A side-by-side comparison of the Great Dane and Irish Wolfhound across size, temperament, grooming, family fit, and more.
Great Dane
Irish Wolfhound
Overall, Irish Wolfhound wins more categories — but the right choice still depends on your family's specific needs.
Irish Wolfhound
4 wins
Great Dane
1 win
More family-friendly
Irish Wolfhound edges ahead on kid-friendliness, affection, and trainability.
Lower maintenance
Great Dane sheds less and needs less grooming overall.
Longer-lived
Irish Wolfhound typically lives longer on average.
Calmer
These breeds have similar energy levels.
Quieter
Irish Wolfhound tends to bark less.
More trainable
Irish Wolfhound picks up commands and new behaviors more readily.
| Breed | Size | Weight | Height | Lifespan | Energy | Shedding | Grooming | Trainable | Affection | Barking | Kids | Dogs | Cats | Apartment | First-timers | Low-allergen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant | 110–175 lb | 28–32 in | 7–10 yr | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | |||||||
| Giant | 105–150 lb | 28–34 in | 8–10 yr | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
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The Great Dane and Irish Wolfhound 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, Irish Wolfhound wins more categories — but the right choice still depends on your family's specific needs.