Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Great Dane Versus Havanese: Introduction
- Great Dane versus Havanese: Overview
- Great Dane versus Havanese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Havanese
- The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Havanese
- Size (Weight and Height) of Great Dane versus Havanese
- Lifespan of Great Dane versus Havanese
- Temperament of the Great Dane Versus the Havanese
- Price of Great Dane versus Price of Havanese
- Adopting the Great Dane versus Adopting the Havanese
- The Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of Havanese
- Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Havanese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Havanese
- Do Great Danes shed more than Havaneses?
- Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Havanese
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Havanese?
- Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Havanese?
- Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Havaneses?
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Havanese
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Havanese?
- Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Havaneses?
- How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Havaneses?
- Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Havanese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Great Dane
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Havanese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Great Dane versus Havanese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Great Dane Versus Havanese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Dane and the Havanese? 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 Havanese 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 Havanese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane and the Havanese 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 Havanese. 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 Havanese.
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 Havanese.
Great Dane versus Havanese: Overview
A very important difference between the Great Dane and the Havanese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Dane is a giant-sized dog while the Havanese 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 Havanese 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 Havanese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Great Dane to the Havanese 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 Havanese
| Factor | Great Dane | Havanese |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 100 to 200 pounds | 7 to 13 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 7 to 10 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Average Lifespan | 8.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1560 | $2180 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2000 | $1700 – $2750 |
| Temperament Score | 81.5 percent | 81.8 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
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| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 23 |
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 Havanese. 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 Havanese is 91 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Havanese is a better pet than the Great Dane. So, you should get the Havanese!
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 Great Dane and the Havanese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Havanese
Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Havanese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Havanese
The Great Dane and the Havanese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Dane and the Havanese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Great Dane versus Havanese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Havanese.
Great Danes weigh 100 to 200 pounds when fully grown. Great Danes are 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Havaneses weigh 7 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Havaneses are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Great Dane versus Havanese
The lifespan of Great Danes is between 7 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Great Danes is 8.5 years.
The lifespan of Havaneses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Havaneses is 13.5 years.
Havaneses live longer than Great Danes.
Temperament of the Great Dane Versus the Havanese
The Havanese has a better temperament than the Great Dane.
This is because the temperament score for the Havanese is 81.8 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 81.8 percent, the Havanese has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Great Dane and the Havanese by measuring the temperaments of 314 Great Danes and 11 Havaneses.
Price of Great Dane versus Price of Havanese
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 Havanese puppy is $2180. The price of the Havanese typically ranges from $1700 – $2750. However, the price of the Havanese can be as low as $600 and as high as $4550. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 647 Havanese puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Havanese is more expensive than the Great Dane.
| Great Dane | Havanese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1560 | $2180 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $2000 | $1700 to $2750 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Dane and Havanese. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Dane puppies or how many Havanese 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 Havaneses?
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Great Dane puppy or the Havanese 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 Havanese
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Great Danes and many Havaneses 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 Nolan that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Great Danes like Nolan on pefinder.com.
Also, like Great Danes, Havaneses are also available for adoption. For example, Brooklyn is a Male Havanese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Havaneses like Brooklyn that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Mario is the name of another Great Dane (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Ghost Rider D211401 is an adorable Male Havanese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Great Danes and Havaneses that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of Havanese
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 Havanese over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Great Dane is more popular with dog owners than the Havanese. 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 Havanese is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Great Dane
Popularity of Havanese
| Year | Great Dane Popularity Rank | Havanese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 16 | 25 |
| 2014 | 15 | 25 |
| 2015 | 15 | 24 |
| 2016 | 14 | 23 |
| 2017 | 14 | 23 |
| 2018 | 16 | 24 |
| 2019 | 17 | 22 |
| 2020 | 15 | 24 |
Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Havanese
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 Havanese 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 Havanese 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 Havanese.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Danes and in Havaneses.
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.
Havanese Health Problems
Havaneses are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Havanese 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 Havanese puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Havanese 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 Havaneses for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Havaneses here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Great Danes and Havaneses
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 Havanese Breed is Dentition Database problems.
This is because the Havanese ranks 3 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 371 Havaneses, 106 of them had Dentition Database problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Havaneses, and how common these diseases are in Havaneses relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Great Dane and in Havanese and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Great Dane and the Havanese:
| Disease | Great Dane Rank | Havanese Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder problems | 4 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 33 out of 71 dog breeds | 38 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | 35 out of 49 dog breeds | 3 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 40 out of 159 dog breeds | 70 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 42 out of 115 dog breeds | 20 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 59 out of 182 dog breeds | 111 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 75 out of 144 dog breeds | 55 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 92 out of 198 dog breeds | 123 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 130 out of 145 dog breeds | 59 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | Not Common | 18 out of 21 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 Havanese
Great Danes do not like to be left alone.
Havaneses do not like to be left alone.
Do Great Danes shed more than Havaneses?
Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Havaneses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Havanese
Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.
Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Havanese?
Great Danes are very easy to groom.
Havaneses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Havanese?
Great Danes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Havaneses 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 Havaneses?
Great Danes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Havaneses are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Havanese
Great Danes have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Havaneses 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 Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Great Danes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Havaneses can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Havanese?
Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.
Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.
Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Havaneses?
Great Danes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Havaneses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Havaneses?
Great Danes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Havaneses get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Havanese?
Great Danes are very easy to train.
Havaneses are very easy to train.
Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Havanese?
Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.
Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Havanese?
Great Danes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Havaneses are very good for new dog owners.
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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Havanese
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Havanese 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 Havanese:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Great Dane and how the Havanese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Great Dane and of the Havanese to other breeds:
Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
Great Dane versus Pug Great Dane versus Bernedoodle Great Dane versus Chorkie Great Dane versus Mastiff Great Dane versus Japanese Chin Great Dane versus Lowchen Great Dane versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Great Dane versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Great Dane versus American Eskimo Dog Great Dane versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Great Dane versus Chihuahua Great Dane versus Chorkie Great Dane versus American Hairless Terrier Great Dane versus Cavapoo Great Dane versus Bloodhound Great Dane versus Chow Chow Great Dane versus Kuvasz Great Dane versus Bouvier des Flandres Great Dane versus Japanese Spitz Great Dane versus Belgian Malinois Great Dane versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Great Dane versus Saluki Great Dane versus Yorkshire Terrier Great Dane versus Afador Great Dane versus Carolina Dog
Havanese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Havanese versus Cockapoo Havanese versus Shiba Inu Havanese versus Shiranian Havanese versus Bracco Italiano Havanese versus Spanish Mastiff Havanese versus Chinese Crested Havanese versus Afador Havanese versus Puli Havanese versus Xoloitzcuintli Havanese versus Black Mouth Cur Havanese versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Havanese versus Fila Brasileiro Havanese versus Japanese Chin Havanese versus Keeshond Havanese versus Boston Terrier Havanese versus Cavapoo Havanese versus Spinone Italiano Havanese versus American Pit Bull Terrier Havanese versus Boxerdoodle Havanese versus Sussex Spaniel Havanese versus Sheepadoodle Havanese versus Japanese Spitz Havanese versus English Setter Havanese versus Whoodle Havanese versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Conclusion: Great Dane versus Havanese. 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 Havanese better suits you and your family.