English Setter vs German Shepherd

The English Setter has a slight edge with children (5/5 vs 4/5). Both breeds can do well in families, but the English Setter's gentle temperament gives it a small advantage around young kids.

One of the most important factors in choosing between these two breeds is temperament. The English Setter is typically gentle, mellow and friendly, making them well suited for families, active lifestyles and suburban-living.

If you hate vacuuming, this matters. The German Shepherd's 5/5 shedding level means daily fur management is part of life.

Life expectancy favors the English Setter: 12–15 years versus the German Shepherd's 9–13 years. For many families, those extra years together are a compelling reason to lean toward the English Setter.

The German Shepherd needs slightly more exercise (5/5) than the English Setter (4/5), but neither breed is at an extreme. Both have very high to high energy levels, so the difference in your daily routine will be modest — perhaps an extra 15-20 minutes of activity for the German Shepherd.

The German Shepherd has a slight training edge (5/5 vs 4/5). Both respond to positive reinforcement, but the German Shepherd tends to catch on a bit faster.

Purchase prices are in the same ballpark: $1,000–$2,500 for a English Setter and $1,000–$3,000 for a German Shepherd. The initial investment won't differ dramatically between these two breeds.

The English Setter (20–36 kg (44–79 lbs), 58–68 cm (23–27 in)) and German Shepherd (22–40 kg (49–88 lbs), 55–65 cm (22–26 in)) are very close in size. You won't need different-sized equipment, and food costs will be comparable.