Chihuahua vs Great Dane

A Chihuahua
Photo: Joselodos
A Great Dane
Photo: Arabsalam

Side by side

Chihuahua
Great Dane
Adult weight
1–3 kg (2.2–6.6 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 64–79 kg (140–175 lb); females 50–64 kg (110–140 lb) (breed club figure)2
Height
Males 12.7–20.3 cm; females 12.7–20.3 cm (breed club figure)1
Males 80–90 cm; females 72–84 cm (breed club figure)2
Lifespan
Median 11.8 years3
Median 10.6 years3
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes4
12 months, both sexes4
Group
Companion & toy5
Pinschers & molossoids6
Coat
Short coat or long coat5
Short coat6
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Grooming
No sourced figure
A brush once a week
Exercise
A modest amount
A moderate amount
Health
Kneecap slipping out of place (much more likely); Corneal ulcers (more likely)7,8
Bone cancer (far more likely); Inward-rolling eyelid (far more likely)9,10
Class
Lap dog
Companion

Which suits you

Size
The Chihuahua comes in a wide range of sizes, 1–3 kg (2.2–6.6 lb) as an adult, against 50–79 kg (110–175 lb) for the Great Dane.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Chihuahua lives longer: a median of 11.8 years, against 10.6 for the Great Dane.
Exercise
Plan for a moderate amount of exercise with the Great Dane, and a modest amount with the Chihuahua.
Temperament
They differ most on voice (Chihuahua: very vocal; Great Dane: quiet) and on independence (Chihuahua: decides for itself; Great Dane: cooperative, with its own ideas).
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: a lap or leaning dog.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Chihuahua
Companion & toy · Toy

The Chihuahua is alert and bold, and quick to bark at unfamiliar sounds or people.

Great Dane
Pinschers & molossoids · Giant

In temperament the Great Dane is friendly, patient and dependable. It is affectionate with its household and usually calm indoors, but watchful with strangers.

The Chihuahua page →The Great Dane page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Chihuahua
Great Dane
Activity
Happy with modest walks
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Differs
Learns readily, likes games
Easy-going, simple routines
Handler demand
Needs steady training
Needs steady training
With people
Chihuahua
Great Dane
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Sticks close to its people
Bonded to its family
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Chihuahua
Great Dane
Sensitivity
Differs
Needs a calm, predictable home
Average
Voice
Differs
Very vocal
Quiet
Prey drive
Differs
Usually fine with small pets
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour11. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home12,13.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Great Dane grows to the heavier adult, about 65 kg against the Chihuahua's 2 kg.
Chihuahua
Great Dane
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More comparisons

Compare the Chihuahua with
Great Dane vs Irish WolfhoundDoberman Pinscher vs Great DaneChihuahua vs PomeranianChihuahua vs PapillonChihuahua vs Jack Russell TerrierGreat Dane vs Saint BernardAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·