Great Dane versus Shiloh Shepherd. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022

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Great Dane Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

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

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

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

Great Dane versus Shiloh Shepherd

Great Dane versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd are similar in size. The Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd are both giant-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd are Working Dogs. This means both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd 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.

Great Dane versus Shiloh Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Great Dane to the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd

FactorGreat DaneShiloh Shepherd
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/51/5
Good For Novice Owners1/52/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Weight100 to 200 pounds80 to 130 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather2/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/52/5
Does NOT chew on things4/52/5
Height26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder26 to 30 inches
Tolerates Hot Weather3/54/5
Intelligence3/55/5
Low Prey Drive3/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/53/5
Does NOT Drool2/53/5
General Health4/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/52/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Dog Friendly5/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/55/5
Does NOT Shed1/52/5
Easy To Groom5/54/5
Easy To Train5/55/5
NOT Rambunctious1/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor1/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Life Span7 to 10 years9 to 14 years
Average Lifespan8.5 years11.5 years
Average Price$1560No Data
Price Range$1000 – $2000No Data
Temperament Score81.5 percent80.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Great Dane 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 Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Great Dane is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 82 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Shiloh Shepherd, we still believe that the Great Dane is a better pet than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because Great Danes are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Great Dane will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Great Dane :-). We are for the Great Dane. So get a Great Dane!

    Great Dane versus Shiloh Shepherd

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate cold weather.
  • The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd are very easy to train.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Shiloh Shepherd

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

    The Great Dane weighs 100 to 200 pounds when fully grown. The Great Dane is 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Shiloh Shepherd weighs 80 to 130 pounds when fully grown. The Shiloh Shepherd is 26 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Great Dane versus Size of Shiloh Shepherd

    Lifespan of Great Dane versus Shiloh Shepherd

    The lifespan of the Great Dane is between 7 to 10 years. The average lifespan of the Great Dane is 8.5 years.

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

    The Shiloh Shepherd live longer than the Great Dane.

    Great Dane versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Temperament of the Great Dane Versus the Shiloh Shepherd

    The Great Dane has a better temperament than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Great Dane is 81.5 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 81.5 percent, the Great Dane has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 80.8 percent, the Shiloh Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 314 Great Danes and 26 Shiloh Shepherds.

    Great Dane versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Shiloh Shepherd

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

    4 health tests are recommended for Great Dane while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

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

    Great Dane Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Great Danes here.

    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.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Great Danes and Shiloh Shepherds

    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 Great Dane Breed is Shoulder problems.

    This is because the Great Dane ranks 4 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 183 Great Danes, 10 of them had Shoulder problems.

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

  • Shoulder problems: Rank 4 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 33 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 35 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 40 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 42 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 59 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 75 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 92 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 130 out of 145 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 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

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Great Dane and in Shiloh Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Great Dane and the Shiloh Shepherd:

    Disease Great Dane Rank Shiloh Shepherd Rank
    Shoulder problems 4 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 33 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 35 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 40 out of 159 dog breeds 39 out of 159 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 42 out of 115 dog breeds 97 out of 115 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 59 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 75 out of 144 dog breeds 52 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 92 out of 198 dog breeds 42 out of 198 dog breeds
    Patella problems 130 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 40 out of 70 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: Great Dane versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Great Danes do not like to be left alone.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Great Danes shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

    Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Great Danes are very easy to groom.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

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

    Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Great Danes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Great Danes are very easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Shiloh Shepherd

    Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

    How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Shiloh Shepherds?

    Great Danes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Great Danes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    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.

    Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

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

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

    Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Shiloh Shepherd

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

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

    Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Great Danes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Great Danes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Great Dane compares to other breeds aside from the Shiloh Shepherd. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Great Dane to other breeds:

    Great Dane versus Dalmatian     Great Dane versus Mountain Cur     Great Dane versus Akita     Great Dane versus Maremma Sheepdog     Great Dane versus Pomchi     Great Dane versus Japanese Spitz     Great Dane versus Bloodhound     Great Dane versus Welsh Terrier     Great Dane versus Peek A Poo     Great Dane versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Great Dane versus Tibetan Mastiff     Great Dane versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Great Dane versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Great Dane versus Affenhuahua     Great Dane versus Lakeland Terrier     Great Dane versus Australian Shepherd     Great Dane versus Field Spaniel     Great Dane versus Irish Setter     

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