If you’re like me, you want to choose the best dog for your family. I knew I needed an energetic dog for my lively crew so I narrowed it down to Husky vs German Shepherd.
These two breeds are excellent choices and offer many great benefits. To narrow it down, I considered their appearances, personalities, interactions with families, and overall health.
Appearance
German Shepherds and Huskies have very different appearances. German Shepherds tend to be the larger of the two, weighing in at 50 to 90 pounds to the Husky’s 35 to 65 pounds.
They also measure 22 to 26 inches from paw to shoulder while the Husky only measures 20 to 23 ½ inches.
The German Shepherd is much longer than it is tall, while the Husky is more proportionate and compact. Additionally, this breed has more muscles, which makes up for its higher weight class.
Both breeds feature a fluffy double coat, which is known for keeping them warm in the German and Arctic climates. The traditional coloring of the German Shepherd is black and tan, although there are ten other recognized colors. The Husky is traditionally white and gray but is recognized in nine total colors. The Husky typically has a much fluffier coat.
The Husky typically has blue eyes but may have different colored eyes while the German Shepherd will almost always have dark-colored eyes. Their tails are both long and thick but when the Husky is alert, its tail curls up its back.
Personality
Huskies are well-known for being intelligent and independent while being very affectionate. However, they are not a needy type of dog. They have an excellent ability to learn but can be very naughty, making them best for capable dog owners.
Known for being pack dogs, Huskies need an owner who can be a leader. They are also escape artists and will attempt to wander from the home at any given opportunity.
German Shepherds are also very intelligent; however, they are much easier to train. They also enjoy having a job to do so they are frequently used as service animals or in service fields, like the army.
Huskies are very friendly and, unlike German Shepherds, do not make good watchdogs. Both dogs need a lot of exercise or negative behaviors will start to emerge. Huskies are prone to digging and may tear up your garden while German Shepherds are known for chewing.
Family Life
Huskies are great family pets and are excellent with children. They are great in multi-dog households; however, if you want to raise one in a multi-pet household with smaller pets, you will need to integrate them at a very young age to overpower the natural urge to hunt.
German Shepherds, on the other hand, benefit greatly from early exposure to young children. Doing this makes them great family pets who become gentle and protective. Like Huskies, they have to be integrated into a multi-pet household at a very young age.
Health
Huskies have an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years. They are most commonly prone to having cataracts and hip dysplasia.
German Shepherds, however, live a shorter time at 7 to 10 years. They are known for experiencing several health problems, including elbow dysplasia, myelopathy, hip dysplasia, and bloat.
FAQs
What Is Easier to Train, Husky Or German Shepherd?
German Shepherds can be trained to do nearly anything and can work in a variety of fields. In addition to learning basic commands, they are more than capable of learning complex procedures. Socialization will need to be done at an early age.
Huskies, on the other hand, need the leadership that comes from training. They require physical and mental stimulation to keep them busy and out of trouble. However, they are harder to train than German Shepherds as they are more mischievous.
Do German Shepherds Make Good First Dogs?
German Shepherds are intelligent, obedient, and energetic, making them perfect for a first-time dog. They are also highly tolerant and very affectionate. They are patient, forming strong bonds with your family. Highly active, they will keep up with your active lifestyle.
Summary
Choosing a new dog can be a lot of fun because of all the puppies you get to interact with along the way. However, when it comes down to choosing a Husky vs German Shepherd, it’s a very serious decision to make.
You will need to consider how the dog is going to interact with your family, what its health is going to be like, what kind of personality it will have, and what kind of look you want it to have. Once you make your decision, you will have a very rewarding experience.
