Which is Better between the Great Dane and the Kishu Ken? A Very Detailed Review.

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Great Dane Versus Kishu Ken: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane and the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken. 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 Kishu Ken.

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 Kishu Ken.

Great Dane versus Kishu Ken: Overview

A very important difference between the Great Dane and the Kishu Ken is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Dane is a giant-sized dog while the Kishu Ken is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Great Dane and the Kishu Ken are Working Dogs. This means both the Great Dane and the Kishu Ken 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.

Great Dane versus Kishu Ken: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Great Dane to the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken

Factor Great Dane Kishu Ken
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Weight 100 to 200 pounds 30 to 60 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Height 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder 17 to 22 inches
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 2/5
Life Span 7 to 10 years 9 to 13 years
Average Lifespan 8.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1560 No Data
Price Range $1000 – $2000 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•  No Data

    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 Kishu Ken. 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 Kishu Ken is 79 out of 125.

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

    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 Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken

    Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Kishu Ken are most different:

  • Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Kishu Kens can tolerate cold weather.
  • Great Danes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Kishu Kens are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Great Danes get along well with other dogs. However, Kishu Kens do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Great Danes are very friendly towards strangers. However, Kishu Kens are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Great Danes are very playful. However, Kishu Kens not very playful.

    • The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Kishu Ken

    The Great Dane and the Kishu Ken are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Dane and the Kishu Ken are most similar:

  • Both the Great Dane and the Kishu Ken are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Kishu Ken are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Kishu Ken are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Kishu Ken are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Great Dane and the Kishu Ken shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Kishu Ken are very easy to train.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Kishu Ken require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Great Dane versus Kishu Ken

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Kishu Ken.

    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, Kishu Kens weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Kishu Kens are 17 to 22 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Great Dane versus Kishu Ken

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

    The lifespan of Kishu Kens is between 9 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Kishu Kens is 11.0 years.

    Kishu Kens live longer than Great Danes.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Kishu Ken

    Great Danes do not like to be left alone.

    Kishu Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Great Danes shed more than Kishu Kens?

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

    Kishu Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Kishu Ken

    Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.

    Kishu Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Kishu Ken?

    Great Danes are very easy to groom.

    Kishu Kens are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kishu Ken?

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

    Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Kens?

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

    Kishu Kens are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kishu Kens Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Kishu Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Kishu Ken

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

    Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Kens Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Kishu Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Kishu Ken?

    Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.

    Kishu Kens do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Kishu Kens?

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

    Kishu Kens are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Kishu Kens?

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

    Kishu Kens get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Kishu Ken?

    Great Danes are very easy to train.

    Kishu Kens are very easy to train.

    Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Kishu Ken?

    Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Kishu Kens adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Kishu Ken?

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

    Kishu Kens are not the best dogs 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:

  • Flat-Coated Retriever (72 percent match with Great Dane). Here is our comparison of the Kishu Ken vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (72 percent match with Great Dane). Here is our comparison of the Kishu Ken vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Shiloh Shepherd (70 percent match with Great Dane). Here is our comparison of the Kishu Ken vs Shiloh Shepherd.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kishu Ken

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken:

  • Alaskan Klee Kai (76 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Great Dane vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Dutch Shepherd (78 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Great Dane vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Kai Ken (79 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Great Dane vs Kai Ken.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Great Dane versus Mountain Cur     Great Dane versus Lhasapoo     Great Dane versus Mudi     Great Dane versus German Pinscher     Great Dane versus Labradoodle     Great Dane versus Yorkshire Terrier     Great Dane versus Stabyhoun     Great Dane versus English Cocker Spaniel     Great Dane versus Pug     Great Dane versus Labrador Retriever     Great Dane versus Italian Greyhound     Great Dane versus German Longhaired Pointer     Great Dane versus Chi-Poo     Great Dane versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Great Dane versus Sheepadoodle     Great Dane versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Great Dane versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Great Dane versus Boxer     Great Dane versus Labradoodle     Great Dane versus Cockalier     Great Dane versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Great Dane versus Norwegian Lundehund     Great Dane versus Afador     Great Dane versus English Toy Spaniel     Great Dane versus Boykin Spaniel     

    Kishu Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kishu Ken versus Gordon Setter     Kishu Ken versus Peek A Poo     Kishu Ken versus Portuguese Water Dog     Kishu Ken versus Afghan Hound     Kishu Ken versus Portuguese Pointer     Kishu Ken versus Dachshund     Kishu Ken versus Saluki     Kishu Ken versus Saluki     Kishu Ken versus Swedish Vallhund     Kishu Ken versus Berger Picard     Kishu Ken versus Norwegian Buhund     Kishu Ken versus Japanese Chin     Kishu Ken versus Affenpinscher     Kishu Ken versus Greyhound     Kishu Ken versus Shiba Inu     Kishu Ken versus Norwich Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Black Mouth Cur     Kishu Ken versus Weimaraner     Kishu Ken versus Chorkie     Kishu Ken versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Pharaoh Hound     Kishu Ken versus Whippet     Kishu Ken versus Beagle     Kishu Ken versus Bulldog     Kishu Ken versus Neapolitan Mastiff     

    Conclusion: Great Dane versus Kishu Ken. 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 Kishu Ken better suits you and your family.