Breed Comparison: Great Dane Versus Bracco Italiano

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2022

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Great Dane Versus Bracco Italiano: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano. 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 Bracco Italiano.

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 Bracco Italiano.

Great Dane versus Bracco Italiano

Great Dane versus Bracco Italiano: Overview

A very important difference between the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Dane is a giant-sized dog while the Bracco Italiano is a large-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 Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Great Dane to the Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano

FactorGreat DaneBracco Italiano
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/51/5
Good For Novice Owners1/52/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Weight100 to 200 pounds55 to 90 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather2/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/53/5
Does NOT chew on things4/54/5
Height26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder22 to 26 inches
Tolerates Hot Weather3/53/5
Intelligence3/54/5
Low Prey Drive3/51/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/53/5
Does NOT Drool2/54/5
General Health4/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/54/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Dog Friendly5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/53/5
Does NOT Shed1/53/5
Easy To Groom5/55/5
Easy To Train5/53/5
NOT Rambunctious1/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor1/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Life Span7 to 10 years10 to 14 years
Average Lifespan8.5 years12.0 years
Average Price$1560$2300
Price Range$1000 – $2000$2000 – $2500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exam recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • *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 Bracco Italiano. 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 Bracco Italiano is 76 out of 125.

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

    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 Bracco Italiano

    The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano

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

  • Both the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Bracco Italiano

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Bracco Italiano.

    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 Bracco Italiano weighs 55 to 90 pounds when fully grown. The Bracco Italiano is 22 to 26 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Great Dane versus Size of Bracco Italiano

    Lifespan of Great Dane versus Bracco Italiano

    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 Bracco Italiano is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Bracco Italiano is 12.0 years.

    The Bracco Italiano live longer than the Great Dane.

    Great Dane versus Bracco Italiano

    Price of Great Dane versus Price of Bracco Italiano

    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 Bracco Italiano puppy is $2300. The price of the Bracco Italiano typically ranges from $2000 – $2500. However, the price of the Bracco Italiano can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 5 Bracco Italiano puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Bracco Italiano is more expensive than the Great Dane.

    Great Dane Bracco Italiano
    Average Price $1560 $2300
    Price Range $1000 to $2000 $2000 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Dane and Bracco Italiano. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Dane puppies or how many Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italianos

    A breakdown of the prices of Bracco Italianos

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

    Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Bracco Italiano

    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 Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Great Dane.

    4 health tests are recommended for Great Dane while 4 tests are recommended for the Bracco Italiano.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Danes and in Bracco Italianos.

    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.

    Bracco Italiano Health Problems

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

  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exam recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bracco Italianos here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Great Danes and Bracco Italianos

    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 Bracco Italiano Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Bracco Italiano ranks 31 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 96 Bracco Italianos, 2 of them had Eyes problems.

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

  • Eyes problems: Rank 31 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 35 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 109 out of 198 Dog Breeds

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

    Disease Great Dane Rank Bracco Italiano 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 31 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 75 out of 144 dog breeds 35 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 92 out of 198 dog breeds 109 out of 198 dog breeds
    Patella problems 130 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common

    *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 Bracco Italiano

    Great Danes do not like to be left alone.

    Bracco Italianos can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Great Danes shed more than Bracco Italianos?

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

    Bracco Italianos shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Bracco Italiano?

    Great Danes are very easy to groom.

    Bracco Italianos are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Bracco Italiano?

    Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.

    Bracco Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Bracco Italianos?

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

    Bracco Italianos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Bracco Italiano?

    Great Danes are very easy to train.

    Bracco Italianos are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Bracco Italiano

    Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.

    Bracco Italianos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Bracco Italianos?

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

    Bracco Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bracco Italiano?

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

    Bracco Italianos 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 Bracco Italianos?

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

    Bracco Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bracco Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Bracco Italianos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Bracco Italiano

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

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

    Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bracco Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Bracco Italianos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Bracco Italiano?

    Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Bracco Italianos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Bracco Italiano?

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

    Bracco Italianos 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 Bracco Italiano. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Great Dane to other breeds:

    Great Dane versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Great Dane versus Airedale Terrier     Great Dane versus Cesky Terrier     Great Dane versus Karelian Bear Dog     Great Dane versus French Bulldog     Great Dane versus Rottweiler     Great Dane versus Goldendoodle     Great Dane versus Cairn Terrier     Great Dane versus Samoyed     Great Dane versus Border Terrier     Great Dane versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Great Dane versus Dalmatian     Great Dane versus Swedish Vallhund     Great Dane versus Pug     Great Dane versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Great Dane versus Dutch Shepherd     Great Dane versus Shetland Sheepdog     Great Dane versus Bich Poo     Great Dane versus Mastiff     

    Conclusion: Great Dane versus Bracco Italiano. 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 Bracco Italiano better suits you and your family.