While the two breeds are certainly large, athletic, and even a little intimidating, a closer comparison of the Great Dane vs a Doberman Pinscher reveals their personalities and many other traits couldn’t be more different.
To learn more about these two breeds, Rover spoke with the breeders Brian and Wendy O’Donnell of Stardust Danes and Dr. Jacqueline Brister, a veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance who has experience treating Doberman Pinschers.
Here is a rundown of the similarities and differences between these two breeds so you can decide which one would better suit your family.
Origins and History
Both breeds have their origin as working dogs in Germany.
Great Dane
In the 1870s, Great Danes hunted boar on German estates. Their strength and size made them ideal for catching large prey. Breeders began importing them to America in the mid- to late-1800s.
Doberman Pinschers
Karl Dobermann developed this breed in the late 1800s as guard dogs, and they were exported to America in the 1920s. Thanks to their intelligence and obedience, the Doberman Pinscher continues to be a popular choice for police and military work.
Physical Characteristics
Great Dane | Doberman Pinscher | Summary | |
Size | Great Danes can be anywhere from 28-34 inches tall. | Doberman Pinschers range from 24 to 28 inches tall. | Great Danes are definitely the larger breed. The tallest Doberman Pinscher is still going to be shorter than a small Great Dane. |
Build | Great Danes have broad, muscular bodies with long legs. According to Brian O’Donnell, the average Great Dane weighs between 150-160 pounds. | Doberman Pinschers have a compact build with a prominent chest and narrow waist. They weigh between 55 and 90 pounds. | Both dogs are athletic, but Great Danes have a bulkier physique. |
Appearance | Great Danes have a square muzzle that runs parallel to their forehead | Doberman Pinschers have wedge-shaped heads. They often have spots of color above their eyes, similar to eyebrows. | Great Danes have a rectangular face, while Doberman Pinschers have a more triangular appearance. |
Standard Coat Colors | Great Danes come in blue, black, brindle, fawn, harlequin, mantle, and merle. They may have markings, or their coat can be a solid color. | Doberman Pinschers come in black, red, blue and fawn. They typically have markings around their eyes, muzzle, throat, legs, and tail. | Great Danes have more color options. |
Coat Colors to Avoid | Merlequins are Great Danes with white coats and gray speckled patches. Their coats are a mix between the merle and harlequin types. “Those dogs are prone to having eye issues or hearing issues,” says Brian O’Donnell. | So-called “rare white” Dobermans actually have a genetic disorder called albinism. This can give the dogs painful sensitivity to light and raise their risk of certain cancers. | Reputable breeders do not sell dogs with non-standard coat patterns, as these dogs often have health issues. |
Coat Type and Grooming | Great Danes have short coats that lie close to the skin. While they don’t need much maintenance, “you do have to be careful about sunburn,” says Wendy O’Donnell. | Doberman Pinschers have short, glossy coats. “They don’t tend to have any specific grooming requirements; however, because of their potential for certain skin issues and sensitivities, they should be monitored closely for signs of skin problems like infections,” says Dr. Brister. | Both breeds have short coats that are easy to maintain. |
Health | Great Danes are at risk of bloat, a life-threatening condition where their stomach will twist on itself and cut off digestion. Great Danes can also develop cloudy vision due to cataracts. | “While not all Dobermans are prone to issues, the breed itself has a lot of unusual disorders that are common to the breed,” says Dr. Brister. For example, they can develop von Willebrand’s disease, which causes excessive bleeding from even small injuries. Dr. Brister also mentions “dancing Doberman’s disease,” a neurological condition which forces dogs to flex one or both back legs as if they are dancing. | Great Danes and Doberman Pinschers are prone to many of the same health issues. These include hip joint issues, heart disease, hypothyroidism, bone cancer, and Wobbler’s syndrome. |
Average Lifespan | Great Danes live between 8 to 10 years. | The average lifespan for Doberman Pinschers is 9 years. | These breeds have a similar lifespan. |
Environmental and Emotional Needs
Great Dane | Doberman Pinscher | ||
Temperament and Personality | Great Danes are easygoing goofballs. “They’re pretty quiet and laid back,” says Wendy O’Donnell. They’re happy to spend the day lounging by your side while you work on the computer or watch TV. | Doberman Pinschers have a Type-A personality. They’re confident, intelligent, and intensely loyal. As natural watch dogs, they can be tireless protectors of the family. | Both breeds have a strong bond with their humans. However, Great Danes enjoy casual hang-outs, while Doberman Pinschers thrive when they have a defined role and know what you expect of them. |
Training | The O’Donnells say Great Danes are “eager to please” and can learn basic obedience tasks easily. | Doberman Pinschers are one of the most trainable breeds and can learn a wide variety of tasks. | Both breeds are quick learners, but Doberman Pinschers are exceptional students. |
Why Training Is Important | Early obedience training is crucial for Great Danes, as they don’t know their own size. It may seem cute to watch a puppy jump on you, but “once they get to be 150-160 pounds, they’ll knock you over,” says Brian O’Donnell. | If you neglect a Doberman Pinscher’s training, they may conclude they are in charge. They may act out for attention, defy commands, or become possessive of their food and toys. | Both breeds need to start training at a young age so they grow up into well-behaved adults. |
Exercise Requirements and Energy Levels | Great Danes are fairly low-energy dogs. You need to walk them like any dog, but you don’t need an intense workout regimen. “They will play for short spurts and then they nap for long periods of time,” says Wendy O’Donnell. | “Dobermans are a working breed and very smart. They tend to have a lot of energy and need plenty of exercise, training, and mental stimulation,” says Dr. Brister. | Doberman Pinschers have a lot more energy than Great Danes, so you’ll want to carve out time for workouts. |
Ideal job | While Great Danes were originally bred for hunting, these days their most common job is that of a loving companion animal, or guard dog. | Doberman Pinschers make excellent guard dogs. However, they’re also skilled with tracking and agility courses. | Both breeds have naturally protective instincts and act as natural protectors of their pack. A Great Dane will thrive as an oversized lapdog, while a Doberman does best with stimulating activity. |
Sociability | Great Danes definitely let you know when a stranger is at the door, but once they know someone is welcome, the O’Donnells say they’ll quiet down. | Doberman Pinschers can be wary of strangers, and they need socialization to get used to people outside the family. | Doberman Pinschers may need more work to get used to strangers. |
Good With Kids | Great Danes’ gentle, playful nature makes them great with kids. However, the O’Donnells say you must monitor interactions between dogs and kids, since Great Danes may accidentally knock them over while playing. | Doberman Pinscher puppies tend to be nippy, so they need training on how to gently play with kids. They are not a good fit for families with very young children who don’t yet understand boundaries. | Great Danes are better with kids than Dobermans. |
Compatible With Other Pets? | Great Danes can bond easily with other dogs. “But there is some prey drive there,” says Brian O’Donnell. You’ll need to teach your Great Dane that your cat is a friend and not a toy. | Doberman Pinschers get along well with other dogs. However, they have a higher-than-average chase instinct, so they may not get along well with cats. | These breeds do well with other dogs. But unless they grow up with feline family members, they may have a tendency to chase cats. |
Ideal person or family | Great Danes are good family dogs. They do best with someone who will give them lots of affection and doesn’t mind a giant dog claiming their lap. | Doberman Pinschers need someone who can provide both structure and stimulation. They like nothing better than to be helpful for their family, and a little appreciation goes a long way. | Both of these breeds need someone to keep them company during the day. They want to be by their person’s side. |
Conclusion
The Great Dane and Doberman Pinscher are both loyal breeds who make good family companions and natural watch dogs.
Physically, the Great Dane is much taller and heavier. Doberman Pinschers have more of a sleek, streamlined build. Great Danes also have more color options for their coats.
When it comes to temperament, though, the Doberman Pinscher is much more imposing. Doberman Pinschers are assertive, diligent, and always alert. They need a lot of exercise to burn off energy. Great Danes, meanwhile, tend to be more relaxed and playful, and they’ll act as couch potatoes if you let them.
Both breeds, with training and supervision, can be good with children, though this comes more easily to Great Danes. You’ll want to be cautious before introducing either breed to cats.
Both breeds are quite intelligent and learn commands easily. It’s important to train them early to prevent behavioral issues in adulthood. It’s also important to keep them company during the day, as they need to be around people.
If you still can’t decide between a Great Dane and Doberman Pinscher, you may want to talk to nearby breeders. They can help you find the perfect dog for your home.