Giant Schnauzer vs. Great Dane: How do they Compare? (With Pictures)

If you love big dogs, few are as massive as the Great Dane, but the Giant Schnauzer comes relatively close. These large dog breeds are highly intelligent, affectionate with their adopted families, and very playful. The Giant Schnauzer and Great Dane are fiercely loyal dogs who will defend their families and make excellent watchdogs. Their energy levels are similar, although the giant Great Dane does tend to tire faster than the Giant Schnauzer.

A significant difference between the two breeds is that the Giant Schnauzer lives about 25% longer since the Great Dane has more than its fair share of health problems. These beautiful dogs have a common need to be stimulated and engaged, as Great Danes and Giant Schnauzers are intelligent and inquisitive. If you’re considering adopting one or the other, the data, facts, and real-world information below will be invaluable. To discover them all, read on!

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Giant Schnauzer Overview

Personality / Character

Playful, highly adaptable, and very protective describe the Giant Schnauzer well. This dog breed, despite its size, is affectionate and gets along well with almost everyone. They aren’t open to strangers, but if they’re friends and family, your Giant Schnauzer will accept them, also.

Giant Schnauzers make excellent guard dogs and will alert you if anything is amiss. One thing to be aware of is that they don't tolerate small, unruly children, so teaching yours to be gentle with your Giant Schnauzer will be necessary. They aren’t great with other dogs unless raised with them from birth.

Training

One of the best traits of the Giant Schnauzer is that they are a dream to train due to their high levels of intelligence, patience, and willingness to please their pet parents. They have a very high energy level, which you'll need to train them to control, but as adults, Giant Schnauzers are calm and controlled, making them a good choice for seniors. They need constant mental stimulation to stay engaged and happy, but that can be said for many dog breeds.

Grooming

With a wiry, medium-length double coat, Giant Schnauzers need regular grooming, but it’s not what you could describe as excessive. However, you’ll need to brush them at least twice a week and bring them to your groomer about once every 1 to 2 months. Giant Schnauzers, thankfully, aren’t big droolers, which helps keep them clean and looking good.

Barking Level

Like the Great Dane, Giant Schnauzers don’t bark incessantly but aren’t wallflowers either. If they see a stranger approaching your home, Giant Schnauzers will let you know in no uncertain terms, but they won’t bark at every squirrel that runs by the window.

Suitable for

Giant Schnauzers are wonderful dogs that make excellent pets, but they aren’t a great choice for seniors or those who are sedentary, as they need a lot of physical exercise and play. They don’t make great apartment dogs either, as they need lots of room to run around, play, and go a little crazy, especially as pups and adolescent dogs.

You’ll be delighted with a Giant Schnauzer if you have a big family. They get along with everyone, including other dogs and pets, and show affection for the entire family. One trait you should note is that Giant Schnauzers don't have much patience with younger children who pull and tug on them. There's no danger if you have young kids, but as they start interacting, you’ll need to teach them how to handle your Giant Schnauzer.

Great Dane Overview

Personality / Character

Great Danes are one of the more affectionate dog breeds you’ll find and they will show love to everyone in your family. That said, they’re not perfect with small children and can get upset if tugged, pulled on, or bothered by them. You can say the same for other dogs and pets, which a Great Dane will tolerate but only up to a certain level.

As a watchdog, though, the Great Dane is ideal, with their wariness of strangers and high adaptability level. These fine dogs are also playful, although training is needed, so they don’t get overly boisterous.

Training

While they are quite intelligent, Great Danes aren’t super-easy to train, as many have a stubborn streak and a mind of their own. They have a high level of energy which makes training a little easier, and they need moderate to high mental stimulation to stay happy and engaged. Great Danes will listen well, but they might not always do what you want when training, so a lot of dedication and persistence are needed on your part.

Grooming

Because of their smooth, short coats, Great Danes don’t shed as much as some breeds, but they aren’t hypoallergenic by any means. Brushing once a week will be necessary, and a trip to the groomer about once every 2 months will keep its coat healthy. One thing about the breed you should know is that Great Danes do tend to be big droolers.

Barking Level

As we’ve seen, great Danes are massive dogs, and massive dogs tend to bark less. That said, they can be boisterous barkers, especially when strangers are near, which is why Great Danes make excellent watchdogs. If you want them to bark less, you’ll need to specifically train them to do so.

Suitable for

There’s no denying that Great Danes make excellent family dogs and get along well with everyone in the family without choosing a “favorite.” Great Danes are very gentle, even with the youngest members of your family, and they’re very protective and loyal. Because they’re so massive, Great Danes can accidentally hurt small children, so teaching your kids to be careful when playing with your Great Dane is a must.

As far as a living space is concerned, Great Danes need a lot of room and won’t do well in a small apartment. If you’re a single person, they will make a fine companion, but for seniors, they might be too much to handle only because they’re so big and strong. A house with a large yard would be the best place for a Great Dane to call home.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

The Giant Schnauzer and Great Dane are very similar in many ways, including that both are big, affectionate dogs that need plenty of space and constant mental stimulation to thrive and stay content. The Giant Schnauzer might be a better choice if you’re always on the go and into outdoor activities. Due to their size, Great Danes are happier to relax by your side, especially as they get older.

Neither of these beautiful dog breeds would be an excellent choice for an apartment, although some say that the Great Dane can be happy in one as long as they get enough outdoor time. The Great Dane and Giant Schnauzer will make excellent watchdogs, love everyone in your family equally, and are loyal to a fault. However, you’ll need extra time to groom your Giant Schnauzer, while the Great Dane will require less grooming.

Our recommendation is that both the Great Dane and Giant Schnauzer would be a perfect choice for a medium to large-sized family with a bigger home, fenced-in yard, and family members who are physically active and have time to engage with their pets on a daily basis. If you’re single, active, and have the time, either of these wonderful canines would make you a fantastic friend, companion, and protector.

Featured Image Credit: (L) Kwadrat, Shutterstock | (R) Earl Wilkerson, Shutterstock