Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Great Dane Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
- Great Dane versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
- Great Dane versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Portuguese Water Dog
- The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Portuguese Water Dog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Great Dane versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Lifespan of Great Dane versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Temperament of the Portuguese Water Dog Versus the Great Dane
- Price of Great Dane versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog
- The Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
- Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Do Great Danes shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Portuguese Water Dog
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Portuguese Water Dog
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Great Dane
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Great Dane versus Portuguese Water Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Great Dane Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Dane and the Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog.
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 Portuguese Water Dog.
Great Dane versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
A very important difference between the Great Dane and the Portuguese Water Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Dane is a giant-sized dog while the Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Great Dane and the Portuguese Water Dog are Working Dogs. This means both the Great Dane and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Great Dane to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog
| Factor | Great Dane | Portuguese Water Dog |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 35 to 60 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| 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 | 10 to 14 years |
| Average Lifespan | 8.5 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $1560 | $2860 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2000 | $2500 – $3300 |
| Temperament Score | 81.5 percent | 77.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 50 |
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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog is 84 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Portuguese Water Dog is a better pet than the Great Dane. So, you should get the Portuguese Water Dog!
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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog
Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Portuguese Water Dog
The Great Dane and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Dane and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Great Dane versus Portuguese Water Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Portuguese Water Dog.
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, Portuguese Water Dogs weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Water Dogs are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.
Lifespan of Great Dane versus Portuguese Water Dog
The lifespan of Great Danes is between 7 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Great Danes is 8.5 years.
The lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is 12.0 years.
Portuguese Water Dogs live longer than Great Danes.
Temperament of the Portuguese Water Dog Versus the Great Dane
The Great Dane has a better temperament than the Portuguese Water Dog.
This is because the temperament score for the Great Dane is 81.5 percent while the temperament score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 77.9 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 77.9 percent, the Portuguese Water Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Great Dane and the Portuguese Water Dog by measuring the temperaments of 314 Great Danes and 163 Portuguese Water Dogs.
Price of Great Dane versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog
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 Portuguese Water Dog puppy is $2860. The price of the Portuguese Water Dog typically ranges from $2500 – $3300. However, the price of the Portuguese Water Dog can be as low as $900 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 140 Portuguese Water Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Portuguese Water Dog is more expensive than the Great Dane.
| Great Dane | Portuguese Water Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1560 | $2860 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $2000 | $2500 to $3300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Dane and Portuguese Water Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Dane puppies or how many Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dogs?
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Great Dane puppy or the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
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 Portuguese Water Dog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Great Dane is more popular with dog owners than the Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog is 50 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Great Dane
Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
| Year | Great Dane Popularity Rank | Portuguese Water Dog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 16 | 49 |
| 2014 | 15 | 52 |
| 2015 | 15 | 52 |
| 2016 | 14 | 51 |
| 2017 | 14 | 54 |
| 2018 | 16 | 50 |
| 2019 | 17 | 49 |
| 2020 | 15 | 49 |
Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Great Dane.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Water Dog than for the Great Dane.
4 health tests are recommended for Great Dane while 11 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Water Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Danes and in Portuguese Water Dogs.
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.
Portuguese Water Dog Health Problems
Portuguese Water Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Water Dogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Great Danes and Portuguese Water Dogs
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 Portuguese Water Dog Breed is Early Onset Pra problems.
This is because the Portuguese Water Dog ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Early Onset Pra problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 788 Portuguese Water Dogs, 0 of them had Early Onset Pra problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Portuguese Water Dogs, and how common these diseases are in Portuguese Water Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Great Dane and in Portuguese Water Dog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Great Dane and the Portuguese Water Dog:
| Disease | Great Dane Rank | Portuguese Water Dog 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 | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 42 out of 115 dog breeds | 59 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 59 out of 182 dog breeds | 140 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 75 out of 144 dog breeds | 111 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 92 out of 198 dog breeds | 94 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 130 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Early Onset Pra problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | Not Common | 15 out of 32 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 Portuguese Water Dog
Great Danes do not like to be left alone.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Great Danes shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Portuguese Water Dog
Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.
Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Great Danes are very easy to groom.
Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Great Danes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Great Danes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Portuguese Water Dog
Great Danes have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Great Danes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dog?
Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Great Danes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Portuguese Water Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Portuguese Water Dogs?
Great Danes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Great Danes are very easy to train.
Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.
Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.
Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Great Danes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Portuguese Water Dogs 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Great Dane and how the Portuguese Water Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Great Dane and of the Portuguese Water Dog to other breeds:
Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
Great Dane versus Whippet Great Dane versus Cavachon Great Dane versus Morkie Great Dane versus Pug Great Dane versus Xoloitzcuintli Great Dane versus Labrador Retriever Great Dane versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Great Dane versus Alaskan Malamute Great Dane versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Great Dane versus Bracco Italiano Great Dane versus Goldador Great Dane versus Bolognese Great Dane versus Cavachon Great Dane versus Italian Greyhound Great Dane versus Schnoodle Great Dane versus Cockalier Great Dane versus Welsh Terrier Great Dane versus Afador Great Dane versus Kerry Blue Terrier Great Dane versus Standard Poodle Great Dane versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Great Dane versus English Setter Great Dane versus Cane Corso Great Dane versus Lowchen Great Dane versus Norwich Terrier
Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Portuguese Water Dog versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Portuguese Water Dog versus Mastiff Portuguese Water Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog Portuguese Water Dog versus Valley Bulldog Portuguese Water Dog versus Clumber Spaniel Portuguese Water Dog versus Puli Portuguese Water Dog versus Pomeranian Portuguese Water Dog versus Canaan Dog Portuguese Water Dog versus Black Russian Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Portuguese Water Dog versus German Wirehaired Pointer Portuguese Water Dog versus Border Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus American Bulldog Portuguese Water Dog versus Goldador Portuguese Water Dog versus American Foxhound Portuguese Water Dog versus Shih Tzu Portuguese Water Dog versus Vizsla Portuguese Water Dog versus Ibizan Hound Portuguese Water Dog versus Norwegian Buhund Portuguese Water Dog versus Pyrenean Mastiff Portuguese Water Dog versus Alaskan Klee Kai Portuguese Water Dog versus Great Pyrenees Portuguese Water Dog versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Portuguese Water Dog versus Siberian Husky Portuguese Water Dog versus Great Dane
Conclusion: Great Dane versus Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.