Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Great Dane Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction
- Great Dane versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview
- Great Dane versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Shetland Sheepdog
- The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Shetland Sheepdog
- Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Shetland Sheepdog
- Appearance (Colors) of the Great Dane and the Shetland Sheepdog
- Lifespan of Great Dane versus Shetland Sheepdog
- Temperament of the Shetland Sheepdog Versus the Great Dane
- Price of Great Dane versus Price of Shetland Sheepdog
- Adopting the Great Dane versus Adopting the Shetland Sheepdog
- The Intelligence of the Great Dane versus the Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog
- The Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog
- Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Shetland Sheepdog
- Do Great Danes shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
- Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Shetland Sheepdog
- How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Shetland Sheepdogs?
- Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Shetland Sheepdog
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Great Dane versus Shetland Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Great Dane Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Dane and the Shetland Sheepdog? 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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane and the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog.
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 Shetland Sheepdog.
Great Dane versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview
A very important difference between the Great Dane and the Shetland Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Dane is a giant-sized dog while the Shetland Sheepdog is a small-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 Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
Great Dane versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Great Dane to the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog
| Factor | Great Dane | Shetland Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 100 to 200 pounds | 14 to 27 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder | 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 7 to 10 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Average Lifespan | 8.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1560 | $1410 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2000 | $1000 – $1800 |
| Temperament Score | 81.5 percent | 68.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 24 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 48 | 6 |
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 Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Shetland Sheepdog, we still believe that the Great Dane is a better pet than the Shetland Sheepdog.
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 Shetland Sheepdog
Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Shetland Sheepdog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Shetland Sheepdog
The Great Dane and the Shetland Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Dane and the Shetland Sheepdog are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Shetland Sheepdog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Shetland Sheepdog.
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 Shetland Sheepdog weighs 14 to 27 pounds when fully grown. The Shetland Sheepdog is 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Great Dane and the Shetland Sheepdog
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
Shetland Sheepdog Colors
The Shetland Sheepdog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Sable
- Black
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Merle (Blue)
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Golden
- Brown / Chocolate
- White / Cream
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
The Shetland Sheepdog comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Sable
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Black
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Brown / Chocolate
- Golden
Lifespan of Great Dane versus Shetland Sheepdog
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 Shetland Sheepdog is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Shetland Sheepdog is 13.5 years.
The Shetland Sheepdog live longer than the Great Dane.
Temperament of the Shetland Sheepdog Versus the Great Dane
The Great Dane has a better temperament than the Shetland Sheepdog.
This is because the temperament score for the Great Dane is 81.5 percent while the temperament score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 68.9 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 68.9 percent, the Shetland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Great Dane and the Shetland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 314 Great Danes and 515 Shetland Sheepdogs.
Price of Great Dane versus Price of Shetland Sheepdog
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 Shetland Sheepdog puppy is $1410. The price of the Shetland Sheepdog typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of the Shetland Sheepdog can be as low as $300 and as high as $3590. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 382 Shetland Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Great Dane is more expensive than the Shetland Sheepdog.
| Great Dane | Shetland Sheepdog | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1560 | $1410 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $2000 | $1000 to $1800 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Dane and Shetland Sheepdog. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Dane puppies or how many Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdogs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Great Dane puppy or the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Great Danes and many Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Titan that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Great Danes like Titan on pefinder.com.
Also, like Great Danes, Shetland Sheepdogs are also available for adoption. For example, Max is a Male Shetland Sheepdog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shetland Sheepdogs like Max 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, Barranca is an adorable Male Shetland Sheepdog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Great Danes and Shetland Sheepdogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Great Dane versus the Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog
| Great Dane | Shetland Sheepdog | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 48 out of 130 dog breeds | 6 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions |
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 Shetland Sheepdog has an obedience intelligence rank of 6 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Shetland Sheepdogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.
The Shetland Sheepdog is more intelligent than the Great Dane.
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 Shetland Sheepdog
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 Shetland Sheepdog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Great Dane is more popular with dog owners than the Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog is 24 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Great Dane
Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog
| Year | Great Dane Popularity Rank | Shetland Sheepdog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 16 | 21 |
| 2014 | 15 | 21 |
| 2015 | 15 | 23 |
| 2016 | 14 | 24 |
| 2017 | 14 | 24 |
| 2018 | 16 | 25 |
| 2019 | 17 | 25 |
| 2020 | 15 | 27 |
| 2021 | 17 | 28 |
Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog
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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Danes and in Shetland Sheepdogs.
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.
Shetland Sheepdog Health Problems
Shetland Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shetland Sheepdogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Great Danes and Shetland Sheepdogs
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:
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 Shetland Sheepdog Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks 3 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 633 Shetland Sheepdogs, 5 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Shetland Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Shetland Sheepdogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Great Dane and in Shetland Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Great Dane and the Shetland Sheepdog:
| Disease | Great Dane Rank | Shetland Sheepdog 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 | 6 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 40 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 42 out of 115 dog breeds | 5 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 59 out of 182 dog breeds | 122 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 75 out of 144 dog breeds | 101 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 92 out of 198 dog breeds | 166 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 130 out of 145 dog breeds | 89 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Collie Eye Anomaly problems | Not Common | 3 out of 7 dog breeds |
| Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | Not Common | 4 out of 7 dog breeds |
| Von Willebrands problems | Not Common | 6 out of 15 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 46 out of 70 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 Shetland Sheepdog
Great Danes do not like to be left alone.
Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Great Danes shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?
Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Shetland Sheepdog?
Great Danes are very easy to groom.
Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdog?
Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.
Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
Great Danes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?
Great Danes are very easy to train.
Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Shetland Sheepdog
Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.
Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Shetland Sheepdogs?
Great Danes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shetland Sheepdog?
Great Danes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Shetland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
Great Danes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Shetland Sheepdogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Shetland Sheepdog
Great Danes have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Great Danes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Shetland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Shetland Sheepdog?
Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.
Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Shetland Sheepdog?
Great Danes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Great Dane to other breeds:
Great Dane versus Spanish Mastiff Great Dane versus Maltipoo Great Dane versus Lancashire Heeler Great Dane versus Scottish Deerhound Great Dane versus Scottish Terrier Great Dane versus Belgian Tervuren Great Dane versus Samoyed Great Dane versus Irish Terrier Great Dane versus Pomchi Great Dane versus German Pinscher Great Dane versus Stabyhoun Great Dane versus Shichon Great Dane versus American Eskimo Dog Great Dane versus Bich Poo Great Dane versus Giant Schnauzer Great Dane versus Flat-Coated Retriever
Conclusion: Great Dane versus Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.