Differences and Similarities between the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier.

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Great Dane Versus Lakeland Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier. 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 Lakeland Terrier.

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 Lakeland Terrier.

Great Dane versus Lakeland Terrier

Great Dane versus Lakeland Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Dane is a giant-sized dog while the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Great Dane versus Lakeland Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Great Dane to the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier

Factor Great Dane Lakeland Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Weight 100 to 200 pounds 15 to 17 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 14 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 3/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
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 $1810
Price Range $1000 – $2000 $1600 – $2325
Temperament Score 81.5 percent 75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 15 142
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 48 62

    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 Lakeland Terrier. 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 Lakeland Terrier is 81 out of 125.

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

    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 Lakeland Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Great Dane versus Lakeland Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier are most different:

  • Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Lakeland Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool. However, Lakeland Terriers do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Lakeland Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Great Danes are very easy to groom. However, Lakeland Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Great Danes are very easy to train. However, Lakeland Terriers are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier

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

  • Both the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Great Dane versus Lakeland Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier.

    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, Lakeland Terriers weigh 15 to 17 pounds when fully grown. Lakeland Terriers are 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Great Dane versus Lakeland Terrier

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

    The lifespan of Lakeland Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lakeland Terriers is 13.5 years.

    Lakeland Terriers live longer than Great Danes.

    Great Dane versus Lakeland Terrier

    Temperament of the Lakeland Terrier Versus the Great Dane

    The Great Dane has a better temperament than the Lakeland Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Great Dane is 81.5 percent while the temperament score for the Lakeland Terrier is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Lakeland Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 314 Great Danes and 8 Lakeland Terriers.

    Price of Great Dane versus Price of Lakeland Terrier

    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 Lakeland Terrier puppy is $1810. The price of the Lakeland Terrier typically ranges from $1600 – $2325. However, the price of the Lakeland Terrier can be as low as $1000 and as high as $2550. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 11 Lakeland Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lakeland Terrier is more expensive than the Great Dane.

    Great Dane Lakeland Terrier
    Average Price $1560 $1810
    Price Range $1000 to $2000 $1600 to $2325

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Dane and Lakeland Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Dane puppies or how many Lakeland Terrier 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 Great Danes. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lakeland Terriers?

    A breakdown of the prices of Lakeland Terriers?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Great Dane puppy or the Lakeland Terrier 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.

    Great Dane versus Lakeland Terrier

    Adopting the Great Dane versus Adopting the Lakeland Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Great Danes and many Lakeland Terriers 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 Rex that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Great Danes like Rex on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Great Danes, Lakeland Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Chase is a Male Lakeland Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Lakeland Terriers like Chase that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Great Dane and the Lakeland Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Mario is the name of another Great Dane (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Cash is an adorable Male Lakeland Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Great Danes and Lakeland Terriers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Great Danes and Lakeland Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Great Dane versus the Intelligence of the Lakeland Terrier

    Great Dane Lakeland Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 48 out of 130 dog breeds 62 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • 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 Lakeland Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 62 out of 130 dog breeds. The Lakeland Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Lakeland Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Great Dane is more intelligent than the Lakeland Terrier.

    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 Lakeland Terrier

    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 Lakeland Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Great Dane is more popular with dog owners than the Lakeland Terrier. 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 Lakeland Terrier is 142 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Great Dane

    Popularity of Great Dane

    Popularity of Lakeland Terrier

    Popularity of Lakeland Terrier

    Year Great Dane Popularity Rank Lakeland Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 16 134
    2014 15 149
    2015 15 141
    2016 14 145
    2017 14 138
    2018 16 147
    2019 17 148
    2020 15 136

    Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Lakeland Terrier

    Great Danes do not like to be left alone.

    Lakeland Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Great Danes shed more than Lakeland Terriers?

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

    Lakeland Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Lakeland Terrier

    Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.

    Lakeland Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Lakeland Terrier?

    Great Danes are very easy to groom.

    Lakeland Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lakeland Terrier?

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

    Lakeland Terriers 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 Lakeland Terriers?

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

    Lakeland Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lakeland Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Lakeland Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Lakeland Terrier

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

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

    Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lakeland Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Lakeland Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Lakeland Terrier?

    Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.

    Lakeland Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Lakeland Terriers?

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

    Lakeland Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Lakeland Terriers?

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

    Lakeland Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Lakeland Terrier?

    Great Danes are very easy to train.

    Lakeland Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Lakeland Terrier?

    Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lakeland Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Lakeland Terrier?

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

    Lakeland Terriers are OK 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 Lakeland Terrier vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (72 percent match with Great Dane). Here is our comparison of the Lakeland Terrier vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Shiloh Shepherd (70 percent match with Great Dane). Here is our comparison of the Lakeland Terrier vs Shiloh Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lakeland Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier:

  • Irish Terrier (79 percent match with Lakeland Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Great Dane vs Irish Terrier.
  • Barbet (80 percent match with Lakeland Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Great Dane vs Barbet.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Great Dane versus Miniature Pinscher     Great Dane versus Kooikerhondje     Great Dane versus Maltipoo     Great Dane versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Great Dane versus Affenpinscher     Great Dane versus Bloodhound     Great Dane versus Kuvasz     Great Dane versus Carolina Dog     Great Dane versus Welsh Terrier     Great Dane versus Airedale Terrier     Great Dane versus Fila Brasileiro     Great Dane versus Bullmastiff     Great Dane versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Great Dane versus Peek A Poo     Great Dane versus Bullmastiff     Great Dane versus Mastiff     Great Dane versus Pug     Great Dane versus Cane Corso     Great Dane versus Whippet     Great Dane versus American Hairless Terrier     Great Dane versus Collie     Great Dane versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Great Dane versus Papipoo     Great Dane versus Cairn Terrier     

    Lakeland Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lakeland Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli     Lakeland Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Hovawart     Lakeland Terrier versus Pointer     Lakeland Terrier versus Pug     Lakeland Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund     Lakeland Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Whoodle     Lakeland Terrier versus Kai Ken     Lakeland Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     Lakeland Terrier versus Alaskan Malamute     Lakeland Terrier versus Pomsky     Lakeland Terrier versus Chi-Poo     Lakeland Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Lakeland Terrier versus Cockalier     Lakeland Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Lakeland Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound     Lakeland Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Saint Berdoodle     Lakeland Terrier versus Labrador Retriever     Lakeland Terrier versus Puggle     Lakeland Terrier versus American Foxhound     Lakeland Terrier versus Dalmatian     Lakeland Terrier versus Great Pyrenees     Lakeland Terrier versus Sloughi     

    Conclusion: Great Dane versus Lakeland Terrier. 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 Lakeland Terrier better suits you and your family.