Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Great Dane Versus Pekingese: Introduction
- Great Dane versus Pekingese: Overview
- Great Dane versus Pekingese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Pekingese
- The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Pekingese
- Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Pekingese
- Appearance (Colors) of the Great Dane and the Pekingese
- Lifespan of Great Dane versus Pekingese
- Temperament of the Pekingese Versus the Great Dane
- Price of Great Dane versus Price of Pekingese
- Adopting the Great Dane versus Adopting the Pekingese
- The Intelligence of the Great Dane versus the Intelligence of the Pekingese
- The Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of Pekingese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Pekingese
- Do Great Danes shed more than Pekingeses?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Pekingese?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Pekingese?
- Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Pekingeses?
- Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Pekingese?
- Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Pekingese
- How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Pekingeses?
- Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pekingese?
- Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Pekingeses?
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Pekingese
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Great Dane versus Pekingese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Great Dane Versus Pekingese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Dane and the Pekingese? 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane and the Pekingese 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 Pekingese. 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 Pekingese.
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 Pekingese.
Great Dane versus Pekingese: Overview
A very important difference between the Great Dane and the Pekingese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Dane is a giant-sized dog while the Pekingese 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Great Dane to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese
| Factor | Great Dane | Pekingese |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 100 to 200 pounds | 7 to 14 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder | 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| 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 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 7 to 10 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Average Lifespan | 8.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1560 | $1880 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2000 | $1300 – $2200 |
| Temperament Score | 81.5 percent | 93.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 87 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 48 | 73 |
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 Pekingese. 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 Pekingese is 77 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Pekingese, we still believe that the Great Dane is a better pet than the Pekingese.
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 Pekingese
Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Pekingese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Pekingese
The Great Dane and the Pekingese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Dane and the Pekingese are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Pekingese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Pekingese.
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 Pekingese weighs 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. The Pekingese is 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Great Dane and the Pekingese
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
Pekingese Colors
The Pekingese comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- White / Cream
- Black
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Apricot / Beige
- Brown / Chocolate
- Sable
- Brindle
- Golden
The Pekingese comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Brown / Chocolate
Lifespan of Great Dane versus Pekingese
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 Pekingese is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Pekingese is 13.5 years.
The Pekingese live longer than the Great Dane.
Temperament of the Pekingese Versus the Great Dane
The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Great Dane.
This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 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 93.3 percent, the Pekingese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Great Dane and the Pekingese by measuring the temperaments of 314 Great Danes and 15 Pekingeses.
Price of Great Dane versus Price of Pekingese
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 Pekingese puppy is $1880. The price of the Pekingese typically ranges from $1300 – $2200. However, the price of the Pekingese can be as low as $500 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 222 Pekingese puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Pekingese is more expensive than the Great Dane.
| Great Dane | Pekingese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1560 | $1880 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $2000 | $1300 to $2200 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Dane and Pekingese. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Dane puppies or how many Pekingese 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 Pekingeses
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Great Dane puppy or the Pekingese 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 Pekingese
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Great Danes and many Pekingeses 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 Moe that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Great Danes like Moe on pefinder.com.
Also, like Great Danes, Pekingeses are also available for adoption. For example, Ricky is a Male Pekingese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pekingeses like Ricky 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, Opie is an adorable Male Pekingese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Great Danes and Pekingeses that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Great Dane versus the Intelligence of the Pekingese
| Great Dane | Pekingese | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 48 out of 130 dog breeds | 73 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Great Dane has an obedience intelligence rank of 48 out of 130 dog breeds. The Great Dane belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Great Danes tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Great Dane is more intelligent than the Pekingese.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of Pekingese
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 Pekingese over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Great Dane is more popular with dog owners than the Pekingese. 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 Pekingese is 87 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Great Dane
Popularity of Pekingese
| Year | Great Dane Popularity Rank | Pekingese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 16 | 77 |
| 2014 | 15 | 82 |
| 2015 | 15 | 80 |
| 2016 | 14 | 93 |
| 2017 | 14 | 88 |
| 2018 | 16 | 92 |
| 2019 | 17 | 83 |
| 2020 | 15 | 95 |
| 2021 | 17 | 94 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Pekingese
Great Danes do not like to be left alone.
Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Great Danes shed more than Pekingeses?
Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Pekingeses shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Pekingese?
Great Danes are very easy to groom.
Pekingeses 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 Pekingese?
Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.
Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Pekingeses?
Great Danes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Pekingeses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Pekingese?
Great Danes are very easy to train.
Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Pekingese
Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.
Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Pekingeses?
Great Danes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pekingese?
Great Danes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses?
Great Danes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Pekingeses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Pekingese
Great Danes have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Great Danes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Pekingese?
Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.
Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Pekingese?
Great Danes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Pekingeses 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 Pekingese. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Great Dane to other breeds:
Great Dane versus Westiepoo Great Dane versus Black Russian Terrier Great Dane versus Pomapoo Great Dane versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Great Dane versus German Shorthaired Pointer Great Dane versus Hovawart Great Dane versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Great Dane versus Kai Ken Great Dane versus Pomeranian Great Dane versus Labradoodle Great Dane versus Border Terrier Great Dane versus Cockalier Great Dane versus German Wirehaired Pointer Great Dane versus English Springer Spaniel Great Dane versus Bernedoodle
Conclusion: Great Dane versus Pekingese. 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 Pekingese better suits you and your family.