german-shepherd-dog-vs-great-dane

German Shepherd Dog vs Great Dane: Breeds Comparison

Trying to decide between the German Shepherd Dog and the Great Dane? Both of these dogs can be similar in some ways but are quite different in many others. Read on and find out which of these popular breeds is the perfect pup for your lifestyle!

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 German Shepherd Dog is a member of the Herding 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.

German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog is 22 to 26 inches and they usually weigh 75 to 95 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.

German Shepherd Dog Height Visualization Great Dane Height Visualization Average American Women Height Visualization Average American Men Height Visualization

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

German Shepherd Dog 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 10 to 14 years, German Shepherd Dogs 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 German Shepherd Dog and Great Dane compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Breed Name German Shepherd Dog German Shepherd Dog Great Dane Great Dane
Traits
Breed GroupHerding DogsWorking Dogs
Height22 to 26 inches26 to 34 inches
Weight75 to 95 pounds100 to 200 pounds
Life Span10 to 14 years7 to 10 years

German Shepherd Dog 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...

German Shepherd Dogs 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 German Shepherd Dogs 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.

Speaking of German Shepherd Dog and Great Dane, these breeds tolerate hot weather well, but you still need to be cautious when it's hot.

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.

German Shepherd Dog tolerates cold weather better than Great Dane.

Great Danes' 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.

AdaptabilityGerman Shepherd DogGreat Dane
Adapts Well To Apartment Living
Good For Novice Owners
Sensitivity Level
Tolerates Being Alone
Tolerates Cold Weather
Tolerates Hot Weather

German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog 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, there's no much difference between these breeds.

Both German Shepherd Dog 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.

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

All-Around FriendlinessGerman Shepherd DogGreat Dane
Affectionate With Family
Kid-Friendly
Dog Friendly
Friendly Toward Strangers

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.

OK, let's make this clear - German Shepherd Dog and Great Dane are heavy shedders! Preventing shedding is impossible, but regular brushing is necessary. These breeds are almost always on the list of dogs that shed the worst.

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

Drooling potential?

Hate drooling? Well, then you should probably skip Great Dane and choose German Shepherd Dog instead.

Health And Grooming NeedsGerman Shepherd DogGreat Dane
Amount Of Shedding
Drooling Potential
Easy To Groom
General Health
Potential For Weight Gain
Size

German Shepherd Dog 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.

TrainabilityGerman Shepherd DogGreat Dane
Easy To Train
Intelligence
Potential For Mouthiness
Prey Drive
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Wanderlust Potential

Do German Shepherd Dog 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.

Both German Shepherd Dog and Great Dane have a high exercise needs. It means they will need at least 30 to 60 minutes of hard aerobic exercise most days of the week, preferably daily. And no, a leashed walk isn't a hard aerobic exercise - think of aerobic exercise as anything that makes your dog pant.

Physical NeedsGerman Shepherd DogGreat Dane
Energy Level
Intensity
Exercise Needs
Potential For Playfulness

German Shepherd Dog or Great Dane: The bottom line

In this article, we tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from German Shepherd Dogs 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.

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