German Shepherd Dog vs Siberian Husky
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| German Shepherd Dog | Siberian Husky | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Large | Medium |
| Adult weight | 22.7 to 40.8 kg | 15.9 to 27.2 kg |
| In pounds | 50 to 90 lb | 35 to 60 lb |
| Adult height | 56 to 66 cm | 51 to 60 cm |
| Energy | Very high | Very high |
| Grooming | Moderate | Moderate |
| Coat | Medium double | Medium double |
| Shedding | High | High |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Good with children | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Fine with supervision | Reliably good |
| Country of origin | Germany | United States |
The main differences
- The German Shepherd Dog is the bigger dog: 22.7 to 40.8 kg against 15.9 to 27.2 kg for the Siberian Husky.
- Both have very high energy in their published profiles.
- Grooming is moderate for both.
- Life expectancy is similar: 12 to 14 years for the German Shepherd Dog and 12 to 14 years for the Siberian Husky.
Temperament
German Shepherd Dog: Steady of nerve, loyal, self-assured, courageous and tractable, never nervous, over-aggressive or shy.
Siberian Husky: The Siberian Husky is friendly, fastidious and dignified, an outgoing and loyal northern breed with a mischievous streak.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
German Shepherd Dog
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be elbow graded by x-ray before mating
- Degenerative myelopathy (DM), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Hereditary eye disease screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
Siberian Husky
- Hip dysplasia, though the incidence in the breed is relatively low
- Inherited eye disease, though the incidence is relatively low
- Cancer, picked up on a veterinary examination with imaging and biopsy of any new lump
- Arthritis in older dogs, diagnosed on a veterinary orthopaedic exam and x-rays
Common questions
Which is bigger, the German Shepherd Dog or the Siberian Husky?
The German Shepherd Dog. Adults weigh 22.7 to 40.8 kg, against 15.9 to 27.2 kg for the Siberian Husky, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the German Shepherd Dog or the Siberian Husky?
The published life expectancy is 12 to 14 years for the German Shepherd Dog and 12 to 14 years for the Siberian Husky. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the German Shepherd Dog or the Siberian Husky better with children?
They score the same: reliably good with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin