Last Updated: Jun 17, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Great Dane Versus American Water Spaniel: Introduction
- Great Dane versus American Water Spaniel: Overview
- Great Dane versus American Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel
- Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus American Water Spaniel
- Appearance (Colors) of the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel
- Lifespan of Great Dane versus American Water Spaniel
- Temperament of the American Water Spaniel Versus the Great Dane
- The Intelligence of the Great Dane versus the Intelligence of the American Water Spaniel
- The Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of American Water Spaniel
- Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of American Water Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus American Water Spaniel
- Do Great Danes shed more than American Water Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the American Water Spaniel?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the American Water Spaniel?
- Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about American Water Spaniels?
- Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the American Water Spaniel?
- Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the American Water Spaniel
- How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and American Water Spaniels?
- Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the American Water Spaniel?
- Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about American Water Spaniels?
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. American Water Spaniel
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Great Dane versus American Water Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Great Dane Versus American Water Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Great Dane and for the American Water Spaniel. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Great Dane or the American Water Spaniel.
Great Dane versus American Water Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Dane is a giant-sized dog while the American Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Great Dane belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
On the other hand, the American Water Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Great Dane versus American Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Great Dane to the American Water Spaniel based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel
| Factor | Great Dane | American Water Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 100 to 200 pounds | 25 to 45 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 7 to 10 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Average Lifespan | 8.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1560 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2000 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 81.5 percent | 77.8 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 159 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 48 | 44 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Great Dane in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the American Water Spaniel. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Great Dane is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the American Water Spaniel is 71 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Great Dane is a better pet than the American Water Spaniel. So, you should get a Great Dane!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel
The Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus American Water Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel.
The Great Dane weighs 100 to 200 pounds when fully grown. The Great Dane is 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the American Water Spaniel weighs 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. The American Water Spaniel is 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel
Great Dane Colors
The Great Dane comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
- Harlequin
- Merle (Blue)
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Brown / Chocolate
- White / Cream
- Brindle
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Merle (Red)
- Bicolor
- Gray / Blue / Silver
The Great Dane comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Black
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Golden
- Merle (Blue)
- Harlequin
- Brindle
American Water Spaniel Colors
The American Water Spaniel comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Black
The American Water Spaniel comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
Lifespan of Great Dane versus American Water Spaniel
The lifespan of the Great Dane is between 7 to 10 years. The average lifespan of the Great Dane is 8.5 years.
The lifespan of the American Water Spaniel is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the American Water Spaniel is 13.5 years.
The American Water Spaniel live longer than the Great Dane.
Temperament of the American Water Spaniel Versus the Great Dane
The Great Dane has a better temperament than the American Water Spaniel.
This is because the temperament score for the Great Dane is 81.5 percent while the temperament score for the American Water Spaniel is 77.8 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 81.5 percent, the Great Dane has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 77.8 percent, the American Water Spaniel has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 314 Great Danes and 9 American Water Spaniels.
The Intelligence of the Great Dane versus the Intelligence of the American Water Spaniel
| Great Dane | American Water Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 48 out of 130 dog breeds | 44 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Great Dane has an obedience intelligence rank of 48 out of 130 dog breeds. The Great Dane belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Great Danes tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The American Water Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 44 out of 130 dog breeds. The American Water Spaniel belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that American Water Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The American Water Spaniel is more intelligent than the Great Dane.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of American Water Spaniel
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Great Dane is more popular with dog owners than the American Water Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Great Dane is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the American Water Spaniel is 159 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Great Dane
Popularity of American Water Spaniel
| Year | Great Dane Popularity Rank | American Water Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 16 | 144 |
| 2014 | 15 | 160 |
| 2015 | 15 | 157 |
| 2016 | 14 | 156 |
| 2017 | 14 | 167 |
| 2018 | 16 | 166 |
| 2019 | 17 | 164 |
| 2020 | 15 | 158 |
| 2021 | 17 | 166 |
Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of American Water Spaniel
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Great Dane is prone to more genetic health problems than the American Water Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Great Dane than for the American Water Spaniel.
4 health tests are recommended for Great Dane while 3 tests are recommended for the American Water Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Danes and in American Water Spaniels.
Great Dane Health Problems
Great Danes are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Great Dane puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Great Dane puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Great Dane breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Great Danes for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Great Danes here.
American Water Spaniel Health Problems
American Water Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Water Spaniel puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a American Water Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Water Spaniel breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen American Water Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Water Spaniels here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Great Danes and American Water Spaniels
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Great Dane Breed is Shoulder problems.
This is because the Great Dane ranks 4 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 183 Great Danes, 10 of them had Shoulder problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Great Danes, and how common these diseases are in Great Danes relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the American Water Spaniel Breed is Eyes problems.
This is because the American Water Spaniel ranks 16 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 160 American Water Spaniels, 6 of them had Eyes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in American Water Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in American Water Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Great Dane and in American Water Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel:
| Disease | Great Dane Rank | American Water Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder problems | 4 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 33 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 35 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 40 out of 159 dog breeds | 38 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 42 out of 115 dog breeds | 95 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 59 out of 182 dog breeds | 16 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 75 out of 144 dog breeds | 122 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 92 out of 198 dog breeds | 133 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 130 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 21 out of 70 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus American Water Spaniel
Great Danes do not like to be left alone.
American Water Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Great Danes shed more than American Water Spaniels?
Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
American Water Spaniels shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the American Water Spaniel?
Great Danes are very easy to groom.
American Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the American Water Spaniel?
Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.
American Water Spaniels do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about American Water Spaniels?
Great Danes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
American Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the American Water Spaniel?
Great Danes are very easy to train.
American Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the American Water Spaniel
Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.
American Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and American Water Spaniels?
Great Danes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
American Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the American Water Spaniel?
Great Danes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
American Water Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about American Water Spaniels?
Great Danes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
American Water Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
American Water Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. American Water Spaniel
Great Danes have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
American Water Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Great Danes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
American Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the American Water Spaniel?
Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.
American Water Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the American Water Spaniel?
Great Danes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
American Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Great Dane compares to other breeds aside from the American Water Spaniel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Great Dane to other breeds:
Great Dane versus Mudi Great Dane versus Saluki Great Dane versus Pekingese Great Dane versus Curly-Coated Retriever Great Dane versus American Eskimo Dog Great Dane versus Australian Shepherd Great Dane versus Bordoodle Great Dane versus Labrador Retriever Great Dane versus Toy Fox Terrier Great Dane versus Sheepadoodle Great Dane versus Skye Terrier Great Dane versus Lowchen Great Dane versus Bichon Frise Great Dane versus Neapolitan Mastiff Great Dane versus American Pit Bull Terrier Great Dane versus Keeshond
Conclusion: Great Dane versus American Water Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Great Dane and the American Water Spaniel better suits you and your family.