Giant10.6 yr avg
Great Dane
AKC · Working
View breedComparison
Great Dane vs Shih Tzu
Side-by-side comparison from peer-reviewed sources. Lifespan and health figures draw on Royal Veterinary College VetCompass and AKC breed data.
At a glance
Side-by-side
The numbers that most change day-to-day care. A citrus border marks a meaningful advantage.
Giant
Great Dane
Lifespan10.6 yrrange 10–11
SizeGiant
Weight110–175 lb49.9–79.4 kg
Height28–32 in71.1–81.3 cm
Senior at5 yrgeriatric at 8
AKC groupWorking
Energy4/560 min/day
Trainability3/5
Shedding3/5
With kids3/5
With other dogs3/5
Small
Shih Tzu
Lifespan12.8 yrrange 12–13
SizeSmall
Weight9–16 lb4.1–7.3 kg
Height9–10.5 in22.9–26.7 cm
Senior at8 yrgeriatric at 12
AKC groupToy
Energy3/545 min/day
Trainability4/5
Shedding1/5
With kids5/5
With other dogs5/5
Health
Common health issues
Top 3 prevalence-ranked conditions for each breed. See each breed's full health profile for screening schedules and source data.
Great Dane
- Moderatetypical onset ~7 yr
Cataracts
Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
- Moderatetypical onset ~5 yr
Periodontal Disease
Description and veterinary guidance for Periodontal Disease land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
- Moderatetypical onset ~2 yr
Osteochondritis Dissecans
Description and veterinary guidance for Osteochondritis Dissecans land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
Shih Tzu
- High prevalencetypical onset ~8 yr
Degenerative Myelopathy
Description and veterinary guidance for Degenerative Myelopathy land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
- Moderatetypical onset ~2 yr
Elbow Dysplasia
Description and veterinary guidance for Elbow Dysplasia land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
- Moderatetypical onset ~5 yr
Periodontal Disease
Description and veterinary guidance for Periodontal Disease land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
Synthesis
Which is right for you?
The Shih Tzu tends to live about 2.2 years longer on average than the Great Dane (12.8 vs 10.6 years).
Size gap is meaningful: the Great Dane is giant and the Shih Tzu is small. Expect different considerations for housing, travel, and vet-care costs.
Energy levels are close, with a slight edge to the Great Dane (60 min/day of directed exercise).
Shih Tzus rate higher for household-with-kids compatibility (5/5).
Shih Tzus carry a heavier breed-specific health burden (1 high-prevalence conditions vs 0 for the Great Dane). Budget for screening accordingly.
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