Great Dane vs Miniature Schnauzer: Which Suits Your Home?

Odd fact first: both breeds trace back to Germany, though you'd never guess it from looking at them. The Great Dane weighs 110-175 lbs and stands 28-34 inches; the Miniature Schnauzer weighs 11-20 lbs and stands 11-14 inches, closer to a house cat's footprint than a Dane's. Same country of origin, opposite ends of the size spectrum entirely.

Exercise need and energy level both come out tied at moderate (3/5) for each breed -- an unusual amount of agreement for two dogs this different in size. Neither needs marathon exercise, though a bored Miniature Schnauzer will find its own entertainment, usually barking, faster than a bored Dane will.

The Schnauzer's wiry double coat needs real upkeep -- grooming rated high (4/5), with regular trimming or stripping to keep its shape -- but sheds barely at all, very low (1/5). The Dane needs almost no grooming, very low (1/5), and sheds more, moderate (3/5). If you're bothered by dog hair on furniture more than grooming appointments, the Schnauzer is worth the extra effort.

The Schnauzer rates very high (5/5) for apartment living against the Dane's very low (1/5), but it's also rated high (4/5) for barking against the Dane's low (2/5) -- a Schnauzer's alertness translates into noise, which matters more in shared buildings than square footage does. The Dane's problem isn't noise, it's simply size.

The Schnauzer rates high (4/5) for first-time owners and high (4/5) for trainability, both ahead of the Dane's low (2/5) and moderate (3/5). Schnauzers are smart and biddable but also stubborn in short bursts, so 'easier' doesn't mean effortless -- it means the learning curve is shorter than a giant breed's.

The Dane rates very high (5/5) with kids and high (4/5) with other dogs, both ahead of the Schnauzer's high (4/5) and moderate (3/5). Both tie at moderate (3/5) with strangers. The Schnauzer does edge out the Dane on tolerating time alone, moderate (3/5) against low (2/5) -- worth noting for households with long workdays.

Lifespan favors the Schnauzer, 12 to 14 years against the Dane's 7 to 10. Hip dysplasia is the only condition the two lists share. Everything else diverges: the Dane toward bloat, Wobbler syndrome, and bone cancer, the Schnauzer toward pancreatitis, diabetes, and a breed-specific skin condition called Schnauzer comedo syndrome.

The Dane costs $200-$400 monthly and $3,000-$5,000 in year one; the Schnauzer runs $90-$180 monthly and $1,300-$2,500. Cost level rates very high (5/5) for the Dane, moderate (3/5) for the Schnauzer -- the Schnauzer's grooming needs keep its number from dropping as low as some other small breeds in this batch.