German Shepherd vs Great Dane Comparison – Which dog is better Alsatian wolf dog or Apollo of Dogs?
"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Great Dane"
Compare German Shepherd and Great Dane. Which is better: German Shepherd or Great Dane?
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| Name | German Shepherd | Great Dane |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  Germany | Germany |
| Group | Pastoral / Herding Dogs | Working Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 2 | 14 |
| Reviews | 21 | 7 |
| User Ratings |
| Common Names & Aliases
Compare different names used for German Shepherd and Great Dane. What other names are these breeds known by? |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian |
Apollo of Dogs Deutsche Dogge Gentle Giant German Mastiff Dane |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Classification
Compare breed classifications between a German Shepherd and a Great Dane. Learn about their genetic backgrounds. | Purebred | Purebred |
German Shepherd vs Great Dane Size and Weight Comparison
| Size Classification
Which is bigger: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare size differences between these breeds. | Large | Giant |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Statistics
Compare weight ranges between a German Shepherd and a Great Dane. Which breed is heavier? | Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) | Male: 120-200 pounds (54-90 kg), Female: 100-130 pounds (45-59 kg) |
| Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight? | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) | Male: 160 pounds (72 kg), Female: 115 pounds (52 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, German Shepherd or Great Dane? Is a German Shepherd taller than a Great Dane? | Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) | Male: 30-34 inches (76-86 cm), Female: 28-32 inches (71-81 cm) |
| Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) | Male: 32 inches (81 cm), Female: 30 inches (76 cm) |
German Shepherd vs Great Dane Price and Availability Comparison
| Price Range
Compare puppy prices between a German Shepherd and a Great Dane. Which breed costs more? | $800-$2000 | $800-$1200 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Great Dane? | Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The Great Dane is quite easy to get. |
German Shepherd vs Great Dane Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
| Intelligence Rating
Which is smarter: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities. | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Smart: The Great Dane dogs have great intelligence. |
|---|---|---|
| Training Difficulty
Which is easier to train: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare training requirements. | German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. | Great Dane dogs are quite easy to train. |
| Watchdog Rating
Which makes a better watchdog: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare alertness levels. | German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | Great Dane dogs are one of the best watchdogs. |
| Territorial Protection
Which is more protective: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare territorial behaviors. | German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. | Great Dane dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
German Shepherd vs Great Dane Personality and Temperament Comparison
| Personality Traits
Compare personalities of a German Shepherd and a Great Dane. How do their temperaments differ? |
Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful |
Loving Intelligent Confident Friendly Devoted Gentle Reserved |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Great Dane? | Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. | Sensitive: Great Dane dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. |
| Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: German Shepherd vs Great Dane? | High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Average: Great Dane dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. |
| Social Needs
German Shepherd vs Great Dane social needs comparison: | German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. | Great Dane dogs are a social breed. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Great Dane? | German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. | Great Dane dogs have average wanderlust potential. |
| Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Great Dane? Which can be better for hunting? | German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Great Dane dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. |
German Shepherd vs Great Dane Activity and Playfulness Comparison
| Barking Frequency
Which breed barks more: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare vocalization tendencies. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. | Low to Average: The Great Dane rarely barks. |
|---|---|---|
| Playful Nature
Which breed is more playful: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare play drive and energy. | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. | Great Danes are not the most playful dog breed. |
| Apartment Adaptability
Which is better for apartments: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare living space needs. | It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors. | Very house-friendly dog the Great Dane breed. |
German Shepherd vs Great Dane Adaptability and Independence Comparison
| Lifestyle Adaptability
Which adapts better to changes: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare adaptability levels. | German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Average: Great Dane dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually. |
|---|---|---|
| Alone Time Tolerance
Which dog can be left alone: German Shepherd or Great Dane? | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. | Great Dane dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. |
German Shepherd vs Great Dane Bite Characteristics Comparison
| Bite Risk Assessment
Which has lower bite risk: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare biting tendencies. | High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. | Low 🔽 The Great Dane has a low chance of biting somebody. |
|---|---|---|
| Mouthing Tendency
Which is more mouthy: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare mouthing behaviors. | German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Great Dane dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. |
| Bite Strength Rating
Which has a stronger bite: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare bite force PSI. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. | Above 400 PSI 🔼 Great Dane bite force: The Strongest. |
German Shepherd vs Great Dane Health and Lifespan Comparison
| Average Lifespan
Which lives longer: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare average lifespans. |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
7-11 years The average lifespan of Great Dane: 9 years |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Tolerance
Which handles weather better: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare climate tolerances. | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. | Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. |
| Health Concerns
Compare common health issues between a German Shepherd and a Great Dane. Which breed is healthier? | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. | Great Danes are commonly healthy dogs. |
| Vet Care Frequency
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: German Shepherd vs Great Dane? |
Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
Rare The Great Dane should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
| Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs Great Dane? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Great Dane health problems comparison: |
Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Blindness Cherry Eye Elbow Dysplasia Diabetes Heart Disease Retinal Dysplasia Demodectic Mange Degenerative Myelopathy Wobbler's Syndrome Panosteitis Hemophilia B Megaesophagus Cushing's Syndrome Lens Luxation Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Digestive Problems Hemophilia A Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lupus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Paralysis Perianal Fistula Seborrhea Vitiligo | Hip Dysplasia Patent Ductus Arteriosis Cancer Bloat Mitral Valve Disease Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis Dilated Cardiomyopathy Persistent Right Aortic Arch Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia |
German Shepherd vs Great Dane Energy and Activity Comparison
| Energy Rating
Which breed is more energetic: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare activity levels. | German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. | Great Dane dogs are high-energy dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
German Shepherd vs Great Dane exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Great Dane? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise. | Great Dane dogs exercise need is minimal. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Great Dane? | German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. | Great Dane dogs don't need too much sleep. |
German Shepherd vs Great Dane Diet and Weight Management Comparison
| Obesity Tendency
Which gains weight easier: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare obesity risks. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. | Low to Average: The Great Dane has a low to the average risk for obesity. |
|---|---|---|
| Food Consumption
Which eats more: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare daily food needs. | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals |
German Shepherd vs Great Dane Allergies and Grooming Comparison
| Allergy Friendliness
Which is more hypoallergenic: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare allergy friendliness. | No See more. | No See more. |
|---|---|---|
| Coat Colors
What color variations exist for German Shepherd and Great Dane? Compare breed colors. |
Black Tan Red Silver |
Black Blue White Fawn Brindle Merle |
| Grooming Requirements
Which needs more grooming: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare maintenance needs. | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. | Effortless: The Great Dane requires minimal grooming. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which drools more: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare drooling amounts. | The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. | The Great Dane drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. |
| Stinkiness Rating
Which has less odor: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare natural smell levels. | Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The Great Dane has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Coat Characteristics
How do coats differ between a German Shepherd and a Great Dane? Compare fur types. | Fuzzy | Dense |
| Bathing Needs
Which needs more baths: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare bathing frequencies. | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. | 4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more German Shepherd or Great Dane? Do German Shepherd dogs shed more than Great Dane dogs? | German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. | Great Dane dogs shed moderately. |
German Shepherd vs Great Dane Good With Comparison
| Child Compatibility
Which is better with children: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare kid-friendliness. | German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | Great Dane dogs are kid-friendly dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Pet Compatibility
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets. | Great Dane dogs are generally with other pets. |
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or Great Dane? Which dog is more friendly? | German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. | Great Dane dogs are average friendly towards strangers. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Great Dane? | German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. | Great Dane dogs are average friendly towards cats. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or Great Dane? Can a German Shepherd and a Great Dane be friends? Do German Shepherd dogs get along with Great Dane dogs? | German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. | Great Dane dogs are average friendly towards other dogs. |
| Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: German Shepherd vs Great Dane? |
Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes Great Dane dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
| Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office? |
No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Great Dane is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
| Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people? | German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Great Danes are usually recommended for elderly people. |
German Shepherd vs Great Dane As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog Capability
Which makes a better service dog: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare service capabilities. | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy Work Suitability
Which is better for therapy work: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare therapy capabilities. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
| Scent Detection Ability
Which is better at detection work: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare scenting abilities. | Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work. | Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. |
| Search & Rescue Potential
Which is better for search and rescue: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare SAR abilities. | Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog. | Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. |
| Maritime Work Ability
Which is better on boats: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare maritime abilities. | Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really Great Dane breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
| Draft Work Capability
Which is better at pulling: a German Shepherd or a Great Dane? Compare draft work capabilities. | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. | Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
| Military Service Background
Compare military history between German Shepherd and Great Dane. Which has stronger military background? | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. |
German Shepherd vs Great Dane Reproducibility Comparison
| Puppy Litter Size
Compare litter sizes between German Shepherd and Great Dane. Which has larger litters? | 6-10 puppies | 10-15 puppies |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy Duration
Compare pregnancy duration between German Shepherd and Great Dane breeds. | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
| Breeding Frequency
Compare breeding frequencies between German Shepherd and Great Dane. Which needs longer recovery? | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
German Shepherd vs Great Dane Recognition Comparison
| AKC Classification
Compare AKC classifications of German Shepherd and Great Dane. Which groups do they belong to? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1887 as a Working breed. |
|---|---|---|
| FCI Classification
Compare FCI classifications of German Shepherd and Great Dane. Which groups are they in? | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. | Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type section. |
| Kennel Club Recognition
Compare kennel club recognition between German Shepherd and Great Dane. Which is more widely recognized? |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club German Shepherd Dog Club Of America |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry |
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