DogMatchUp

German Shepherd Dog vs Taiwan Dog

Comprehensive comparison of two popular breeds to help you decide which one might be the better fit for your lifestyle and preferences.

German Shepherd Dog
Medium

German Shepherd Dog

Herding Group

Taiwan Dog
Small

Taiwan Dog

Foundation Stock Service

Quick Comparison

Size

German Shepherd Dog Medium
Taiwan Dog Small

Lifespan

German Shepherd Dog 7-10 years
Taiwan Dog 9-13 years

Exercise Needs

German Shepherd Dog 3/5
Taiwan Dog 5/5

Grooming Needs

German Shepherd Dog 3/5
Taiwan Dog 3/5

Breed Overview

German Shepherd Dog Overview

German Shepherd Dogs embody strength and nobility with their distinctive pointed ears, intelligent brown eyes, and powerful athletic build. Their double coat features a dense outer layer in various shades of black and tan. Standing confidently with a smooth gait, these dogs display remarkable agility and stamina. Their alert expression and muscular frame reflect their heritage as versatile working dogs.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 7-10 years
Size: Medium
Temperament: Confident, Courageous, Smart

Taiwan Dog Overview

Taiwan Dogs possess a lean, muscular build with distinctive triangular ears and a sickle-shaped tail. Their short, dense coat comes in black, brindle, or fawn colors. Alert and agile, these medium-sized dogs showcase remarkable athleticism and natural hunting abilities. Their facial expressions convey intelligence and vigilance, while their balanced proportions reflect their versatile working heritage.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 9-13 years
Size: Small
Temperament: Loyal, Versatile, Intelligent

Key Differences

  • Energy Level: German Shepherd Dogs are less energetic than Taiwan Dogs, requiring less daily exercise.
  • Grooming: German Shepherd Dogs require less grooming attention compared to Taiwan Dogs.
  • Temperament: While both breeds are intelligent, German Shepherd Dogs tend to be more reserved with strangers than Taiwan Dogs.
  • Trainability: Taiwan Dogs may be slightly easier to train due to their Taiwan Dog's higher intelligence ranking.
  • Living Situation: German Shepherd Dogs adapt better to apartment living, while Taiwan Dogs typically prefer homes with more space.

Detailed Comparison

Below is a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of the German Shepherd Dog and Taiwan Dog, covering everything from physical characteristics to care requirements.

Basic Information

Feature German Shepherd Dog Taiwan Dog
Size Medium Small
Life Expectancy 7-10 years 9-13 years
Country of Origin Unknown Unknown
Breed Group Herding Group Foundation Stock Service

Physical Characteristics

Feature German Shepherd Dog Taiwan Dog
Height
22-26 inches
56-66 cm
17-20 inches
43-51 cm
Weight
50-90 lbs
23-41 kg
26-40 lbs
12-18 kg
Coat Type Short, dense coat Short, dense coat
Coat Length Short Short
Shedding Regularly Seasonal

Temperament & Behavior

Feature German Shepherd Dog Taiwan Dog
Temperament Confident, Courageous, Smart Loyal, Versatile, Intelligent
Energy Level
3/5
5/5
Intelligence
1/5
1/5

Compatibility

Feature German Shepherd Dog Taiwan Dog
Good with Children
5/5
3/5
Good with Other Dogs
3/5
3/5
Apartment Friendly
3/5
2/5

Temperament & Personality

German Shepherd Dog Temperament

Confident Courageous Smart

The German Shepherd Dog is known for being confident, courageous, smart, making them excellent family dogs. Their moderate intelligence means they can be trained with consistent effort. They tend to be reserved with strangers, which makes them good watchdogs. Their moderate energy level makes them adaptable to different lifestyles, though they still need regular exercise.

Taiwan Dog Temperament

Loyal Versatile Intelligent

The Taiwan Dog is characterized by being loyal, versatile, intelligent, which makes them better for households without small children. With their moderate intelligence, they can learn with consistent training methods. They're naturally cautious around strangers, which enhances their ability to serve as watchdogs. Their high energy requires substantial daily exercise and activities to keep them physically and mentally satisfied.

Temperament Comparison

When comparing the German Shepherd Dog and Taiwan Dog, there are notable differences in their temperaments that potential owners should consider:

Sociability with Strangers

German Shepherd Dog
3/5
Taiwan Dog
3/5

Good with Children

German Shepherd Dog
5/5
Taiwan Dog
3/5

Side-by-Side Trait Ratings

GOOD WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

German Shepherd Dog

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 5/5

Taiwan Dog

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 3/5

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

German Shepherd Dog

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 3/5

Taiwan Dog

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 3/5

ENERGY LEVEL

German Shepherd Dog

Low High

Rating: 3/5

Taiwan Dog

Low High

Rating: 5/5

TRAINABILITY / INTELLIGENCE

German Shepherd Dog

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 1/5

Taiwan Dog

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 1/5

GROOMING NEEDS

German Shepherd Dog

Low High

Rating: 3/5

Taiwan Dog

Low High

Rating: 3/5

Care & Maintenance

German Shepherd Dog Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

3/5

German Shepherd Dogs require moderate daily exercise, including about 30-60 minutes of physical activity. This can include walks, play sessions, and moderate activities like walking and interactive play.

Grooming Requirements

3/5

With their short, dense coat coat, German Shepherd Dogs require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to prevent matting and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be beneficial.

Taiwan Dog Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

5/5

Taiwan Dogs need substantial daily exercise, including at least 60-90 minutes of physical activity. This should include walks, play sessions, and more intense activities like running, swimming, or agility training.

Grooming Requirements

3/5

With their short, dense coat coat, Taiwan Dogs require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to maintain coat health and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be helpful.

Health & Lifespan

German Shepherd Dog Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 7-10 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Bloat
  • DM
  • EPI

Taiwan Dog Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 9-13 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Patellar luxation
  • Eye problems
  • Allergies
  • Dental issues

Pros & Cons

German Shepherd Dog

Pros

  • Highly intelligent
  • Loyal
  • Versatile
  • Protective
  • Trainable

Cons

  • Heavy shedding
  • High exercise needs
  • Can be overprotective
  • Health issues

Taiwan Dog

Pros

  • Highly intelligent
  • Excellent watchdog
  • Low maintenance grooming
  • Athletic and agile

Cons

  • Strong prey drive
  • Can be reserved with strangers
  • Requires extensive exercise
  • May be territorial

Ready to Find Your Perfect Match?

Now that you've compared the German Shepherd Dog and Taiwan Dog, explore more breeds or use our breed matching tool to find the perfect dog for your lifestyle.