Compare two dog breeds
Pick any two and read them against each other — what they measure, and what two breed references say living with them is like.
Measurements are compiled from breed standards and reference sources for all 510 breeds here. The rated qualities come from the American Kennel Club and DogTime, who score 14 things an owner lives with day to day; between them they cover 274 of the 510, so a pair including one of the other 236 shows measurements only. Nothing on this page adds the numbers up or picks a winner — which differences matter is yours to decide.
This page opens on the German Shepherd and the Bulldog because they are the two breeds this site’s own guides name most often — 11 guides and 9, counted from the articles themselves each time the site is built.
The German Shepherd and the Bulldog, side by side
Every figure below is stated for both breeds and nothing is added up. Which of these differences matters is the reader’s call, not this site’s.
| What is compared | German Shepherd | Bulldog |
|---|---|---|
| Measured | ||
| Breed group | Herding | Non-Sporting |
| Country of origin | Germany | England |
| Height at the withers, male | 24–26 in | 12–24 in |
| Height at the withers, female | 22–24 in | 12–24 in |
| Weight, male | 66–88 lb | 50–55 lb |
| Weight, female | 49–71 lb | 40–50 lb |
| Lifespan | 9–13 yrs | 7–10 yrs |
| Around people and other dogs | ||
| Affection with family1 independent · 5 devoted | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Good with young children1 not suited · 5 very good | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Good with other dogs1 not suited · 5 very good | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Openness to strangers1 reserved · 5 everyone is a friend | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Watchdog / protective nature1 unbothered · 5 vigilant | 5 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| What they will ask of you | ||
| Energy1 couch potato · 5 busy all day | 5 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Exercise needs1 a short walk · 5 a job to do | 5 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Playfulness1 only when invited · 5 non-stop | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Barking1 only to alert · 5 very vocal | 4 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Around the house | ||
| Shedding1 barely · 5 constantly | 5 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Drooling1 a dry mouth · 5 keep a towel | 2 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| What they tolerate | ||
| Tolerates being alone1 poorly · 5 well | 2 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Tolerates hot weather1 poorly · 5 well | 3 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Tolerates cold weather1 poorly · 5 well | 4 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
German Shepherd: Rated 1 to 5 by the American Kennel Club and DogTime, averaged where both rate the same thing, and read from their breed pages in 2022. Nobody at Woof & Beyond has met this breed — these are the publishers’ judgments, not ours.German Shepherd on AKCGerman Shepherd on DogTime
Bulldog: Rated 1 to 5 by the American Kennel Club and DogTime, averaged where both rate the same thing, and read from their breed pages in 2022. Nobody at Woof & Beyond has met this breed — these are the publishers’ judgments, not ours.Bulldog on AKCBulldog on DogTime