A side-by-side comparison of the Chihuahua and Great Dane across size, temperament, grooming, family fit, and more.
Chihuahua
Great Dane
Overall, Great Dane wins more categories — but the right choice still depends on your family's specific needs.
Great Dane
3 wins
Chihuahua
1 win
More family-friendly
Great Dane edges ahead on kid-friendliness, affection, and trainability.
Lower maintenance
Great Dane sheds less and needs less grooming overall.
Longer-lived
Chihuahua typically lives longer on average.
Calmer
These breeds have similar energy levels.
Quieter
Great Dane tends to bark less.
More trainable
These breeds are equally trainable.
| Breed | Size | Weight | Height | Lifespan | Energy | Shedding | Grooming | Trainable | Affection | Barking | Kids | Dogs | Cats | Apartment | First-timers | Low-allergen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 5–7 lb | 6–9 in | 12 yr | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | |||||||
| Giant | 110–175 lb | 28–32 in | 7–10 yr | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — |
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The Chihuahua and Great Dane are both popular breeds, but they differ meaningfully in day-to-day life. The verdict above scores them on six key dimensions — use it as a starting point, then factor in your specific home, activity level, and family situation.
Overall, Great Dane wins more categories — but the right choice still depends on your family's specific needs.