Last Updated: Jun 17, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Great Dane Versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Introduction
- Great Dane versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Overview
- Great Dane versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Appearance (Colors) of the Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Lifespan of Great Dane versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Temperament of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus the Great Dane
- Price of Great Dane versus Price of Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Adopting the Great Dane versus Adopting the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Do Great Danes shed more than Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
- Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
- Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
- Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
- Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
- Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Great Dane versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Great Dane Versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog? 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog. 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
Great Dane versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Overview
Both the Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are similar in size. The Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are both giant-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are Working Dogs. This means both the Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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.
Great Dane versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Great Dane to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog
| Factor | Great Dane | Caucasian Shepherd Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 100 to 200 pounds | 80 to 220 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder | 24 to 34 inches |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 7 to 10 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Average Lifespan | 8.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1560 | $1960 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2000 | $1500 – $2500 |
| Temperament Score | 81.5 percent | 85.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog. 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 69 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Great Dane is a better pet than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. So, you should get a Great Dane!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
The Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog weighs 80 to 220 pounds when fully grown. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 24 to 34 inches when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
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
Caucasian Shepherd Dog Colors
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- White / Cream
- Bicolor
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Brindle
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
Lifespan of Great Dane versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 11.0 years.
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog live longer than the Great Dane.
Temperament of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus the Great Dane
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog has a better temperament than the Great Dane.
This is because the temperament score for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 85.0 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 85.0 percent, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Great Dane and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog by measuring the temperaments of 314 Great Danes and 20 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.
Price of Great Dane versus Price of Caucasian Shepherd Dog
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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy is $1960. The price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog can be as low as $500 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 71 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is more expensive than the Great Dane.
| Great Dane | Caucasian Shepherd Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1560 | $1960 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $2000 | $1500 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Dane and Caucasian Shepherd Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Dane puppies or how many Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Great Dane puppy or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Great Danes and many Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are also available for adoption. For example, Achillies is a Male Caucasian Shepherd Dog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Caucasian Shepherd Dogs like Achillies that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Moe is the name of another Great Dane (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Mars is an adorable Male Caucasian Shepherd Dog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Great Danes and Caucasian Shepherd Dogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.
Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Caucasian Shepherd Dog
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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Great Dane.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog than for the Great Dane.
4 health tests are recommended for Great Dane while 7 tests are recommended for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Danes and in Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.
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.
Caucasian Shepherd Dog Health Problems
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Caucasian Shepherd Dogs here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Great Danes do not like to be left alone.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Great Danes shed more than Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
Great Danes are very easy to groom.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
Great Danes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
Great Danes are very easy to train.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
Great Danes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
Great Danes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
Great Danes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Great Danes have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Great Danes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
Great Danes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Great Dane to other breeds:
Great Dane versus King Shepherd Great Dane versus Pomsky Great Dane versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Great Dane versus Giant Schnauzer Great Dane versus German Shorthaired Pointer Great Dane versus Silky Terrier Great Dane versus Dalmatian Great Dane versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Great Dane versus Cavachon Great Dane versus Westiepoo Great Dane versus Brittany Great Dane versus Gordon Setter Great Dane versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Great Dane versus Chi-Poo Great Dane versus English Cocker Spaniel Great Dane versus English Setter
Conclusion: Great Dane versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog. 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog better suits you and your family.