American Pitbull Terrier vs. German Shepherd: Breed Differences & Similarities

It’s fair to say that the American Pitbull Terrier and the German Shepherd both have a reputation for being tough canines, but they are both loving and affectionate with their close family and loyal to the very end. If you are looking for a canine best friend that is always going to be by your side or under your feet, then look no further than these two.

The Pitbull Terrier is more of a sociable guy, who is the life and soul of any party, whereas the German Shepherd is a bit more independent and likes to sit and watch everyone at the party, quietly keeping his distance and making sure that everyone is on their best behavior.

In this article, we are going to look at both the differences and similarities between the two breeds to help discover which one might suit you and your lifestyle better. So, without any further hesitation, let’s take a closer look at the differences and similarities between the American Pitbull Terrier and the German Shepherd.

Breed History

In order to truly understand a dog and what his needs are, it is important to get an insight into his history, and the American Pitbull Terriers and the German Shepherd’s history is quite different from one another.

American Pitbull Terrier

The American Pitbull Terrier’s origins began in England, where Bulldogs and Terriers were bred together in order to create powerful and nimble fighting dogs. They come from long lines of Molosser dogs and share that lineage with the Caucasian Shepherd and other breeds.

In America, the larger and more powerful dogs were bred together in order to create a larger strain of fighting dogs, and over time these larger dogs were named the American Pitbull Terrier. These dogs were trained to viciously attack other dogs for sport but to stop fighting when the humans entered the ring, which is where their ferocious and human-loving labels originate.

During the World Wars, the Pitbull Terrier was used as a mascot for the American Army, and he was used in recruitment posters because they wanted to recruit brave, loyal and determined soldiers, which was exactly what the Pitbull Terrier is.

He is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), but he is the most commonly found breed in rescue shelters across America, so there is an abundance of Pitbull Terriers around. There are four breeds that are commonly referred to as Pitbulls in the United States.

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd originates from Germany, and he was originally a Shepherd for his master’s farm animals; however, it soon became clear that he made an equally great guard dog for his humans, and ever since then, he has become the most recognized protection dog across the world. Not only does he make a great working dog with Police Services and the Army, but he also makes a great family guard dog too.

In 2019, the AKC ranked him as the 2^nd most popular dog breed in America. He is also quite the celebrity, as only three dogs have ever been given a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, two of which were German Shepherds, one being Rin Tin Tin and the other Strongheart (and for those of you wondering the other dog was the famous Collie dog, Lassie).

Appearance

The Pitbull Terrier and the German Shepherd look very different from one another, but it is because of their appearances that many people take a wide berth around them on the sidewalk. Pitbulls are often mistaken for other breeds like the American Bulldog or the Dogo, so make sure when looking at a Pitbull, you are comparing the actual breed to a German Shepherd.

The Pitbull Terrier is much smaller and compact, standing at 17 to 21 inches tall and weighing 30 to 65 pounds. Because of their short coat, they appear very muscular, compared to the German Shepherd, whose coat is much longer, and although he is much bigger, you can’t really see any of his defined muscles.

The German Shepherd stands much taller at 22 to 26 inches and weighs heavier, between 50 and 90 pounds. So if you are seeking a smaller pooch, then the Pitbull Terrier would probably make the better choice!

The German Shepherd’s coat can be medium-length or long-length, depending on whether he is short-haired or long-haired, but the Pitbull Terriers coat is very short and smooth to the touch.

The Pitbull Terriers coat comes in red and almost any other dog color you can think of, whereas, typically, the German Shepherd’s most common color is black, tan, or completely black. Sometimes he can be found sporting solid colors such as white or even blue.

Temperament

Both the Pitbull Terrier and the German Shepherd are among the most loyal and eager-to-please dogs around and super affectionate with their close family, so they are very similar when it comes to this aspect of their personality, but this is about as far as their similarities go.

Because they are both so loyal to their masters, they both tend to suffer from separation anxiety and hate to be left alone for long periods of time, so despite their bad-boy reputation, they both need to be with families that can spend a lot of time with them. They are both known for having a reputation for being more aggressive than other breeds.

The Pitbull Terrier is much more sociable than the German Shepherd and loves to be everybody’s best friend. So, for this reason, he surprisingly makes one of the worst guard dogs. However, if he feels that his family is in real danger, then he would undoubtedly protect them.

The German Shepherd is very suspicious and does not take kindly to strangers entering his master’s estate. So if you are looking for a stern guard dog, then the German Shepherd is the dog for the job! It can take him a while to warm up to strangers, so don’t expect him to be everyone’s best friend.

The German Shepherd is also known to be a one-person master, so while he will respect every family member as part of the pack, there will only ever be one true pack leader in his eyes.

The Pitbull Terrier accepts everyone as his master as long as he is taught this from an early age, so he has no family favorites. So whoever is in the mood to give him the most treats and belly scratches that day is going to be the receiver of the doggiest snuggles that night!

Exercise

These dogs are known to be quite similar regarding their daily exercise needs. They both require around one hour of exercise daily to keep them physically stimulated and healthy, so they both need to be placed with active families who can offer them this. Otherwise, these powerful dogs will become restless and bored, which is not good for anyone involved!

They are both intelligent canines, so it is advised to switch up their exercise routine and offer them a variety of different activities throughout the week, such as brisk walks, jogs, a swim in the lake, or a game of frisbee and fetch. Otherwise, they risk becoming bored.

The German Shepherd, again, is more independent, so during his chill time, he is happy to take himself off for a snooze or join his master for an afternoon of daytime telly. German Shepherds are less intense than Pitbulls when it comes to exercise.

Pitbulls will need more dog toys at your disposal that can withstand the abuse to keep them busy. Interactive games such as tug of war or playing with the water from a hose on a warm day will keep him happy and busy, as well as act as a bonding session for you both.

Training

Both the Pitbull Terrier and the German Shepherd need early socialization, but for slightly different reasons. The Pitbull Terrier needs to be mixed with other dogs simply because he is known to exhibit fear aggression with other dogs if he is not socialized. If he is mixed well with others, then he is a sweet and sociable guy, and you will have no quarrels at the dog park.

The German Shepherd’s guarding tendencies over his family members means that he needs to realize that strangers do not necessarily mean danger and that most mean no harm. Otherwise he can become overprotective.

Thankfully though, because they are both eager to please their master, they are both a dream to train, and as long as you are consistent and utilize positive reinforcement training, you will have them sitting and giving paw in no time.

Ensure that the entire family is involved in their training and that the same command words are used to avoid confusion, and they will both see everyone as part of the pack, creating a happy family dynamic.

Health

The Pitbull Terrier’s lifespan, on average, is 12 to 16 years, whereas the German Shepherd’s lifespan is much less at 7 to 10 years. Health is a big factor, not only for financial reasons but also for knowing how many years you and your best friend will spend together.

Both the Pitbull Terrier and German Shepherd suffer from Hip Dysplasia, and the German Shepherd also suffers from additional Elbow Dysplasia. The Pitbull Terrier is more prone to skin allergies, with grass allergies being the most common, but this can be alleviated with medication and high-quality kibble. He is also prone to Cerebellar Abiotrophy, which can reduce his mobility, as well as cognitive function, caused by damage to a particular part of his brain.

The German Shepherd is prone to Degenerative Myelopathy, which is a progressive disease of the spinal cord that affects his mobility in his hind legs. He often has a sensitive digestive system that can be alleviated with a high-fiber diet.

Nutrition

The adult Pitbull Terrier needs less food than the adult German Shepherd simply because he is smaller in stature, and he will need around 2 ½ cups of food a day, whereas the German Shepherd will need between 3 and 4 cups of food a day.

Of course, every dog is different, and some are more sedentary or energetic than the average dog of their breed, so you will need to assess your dog’s individual needs and lifestyle.

Similarly, both of these energetic and muscular pups will do well on a high-protein diet that gives them the energy to sustain throughout the day and maintain their muscle mass. So be sure to feed them both high-quality kibble that offers them a minimum of 25% protein, but if you can, feed them kibble that offers more in the region of 30% protein.

Grooming

The Pitbull Terrier and the German Shepherd are very different when it comes to their grooming, so this is a big factor to consider if you are thinking about inviting one of these guys into your home. The Pitbull Terrier has a short and smooth coat that only needs a quick brush once a week.

If you have a short-haired German Shepherd, who realistically has medium-length fur, you will need to brush him at least 2 to 3 times a week, but if you have a long-haired German Shepherd, then ideally, you will need to brush him every day. So, if you don’t think you can commit to the German Shepherd’s coat, then the Pitbull Terrier would make the better canine option for you. Aside from their coat, their grooming needs are the same.

Price

The initial price of the Pitbull Terrier is significantly cheaper than the German Shepherd, and this is simply because of supply and demand. The price of a puppy from a reputable breeder, on average, is $800 for a Pitbull Terrier, whereas the German Shepherd will cost $1,250.

Remember, it is important to work with a reputable breeder and to avoid puppy farms at all costs. Otherwise, you will likely have an unhealthy puppy who hasn’t had the best start to life.

Remember that many states employ Breed Specific Legislation, which affects both the Pitbull Terrier and the German Shepherd, so be sure to check out your local laws to see if this will affect you financially, as well in other areas, such as housing and insurance.

On the other hand, with both breeds commonly found in rescue shelters simply because their owners underestimate their needs, you really should consider adoption as an option. The Pitbull Rescue Center lists adoptable Pitbulls (and other Pitbull mixed dogs) across the country, and the American German Shepherd Rescue Association lists adoptable German Shepherds.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Pitbull Terrier and German Shepherd are similar in their love for their humans, and are among the most loyal canines around. Not only does this make them really obedient, but you know that you have a friend for life. They can become even more interesting when they are mixed together.

The Pitbull Terrier is more sociable and friendly with unknown humans, so for this reason, he is happy for anybody and everybody to be in his house. But, the German Shepherd is much more aloof and cautious of strangers. These respective traits are suited to the right family home. So all you need to do now is decide which pooch fits you and your lifestyle better, but know that either dog is just as adorable and loving as the other, so everyone’s a winner.