Weimaraners and Great Danes do look similar. However, they have some very obvious differences. For instance, Weimaraners are much smaller than Great Danes, even if they are often considered larger dogs. Great Danes are the largest dog, so there is an obvious size difference between them.

However, that isn’t the only difference between the breeds. These dogs also have different personalities, making them more suitable for different lifestyles. Weimaraners also tend to live much longer than Great Danes—up to 13 years compared to the Great Dane’s max of 10.

Let’s dive into some other important differences to consider when choosing one of these dogs.

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Weimaraner Overview

Care

Weimaraners do not require extensive maintenance. They don’t have a double coat, which means that they shed minimally. Usually, these dogs also do not need a bath unless they’ve rolled in something particularly smelly. Their coat is dirt-proof for the most part, which means that most dust just rolls off of them.

You will need to trim their nails regularly, though. They can be rather fast–growing.

Exercise

These dogs are a high-energy breed. Therefore, you can expect to exercise them a lot. Unlike many breeds, they don’t tend to settle down much when they become older. You should plan on exercising them for at least 1.5–2 hours each day for their whole life.

For this reason, these dogs are best for active families.

Health

These dogs have a pretty long lifespan. They tend to live up to 13 or 14 years. However, some may die younger depending on their overall health. These dogs are rather healthy, but they may be prone to certain genetic eye disorders. Bloat and gastric torsion may also occur, so be sure to watch for the signs.

In many cases, adopting from a qualified breeder can lower the risk of many health problems. For instance, many of the eye problems that occur in the breed are genetic. Breeders avoid these issues when possible.

Price

The price of a Weimaraner varies considerably. You can find puppies for around $700. However, these are usually companion-only dogs. Because the price of this breed is rising, you can now find puppies for nearly $3,000. Of course, these more expensive dogs are typically destined for the show ring (which is why they are so expensive).

Your area will play a large role in how much a Weimaraner costs near you.

Suitable For:

These dogs are suitable for all dog owners. We only recommend them to those that are fairly active. Otherwise, they can be a handful. They require hours of exercise a day, which isn’t typically something most dog owners have time for. However, if you already exercise yourself, you may find it easy to include a Weimaraner.

Great Dane Overview

Care

Great Danes have a short, smooth coat. They don’t have an undercoat, which helps keep shedding to a minimum. However, they do shed a bit—about as much as a Weimaraner. Because they are so large, this can translate to quite a bit of hair, though.

We do recommend brushing these dogs weekly to help limit the amount of hair that ends up around your house. This brushing session is solely to limit shedding. These dogs will not develop tangles due to their very short hair.

Exercise

While these dogs are large, their stamina isn’t terribly high. Therefore, they may only need about an hour of exercise a day. However, because they are so large, this does mean that they need a decently large space to run. Smaller dogs may be able to meet their exercise needs with an indoor game of fetch, but not a Great Dane.

These dogs are prone to joint issues. Therefore, you should avoid overexercising them. Never force a Great Dane puppy to exercise and be wary of taking long walks or runs before they turn 2 years old.

Health

Great Danes don’t live very long. The maximum lifespan is around 10 years, though many do not make it past 7. To an extent, this is to be expected and isn’t because the breed is extremely unhealthy. Instead, larger animals just don’t tend to live as long as smaller animals. An increase in size usually means a decrease in lifespan.

Great Danes are prone to a few health issues. For instance, it isn’t odd for a Great Dane to develop bloat due to their large size. This emergency condition requires fast veterinary care (and usually surgery). Luckily, the signs are often pretty clear, allowing owners to seek help.

Great Danes are also prone to cardiac and thyroid problems—many of which are genetic.

Therefore, we recommend purchasing a Great Dane from a qualified breeder only. Choosing a good breeder can help reduce health problems.

Price

Great Danes also vary in cost quite a bit. Some of them are as cheap as $800. However, if you want a show-quality dog, you’ll pay closer to $3,000. Great Danes are larger, which means they cost more money to breed and maintain. For this reason, puppies tend to be more expensive than other breeds.

Be sure to be cautious of any dog under this price range. Unethical breeders and puppy mills often breed Great Danes, as they are in demand and go for a lot of money.

Suitable For:

This breed is best for those that want a larger, calm dog. While they aren’t very active, they do need quite a bit of room to simply exist. Therefore, we only recommend them for those with larger homes. Fenced-in backyards can be very helpful, as it allows these dogs to stretch their legs.

Choosing a qualified breeder is very important for this breed. Otherwise, you may end up with an unhealthy puppy.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

An obvious difference between these two breeds is their size. Great Danes are very large. While Weimaraners aren’t as large as a Great Dane, they are pretty big when compared to other breeds. Still, they don’t take up nearly as much room as a Great Dane. How much room your house has may be the deciding factor between these two breeds.

However, you should also consider the exercise requirements. Weimaraners are very active. Therefore, they thrive most when adopted by an active household. Great Danes have much lower stamina and don’t need tons of exercise every day. Consider your own activity level when considering which dog to purchase.

See Also:

• Why Do Dogs Scratch at Their Bed?
• Why Do Dogs Dig in Their Beds? Sleeping Rituals Explained

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Featured Image Credit: Top – RitaE, Pixabay | Bottom – BIGANDT.COM, Shutterstock