Which is Better between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd?

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2022

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German Shorthaired Pointer Versus King Shepherd: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the King 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and for the King 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd.

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

German Shorthaired Pointer versus King Shepherd

German Shorthaired Pointer versus King Shepherd: Overview

A very important difference between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Shorthaired Pointer is a medium-sized dog while the King Shepherd is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the German Shorthaired Pointer belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

On the other hand, the King Shepherd belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offspring of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus King Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Shorthaired Pointer to the King 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd

FactorGerman Shorthaired PointerKing Shepherd
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/54/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Height1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho25 to 31 inches
Life Span12 to 15 years10 to 11 years
Good For Novice Owners2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/55/5
Does NOT Shed4/52/5
Does NOT Drool4/52/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/54/5
General Health3/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/53/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/54/5
Dog Friendly4/55/5
Does NOT chew on things2/53/5
Weight45 to 70 pounds75 to 150 pounds
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Easy To Groom5/54/5
Easy To Train5/54/5
Intelligence5/55/5
Low Prey Drive1/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/53/5
NOT Rambunctious1/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years10.5 years
Average Price$1140$1880
Price Range$800 – $1300$850 – $3000
Temperament Score78.1 percent100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation – min age 24 months
  • Cone Degeneration
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exams until age 6 recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • No Data
    *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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 King 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 German Shorthaired Pointer is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the King Shepherd is 84 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the King Shepherd, we still believe that the German Shorthaired Pointer is a better pet than the King Shepherd.

    This is because German Shorthaired Pointers are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the German Shorthaired Pointer will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the German Shorthaired Pointer :-). We are for the German Shorthaired Pointer. So get a German Shorthaired Pointer!

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus King Shepherd

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd

    Below is a list of where the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd are most different:

  • German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, King Shepherds adapt well to apartment living.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, King Shepherds can tolerate cold weather.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, King Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd

    The German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd are most similar:

  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd are very easy to groom.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd are very easy to train.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer versus King Shepherd

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer weighs 45 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The German Shorthaired Pointer is 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the King Shepherd weighs 75 to 150 pounds when fully grown. The King Shepherd is 25 to 31 inches when fully grown.

    Size of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Size of King Shepherd

    Lifespan of German Shorthaired Pointer versus King Shepherd

    The lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of the King Shepherd is between 10 to 11 years . The average lifespan of the King Shepherd is 10.5 years.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer lives longer than the King Shepherd.

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus King Shepherd

    Temperament of the King Shepherd Versus the German Shorthaired Pointer

    The King Shepherd has a better temperament than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    This is because the temperament score for the King Shepherd is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the German Shorthaired Pointer is 78.1 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 78.1 percent, the German Shorthaired Pointer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the King Shepherd has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 137 German Shorthaired Pointers and 1 King Shepherds.

    Price of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Price of King Shepherd

    The average price of the German Shorthaired Pointer puppy is $1140. The price of the German Shorthaired Pointer typically ranges from $800 – $1300. However, the price of a German Shorthaired Pointer can be as low as $350 and as high as $2695. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 453 German Shorthaired Pointer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the King Shepherd puppy is $1880. The price of the King Shepherd typically ranges from $850 – $3000. However, the price of the King Shepherd can be as low as $150 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 47 King Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The King Shepherd is more expensive than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    German Shorthaired Pointer King Shepherd
    Average Price $1140 $1880
    Price Range $800 to $1300 $850 to $3000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the German Shorthaired Pointer and King Shepherd. For different price points, the charts show how many German Shorthaired Pointer puppies or how many King Shepherd puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shorthaired Pointers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shorthaired Pointers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of King Shepherds

    A breakdown of the prices of King Shepherds

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the German Shorthaired Pointer puppy or the King Shepherd puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus King Shepherd

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Shorthaired Pointer versus King Shepherd

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    King Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than King Shepherds?

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the King Shepherd?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    King Shepherds are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the King Shepherd?

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    King Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are German Shorthaired Pointers good family dogs? What about King Shepherds?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Easier to Train than the King Shepherd?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    King Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the King Shepherd

    German Shorthaired Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    King Shepherds have a very high tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are German Shorthaired Pointers and King Shepherds?

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Does the German Shorthaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the King Shepherd?

    German Shorthaired Pointers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    King 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 German Shorthaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about King Shepherds?

    German Shorthaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

    King Shepherds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can King Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Shorthaired Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    King Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Shorthaired Pointer vs. King Shepherd

    German Shorthaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can King Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

    King Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the King Shepherd?

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    King Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the King Shepherd?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the German Shorthaired Pointer compares to other breeds aside from the King Shepherd. So, see below the links to the comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer to other breeds:

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Mountain Cur     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Saint Berdoodle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Pomsky     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Labrador Retriever     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Maremma Sheepdog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cane Corso     German Shorthaired Pointer versus German Longhaired Pointer     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Dogo Argentino     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Labradoodle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus German Shorthaired Pointer     German Shorthaired Pointer versus German Wirehaired Pointer     

    Conclusion: German Shorthaired Pointer versus King 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the King Shepherd better suits you and your family.