Last Updated: Jun 17, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Great Dane Versus Bolognese: Introduction
- Great Dane versus Bolognese: Overview
- Great Dane versus Bolognese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Bolognese
- The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Bolognese
- Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Bolognese
- Lifespan of Great Dane versus Bolognese
- Temperament of the Bolognese Versus the Great Dane
- Price of Great Dane versus Price of Bolognese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Bolognese
- Do Great Danes shed more than Bologneses?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Bolognese?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Bolognese?
- Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Bologneses?
- Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Bolognese?
- Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Bolognese
- How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Bologneses?
- Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bolognese?
- Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Bologneses?
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bologneses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Bolognese
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bologneses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Great Dane versus Bolognese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Great Dane Versus Bolognese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Dane and the Bolognese? 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 Bolognese 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 Bolognese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane and the Bolognese 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 Bolognese. 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 Bolognese.
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 Bolognese.

Great Dane versus Bolognese: Overview
A very important difference between the Great Dane and the Bolognese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Dane is a giant-sized dog while the Bolognese 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 Bolognese 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 Bolognese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Great Dane to the Bolognese 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 Bolognese
| Factor | Great Dane | Bolognese |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 100 to 200 pounds | 8 to 14 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 7 to 10 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Average Lifespan | 8.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1560 | $1810 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2000 | $1500 – $2162 |
| Temperament Score | 81.5 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
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 Bolognese. 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 Bolognese is 85 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Bolognese, we still believe that the Great Dane is a better pet than the Bolognese.
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 Bolognese
Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Bolognese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Bolognese
The Great Dane and the Bolognese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Dane and the Bolognese are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Bolognese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Bolognese.
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 Bolognese weighs 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. The Bolognese is 9 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

Lifespan of Great Dane versus Bolognese
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 Bolognese is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Bolognese is 13.0 years.
The Bolognese live longer than the Great Dane.

Temperament of the Bolognese Versus the Great Dane
The Bolognese has a better temperament than the Great Dane.
This is because the temperament score for the Bolognese is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Great Dane is 81.5 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 100.0 percent, the Bolognese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Great Dane and the Bolognese by measuring the temperaments of 314 Great Danes and 1 Bologneses.
Price of Great Dane versus Price of Bolognese
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 Bolognese puppy is $1810. The price of the Bolognese typically ranges from $1500 – $2162. However, the price of the Bolognese can be as low as $1500 and as high as $2300. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 6 Bolognese puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Bolognese is more expensive than the Great Dane.
| Great Dane | Bolognese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1560 | $1810 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $2000 | $1500 to $2162 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Dane and Bolognese. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Dane puppies or how many Bolognese 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 Bologneses
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Great Dane puppy or the Bolognese 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.

Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Bolognese
Great Danes do not like to be left alone.
Bologneses do not like to be left alone.
Do Great Danes shed more than Bologneses?
Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Bologneses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Bolognese?
Great Danes are very easy to groom.
Bologneses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Bolognese?
Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.
Bologneses get along very well with other dogs.
Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Bologneses?
Great Danes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Bologneses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Bolognese?
Great Danes are very easy to train.
Bologneses are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Bolognese
Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.
Bologneses do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Bologneses?
Great Danes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Bologneses get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bolognese?
Great Danes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Bologneses have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Bologneses?
Great Danes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Bologneses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bologneses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Bologneses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Bolognese
Great Danes have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Bologneses 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 Bologneses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Great Danes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Bologneses can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Bolognese?
Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.
Bologneses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Bolognese?
Great Danes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Bologneses 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 Bolognese. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Great Dane to other breeds:
Great Dane versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Great Dane versus Korean Jindo Dog Great Dane versus German Longhaired Pointer Great Dane versus Yorkshire Terrier Great Dane versus American Bulldog Great Dane versus Boykin Spaniel Great Dane versus Puli Great Dane versus Valley Bulldog Great Dane versus Whoodle Great Dane versus Leonberger Great Dane versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Great Dane versus Patterdale Terrier Great Dane versus Australian Kelpie Great Dane versus Coton de Tulear Great Dane versus Bouvier des Flandres
Conclusion: Great Dane versus Bolognese. 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 Bolognese better suits you and your family.