Great Dane versus Lancashire Heeler. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Great Dane Versus Lancashire Heeler: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane and the Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler. 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 Lancashire Heeler.

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 Lancashire Heeler.

Great Dane versus Lancashire Heeler: Overview

A very important difference between the Great Dane and the Lancashire Heeler is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Dane is a giant-sized dog while the Lancashire Heeler is a tiny-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 Lancashire Heeler 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.

Great Dane versus Lancashire Heeler: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Great Dane to the Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler

Factor Great Dane Lancashire Heeler
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Weight 100 to 200 pounds 13 to 15 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Height 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Life Span 7 to 10 years 9 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 8.5 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1560 $200
Price Range $1000 – $2000 $200 – $200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • 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 Lancashire Heeler. 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 Lancashire Heeler is 78 out of 125.

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

    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 Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler

    Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Lancashire Heeler are most different:

  • Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool. However, Lancashire Heelers do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Great Danes are very friendly towards strangers. However, Lancashire Heelers are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Lancashire Heeler

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

  • Both the Great Dane and the Lancashire Heeler do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lancashire Heeler are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lancashire Heeler cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lancashire Heeler are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lancashire Heeler are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lancashire Heeler are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lancashire Heeler are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lancashire Heeler have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lancashire Heeler do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Lancashire Heeler are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Great Dane versus Lancashire Heeler

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Lancashire Heeler.

    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, Lancashire Heelers weigh 13 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Lancashire Heelers are 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Great Dane versus Lancashire Heeler

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

    The lifespan of Lancashire Heelers is between 9 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Lancashire Heelers is 11.5 years.

    Lancashire Heelers live longer than Great Danes.

    Price of Great Dane versus Price of Lancashire Heeler

    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 Lancashire Heeler puppy is $200. The price of the Lancashire Heeler typically ranges from $200 – $200. However, the price of the Lancashire Heeler can be as low as $200 and as high as $200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 4 Lancashire Heeler puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Great Dane is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    Great Dane Lancashire Heeler
    Average Price $1560 $200
    Price Range $1000 to $2000 $200 to $200

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Dane and Lancashire Heeler. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Dane puppies or how many Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heelers

    A breakdown of the prices of Lancashire Heelers

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

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

    Also, like Great Danes, Lancashire Heelers are also available for adoption. For example, Badger is a Male Lancashire Heeler that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Lancashire Heelers like Badger that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Great Dane and the Lancashire Heeler can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

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

    Also, Harvey is an adorable Male Lancashire Heeler on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Great Danes and Lancashire Heelers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Great Danes and Lancashire Heelers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Lancashire Heeler

    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 Lancashire Heeler 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 Great Dane is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lancashire Heeler.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Great Dane than for the Lancashire Heeler.

    4 health tests are recommended for Great Dane while 3 tests are recommended for the Lancashire Heeler.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Danes and in Lancashire Heelers.

    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:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Great Danes here.

    Lancashire Heeler Health Problems

    Lancashire Heelers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heelers for:

  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lancashire Heelers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Lancashire Heeler

    Great Danes do not like to be left alone.

    Lancashire Heelers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Great Danes shed more than Lancashire Heelers?

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

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Lancashire Heeler

    Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Great Danes are very easy to groom.

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lancashire Heeler?

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

    Lancashire Heelers 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.

    Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Lancashire Heelers?

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

    Lancashire Heelers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Lancashire Heeler

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

    Lancashire Heelers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Lancashire Heelers 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 Lancashire Heeler?

    Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Lancashire Heelers?

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

    Lancashire Heelers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Lancashire Heelers?

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

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Great Danes are very easy to train.

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Lancashire Heeler?

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

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler:

  • Dalmatian (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Great Dane vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (79 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Great Dane vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Hovawart (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Great Dane vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Great Dane versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Great Dane versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Great Dane versus Irish Terrier     Great Dane versus Yorkipoo     Great Dane versus Portuguese Water Dog     Great Dane versus Mudi     Great Dane versus Cairn Terrier     Great Dane versus Shiranian     Great Dane versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Great Dane versus Mal Shi     Great Dane versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Great Dane versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Great Dane versus Canaan Dog     Great Dane versus Pug     Great Dane versus English Setter     Great Dane versus Maremma Sheepdog     Great Dane versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Great Dane versus Valley Bulldog     Great Dane versus Kai Ken     Great Dane versus Jack Russell Terrier     Great Dane versus Newfoundland     Great Dane versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Great Dane versus Shichon     Great Dane versus Cockapoo     Great Dane versus Kishu Ken     

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus Portuguese Water Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Border Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Cavapoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Puli     Lancashire Heeler versus Goldador     Lancashire Heeler versus Tibetan Mastiff     Lancashire Heeler versus Akita     Lancashire Heeler versus English Springer Spaniel     Lancashire Heeler versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Lancashire Heeler versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Lancashire Heeler versus German Longhaired Pointer     Lancashire Heeler versus Stabyhoun     Lancashire Heeler versus Puggle     Lancashire Heeler versus Toy Fox Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Redbone Coonhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Cavapoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Gordon Setter     Lancashire Heeler versus Bichon Frise     Lancashire Heeler versus Mastiff     Lancashire Heeler versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Lancashire Heeler versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Lancashire Heeler versus Morkie     Lancashire Heeler versus Miniature Schnauzer     Lancashire Heeler versus Australian Shepherd     Lancashire Heeler versus Pomsky     

    Conclusion: Great Dane versus Lancashire Heeler. 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 Lancashire Heeler better suits you and your family.