Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Great Dane Versus Papillon: Introduction
- Great Dane versus Papillon: Overview
- Great Dane versus Papillon: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Papillon
- The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Papillon
- Size (Weight and Height) of Great Dane versus Papillon
- Lifespan of Great Dane versus Papillon
- Temperament of the Papillon Versus the Great Dane
- Price of Great Dane versus Price of Papillon
- The Intelligence of the Great Dane versus the Intelligence of the Papillon
- The Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of Papillon
- Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Papillon
- Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Papillon
- Do Great Danes shed more than Papillons?
- Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Papillon
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Papillon?
- Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Papillon?
- Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Papillons?
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Papillon
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Papillon?
- Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Papillons?
- How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Papillons?
- Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Papillon?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Great Dane
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Great Dane versus Papillon. Which One is a Better Pet?
Great Dane Versus Papillon: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Dane and the Papillon? 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 Papillon 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 Papillon.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane and the Papillon 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 Papillon. 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 Papillon.
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 Papillon.
Great Dane versus Papillon: Overview
A very important difference between the Great Dane and the Papillon is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Dane is a giant-sized dog while the Papillon 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 Papillon 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 Papillon: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Great Dane to the Papillon 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 Papillon
| Factor | Great Dane | Papillon |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 5/5 |
| 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 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 7 to 10 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Average Lifespan | 8.5 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1560 | $1800 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2000 | $1400 – $2000 |
| Temperament Score | 81.5 percent | 82.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 49 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 48 | 8 |
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 Papillon. 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 Papillon is 89 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Papillon is a better pet than the Great Dane. So, you should get the Papillon!
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 Papillon 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 Papillon
Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Papillon are most different:
The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Papillon
The Great Dane and the Papillon are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Dane and the Papillon are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Great Dane versus Papillon
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Papillon.
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, Papillons weigh 4 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Papillons are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Great Dane versus Papillon
The lifespan of Great Danes is between 7 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Great Danes is 8.5 years.
The lifespan of Papillons is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Papillons is 14.0 years.
Papillons live longer than Great Danes.
Temperament of the Papillon Versus the Great Dane
The Papillon has a better temperament than the Great Dane.
This is because the temperament score for the Papillon is 82.3 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 82.3 percent, the Papillon has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Great Dane and the Papillon by measuring the temperaments of 314 Great Danes and 96 Papillons.
Price of Great Dane versus Price of Papillon
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 Papillon puppy is $1800. The price of the Papillon typically ranges from $1400 – $2000. However, the price of the Papillon can be as low as $700 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 108 Papillon puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Papillon is more expensive than the Great Dane.
| Great Dane | Papillon | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1560 | $1800 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $2000 | $1400 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Dane and Papillon. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Dane puppies or how many Papillon 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 Papillons?
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Great Dane puppy or the Papillon 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.
The Intelligence of the Great Dane versus the Intelligence of the Papillon
| Great Dane | Papillon | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 48 out of 130 dog breeds | 8 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 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:
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 Papillon has an obedience intelligence rank of 8 out of 130 dog breeds. The Papillon belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Papillons tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.
The Papillon is more intelligent than the Great Dane.
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 Papillon
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 Papillon over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Great Dane is more popular with dog owners than the Papillon. 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 Papillon is 49 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Great Dane
Popularity of Papillon
| Year | Great Dane Popularity Rank | Papillon Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 16 | 38 |
| 2014 | 15 | 43 |
| 2015 | 15 | 48 |
| 2016 | 14 | 53 |
| 2017 | 14 | 53 |
| 2018 | 16 | 54 |
| 2019 | 17 | 53 |
| 2020 | 15 | 53 |
Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Papillon
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 Papillon 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 Papillon.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Great Dane than for the Papillon.
4 health tests are recommended for Great Dane while 2 tests are recommended for the Papillon.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Danes and in Papillons.
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.
Papillon Health Problems
Papillons are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Papillon 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 Papillon puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Papillon 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 Papillons for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Papillons here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Great Danes and Papillons
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 Papillon Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Papillon ranks 55 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2362 Papillons, 70 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Papillons, and how common these diseases are in Papillons relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Great Dane and in Papillon and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Great Dane and the Papillon:
| Disease | Great Dane Rank | Papillon Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder problems | 4 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 33 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 35 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 40 out of 159 dog breeds | 67 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 42 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 59 out of 182 dog breeds | 148 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 75 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 92 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 130 out of 145 dog breeds | 55 out of 145 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 Papillon
Great Danes do not like to be left alone.
Papillons do not like to be left alone.
Do Great Danes shed more than Papillons?
Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Papillons do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Papillon
Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.
Papillons do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Papillon?
Great Danes are very easy to groom.
Papillons are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Papillon?
Great Danes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Papillons 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 Papillons?
Great Danes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Papillons are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather?
Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Papillons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Papillon
Great Danes have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Papillons 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 Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather?
Great Danes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Papillons can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Papillon?
Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.
Papillons get along very well with other dogs.
Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Papillons?
Great Danes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Papillons are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Papillons?
Great Danes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Papillons get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Papillon?
Great Danes are very easy to train.
Papillons are very easy to train.
Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Papillon?
Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.
Papillons adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Papillon?
Great Danes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Papillons 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 Papillon
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Papillon 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 Papillon:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Great Dane and how the Papillon compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Great Dane and of the Papillon to other breeds:
Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
Great Dane versus Valley Bulldog Great Dane versus Kishu Ken Great Dane versus Goldendoodle Great Dane versus Miniature Pinscher Great Dane versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Great Dane versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Great Dane versus Xoloitzcuintli Great Dane versus German Pinscher Great Dane versus Chinese Crested Great Dane versus Chinook Great Dane versus Bullmastiff Great Dane versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Great Dane versus Redbone Coonhound Great Dane versus Pointer Great Dane versus Beagle Great Dane versus Biewer Terrier Great Dane versus Boxerdoodle Great Dane versus Flat-Coated Retriever Great Dane versus Border Terrier Great Dane versus Mudi Great Dane versus Shetland Sheepdog Great Dane versus Whoodle Great Dane versus Boston Terrier Great Dane versus Samoyed Great Dane versus Norwegian Buhund
Papillon Versus Other Dog Breeds
Papillon versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Papillon versus Cavapoo Papillon versus Icelandic Sheepdog Papillon versus Gordon Setter Papillon versus Norwegian Lundehund Papillon versus Goldador Papillon versus Tibetan Spaniel Papillon versus Morkie Papillon versus Goldendoodle Papillon versus English Cocker Spaniel Papillon versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Papillon versus Alaskan Malamute Papillon versus Pyredoodle Papillon versus Irish Terrier Papillon versus Chihuahua Papillon versus Welsh Terrier Papillon versus Beagle Papillon versus Bluetick Coonhound Papillon versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Papillon versus Belgian Tervuren Papillon versus Irish Water Spaniel Papillon versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Papillon versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Papillon versus Valley Bulldog Papillon versus Barbet
Conclusion: Great Dane versus Papillon. 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 Papillon better suits you and your family.