Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Great Dane Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
- Great Dane versus Shiba Inu: Overview
- Great Dane versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Shiba Inu
- The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Shiba Inu
- Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Shiba Inu
- Appearance (Colors) of the Great Dane and the Shiba Inu
- Lifespan of Great Dane versus Shiba Inu
- Temperament of the Great Dane Versus the Shiba Inu
- Price of Great Dane versus Price of Shiba Inu
- Adopting the Great Dane versus Adopting the Shiba Inu
- The Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of Shiba Inu
- Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Shiba Inu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Shiba Inu
- Do Great Danes shed more than Shiba Inus?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Shiba Inu?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Shiba Inu?
- Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
- Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
- Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Shiba Inu
- How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Shiba Inus?
- Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
- Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Shiba Inu
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Great Dane versus Shiba Inu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Great Dane Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Dane and the Shiba Inu? 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 Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane and the Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu. 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 Shiba Inu.
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 Shiba Inu.
Great Dane versus Shiba Inu: Overview
A very important difference between the Great Dane and the Shiba Inu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Dane is a giant-sized dog while the Shiba Inu is a small-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 Shiba Inu belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Great Dane versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Great Dane to the Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu
| Factor | Great Dane | Shiba Inu |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 100 to 200 pounds | 17 to 23 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder | 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 7 to 10 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Average Lifespan | 8.5 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1560 | $2130 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2000 | $1600 – $2500 |
| Temperament Score | 81.5 percent | 67.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 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 Shiba Inu. 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 Shiba Inu is 82 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Shiba Inu, we still believe that the Great Dane is a better pet than the Shiba Inu.
This is because Great Danes are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Great Dane will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Great Dane :-). We are for the Great Dane. So get a Great Dane!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Shiba Inu
Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Shiba Inu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Shiba Inu
The Great Dane and the Shiba Inu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Dane and the Shiba Inu are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Shiba Inu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Shiba Inu.
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 Shiba Inu weighs 17 to 23 pounds when fully grown. The Shiba Inu is 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Great Dane and the Shiba Inu
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
Shiba Inu Colors
The Shiba Inu comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Golden
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Bicolor
- Brown / Chocolate
- Apricot / Beige
- White / Cream
- Sable
The Shiba Inu comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Brindle
- Brown / Chocolate
Lifespan of Great Dane versus Shiba Inu
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 Shiba Inu is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Shiba Inu is 14.0 years.
The Shiba Inu live longer than the Great Dane.
Temperament of the Great Dane Versus the Shiba Inu
The Great Dane has a better temperament than the Shiba Inu.
This is because the temperament score for the Great Dane is 81.5 percent while the temperament score for the Shiba Inu is 67.9 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 67.9 percent, the Shiba Inu has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Great Dane and the Shiba Inu by measuring the temperaments of 314 Great Danes and 28 Shiba Inus.
Price of Great Dane versus Price of Shiba Inu
The average price of the Great Dane puppy is $1560. The price of the Great Dane typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Great Dane can be as low as $100 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1324 Great Dane puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Shiba Inu puppy is $2130. The price of the Shiba Inu typically ranges from $1600 – $2500. However, the price of the Shiba Inu can be as low as $600 and as high as $6995. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 283 Shiba Inu puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Shiba Inu is more expensive than the Great Dane.
| Great Dane | Shiba Inu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1560 | $2130 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $2000 | $1600 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Dane and Shiba Inu. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Dane puppies or how many Shiba Inu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Great Danes. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Shiba Inus
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Great Dane puppy or the Shiba Inu puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Great Dane versus Adopting the Shiba Inu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Great Danes and many Shiba Inus are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Great Dane named Curly that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Great Danes like Curly on pefinder.com.
Also, like Great Danes, Shiba Inus are also available for adoption. For example, Maui is a Male Shiba Inu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shiba Inus like Maui that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Marmaduke is the name of another Great Dane (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Hiro is an adorable Male Shiba Inu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Great Danes and Shiba Inus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of Shiba Inu
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 Shiba Inu over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Great Dane is more popular with dog owners than the Shiba Inu. 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 Shiba Inu is 44 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Great Dane
Popularity of Shiba Inu
| Year | Great Dane Popularity Rank | Shiba Inu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 16 | 46 |
| 2014 | 15 | 47 |
| 2015 | 15 | 45 |
| 2016 | 14 | 44 |
| 2017 | 14 | 45 |
| 2018 | 16 | 44 |
| 2019 | 17 | 45 |
| 2020 | 15 | 43 |
| 2021 | 17 | 42 |
Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Shiba Inu
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 Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Great Dane than for the Shiba Inu.
4 health tests are recommended for Great Dane while 3 tests are recommended for the Shiba Inu.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Danes and in Shiba Inus.
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.
Shiba Inu Health Problems
Shiba Inus are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inus for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiba Inus here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Great Danes and Shiba Inus
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 Shiba Inu Breed is Dentition Database problems.
This is because the Shiba Inu ranks 22 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 200 Shiba Inus, 12 of them had Dentition Database problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Shiba Inus, and how common these diseases are in Shiba Inus relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Great Dane and in Shiba Inu and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Great Dane and the Shiba Inu:
| Disease | Great Dane Rank | Shiba Inu 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 | 22 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 40 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 42 out of 115 dog breeds | 91 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 59 out of 182 dog breeds | 170 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 75 out of 144 dog breeds | 53 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 92 out of 198 dog breeds | 141 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 130 out of 145 dog breeds | 31 out of 145 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 Shiba Inu
Great Danes do not like to be left alone.
Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Great Danes shed more than Shiba Inus?
Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Shiba Inus shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Shiba Inu?
Great Danes are very easy to groom.
Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Shiba Inu?
Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
Great Danes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shiba Inus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
Great Danes are very easy to train.
Shiba Inus are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Shiba Inu
Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.
Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Shiba Inus?
Great Danes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
Great Danes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Shiba Inus have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
Great Danes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Shiba Inus are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Shiba Inu
Great Danes have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Shiba Inus have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Great Danes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Shiba Inus can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?
Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.
Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Shiba Inu?
Great Danes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Shiba Inus are very good 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 Shiba Inu. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Great Dane to other breeds:
Great Dane versus Afador Great Dane versus Tibetan Spaniel Great Dane versus Pug Great Dane versus American Eskimo Dog Great Dane versus Shichon Great Dane versus Finnish Spitz Great Dane versus Hovawart Great Dane versus Coton de Tulear Great Dane versus Bolognese Great Dane versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Great Dane versus Frenchton Great Dane versus Schipperke Great Dane versus Italian Greyhound Great Dane versus Mal Shi Great Dane versus Cane Corso
Conclusion: Great Dane versus Shiba Inu. 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 Shiba Inu better suits you and your family.