Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better Lab or Alsatian wolf dog?

"Find similarities and differences between Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd" Compare Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd. Which is better: Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Labrador Retriever	German Shepherd
Origins	England Canada	Germany
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Gun Dog	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	1	2
Reviews	11	21
User Ratings

Common Names & Aliases Compare different names used for Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd. What other names are these breeds known by?	Lab Labrador	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian
Breed Classification Compare breed classifications between a Labrador Retriever and a German Shepherd. Learn about their genetic backgrounds.	Purebred	Purebred

Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Size and Weight Comparison

Size Classification Which is bigger: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare size differences between these breeds.	Large	Large
Weight Statistics Compare weight ranges between a Labrador Retriever and a German Shepherd. Which breed is heavier?	Male: 60-75 pounds (27-34kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg)	Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg)	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)
Height Which is taller, Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd? Is a Labrador Retriever taller than a German Shepherd?	Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 21-23 inches (53-58 cm)	Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22 inches (55.5 cm)	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)

Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison

Price Range Compare puppy prices between a Labrador Retriever and a German Shepherd. Which breed costs more?	$1000-$2000	$800-$2000
Availability Which is easier to get, Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?	Very frequent: The Labrador Retriever is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.

Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligence Rating Which is smarter: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities.	Outstanding: Labrador Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Training Difficulty Which is easier to train: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare training requirements.	Labrador Retriever dogs are very easy to train. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Rating Which makes a better watchdog: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare alertness levels.	Labrador Retriever dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Territorial Protection Which is more protective: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare territorial behaviors.	Labrador Retriever dogs are average defenders. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Personality and Temperament Comparison

Personality Traits Compare personalities of a Labrador Retriever and a German Shepherd. How do their temperaments differ?	Playful Loving Energetic Alert Intelligent Friendly Responsive Affectionate Loyal Gentle Going Social Cheerful	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd?	Sensitive: Labrador Retriever dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd?	Slightly Below Average: Labrador Retriever dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. See more.	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd social needs comparison:	Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd?	Labrador Retriever dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd? Which can be better for hunting?	Labrador Retriever dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Barking Frequency Which breed barks more: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare vocalization tendencies.	Average: The Labrador Retriever barks occasionally. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Playful Nature Which breed is more playful: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare play drive and energy.	The Labrador Retriever is a highly playful breed. See more.	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Apartment Adaptability Which is better for apartments: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare living space needs.	It is not recommended to keep the Labrador Retriever breed in the home.	It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Lifestyle Adaptability Which adapts better to changes: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare adaptability levels.	Labrador Retriever dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Alone Time Tolerance Which dog can be left alone: Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?	Labrador Retriever dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.

Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Risk Assessment Which has lower bite risk: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare biting tendencies.	Moderate ⏺ The Labrador Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody.	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.
Mouthing Tendency Which is more mouthy: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare mouthing behaviors.	Labrador Retriever dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.
Bite Strength Rating Which has a stronger bite: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare bite force PSI.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Labrador Retriever bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force

Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Health and Lifespan Comparison

Average Lifespan Which lives longer: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare average lifespans.	10-12 years The average lifespan of Labrador Retriever: 11 years	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Climate Tolerance Which handles weather better: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare climate tolerances.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.
Health Concerns Compare common health issues between a Labrador Retriever and a German Shepherd. Which breed is healthier?	The Labrador Retriever is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Vet Care Frequency Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd?	Average The Labrador Retriever should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd health problems comparison:	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Bloat Epilepsy Ear Infections Elbow Dysplasia Osteochondrosis Dissecans Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia Acute Moist Dermatitis Cold Tail Myopathy	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Blindness Cherry Eye Elbow Dysplasia Diabetes Heart Disease Retinal Dysplasia Demodectic Mange Degenerative Myelopathy Wobbler's Syndrome Panosteitis Hemophilia B Megaesophagus Cushing's Syndrome Lens Luxation Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Digestive Problems Hemophilia A Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lupus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Paralysis Perianal Fistula Seborrhea Vitiligo

Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Rating Which breed is more energetic: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare activity levels.	Labrador Retriever dogs are high-energy dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of exercises.	German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?	Labrador Retriever dogs don't need too much sleep.	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Obesity Tendency Which gains weight easier: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare obesity risks.	High: The Labrador Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity
Food Consumption Which eats more: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare daily food needs.	Recommended daily amount: 2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot

Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Allergy Friendliness Which is more hypoallergenic: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare allergy friendliness.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Coat Colors What color variations exist for Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd? Compare breed colors.	Black Yellow Chocolate	Black Tan Red Silver
Grooming Requirements Which needs more grooming: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare maintenance needs.	Effortless: The Labrador Retriever requires minimal grooming. See more.	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Drooling Tendency Which drools more: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare drooling amounts.	The Labrador Retriever is an average drooler. See more.	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.
Stinkiness Rating Which has less odor: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare natural smell levels.	High 🔼 The Labrador Retriever has a high chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.
Coat Characteristics How do coats differ between a Labrador Retriever and a German Shepherd? Compare fur types.	Dense Waterproof Hard Short	Fuzzy
Bathing Needs Which needs more baths: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare bathing frequencies.	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.
Shedding Level Who sheds more Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd? Do Labrador Retriever dogs shed more than German Shepherd dogs?	Labrador Retriever dogs shed moderately. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most

Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Good With Comparison

Child Compatibility Which is better with children: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare kid-friendliness.	Labrador Retriever dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Pet Compatibility Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Labrador Retriever dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.	German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd? Which dog is more friendly?	Labrador Retriever dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd?	Labrador Retriever dogs are cat-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd? Can a Labrador Retriever and a German Shepherd be friends? Do Labrador Retriever dogs get along with German Shepherd dogs?	Labrador Retriever dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is best for first time owners: Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd?	Yes Labrador Retriever dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Labrador Retriever is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	Labrador Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Capability Which makes a better service dog: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare service capabilities.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Work Suitability Which is better for therapy work: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare therapy capabilities.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Scent Detection Ability Which is better at detection work: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare scenting abilities.	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.
Search & Rescue Potential Which is better for search and rescue: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare SAR abilities.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.
Maritime Work Ability Which is better on boats: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare maritime abilities.	Yes Labrador Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. See more.	Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Draft Work Capability Which is better at pulling: a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Compare draft work capabilities.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Military Service Background Compare military history between Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd. Which has stronger military background?	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Reproducibility Comparison

Puppy Litter Size Compare litter sizes between Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd. Which has larger litters?	5-10 puppies	6-10 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy
Pregnancy Duration Compare pregnancy duration between Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd breeds.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Breeding Frequency Compare breeding frequencies between Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd. Which needs longer recovery?	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.

Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd Recognition Comparison

AKC Classification Compare AKC classifications of Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd. Which groups do they belong to?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917 as a Sporting breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed.
FCI Classification Compare FCI classifications of Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd. Which groups are they in?	Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section.	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.
Kennel Club Recognition Compare kennel club recognition between Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd. Which is more widely recognized?	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club German Shepherd Dog Club Of America

Popular Dog Compares

Despite the best intentions, there may be errors. If you find one, please let us know and we will fix it as soon as possible. Contact us here.

Rate This Comparsion - Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd

Reviews

Rohan Patel
Apr 26, 2020, 8:05:29 PM:
I love the gss but can you make a St. Bernard comparison
Noah
Feb 10, 2021, 5:06:06 PM:
Everything is great except that labs arent affectionate.
Giovanni
Dec 28, 2021, 1:48:11 PM:
Re. GS health issues.... it all depends on the breeding.... in the US breeding is terrible.... I should know, I am a breeder.