[Skorzeny]

I share krept's sentiment. While some Karate practitioners are skilled fighters, your "garden variety" Karate classes are unlikely to teach you realistic self-defense skills (I personally hold Western boxing, Muay Thai and Jeet Kune Do in high regard for striking as opposed to Tae Kwon Do or Karate).

Judo curriculum tends to be more uniform as krept points out. Also, even introductory Judo will be very useful. Judo will teach you Ukemi (safe-falling), Nage-Waza (throwing, foot sweeps and takedowns) and Ne-Waza (wrestling/ground grappling, arm locks and chokes).

Another benefit of Judo is fighting fitness. While Karate (particularly the "cardio" kind) will burn calories and give you aerobic fitness, Judo, through the practice of full-force Randori (free-sparring) will condition your body to deal with physical and psychological stresses of struggling against a partner who is giving you ample resistance.

As a side benefit, you will learn to take some punishment in Judo in the beginning as your body will take some pounding from being thrown before your Ukemi improves.

Skorzeny