Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Hovawart: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Hovawart: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Hovawart: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart
- Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Hovawart
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Hovawart
- Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Hovawart
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Hovawart
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Hovawarts?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Hovawart?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Hovawart?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Hovawarts?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Hovawart?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Hovawart
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Hovawarts?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Hovawart?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Hovawarts?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Hovawart
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Hovawart. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Hovawart: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Australian Shepherd and for the Hovawart. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Shepherd or the Hovawart.
Australian Shepherd versus Hovawart: Overview
A very important difference between the Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the Hovawart is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
On the other hand, the Hovawart belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Australian Shepherd versus Hovawart: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Hovawart based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | Hovawart |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 23 to 29 inches |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 55 to 110 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | No Data |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 82.2 percent | 91.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
*Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Hovawart. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Hovawart is 78 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Hovawart, we still believe that the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Hovawart.
This is because Australian Shepherds are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Australian Shepherd will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Australian Shepherd :-). We are for the Australian Shepherd. So get a Australian Shepherd!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart
Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart are most different:
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart
The Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Hovawart
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart.
The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Hovawart weighs 55 to 110 pounds when fully grown. The Hovawart is 23 to 29 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Hovawart
The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of the Hovawart is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Hovawart is 12.0 years.
The Australian Shepherd live longer than the Hovawart.
Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Hovawart
The Hovawart has a better temperament than the Australian Shepherd.
This is because the temperament score for the Hovawart is 91.7 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Hovawart has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 24 Hovawarts.
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Hovawart
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Hovawarts?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Hovawarts shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Hovawart?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Hovawarts are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Hovawart?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Hovawarts?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Hovawarts are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Hovawart?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Hovawarts are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Hovawart
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Hovawarts?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Hovawarts get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Hovawart?
Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Hovawarts have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Hovawarts?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Hovawarts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Hovawart
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Hovawarts do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Hovawarts can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Hovawart?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Hovawart?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the Hovawart. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:
Australian Shepherd versus Vizsla Australian Shepherd versus Dogo Argentino Australian Shepherd versus Scottish Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Barbet Australian Shepherd versus Carolina Dog Australian Shepherd versus Portuguese Water Dog Australian Shepherd versus Biewer Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Sloughi Australian Shepherd versus Pyrenean Shepherd Australian Shepherd versus Bolognese Australian Shepherd versus Saint Berdoodle Australian Shepherd versus Kooikerhondje Australian Shepherd versus Portuguese Pointer Australian Shepherd versus Belgian Sheepdog Australian Shepherd versus West Highland White Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Norfolk Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Chin Australian Shepherd versus Brittany Australian Shepherd versus Estrela Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd versus Lowchen Australian Shepherd versus Dogue de Bordeaux
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Hovawart. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Australian Shepherd and the Hovawart better suits you and your family.