A Detailed Comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane.

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German Longhaired Pointer Versus Great Dane: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer or the Great Dane.

German Longhaired Pointer versus Great Dane

German Longhaired Pointer versus Great Dane: Overview

A very important difference between the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Longhaired Pointer is a large-sized dog while the Great Dane is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the German Longhaired Pointer belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

German Longhaired Pointer versus Great Dane: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane

Factor German Longhaired Pointer Great Dane
Life Span 11 to 14 years 7 to 10 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Height 23 to 28 inches 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Weight 60 to 71 pounds 100 to 200 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 8.5 years
Price Range No Data $1000 – $2000
Average Price No Data $1560
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 German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Great Dane is 73 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the German Longhaired Pointer is a better pet than the Great Dane. So, you should get the German Longhaired Pointer!

    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 German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    German Longhaired Pointer versus Great Dane

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane

    Below is a list of where the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane are most different:

  • German Longhaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane

    The German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane are most similar:

  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane are very easy to train.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane are very easy to groom.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of German Longhaired Pointer versus Great Dane

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane.

    German Longhaired Pointers weigh 60 to 71 pounds when fully grown. German Longhaired Pointers are 23 to 28 inches 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 German Longhaired Pointer versus Great Dane

    The lifespan of German Longhaired Pointers is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Longhaired Pointers is 12.5 years.

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

    German Longhaired Pointers live longer than Great Danes.

    German Longhaired Pointer versus Great Dane
    German Longhaired Pointer versus Great Dane

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Longhaired Pointer versus Great Dane

    German Longhaired Pointers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Great Danes do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Longhaired Pointers shed more than Great Danes?

    German Longhaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which one drools more, the German Longhaired Pointer or the Great Dane

    German Longhaired Pointers drool moderately.

    Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the German Longhaired Pointer or the Great Dane?

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Great Danes are very easy to groom.

    Does the German Longhaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Great Dane?

    German Longhaired Pointers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

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

    Do German Longhaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Great Danes?

    German Longhaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can German Longhaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Longhaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: German Longhaired Pointer vs. Great Dane

    German Longhaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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 German Longhaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Longhaired Pointers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Longhaired Pointer or the Great Dane?

    German Longhaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.

    Are German Longhaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Great Danes?

    German Longhaired Pointers 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 German Longhaired Pointers and Great Danes?

    German Longhaired Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the German Longhaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Great Dane?

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Great Danes are very easy to train.

    Is the German Longhaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Great Dane?

    German Longhaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Longhaired Pointer or the Great Dane?

    German Longhaired Pointers 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 German Longhaired Pointer

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer:

  • Aussiedoodle (78 percent match with German Longhaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Great Dane vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Black Mouth Cur (77 percent match with German Longhaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Great Dane vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with German Longhaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Great Dane vs Boxerdoodle.
  • 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 German Longhaired Pointer vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (72 percent match with Great Dane). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Shiloh Shepherd (70 percent match with Great Dane). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs Shiloh Shepherd.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the German Longhaired Pointer and how the Great Dane compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer and of the Great Dane to other breeds:

    German Longhaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Longhaired Pointer versus Coton de Tulear     German Longhaired Pointer versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Maltese     German Longhaired Pointer versus Icelandic Sheepdog     German Longhaired Pointer versus Goldador     German Longhaired Pointer versus Miniature Poodle     German Longhaired Pointer versus Bracco Italiano     German Longhaired Pointer versus Kooikerhondje     German Longhaired Pointer versus Shetland Sheepdog     German Longhaired Pointer versus Basset Hound     German Longhaired Pointer versus Bolognese     German Longhaired Pointer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     German Longhaired Pointer versus Australian Kelpie     German Longhaired Pointer versus Boerboel     German Longhaired Pointer versus Peek A Poo     German Longhaired Pointer versus Afghan Hound     German Longhaired Pointer versus Puli     German Longhaired Pointer versus Whoodle     German Longhaired Pointer versus Finnish Lapphund     German Longhaired Pointer versus Welsh Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Shiranian     German Longhaired Pointer versus Cesky Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Boston Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Saluki     German Longhaired Pointer versus Miniature Schnauzer     

    Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Great Dane versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Great Dane versus Catahoula Bulldog     Great Dane versus Whoodle     Great Dane versus Korean Jindo Dog     Great Dane versus Black Mouth Cur     Great Dane versus Shihpoo     Great Dane versus Dachshund     Great Dane versus Frenchton     Great Dane versus Pointer     Great Dane versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Great Dane versus Spinone Italiano     Great Dane versus Affenpinscher     Great Dane versus Brussels Griffon     Great Dane versus Mudi     Great Dane versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Great Dane versus Bloodhound     Great Dane versus Bernedoodle     Great Dane versus Pomchi     Great Dane versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Great Dane versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Great Dane versus Dutch Shepherd     Great Dane versus Pharaoh Hound     Great Dane versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Great Dane versus Irish Wolfhound     Great Dane versus English Setter     

    Conclusion: German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer and the Great Dane better suits you and your family.