Great Dane vs Himalayan Sheepdog Comparison. Which dog is better for you: Dane or HSD?

Compare the Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog breeds to identify their similarities and differences. Are you trying to decide between a Dane or a HSD? Read on to determine which breed is the better fit for you

Differences only

Other names

Gentle Giant, Deutsche Dogge, Apollo of Dogs, Dane, German Mastiff

Gaddi, Gaddi Leopardhund, Himalayan Mastiff Guard Dog, Bhotiya, Himalayan Guard Dog, Bhote Kukkur, Himachal Pradesh, Bhotia, HSD, Himalayan Chamba Gaddi

Weight

What is the average weight of Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog?

145.0 pounds ( 66 kg )

74.0 pounds ( 34 kg )

Height

What is the average height of Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog

32.0 inches ( 81.3 cm )

29.0 inches ( 73.7 cm )

Hypoallergenic

Are Great Danes or Himalayan Sheepdogs hypoallergenic, or neither?

Unfortunately, neither Great Dane nor Himalayan Sheepdog are hypoallergenic, which may not make them the best choice for dog lovers who suffer from pet allergies.

Watchdog Ability

Which dog breed makes a better watchdog, the Great Dane or Himalayan Sheepdog?

The Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog dogs are some of the best choices if you want good watchdogs. These breeds will keep watch over you and your family at all times. They take this task seriously and will typically perform their guarding duty with little to no training. These dogs will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen their skills.

Origin

What is the origin of Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog dog breeds?

Germany

Nepal
India

Ancestry

What are the origins of Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog breeds?

Wolfhound, Old English Mastiff, Greyhound

Tibetan Mastiff, Kinnaur Sheepdog of Tibet

Date of Birth

When were Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog breeds first developed?

3000 BC

Ancient Times

Eye Color Possibilites

What are the eye colors of Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog dogs?

Brown

Brown
Amber

Nose Color Possibilites

What are the natural nose colors of Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog?

Blue
Black

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What are the natural colors of the coat for Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog breeds?

Brindle
Sable
Blue
Fawn
Black
Brown
Red

Black
Brown
Fawn

Coat Length

What is the typical coat length for Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog breeds?

Great Danes have short coats.

Himalayan Sheepdogs have medium-length coats.

Coat Density

What is the density of the coat of Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog?

Coat Texture

What is the hair texture of Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog?

Straight

Litter Size

What is the usual litter size for Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog?

7-10 puppies per pregnancy

A Great Dane can have a litter of 7-10 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

9-14 puppies per pregnancy

A Himalayan Sheepdog can have a litter of 9-14 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns for Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog breeds?

Entropion
Gastric Torsion
Cardiomyopathy
Hip Dysplasia

Patellar Luxation
Canine Hip Dysplasia (Chd)

Minor Concerns

What minor health issues should be kept in mind when owning Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog?

Myotonia

Elbow Dysplasia
Arthritis
Canine Glaucoma

Occasional Tests

What occasional tests are recommended for Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog breeds?

Cardiac
Eye
Hip
Blood
X-Rays
Physical Examination

Urinalysis
Complete Blood Count
Full Physical Examination
Blood Chemistry
Complete Ophthalmologic Examination
Hip and Elbow X-rays

Energy

How do the energy levels of Great Danes and Himalayan Sheepdogs compare?

Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog breeds are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Exercise Needed

Great Dane vs Himalayan Sheepdog exercise need comparison.

Great Danes need only a small amount of physical activity, ideal for busy or elderly people or those with limited space.

Himalayan Sheepdogs require significant physical activity and suit those with an active lifestyle.

Tendency to Bark

Do Great Danes or Himalayan Sheepdogs bark more/less frequently?

Great Dane dogs are generally less vocal than other breeds and only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or communicate.

Himalayan Sheepdogs bark moderately when necessary and may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Past times

What are some enjoyable activities and ways to keep Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog entertained?

Walking, Petting, Eating Snacks, Walk, Nap, Sniffing around, Play keep away, Fetch, Chasing Cats, Running, Treats, Play, Smelling, Exploring, Walks, Sniffing, Playing, Kisses, Jumping, Run, Catch treats, Tug-of-war, Wrestling, Dog Parks, Hiking, Waking, Tug of war, Fetching

Playing, Rope game, Chase, Fetch, Catch treats, Walk, Hide and seek, Go to Park

Activity Level

Which breed has higher energy, Great Danes or Himalayan Sheepdogs?

Medium

Great Danes are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

High

Himalayan Sheepdogs are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Walks per Week

How many miles should Great Dane or Himalayan Sheepdog walk each week?

10 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Great Dane, it's at least 10 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

16 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Himalayan Sheepdog, it's at least 16 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

Do Great Danes or Himalayan Sheepdogs require more exercise?

60 minutes

In general most Great Danes usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

120 minutes

In general most Himalayan Sheepdogs usually need at least 120 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

Which breed is easier to maintain in terms of grooming, Great Danes or Himalayan Sheepdogs?

The Great Dane is a low-maintenance breed that doesn't require much grooming.

The Himalayan Sheepdog requires an average amount of grooming compared to other breeds.

Brushing Frequency

What is the recommended brushing frequency for Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog dogs?

Weekly

Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog should be brushed at least once a week. Of course, you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot.

Brushing Tools

What brushing tools are used for Great Danes and Himalayan Sheepdogs?

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper

Pin Brush
Dematter
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

Cups

How much food should be given to Great Dane or Himalayan Sheepdog in cups?

3.5 cups

For an average 120-175 pound (54 - 79 kg) Great Dane feed 3.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

3 cups

For an average 62-84 pound (28 - 38 kg) Himalayan Sheepdog feed 3 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

Which breed has a higher daily cost, Great Dane or Himalayan Sheepdog?

$3.90 - $4.20 / day

The average cost of a Great Dane is somewhere $3.90 - $4.20 per day.

$2.10 - $2.70 / day

The average cost of a Himalayan Sheepdog is somewhere $2.10 - $2.70 per day.

Monthly Cost

Which breed has a higher monthly cost, Great Dane or Himalayan Sheepdog?

$116 - $126 / month

The average per month expenses of a Great Dane is between $116 - $126. This makes an average of $1392 - $1512 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

$55 - $73 / month

The average per month expenses of a Himalayan Sheepdog is between $55 - $73. This makes an average of $660 - $876 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Intelligence

Comparing Intelligence: Great Danes vs Himalayan Sheepdogs

Great Dane is a very intelligent and trainable breed.

Himalayan Sheepdog is highly intelligent and very trainable.

Affection Dependance

Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Great Dane vs Himalayan Sheepdog?

Dog Friendly

Which breed is more sociable with other dogs: Great Dane or Himalayan Sheepdog?

{Great Danes and Himalayan Sheepdogs are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Playfulness

Which breed is more playful between Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog?

Great Danes are not known for being a highly playful breed.

Himalayan Sheepdogs have an average level of playfulness, enjoying playtime like most dogs but not excessively so.

Trainability

How do the trainability levels of Great Danes and Himalayan Sheepdogs compare?

Great Dane and Himalayan Sheepdog dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.