Why the Great Dane is Better than the Biewer Terrier as a Pet

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Great Dane Versus Biewer Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier? 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 Biewer Terrier 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 Biewer Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier 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 Biewer Terrier. 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 Biewer Terrier.

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 Biewer Terrier.

Great Dane versus Biewer Terrier

Great Dane versus Biewer Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Dane is a giant-sized dog while the Biewer Terrier is a tiny-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 Biewer Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Great Dane versus Biewer Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Great Dane to the Biewer Terrier 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 Biewer Terrier

FactorGreat DaneBiewer Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/55/5
Good For Novice Owners1/53/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Weight100 to 200 pounds4 to 8 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather2/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/53/5
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Height26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder7 to 11 inches
Tolerates Hot Weather3/53/5
Intelligence3/54/5
Low Prey Drive3/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/55/5
Does NOT Drool2/55/5
General Health4/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/53/5
Easygoing1/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Dog Friendly5/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/53/5
Does NOT Shed1/55/5
Easy To Groom5/54/5
Easy To Train5/53/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor1/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/53/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Life Span7 to 10 years12 to 15 years
Average Lifespan8.5 years13.5 years
Average Price$1560$2530
Price Range$1000 – $2000$2000 – $3000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Eye Examination prior to the onset of breeding, recommend evaluations at 1, 3, and 6 Years of Age.
  • HYPERURICOSURIA
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds1582
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    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 Biewer Terrier. 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 Biewer Terrier is 89 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Biewer Terrier, we still believe that the Great Dane is a better pet than the Biewer Terrier.

    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!

    Great Dane versus Biewer Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier are most different:

  • Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Biewer Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool. However, Biewer Terriers do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Biewer Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier

    The Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Biewer Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier.

    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 Biewer Terrier weighs 4 to 8 pounds when fully grown. The Biewer Terrier is 7 to 11 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Great Dane versus Size of Biewer Terrier

    Lifespan of Great Dane versus Biewer Terrier

    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 Biewer Terrier is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Biewer Terrier is 13.5 years.

    The Biewer Terrier live longer than the Great Dane.

    Great Dane versus Biewer Terrier

    Price of Great Dane versus Price of Biewer Terrier

    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 Biewer Terrier puppy is $2530. The price of the Biewer Terrier typically ranges from $2000 – $3000. However, the price of the Biewer Terrier can be as low as $650 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 188 Biewer Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Biewer Terrier is more expensive than the Great Dane.

    Great Dane Biewer Terrier
    Average Price $1560 $2530
    Price Range $1000 to $2000 $2000 to $3000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Dane and Biewer Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Dane puppies or how many Biewer Terrier 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 Great Danes. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Biewer Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Biewer Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Great Dane puppy or the Biewer Terrier 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.

    Great Dane versus Biewer Terrier

    The Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of Biewer Terrier

    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 Biewer Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Great Dane is more popular with dog owners than the Biewer Terrier. 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 Biewer Terrier is 82 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Great Dane

    Popularity of Great Dane

    Popularity of Biewer Terrier

    Popularity of Biewer Terrier

    Year Great Dane Popularity Rank Biewer Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 16 no data
    2014 15 no data
    2015 15 no data
    2016 14 no data
    2017 14 no data
    2018 16 no data
    2019 17 no data
    2020 15 no data
    2021 17 82.0

    Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Biewer Terrier

    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 Biewer Terrier 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 Biewer Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Great Dane.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Biewer Terrier than for the Great Dane.

    4 health tests are recommended for Great Dane while 8 tests are recommended for the Biewer Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Danes and in Biewer Terriers.

    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:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Great Danes here.

    Biewer Terrier Health Problems

    Biewer Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Biewer Terrier 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 Biewer Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Biewer Terrier 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 Biewer Terriers for:

  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Eye Examination prior to the onset of breeding, recommend evaluations at 1, 3, and 6 Years of Age.
  • HYPERURICOSURIA
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Serum Bile Acid Test

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Biewer Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Great Danes and Biewer Terriers

    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:

  • Shoulder problems: Rank 4 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 33 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 35 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 40 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 42 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 59 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 75 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 92 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 130 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • 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 Biewer Terrier Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Biewer Terrier ranks 10 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 298 Biewer Terriers, 25 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Biewer Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Biewer Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 10 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 41 out of 182 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Great Dane and in Biewer Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Great Dane and the Biewer Terrier:

    Disease Great Dane Rank Biewer Terrier 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 Not Common
    Thyroid problems 42 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 59 out of 182 dog breeds 41 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 75 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 92 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 130 out of 145 dog breeds 10 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 Biewer Terrier

    Great Danes do not like to be left alone.

    Biewer Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Great Danes shed more than Biewer Terriers?

    Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Biewer Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Biewer Terrier?

    Great Danes are very easy to groom.

    Biewer Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Biewer Terrier?

    Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.

    Biewer Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Biewer Terriers?

    Great Danes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Biewer Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Biewer Terrier?

    Great Danes are very easy to train.

    Biewer Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Biewer Terrier

    Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.

    Biewer Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Biewer Terriers?

    Great Danes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Biewer Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Biewer Terrier?

    Great Danes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Biewer Terriers 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 Biewer Terriers?

    Great Danes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Biewer Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Biewer Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Biewer Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Biewer Terrier

    Great Danes have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Biewer Terriers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Biewer Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Great Danes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Biewer Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Biewer Terrier?

    Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Biewer Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Biewer Terrier?

    Great Danes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Biewer Terriers are OK 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 Biewer Terrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Great Dane to other breeds:

    Great Dane versus Biewer Terrier     Great Dane versus Goldendoodle     Great Dane versus Saint Berdoodle     Great Dane versus Chinook     Great Dane versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Great Dane versus Frenchton     Great Dane versus French Spaniel     Great Dane versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Great Dane versus Dutch Shepherd     Great Dane versus Bloodhound     Great Dane versus Lowchen     Great Dane versus Scottish Deerhound     Great Dane versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     

    Conclusion: Great Dane versus Biewer Terrier. 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 Biewer Terrier better suits you and your family.