Great Dane vs St. Bernard
Compare two breeds
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Great Dane
The Great Dane, despite the English name, is a purely German breed, developed to hunt large game including wild boar before becoming an estate guardian and a symbol of status among nobility. A male can weigh up to 90 kilograms and the breed is officially recognized as one of the tallest in the world, with some individuals taller than a person when standing on their hind legs. That size brings a shorter lifespan and a higher risk of heart disease and bloat, so feeding schedules need careful planning rather than free feeding. The short, smooth coat needs little grooming. Temperamentally it earns its nickname, the gentle giant, and tends to bond closely with its family. Life expectancy runs 8 to 10 years, among the shortest of any breed.
St. Bernard
At a monastery pass in the Swiss Alps, founded in the 11th century by Saint Bernard of Menthon, monks used this breed to search for travelers lost in avalanches and blizzards. The legendary dog Barry is credited with saving over forty people during his working life. A modern male can weigh up to 82 kilograms, ranking it among the heaviest breeds on the FCI list. The coat comes in short or long variants, both dense and cold resistant. Despite the massive size, the breed is known for a calm, patient temperament, particularly around children. Drooling and heavy shedding are simply part of owning a dog this size. Life expectancy runs 8 to 10 years, short given the weight it carries.
At a glance
| Great Dane | St. Bernard | |
|---|---|---|
| Height (male) | 80.0–90.0 cm | 70.0–90.0 cm |
| Weight (male) | 54.0–90.0 kg | 64.0–82.0 kg |
| Life expectancy | 8–10 yrs | 8–10 yrs |
| Coat | smooth, short, dense | short-haired or long-haired, dense |
Temperament & Family Life
| Great Dane | St. Bernard | |
|---|---|---|
| Family friendly | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Trainability |
Exercise, Energy & Space
| Great Dane | St. Bernard | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise need | ||
| Apartment friendly | ||
| Prey drive | ||
| Hunting instinct |
Guarding & Alertness
| Great Dane | St. Bernard | |
|---|---|---|
| Guarding instinct | ||
| Watchfulness | ||
| Barking level |
Grooming & Care
| Great Dane | St. Bernard | |
|---|---|---|
| Shedding | ||
| Drooling | ||
| Grooming need |
Temperament and care scores (1-5) are a general guide based on the breed standard — every individual dog is different.