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German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane Comparison - Dog breed selector: Alsatian wolf dog or Cu Faoil or Apollo of Dogs? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane" Compare German Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound. Which is better: German Shepherd or Irish Wolfhound or Great Dane?
 
 
 
Name German Shepherd Irish Wolfhound Great Dane
OriginsGermany flagGermany Ireland flagIreland Germany flagGermany
Group Pastoral / Herding Dogs Hunting Dogs Working Dogs
Popularity Rank27314
Reviews2117
User Ratings

Common Names & Aliases
Compare alternative names and nicknames used for German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane breeds.
Alsatian wolf dog
Berger Allemand
Deutscher Schäferhund
Schäferhund
Alsatian
Cu Faoil Apollo of Dogs
Deutsche Dogge
Gentle Giant
German Mastiff
Dane
Breed Classification
How do breed classifications differ between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane? Compare their breeding categories.
Purebred Purebred Purebred

German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane Size and Weight Comparison

Size Classification
Compare size differences between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which breed is the largest?
Large Giant Giant
Weight Statistics
How do weights compare between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane? Compare adult weight ranges.
Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) 90-150 pounds (40-69 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) 120 pounds (54.5 kg) Male: 160 pounds (72 kg), Female: 115 pounds (52 kg)
Height
Which is taller, German Shepherd or Irish Wolfhound or Great Dane? German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane height comparison:
Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) 28-35 inches (71-90 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) 31.5 inches (80.5 cm) Male: 32 inches (81 cm), Female: 30 inches (76 cm)

German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane Price and Availability Comparison

Price Range
Compare puppy costs for German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Find price differences between these breeds.
$800-$2000 $1800-$2000 $800-$1200
Availability
Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Irish Wolfhound or Great Dane?
Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.
Very frequent: The Irish Wolfhound is quite easy to get.
Very frequent: The Great Dane is quite easy to get.

German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligence Rating
Compare intelligence levels between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which breed ranks highest?
Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds.
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Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it.
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Smart: The Great Dane dogs have great intelligence.
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Training Difficulty
Compare training difficulty levels between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which is easiest to train?
German Shepherd dogs are easy to train.
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Irish Wolfhound dogs are quite easy to train.
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Great Dane dogs are quite easy to train.
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Watchdog Rating
Compare watchdog abilities of German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which breed is most alert?
German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs.
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Irish Wolfhound dogs are average watchdogs.
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Great Dane dogs are one of the best watchdogs.
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Territorial Protection
Compare territorial instincts between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which breed is most protective?
German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs.
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Irish Wolfhound dogs can't provide protection for their territory.
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Great Dane dogs are extremely protective guard dogs.
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German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane Personality and Temperament Comparison

Personality Traits
How do personalities differ between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane? Compare temperaments.
Curious
Alert
Courageous
Intelligent
Confident
Obedient
Loyal
Watchful
Dignified
Intelligent
Patient
Loyal
Tempered
Sweet
Generous
Thoughtful
Loving
Intelligent
Confident
Friendly
Devoted
Gentle
Reserved
Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?
Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.
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Irish Wolfhound dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed.
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Sensitive: Great Dane dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.
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Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane?
High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
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High: Irish Wolfhound dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
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Average: Great Dane dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level.
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Social Needs
German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane social needs comparison:
German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average.
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Irish Wolfhound dogs need for social interaction is average.
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Great Dane dogs are a social breed.
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Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?
German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers.
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Irish Wolfhound dogs have average wanderlust potential.
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Great Dane dogs have average wanderlust potential.
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Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?
German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.
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Irish Wolfhound dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something.
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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.
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German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Barking Frequency
Compare barking frequencies of German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which breed is most vocal?
Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks.
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Low to Average: The Irish Wolfhound rarely barks.
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Low to Average: The Great Dane rarely barks.
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Playful Nature
Compare playfulness levels between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which breed is most playful?
Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing.
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Average: Irish Wolfhounds, like any other dog breed, like playing.
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Great Danes are not the most playful dog breed.
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Apartment Adaptability
Compare apartment suitability of German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which adapts best to small spaces?
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.
It is not recommended to keep the Irish Wolfhound breed in the home.
Very house-friendly dog the Great Dane breed.

German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Lifestyle Adaptability
Compare adaptability between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which breed is most flexible?
German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Irish Wolfhound dogs adapt well to lifestyle changes and different 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 Irish Wolfhound or Great Dane?
Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.
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 Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Risk Assessment
Compare biting potential between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which has lowest bite risk?

High 🔼

The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.

Low 🔽

The Irish Wolfhound has a low chance of biting somebody.

Low 🔽

The Great Dane has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthing Tendency
Compare mouthing tendencies between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which uses mouth most during play?
German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
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Irish Wolfhound dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people.
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Great Dane dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people.
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Bite Strength Rating
Compare bite forces between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which has the strongest bite?

Between 200 and 400 PSI

German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.

Above 400 PSI 🔼

Irish Wolfhound bite force: The Strongest.

Above 400 PSI 🔼

Great Dane bite force: The Strongest.

German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane Health and Lifespan Comparison

Average Lifespan
Compare life expectancies of German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which breed lives longest?
9-13 years
The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years
6-10 years
The average lifespan of Irish Wolfhound: 8 years
7-11 years
The average lifespan of Great Dane: 9 years
Climate Tolerance
Compare weather adaptability between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which handles climate changes best?
Tolerates warm and cold weather
Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur.
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Prefers average to cold weather conditions
The Irish Wolfhound can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.
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Prefers average to warm weather conditions
Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions.
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Health Concerns
Compare health problems common in German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which has fewer health issues?
German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.
Very healthy dog breed.
Great Danes are commonly healthy dogs.
Vet Care Frequency
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?
Rare
The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Rare
The Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound 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
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Bloat
Drug Sensitivity
Elbow Dysplasia
Osteochondrosis Dissecans
Osteosarcoma
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy
Liver Shunt
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 Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Rating
Compare energy levels between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which breed is most active?
German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.
Irish Wolfhound dogs have a lower energy level than other dogs.
Great Dane dogs are high-energy dogs.
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Irish Wolfhound or Great Dane? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?
German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Irish Wolfhound dogs have an average exercise need.
Great Dane dogs exercise need is minimal.
Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Irish Wolfhound or Great Dane?
German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.
Irish Wolfhound dogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot.
Great Dane dogs don't need too much sleep.

German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Obesity Tendency
Compare weight gain tendencies between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which is most prone to obesity?
Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity.
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Average: The Irish Wolfhound has an average risk for obesity.
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Low to Average: The Great Dane has a low to the average risk for obesity.
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Food Consumption
Compare food requirements between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which needs most food?
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 8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals

German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Allergy Friendliness
Compare hypoallergenic qualities of German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which is best for allergy sufferers?
No See more. No See more. No See more.
Coat Colors
Compare color variations between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. What colors are available?
Black
Tan
Red
Silver
Black
Gray
Red
Blue
Cream
White
Silver
Wheaten
Black
Blue
White
Fawn
Brindle
Merle
Grooming Requirements
Compare grooming needs between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which requires most maintenance?
Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort.
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Average: The Irish Wolfhound requires average grooming effort.
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Effortless: The Great Dane requires minimal grooming.
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Drooling Tendency
Compare drooling tendencies between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which drools least?
The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
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The Irish Wolfhound is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
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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.
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Stinkiness Rating
Compare odor levels between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which has least natural smell?

Medium

The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.

Medium

The Irish Wolfhound has an average chance of bad smell.

Medium

The Great Dane has an average chance of bad smell.
Coat Characteristics
Compare coat types between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. How do their fur characteristics differ?
Fuzzy Wiry
Rough
Dense
Bathing Needs
Compare bathing needs between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which requires most frequent baths?
8-12 weeks
Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one.
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8-12 weeks
Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one.
See more.
4-6 weeks
Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup.
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Shedding Level
Who sheds more German Shepherd or Irish Wolfhound or Great Dane? German Shepherd or Irish Wolfhound or {name3 shedding:
German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders.
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Irish Wolfhound dogs shed moderately.
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Great Dane dogs shed moderately.
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German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane Good With Comparison

Child Compatibility
Compare child-friendliness between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which is best with kids?
German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Irish Wolfhound dogs are 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.
Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound or Great Dane? Which dog is more friendly?
German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.
Irish Wolfhound dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Great Dane dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Irish Wolfhound or Great Dane?
German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound or Great Dane?
German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.
Irish Wolfhound dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.
Great Dane dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is good for the first-time owners: German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane?
Yes
German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Yes
Irish Wolfhound 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
Irish Wolfhound 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.
Irish Wolfhounds are usually recommended for elderly people.
Great Danes are usually recommended for elderly people.

German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Capability
Compare service dog potential between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which is best suited for service work?

Yes

This breed makes good as a service dog.
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Not really

This breed generally not used as a service dog.
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Not really

This breed generally not used as a service dog.
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Therapy Work Suitability
Compare therapy dog potential between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which excels in therapy work?

Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.
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Not really

This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog.
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Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.
See more.
Scent Detection Ability
Compare detection capabilities between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which has best nose work ability?

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.

Not really

They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search & Rescue Potential
Compare search and rescue potential between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which is best for SAR work?

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.

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Maritime Work Ability
Compare boating aptitude between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which is best suited for water work?

Not really

German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
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Not really

Irish Wolfhound breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
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Not really

Great Dane breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
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Draft Work Capability
Compare cart pulling abilities between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which is best for draft work?

Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.
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Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.
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Yes

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.
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Military Service Background
Compare military service history of German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which has most military use?

Yes

In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Yes

In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane Reproducibility Comparison

Puppy Litter Size
Compare typical litter sizes of German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which has most puppies?
6-10 puppies 3-4 puppies 10-15 puppies
Pregnancy Duration
Compare gestation periods of German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Any breeding differences?
60-64 days See more. 60-64 days See more. 60-64 days See more.
Breeding Frequency
Compare breeding intervals between German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. What's recommended?

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy.
See more.

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy.
See more.

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy.
See more.

German Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane Recognition Comparison

AKC Classification
Compare AKC groups for German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. How are they classified?
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1897 as a Hound breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1887 as a Working breed.
FCI Classification
Compare FCI groups for German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. How are they classified internationally?
Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. Recognized by FCI in the Sighthounds group, in the Rough-haired Sighthounds 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 breed recognition status of German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane. Which has most recognition?
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
Irish Wolfhound 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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