Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd Comparison - Dog breed selector: Golden Flat Coat or Apollo of Dogs or Alsatian wolf dog? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd" Compare Golden Retriever and Great Dane. Which is better: Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Golden Retriever	Great Dane	German Shepherd
Origins	Scotland	Germany	Germany
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Gun Dog	Working Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	3	14	2
Reviews	14	3	19
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Golden Flat Coat Yellow Retriever	Apollo of Dogs Deutsche Dogge Gentle Giant German Mastiff Dane	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd? Which is the smallest dog, Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd?	Large	Giant	Large
Weight Which is heavier, Golden Retriever or Great Dane or Great Dane? Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd weight comparison:	Male: 60-80 pounds (27-36 kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg)	Male: 120-200 pounds (54-90 kg), Female: 100-130 pounds (45-59 kg)	Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg)	Male: 160 pounds (72 kg), Female: 115 pounds (52 kg)	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)
Height Which is taller, Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd? Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd height comparison:	Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 20-22 inches (51-56 cm)	Male: 30-34 inches (76-86 cm), Female: 28-32 inches (71-81 cm)	Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 21 inches (53.5 cm)	Male: 32 inches (81 cm), Female: 30 inches (76 cm)	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)

Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd? Which is more expensive?	$1000-$2000	$800-$1200	$800-$2000
Availability Which is easier to get, Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd?	Very frequent: The Golden Retriever is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Great Dane is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.

Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd intelligence:	Outstanding: Golden Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Smart: The Great Dane dogs have great intelligence. See more.	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd trainability comparison.	Golden Retriever dogs are easy to train. See more.	Great Dane dogs are quite easy to train. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd?	Golden Retriever dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	Great Dane dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Golden Retriever dogs are average defenders. See more.	Great Dane dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd? Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd behavior/temperament comparison:	Intelligent Confident Friendly Reliable Kind Trustworthy	Loving Intelligent Confident Friendly Devoted Gentle Reserved	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	Golden Retriever dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. See more.	Sensitive: Great Dane dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd?	High: Golden Retriever dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	Average: Great Dane dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. See more.	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd social needs comparison:	Golden Retriever dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	Great Dane dogs are a social breed. See more.	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	Golden Retriever dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. See more.	Great Dane dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Golden Retriever 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. See more.	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. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd playfulness comparison:	The Golden Retriever is a highly playful breed. See more.	Great Danes are not the most playful dog breed. See more.	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd?	Low to Average: The Golden Retriever rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The Great Dane rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd?	It is not recommended to keep the Golden Retriever breed in the home.	Very house-friendly dog the Great Dane breed.	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.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Golden Retriever 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.	German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd?	Golden Retriever dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	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.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.

Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Golden Retriever bite force: Ordinary.	Above 400 PSI 🔼 Great Dane bite force: The Strongest.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	Moderate ⏺ The Golden Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Great Dane has a low chance of biting somebody.	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd mouthiness comparison:	Golden Retriever dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Great Dane dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.

Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd health comparison. Which is the healthier: Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd?	Golden Retrievers are commonly healthy dogs.	Great Danes are commonly healthy dogs.	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd health problems comparison:	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Elbow Dysplasia Osteochondrosis Dissecans Hemangiosarcoma Osteosarcoma Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis	Hip Dysplasia Patent Ductus Arteriosis Cancer Bloat Mitral Valve Disease Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis Dilated Cardiomyopathy Persistent Right Aortic Arch Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia	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
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Rare The Golden Retriever 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).	Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd lifespan comparison. How long do Golden Retriever, Great Dane and German Shepherd breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	10-12 years The average lifespan of Golden Retriever: 11 years	7-11 years The average lifespan of Great Dane: 9 years	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd?	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. See more.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.

Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd? Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd energy level comparison:	Golden Retriever dogs are high-energy dogs.	Great Dane dogs are high-energy dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Golden Retriever dogs need a lot of exercises.	Great Dane dogs exercise need is minimal.	German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd?	Golden Retriever dogs don't need too much sleep.	Great Dane dogs don't need too much sleep.	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd?	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	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd weight gain potential comparison:	High: The Golden Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.	Low to Average: The Great Dane has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd coat comparison:	Silky Wavy Shiny Straight	Dense	Fuzzy
Colors What are the original Golden Retriever, Great Dane and German Shepherd color?	Golden Light	Black Blue White Fawn Brindle Merle	Black Tan Red Silver
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd? Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd grooming comparison:	Average: The Golden Retriever requires average grooming effort. See more.	Effortless: The Great Dane requires minimal grooming. See more.	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd? Golden Retriever or Great Dane or {name3 shedding:	Golden Retriever dogs shed moderately. See more.	Great Dane dogs shed moderately. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd?	2-3 weeks Frequent. This breed has high-maintenance hair and may require a bath every 2-3 weeks. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.
Hypoallergenic Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd?	Medium ⏺ The Golden Retriever has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Great Dane has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The Golden Retriever drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. See more.	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. See more.	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Golden Retriever dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.	Great Dane dogs are generally with other pets.	German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd? Which dog is more friendly?	Golden Retriever dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.	Great Dane dogs are average friendly towards strangers.	German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd?	Golden Retriever dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Great Dane dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd?	Golden Retriever dogs are cat-friendly dogs.	Great Dane dogs are average friendly towards cats.	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd?	Golden Retriever dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.	Great Dane dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd?	Yes Golden Retriever 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.	Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	Yes Golden Retriever is one of the best dog breeds for office environment	No Great Dane is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	Golden Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Great Danes are usually recommended for elderly people.	German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Golden Retriever or Great Dane or German Shepherd? Which is better for autism?	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?	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.	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) Which one could be a search and rescue dog?	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.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd?	Yes Golden Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. See more.	Not really Great Dane breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Fighting Dog / Military Dog	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Litter Frequency	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.
Litter Size How many puppies can Golden Retriever and Great Dane and German Shepherd have?	5-10 puppies	10-15 puppies	6-10 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1925 as a Sporting breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1887 as a Working breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section.	Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type section.	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	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	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	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

Popular Dog Compares

Despite the best intentions, there may be errors. If you find one, please let us know and we will fix it as soon as possible. Contact us here.

Rate This Comparsion - Golden Retriever vs Great Dane vs German Shepherd

Reviews