German Shepherd vs Scottish Terrier

Side-by-side comparison

Choosing between German Shepherd and Scottish Terrier depends on your specific needs and priorities.

When it comes to size, German Shepherd offers Large compared to Scottish Terrier's Medium. When it comes to weight, German Shepherd offers 50-90 lbs compared to Scottish Terrier's 18-22 lbs. When it comes to height, German Shepherd offers 22-26 inches compared to Scottish Terrier's 10-11 inches.

Below is a detailed side-by-side breakdown to help you make an informed decision between these two breeds.

Size
German Shepherd
Large
Scottish Terrier
Medium
Weight
German Shepherd
50-90 lbs
Scottish Terrier
18-22 lbs
Height
German Shepherd
22-26 inches
Scottish Terrier
10-11 inches
Lifespan
German Shepherd
7-10 years
Scottish Terrier
12-14 years
Temperament
German Shepherd
LoyalConfidentCourageous
Scottish Terrier
ConfidentIndependentSpirited
Group
German Shepherd
Herding
Scottish Terrier
Terrier
Origin
German Shepherd
Germany
Scottish Terrier
Scotland

German Shepherd

German Shepherd is a large Herding breed from Germany. Known for being loyal, confident, courageous. Has an average lifespan of 7-10 years and a weight range of 50-90 lbs.

Scottish Terrier

Scottish Terrier is a medium Terrier breed from Scotland. Known for being confident, independent, spirited. Has an average lifespan of 12-14 years and a weight range of 18-22 lbs.

Key Differences

AttributeGerman ShepherdScottish TerrierVerdict
SizeLargeMediumGerman Shepherd is the larger breed
Weight50-90 lbs18-22 lbsGerman Shepherd is heavier (approx. 250% difference)
Height22-26"10-11"Different heights (22-26" vs 10-11")
Life Span7-10 yrs12-14 yrsScottish Terrier tends to live longer (12-14 vs 7-10 years)
Breed GroupHerdingTerrierDifferent groups: Herding vs Terrier
OriginGermanyScotlandDifferent origins: Germany vs Scotland
TemperamentLoyal, Confident, CourageousConfident, Independent, SpiritedDifferent temperaments

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a German Shepherd bigger than a Scottish Terrier?

German Shepherd is the larger breed. German Shepherd weighs 50-90 lbs while Scottish Terrier weighs 18-22 lbs.

Which lives longer, German Shepherd or Scottish Terrier?

Scottish Terrier tends to live longer (12-14 vs 7-10 years)

Are German Shepherds and Scottish Terriers good family dogs?

Both breeds can make great family pets. The German Shepherd is known for being loyal, confident, courageous, while the Scottish Terrier is confident, independent, spirited.

What is the difference between a German Shepherd and a Scottish Terrier?

The main differences are in size (Large vs Medium), origin (Germany vs Scotland), and breed group (Herding vs Terrier).

Which breed is easier to train, German Shepherd or Scottish Terrier?

Trainability varies by individual dog. The German Shepherd (Loyal, Confident, Courageous) and Scottish Terrier (Confident, Independent, Spirited) each have distinct characteristics that affect training.