- Males: 24-26 inches tall and 65-90 pounds.
- Females: 22-24 inches tall and 50-70 pounds.
Golden Retriever
The weight of the Golden Retriever is a maximum of 34kg and measures up to 61cm in height on average.
- Males can be 23-24 inches tall at the withers and weigh about 65-75 pounds.
- Females: 21.5-22.5 inches tall and 55-65 pounds.
Behavior
German Shepherd
German Shepherds have a bundle of energy, which is why they will need frequent exercise. It goes hand in hand with them, which is very easy to train.
These intelligent creatures need a lot of space to roam around and can tolerate being alone for a relatively short time. On the right hand, these dogs are incredibly loyal and dependable to their families and reasonably good with children.
However, they need a specialist firm but gentle hand to recognize their owners as ‘alpha.’ The German Shepherd is not ideal for first-time dog owners in this case.
Golden Retrievers
Likewise, the Golden Retriever is easy to deliver with high maintenance and training with plenty of power. Completely reliable and intelligent, this breed is bright and highly sociable around children – combined with other dogs and pets. Since Retrievers tend to be affectionate and kind, they are considered a top choice of species worldwide. Though they rarely show aggression towards other animals or humans. These guys are an excellent choice for first-time dog owners due to their simple-minded nature and ease of training.
Lifespan and Diseases
German Shepherd
The average lifespan for German shepherds is 7-10 years.
Though according to the research, they are studying various disease like
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Cardiomyopathy
- Hemangiosarcoma
- Panosteitis
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
- Degenerative myelopathy
Golden Retrievers
The average lifespan for golden retrievers is 10-12 years. They also suffer from some diseases like
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Subaortic stenosis (SAS)
- Eye disorders
- Mast cell tumors
German Shepherd vs. Golden Retriever: Who is best?
As a first-time dog owner, I strongly recommend that getting a Golden Retriever is a good choice. Because they will allow you to become accustomed to the effort required for training, grooming, socializing, and daily care.
An experienced dog-owner will enjoy the joy and endless loyalty of a German Shepherd, while a first-timer and their families will feel a great deal of love and affection from a retriever.
Overall both German shepherds and Golden retrievers are excellent dogs.
They are intelligent, easy to train, have a lot of strength, and need to be adequately trained and specialized in helping them be the best dogs.
A German shepherd is for you if you are looking for a loving, loyal, protective dog.
If you are looking for a sweet, playful, family dog, a Golden Retriever is great.