Spanish Hound vs German Shepherd
Discover the differences between Spanish Hound and German Shepherd to make the best choice for your situation.
Try different breeds
Spanish Hound
A loyal, tenacious scent hound with a calm, affectionate nature. Excels as both a dedicated hunting partner and gentle family companion.
German Shepherd
Confident, loyal, and highly intelligent, this breed thrives as both a devoted family companion and a reliable working partner. Always alert and eager to learn, it adapts to many roles with ease.
Quick comparison
Large
25–40 kg
Short, dense
10–12 years
23–35 kg
High energy
Large
30–40 kg
Double coat, dense undercoat
9–13 years
22–32 kg
High energy
Personality & behavior
Compare the personality traits and behavioral characteristics of both breeds.
Spanish Hound
Generally reserved, bonds closely with familiar people
Quick learner, responds well to training
Active, enjoys regular exercise and activity
Moderately playful, prefers purposeful activity
Adapts best to calm, consistent environments
German Shepherd
Warm with family, reserved with strangers
Quick learner, highly trainable and alert
Needs regular activity and vigorous exercise
Enjoys games, interactive and engaging
Adjusts well to new situations and environments
Care needs
Exercise, grooming, and daily care requirements
Spanish Hound
Hip dysplasia, ear infections
German Shepherd
Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia
Suitability
How well each breed fits different living situations and families
Spanish Hound
Challenging for novices
Needs experienced handling and consistent training
Not ideal
Needs space and vocalizes frequently
Highly suitable
Thrives with plenty of physical activity and outdoor time
Supervised recommended
May be too boisterous for small children
Possible with care
Prey drive can cause issues with smaller pets
Not recommended
Suffers from separation anxiety and boredom
German Shepherd
Challenging for beginners
Needs experienced, consistent training and socialization
Not ideal
Needs space and frequent exercise to prevent boredom
Perfect fit
Thrives with active owners who can provide daily physical and mental challenges
Highly suitable
Loyal and protective, can be gentle and patient with proper socialization
Usually compatible
Can get along with other pets if raised together and well socialized
Prone to anxiety
Dislikes being left alone for long periods and may develop behavioral issues
Breed strengths
What each breed excels at and their best qualities
Spanish Hound
- Strong scent-tracking ability
- High endurance for long hunts
- Loyal and devoted to family
- Generally calm indoors
- Low grooming requirements
German Shepherd
- Highly intelligent and quick to learn tasks
- Strong loyalty to family members
- Excellent working and service dog abilities
- Protective instincts make them good guardians
- Adaptable to various training activities
Challenges & considerations
Potential challenges and considerations for each breed
Spanish Hound
- Prone to stubbornness during training
- High prey drive toward small animals
- Needs significant daily exercise
- May be reserved with strangers
- Can develop separation anxiety
German Shepherd
- Prone to hip and elbow dysplasia
- High exercise needs require daily activity
- Can develop separation anxiety if left alone
- May be wary of strangers without socialization
- Heavy seasonal shedding requires frequent grooming
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