Great Danes are large, loyal, and affectionate dogs, while German Shepherds are loyal, obedient, and high-energy. While not as aggressive as other breeds, both make solid home protectors. The question is just whether they can get along.
Great Danes and German Shepherds can get along, although some training and background choices can help. Both breeds like to hog all the attention and can get competitive with the same gender, so opposite genders are best. Otherwise, their similar size, energy levels, and training expectations make for a solid match.
There are a few other factors to consider with Great Danes and German Shepherds that bring further insight into how they will get along. Remember, all dogs are different, and these traits are just generalizations for the breed.
Do differences in breeds affect their ability to get along?
Yes, different breeds have various general factors that change their compatibility. However, given proper socialization and a solid training routine, most dogs can learn to get along with most other dogs. But not everyone has the time, energy, and skill to make that happen.
Size, temperament, guard instinct, territorial nature, dominance, energy levels, and training all play a role in a breed’s ability to get along with each other.
The more of these traits that are compatible between two dog breeds, the easier it will be to live together.
More fundamentally, socialization is always a crucial factor in how dogs will get along. If two dogs are socialized with one another from an early age, there is a much greater chance they will get along later in life.
Conversely, two dogs meeting later in life might be territorial or competitive and get much more aggressive with one another.
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Size differences – Compared
Great Danes are 26 to 34 inches tall to the shoulder and weigh 100 to 200 pounds.
German Shepherds are between 22 and 26 inches tall to the shoulder and weigh 75 to 95 pounds.
This means Great Danes are about twice the size of German Shepherds. But, of course, German Shepherds aren’t small. It’s just that Great Danes are a giant dog breed.
Great Danes vs German Shepherds – Temperaments compared
Great Danes have one of the most balanced temperaments of all dog breeds. They’re gentle and affectionate while still loving to play and get along great with kids. They are very eager to please, and so are a joy to train.
Great Danes love their family but are also friendly to strangers. However, if they sense danger, they can be fiercely protective.
Funnily enough, they take themselves to be lapdogs quite often, even as they grow huge.
German Shepherds are a highly obedient and loyal dog breed with mountains of affection. They are great with families and tend to be a bit goofy and aloof. But, like the Great Dane, they do get protective when threatened.
They are one of the most popular breeds in America because they are so easy to train and highly skilled but affectionate. They make a great life companion in various circumstances, especially with a large yard and things to use their energy on.
Because they are so loyal and affectionate, they don’t do well alone. They almost always need lots of companionship, so it will be hard on them if you are away a lot.
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Guarding Instincts Compared
Great Danes are highly effective watchdogs, which is different than guard dogs. They can be trained to be good guard dogs but are not naturally inclined to it. Their deep bark and massive size are significant deterrents on their own.
Their bark and size are particularly effective for large properties where they are intimidating even from long distances.
They are incredibly vigilant dogs and will watch the property almost 24/7. However, their calm temperament also means they won’t be jumpy about every possible threat but save their energy for serious intrusions.
Finally, they are quite willing to undergo training that can hone their instincts.
German Shepherds are one of the best guard dogs around, with a perfect balance of traits. They aren’t good with long periods at home alone, but otherwise, they are highly trainable, loyal, and watchful.
They can be trained to take down intruders and are among the most popular breeds to train for police forces and the army. This is because their temperament is highly controllable and yet highly effective.
Are they territorial?
Great Danes are very territorial dogs. They like to keep a watchful eye over their territory and stay alert to any activity on the perimeter.
They may attack when there’s a real threat to the home, so training and control are essential. Overall, however, they are not inclined to be very aggressive.
Similar to Great Danes, German Shepherds are also quite territorial. They tend to be fairly silent watchers, guarding their territory without too much noise unless something genuinely threatening approaches.
Once they spot a threat, they can be trained to take down an intruder and be dangerous if untrained.
Are they Dominant?
The idea of dominance in “alpha” dogs has been discredited from old studies on captive wolves. However, dogs can still get aggressive and domineering towards other dogs, especially if not socialized correctly.
Great Danes tend to be great with other family pets and are compatible with a great variety of dog breeds. However, they can get dominant and aggressive with the same sex. Unfortunately, since they are so large, their prey instinct can trigger smaller cats and want to chase them around.
German Shepherds are obedient dogs and won’t tend to dominate or bully other dogs. They tend to get along well with other dogs in the house, although, Great Danes have trouble with dogs of the same sex.
When dealing with strangers and other animals, both breeds can be friendly or aggressive depending on the situation. That’s why it’s essential they are socialized from a young age and trained so that you can be sure of their reactions.
Energy Levels compared
Great Danes are energetic, but they tend to remain laid-back for most of the day. They love a good play session but then turn to a long nap and lounge for the rest of the day.
German Shepherds, on the other hand, are very high-energy. They need a lot of exercise and play every day and will bother you to come to play with them quite often. They are quite active as guard dogs and will pace around on high alert.
Training needs Compared
Great Danes are huge and majestic, but they are also cumbersome if they are left untrained. It can be challenging to handle a Great Dane without training. Thankfully, they usually are not naturally aggressive, so training is more to make them easier to get along with.
They are very eager to please and intelligent, so training a Great Dane is not too difficult.
Unlike Great Danes, German Shepherds are extremely easy to train as they are loyal and intelligent. However, without proper training, they can become a nuisance due to their high-energy levels.
On the other hand, their ability to carry out commands is excellent, and they can learn even highly complex tasks.
Are They Compatible?
Great Danes and German Shepherds are quite compatible but are unlikely to be best friends.
Great Danes are better with larger dogs like German Shepherds because they like to play. However, smaller to medium-sized dogs will often struggle with a Great Dane or German Shepherd due to the size differences.
Great Danes also have a decent amount of energy that can keep up with a German Shepherd, which tends to have very high energy levels.
One of the problems that can arise is attention. Both Great Danes and German Shepherds need a lot of attention and compete for it if they feel neglected. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead them to get competitive with one another.
Obedience during training is a crucial factor, and the German Shepherd’s great example will likely help a Great Dane understand commands better.
Finally, gender is always a significant factor, and two males will lead to competition and fighting. Therefore, it is best to get opposite-gendered dogs or two females to keep the peace.
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Final thoughts
Based on the criteria we’ve looked at, Great Danes and German Shepherds are decent companions. Of course, these are all generalizations, and it will depend a lot on the exact dogs you have.
Even so, it’s a good idea to consider how difficult it will be to introduce and have around two different dog breeds and how they will get along.
Great Danes and German Shepherds will both compete for your attention and need you to be around a lot in order not to get bored and frustrated. They are both great a family and are very loyal and affectionate.
