French Bulldog vs Great Dane: Breeds Comparison

Before getting a puppy, you should be sure that the breed you're doing to buy or rescue is a good fit for your lifestyle and home.

Let's get busy...

While French Bulldog is a member of the Companion Group, Great Dane belongs to the group of Working Dogs.

Despite these breeds aren't members of the same breed groups, they have some similarities and not only differences so keep reading to learn more.

French Bulldog vs Great Dane Size Comparison

Great Danes are larger, with a typical height of 26 to 34 inches and weight of 100 to 200 pounds, while the typical height of French Bulldog is 11 to 12 inches and they usually weigh 16 to 28 pounds.

We know that these numbers might be too abstract, so we made a tool to help you visualize these numbers.

The following chart compares the average breeds height with the average height of an American man and woman.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the average height of a man is 69 inches, and the height of a woman is 63.5 inches.

Dog size comparison to a human. From left, average heights of French Bulldog, Great Dane, American female, and American male.

French Bulldog vs Great Dane lifespan

No doubt, the quality of care provided to the dog is one of the main factors when it comes to canines life longevity, however, there are also other factors, especially the dog's breed.

With a life expectancy of 11 to 14 years, French Bulldogs usually live longer than Great Danes.

Great Danes' lifespan is 7 to 10 years.

Read on to the following sections to better understand in detail how French Bulldog and Great Dane compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Breed Name	French Bulldog	Great Dane
Traits
Breed Group	Companion Dogs	Working Dogs
Height	11 to 12 inches	26 to 34 inches
Weight	16 to 28 pounds	100 to 200 pounds
Life Span	11 to 14 years	7 to 10 years

French Bulldog vs Great Dane adaptability

When we say "dog adaptability", most people think about apartment living adaptability, so let's start with that.

All dogs are great — but not all dogs are great for or geared toward apartment living. A dog may be considered the worst dog breed for apartments for a few reasons including size, energy level, noise, smell, shedding...

French Bulldogs have a better reputation as good apartment living dogs than Great Danes.

While most dogs can be left home alone for 6 to 8 hours, some will do better. Check the table below to see how French Bulldogs and Great Danes tolerate being left alone.

To learn more, read our list of dogs that can be left alone.

Hot weather tolerance

Depending on where you live, you should choose a dog that tolerates hot or cold weather well.

Great Dane tolerates hot weather better than French Bulldog.

During warm weather, be sure to provide shade and water and head out in the morning or late evening when it's cooler. Also, avoid pavements - if the ground is too hot to touch for your hand for a few seconds, it's too hot for paws.

Check our heatstroke article on prevention and symptoms to learn more.

What about cold weather?

Cold temperatures are not a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45° F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures fall below 32° F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.

Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.

Unfortunately, these breeds don't tolerate cold weather well, so you have to be very careful when it's cold outside.

Their fur is simply not designed for low temperatures, so you might consider getting them some kind of dog wear coat.

The best way to monitor dogs when it’s cold is to keep a close eye on their behavior. If you notice your dog shivering, acting anxious, whining, slowing down, searching out warm locations, or holding up one or more paws, it’s time to head inside.

Our "How Cold Is Too Cold For Dogs?" article has more information on this topic.

French Bulldog vs Great Dane temperament

It's always hard to make a general statement about the whole breed's temperament. Each dog has a different temperament, and there are a lot of factors that affect its behavior.

Looking for a perfect family dog?

If you're looking for a companion dog, you won't go wrong with French Bulldog and Great Dane. Their outgoing and friendly personality makes them a great choice for families. Both are highly affectionate with family, they will immediately become a family member.

When it comes to behavior around children, Great Dane simply tends to do better.

Both French Bulldog and Great Dane love children - they are usually gentle and patient with kids, but as we mentioned, temperaments can vary based on the individual dog.

We've created a list of the 15 best dogs for kids and family, so read it next if this is important for you.

Guarding behavior

Dog guarding behavior is welcome for some owners, while others prefer a dog that's friendly towards strangers.

French Bulldogs and Great Danes are super friendly toward strangers, so don't expect them to be too protective unless they are properly trained.

Health And Grooming Needs

The best way to optimize your pup’s health is to research reputable breeders, and then when you meet them ask to see the parents and their health certificates as described above and to see the conditions in which all the dogs are living.

Check the table below to see the general health rating for these two canines, and read full breed profile articles to read in-depth information on their health.

Also, some breeds are prone to obesity, which could cause other health conditions. Be sure to check that information as well, if the breed is prone to obesity, keep a close eye on labels and feed your dog according to the food labels.

For example, hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.

What about shedding?

One of the bad parts of having a dog is definitely shedding. So be sure to take this into your consideration when choosing the right breed for you. Click here to learn how to minimize the shedding.

French Bulldog is a full-fledged fur factory!

Great Dane shed less than French Bulldog do, but don't forget - preventing shedding is impossible, but regular brushing is necessary.

Recommended article: 30 Small Hypoallergenic Dogs That Don’t Shed.

Drooling potential?

Hate drooling? Well, then you should probably skip Great Dane and choose French Bulldog instead.

French Bulldog vs Great Dane trainability

Each dog needs some kind of obedience training, but some of them are easier to train, while others are more stubborn.

These breeds are relatively easy to train and they aren't very stubborn, but you have to be patient. persistence, and consistency play a huge role in successfully training your dog.

Do French Bulldog and Great Dane need a lot of physical activity?

To keep your dog healthy, calm, and happy, you have to provide it with enough physical activities. Not only your dog will be healthier and happier when it's active, but you'll also reduce or completely eliminate destructive behavior.

Some people don't think about this when selecting a breed, so we have dedicated a whole chapter to physical needs.

French Bulldogs have a low level of exercise needs, while Great Danes require a high intensity of exercise.

French Bulldog or Great Dane: The bottom line

In this article, we tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from French Bulldogs and Great Danes.

To further explore their personality, overall health, temperament, and much more, read their full breed profile.

Or, use the tool below to read the next comparison.