German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever
Compare the German Shepherd to the Golden Retriever. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Breed Type
Purebred
Purebred
Allergy Friendly
No
No
Lifespan
10-14 Years
10-12 Years
Height
22-26 Inches
21-24 Inches
Weight
75-95 Pounds
55-80 Pounds
Intelligence
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Origin Country
Germany
United Kingdom
Origin Year
1899 AD
1865 AD
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Overall Friendliness
Family Friendly
Child Friendly
Pet Friendly
Stranger Friendly
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Apartment
Yes
Yes
Indoor
Yes
Yes
Small Yard
Yes
Yes
Medium Yard
Yes
Yes
Large Yard
Yes
Yes
Temperature Tolerance
40-85 °F
30-80 °F
Barks/Howls
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Energy Level
High
High
Exercise Required
High
Medium to High
Top Running Speed
30 MPH
25 MPH
Strength
High
High
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Coat Maintenance
Medium to High
Medium to High
Shedding
High
Medium to High
Dander
High
Medium
Drool
Medium
None
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Dominant / Alpha
No
No
Family / Pack
Yes
Yes
Independent
No
No
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Distracted Easy
No
No
Focused & Patient
Yes
Yes
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Aggression
Burrow / Digging
Chasing
Follow Commands
Fighting
Guarding
Herding
Hunting
Protection
Remove Vermin
Sled Pulling
Watch / Guardian
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Average Lifespan
10-14 Years
10-12 Years
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Coat Type
Fur
Fur
Coat Layering
Double
Double
Coat Texture
Straight
Wavy
Coat Length
Short to Medium
Medium
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
