Is the Catahoula Leopard Dog Better than the Great Dane as a Pet? Answer…

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Catahoula Leopard Dog Versus Great Dane: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog and for the Great Dane. 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Great Dane.

Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Great Dane

Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Great Dane: Overview

A very important difference between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a large-sized dog while the Great Dane is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Catahoula Leopard Dog 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.

On the other hand, 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.

Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Great Dane: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Catahoula Leopard Dog to the Great Dane 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane

Factor Catahoula Leopard Dog Great Dane
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 7 to 10 years
Easygoing 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 5/5
Height 20 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Weight 50 to 90 pounds 100 to 200 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 8.5 years
Average Price $650 $1560
Price Range $400 – $800 $1000 – $2000
Temperament Score 78.6 percent 81.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 Great Dane. 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Great Dane is 73 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Great Dane is a better pet than the Catahoula Leopard Dog. So, you should get the Great Dane!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane

    Below is a list of where the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane are most different:

  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not get along well with other dogs. However, Great Danes get along well with other dogs.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Great Danes are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not have the tendency to drool. However, Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle. However, Great Danes 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.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not easy to train. However, Great Danes are very easy to train.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs not very playful. However, Great Danes are very playful.
  • The Similarities Between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane

    The Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane are most similar:

  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Great Dane

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs weigh 50 to 90 pounds when fully grown. Catahoula Leopard Dogs are 20 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Great Danes weigh 100 to 200 pounds when fully grown. Great Danes are 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Great Dane

    The lifespan of Catahoula Leopard Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Catahoula Leopard Dogs is 12.0 years.

    The lifespan of Great Danes is between 7 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Great Danes is 8.5 years.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs live longer than Great Danes.

    Temperament of the Great Dane Versus the Catahoula Leopard Dog

    The Great Dane has a better temperament than the Catahoula Leopard Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Great Dane is 81.5 percent while the temperament score for the Catahoula Leopard Dog is 78.6 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 78.6 percent, the Catahoula Leopard Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 81.5 percent, the Great Dane has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane by measuring the temperaments of 14 Catahoula Leopard Dogs and 314 Great Danes.

    Price of Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Price of Great Dane

    The average price of the Catahoula Leopard Dog puppy is $650. The price of the Catahoula Leopard Dog typically ranges from $400 – $800. However, the price of a Catahoula Leopard Dog can be as low as $100 and as high as $1650. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 247 Catahoula Leopard Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    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 the Great Dane can be as low as $100 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1324 Great Dane puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Great Dane is more expensive than the Catahoula Leopard Dog.

    Catahoula Leopard Dog Great Dane
    Average Price $650 $1560
    Price Range $400 to $800 $1000 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Catahoula Leopard Dog and Great Dane. For different price points, the charts show how many Catahoula Leopard Dog puppies or how many Great Dane puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Catahoula Leopard Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Catahoula Leopard Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Great Danes?

    A breakdown of the prices of Great Danes?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Catahoula Leopard Dog puppy or the Great Dane 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Adopting the Great Dane

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Catahoula Leopard Dogs and many Great Danes 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog named Bandit that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Catahoula Leopard Dogs like Bandit on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Catahoula Leopard Dogs, Great Danes are also available for adoption. For example, Mario is a Male Great Dane that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Great Danes like Mario that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Otis is the name of another Catahoula Leopard Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Ramsey is an adorable Male Great Dane on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs and Great Danes are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Catahoula Leopard Dogs and Great Danes that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Great Dane

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Great Danes do not like to be left alone.

    Do Catahoula Leopard Dogs shed more than Great Danes?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Great Dane

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Great Dane?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Great Danes are very easy to groom.

    Does the Catahoula Leopard Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Great Dane?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

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

    Do Catahoula Leopard Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Great Danes?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Catahoula Leopard Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Catahoula Leopard Dog vs. Great Dane

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can Catahoula Leopard Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Great Dane?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Catahoula Leopard Dogs good family dogs? What about Great Danes?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Catahoula Leopard Dogs and Great Danes?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Catahoula Leopard Dog Easier to Train than the Great Dane?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not easy to train.

    Great Danes are very easy to train.

    Is the Catahoula Leopard Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Great Dane?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Great Dane?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Catahoula Leopard Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Catahoula Leopard Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Catahoula Leopard Dog:

  • Chesapeake Bay Retriever (73 percent match with Catahoula Leopard Dog). Here is our comparison of the Great Dane vs Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
  • Hovawart (78 percent match with Catahoula Leopard Dog). Here is our comparison of the Great Dane vs Hovawart.
  • Boerboel (72 percent match with Catahoula Leopard Dog). Here is our comparison of the Great Dane vs Boerboel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Great Dane

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Great Dane that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Great Dane:

  • Flat-Coated Retriever (72 percent match with Great Dane). Here is our comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (72 percent match with Great Dane). Here is our comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Shiloh Shepherd (70 percent match with Great Dane). Here is our comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog vs Shiloh Shepherd.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Catahoula Leopard Dog and how the Great Dane compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog and of the Great Dane to other breeds:

    Catahoula Leopard Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Papillon     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Azawakh     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Toy Fox Terrier     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Lancashire Heeler     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Basset Hound     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Spanish Mastiff     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Tibetan Spaniel     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Australian Kelpie     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Komondor     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Brittany     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Yorkshire Terrier     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Cane Corso     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Newfoundland     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Irish Water Spaniel     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Shiba Inu     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Boston Terrier     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Boxerdoodle     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Xoloitzcuintli     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Saint Bernard     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Irish Terrier     

    Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Great Dane versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Great Dane versus Pomapoo     Great Dane versus Toy Fox Terrier     Great Dane versus Silky Terrier     Great Dane versus Golden Retriever     Great Dane versus French Spaniel     Great Dane versus Shiloh Shepherd     Great Dane versus Chihuahua     Great Dane versus Mastiff     Great Dane versus Saint Bernard     Great Dane versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Great Dane versus West Highland White Terrier     Great Dane versus Cavapoo     Great Dane versus Schnoodle     Great Dane versus Maremma Sheepdog     Great Dane versus Basenji     Great Dane versus Saluki     Great Dane versus Briard     Great Dane versus Afghan Hound     Great Dane versus Catahoula Bulldog     Great Dane versus Westiepoo     Great Dane versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Great Dane versus Leonberger     Great Dane versus Papipoo     Great Dane versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     

    Conclusion: Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Great Dane. 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Great Dane better suits you and your family.