Golden Retriever vs. German Shepherd Dog: Which is Better?

German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are two of the most popular dog breeds.

German Shepherds are #3 on the AKC’s most popular breeds list, while Golden Retrievers are #4.

But even though they’re so close in popularity, there are more differences between these dogs than you might think.

This video will show you differences in Golden Retriever and German Shepherd:

- Personalities
- Barking
- How good they are with children
- Energy levels
- Training
- And much more

One of the most common reasons people abandon dogs is because they dog isn’t a good match for their lifestyle, so knowing these differences BEFORE you bring home your pup will potentially save both you and your dog lots of heartbreak.

Have you had either of these dog breeds? Let me know down in the comments!

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[songsayswhat]

My heart dog was a GSD who I swore had a golden heart. The only things he barked at were squirrels. He was a great, big, goofy love bug. He was a great doggie ambasasador and actually helped a guy at the YMCA get over his fear of dogs. This is quite a feat since my dog was 27" high at the shoulder and weighted 90 pounds of pure muscle. Only once did he ever become protective. We were walking at night (you never worry about walking with a GSD). He saw a man up ahead and did somethng he never had done before. He crossed in front of me, forcing me stop, and just watched the man. He didn't bark, but his ears pricked forward and he watched. The guy got the message and crossed the street and went a different way. Was he a bad guy? Who knows? He saw plenty of men of different types and never acted like that before. I lost him to hemangiosarcoma. I miss him to this day.

I am considering a golden because our neighbor runs an in-home daycare. I think they'll adjust to little kids playing outside at all times more easily. Though, my last GSD would just sit at the fence, tail wagging, and watch the kiddies. I've also lived with a very hard GSD rescue who was very intense, very protective, very active. I had to keep on my toes with her. Dogs all have different personalities, though breeds do have tendencies. You can't really compare the breeds. They are very different ... and both wonderful breeds.

[candylola]

i love both breeds they are at the top of my list so I am buying both

[hughtube]

"If you're looking for a dog to chill on the couch and watch Netflix with you, neither of these breeds are for you."
Bulldog: allow me to introduce myself.

[vinylsound]

This information could not be anymore wrong I have a golden retriever and a German shepherd and the golden retriever bark's non-stop at everything all the time the German shepherds pretty quiet.

[ambercoxfield]

My Golden did not get the agenda about barking. She acts like a guard dog.

[SandeepKumar-lqvd]

I have a Goldu whom I have named "Google", thinking that he will find (search) things for me once he grows up. He is less than 3 months old now, and I have raised a GSD earlier too. So, I think that they are both extremely wonderful dogs breeds. GSD is definitely a much more risk taking and much more sensitive dog than a golden retriever, which in itself is an experience that can only be felt and SO difficult to describe. I mean my GSD would always know that someone is coming without a doubt and will always be waiting for that. Whereas this boy is just SO SO SO loving and adorable. They both are active dogs, but a Goldu is much more likely to understand your situation and feelings. So if you want someone to understand you and want to see someone to make your day then go for a Golden Retriever, but if you want someone to do anything for you and to be waiting for you when you come home then go for a GSD. Which breed I love more - without any doubt GSD, they are difficult to handle but will give you the best time of your life.

[gsteel]

My golden would not bark if there was someone at the door, instead he would stand poised to attach with his teeth showing, very deep but quiet growl, and just be staring at the door waiting to tear into anything or anyone that came thru the door. He would look at me and back to the door and it almost seemed like he was telling me to be quiet so they would come in and he could get them. I couldn’t explain to him to bark and scare them off, it’s like he was hopping they would come in. I just gave up.

[timwilmer]

Our German Shepherd is about to have a litter of Golden Shepherd's. They will be here around the 1st or 2nd week of November here in Indiana.

[cents]

Now I have a chipoo. He’s super smart and perfect for my now more sedate lifestyle. But he barks a lot and he is skiddish. He’s the opposite of my lab dobie mix. He loves to lay around and watch Netflix and have his tummy rubbed. He can get “snarky”…. If I am trying to do something he doesn’t like such as trimming his nails. He also growls a lot but only when he’s safe in my screened in lanai. He seems to have napoleon syndrome.

[yunaslovers]

We love goldens.. beautiful brainy and friendly..

[cents]

I would like to know the difference between a Labrador and a golden. My Labrador was actually a mix breed lab and dobbie! She was the sweetest and smartest dog ever! Is a lab and a golden retriever the same? Tara was the sweetest dog ever! All animals and all children loved her and she tolerated even children that were “special” and she seemed to know that and let them “hound her”. Lol.

[ChefAlexbennett]

my family have a golden retriever male he is about 4 years old, every time he has been taken to a vet they always remark on his size for context he is 110lbs but he isn't fat if i were to compare the size of him to another breed he is around the size of a saint Bernard, why is he so large?

[signespencer]

I had a very big male golden- sweet cuddly, cuddled with our cats and cairn terrier as well as with my kids and certainly would not have protected the house in our absence. BUT- twice he growled and got very very serious- once when he was 8 months old there was someone in my yard late at night- he woke me up, growled and accompanied me on high alert as I checked all the doors, windows and alarm. The second time was when a new babysitter picked up my daughter and started swinging her - not to hurt her but my daughter wasn’t used to the sitter or to being played with that way. Dune started circling and stareing and made a low growl. The babysitter set my daughter down! and I felt sure that with a more serious threat Dune would have taken more serious action to protect us. He did jump up on people, but I wanted him to do that so my kids would tell my scary ex about that.

[samaustin]

Good video. May I add that these dogs come home as puppies but quickly turn into sharks!, Don’t let them bite you because before you know this cute little teeth are razors.

[emikolee]

As in for my golden retriever she has more of a german shepherd personality and barks a lot with strangers that visit her many times as having a protective personality and actually golden retrievers can be aggressive like my golden retriever mauled a aggressive german shepherd

[michaeldavis]

Don’t make a golden retriever mad, the shepherd will become a sheep in a second. They got size on them. Shepherd’s much more athletic tho.

[AlisterConnolly]

If you want your family and home safe get a german Shepard

[Marcelagb]

I wish the German Shepherds were not wearing prong collars on the video. Those are not necessary if you know what you are doing as a trainer