Great Dane
Friendly, patient, dependable, gentle
Towering gentle giant with a calm, friendly temperament; affectionate with family but requires significant space and health management.
Full Great Dane profile →Two giant gentle breeds — compare their energy needs, health risks, and family temperament.
Great Dane vs Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dog
Good-natured, calm, strong, affectionate
Striking tri-colored Swiss working dog with a gentle, calm temperament; devoted family companion with elevated health and grooming demands.
Full Bernese Mountain Dog profile →At a glance
← Scroll to see all columns →
| Trait | Great Dane | Bernese Mountain Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Energy level | Medium | Medium |
| Grooming needs | Very Low | Very High |
| Training difficulty | Medium | Low |
| Apartment suitability | Very Low | Very Low |
| Kid-friendliness | High | Very High |
| Alone-time tolerance | Low | Low |
| Barking tendency | Low | Low |
| Heat sensitivity | High | Very High |
| Size class | giant | large |
Trait levels reflect breed population averages — individual dogs vary. Lead cells indicate a contextual advantage for most owners; interpretations depend on your specific lifestyle.
Annual cost range
Great Dane
$2,000 – $5,500 / year
Typical: $3,200/yr
First year: $3,200 – $11,000
Detailed cost estimate →Bernese Mountain Dog
$1,700 – $4,500 / year
Typical: $2,700/yr
First year: $2,800 – $9,000
Detailed cost estimate →US national averages. Does not include emergency vet costs, boarding, or training classes.
Decision verdicts
Great Dane
Calm, affectionate giant for spacious homes — short lifespan and high GDV risk require informed commitment.
Best for
- Owners with large homes and yards
- Families seeking a gentle, low-energy indoor companion
- Experienced owners prepared for giant-breed health management
Not ideal if
- Apartment or small-space living
- Owners unprepared for giant-breed vet costs
- Those seeking a long-lived breed (typical lifespan 7–10 years)
- First-time dog owners unfamiliar with giant-breed feeding protocols
Bernese Mountain Dog
Devoted, gentle family dog with a calm presence — prepare for heavy shedding, elevated cancer risk, and a shorter-than-average lifespan.
Best for
- Families with children who want a calm, affectionate large breed
- Owners with space and cold or temperate climates
- Those willing to manage heavy grooming demands
- Active households wanting a moderate-energy companion
Not ideal if
- Hot climates — they overheat easily
- Apartment or small-space living
- Those unable to manage heavy shedding
- Owners unprepared for elevated cancer and orthopedic health costs
Health watchlist
Great Dane
Bloat / Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) Known risk
Great Danes have one of the highest GDV rates of any breed. Prophylactic gastropexy is strongly recommended at time of spay/neuter. Consult your veterinarian.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) Elevated
Cardiac disease is a leading cause of death in the breed. Cardiac screening by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist is recommended. Consult your vet.
Hip dysplasia and osteosarcoma Elevated
Giant breeds have elevated rates of hip dysplasia and bone cancer. OFA screening and regular orthopedic checks are important. Consult your vet.
Wobbler syndrome Watch
Cervical vertebral instability can affect large breeds. Watch for unsteady gait or neck pain. Consult your vet for guidance specific to your dog.
Hypothyroidism Watch
Can develop with age. Routine thyroid screening is recommended for older dogs. Consult your vet for guidance specific to your dog.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Cancer (very elevated risk) Known risk
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Bernese Mountain Dogs at a disproportionately high rate compared to most breeds. Annual wellness exams and early monitoring are important. Consult your vet.
Hip and elbow dysplasia Elevated
Both conditions are common in the breed. Reputable breeders OFA-test parents. Weight management and avoiding high-impact exercise in puppies is important. Consult your vet.
Bloat / GDV Watch
Deep-chested large breeds have elevated GDV risk. Discuss risk management and prophylactic gastropexy with your veterinarian.
Von Willebrand disease Watch
A bleeding disorder found in the breed. DNA testing is available and recommended before surgery. Consult your vet for guidance specific to your dog.
Degenerative myelopathy Watch
A progressive spinal cord disease. DNA testing is available from responsible breeders. Consult your vet for guidance specific to your dog.
Common questions
- Which is better for apartment living — Great Dane or Bernese Mountain Dog?
- Both Great Dane and Bernese Mountain Dog are comparable for apartment living (Very Low vs Very Low). Neither has a decisive advantage; both depend on meeting their exercise and mental stimulation needs. This is educational guidance — individual dogs vary.
- Which requires more grooming — Great Dane or Bernese Mountain Dog?
- The Bernese Mountain Dog requires significantly more grooming than the Great Dane. If grooming time and cost are a deciding factor, the Great Dane is the lower-maintenance choice.
- Which is easier to train — Great Dane or Bernese Mountain Dog?
- The Bernese Mountain Dog is generally easier to train than the Great Dane. Great Dane owners typically benefit from more consistent training structure and prior dog experience. Both breeds respond best to positive reinforcement methods.
- Which is better with children — Great Dane or Bernese Mountain Dog?
- Great Dane and Bernese Mountain Dog are similarly matched in child-friendliness. Both can be excellent family dogs when properly socialised. Supervision around very young children is always recommended regardless of breed.
Explore further
Health information is educational only. Always consult your veterinarian.
See something outdated, unclear, or incorrect? We welcome corrections — just send us the page URL, the issue, and a supporting source if available.
Submit a correction →PupWiki Community Pulse
Which breed page feature helps you most?
Help improve PupWiki with one quick anonymous answer.
Find my breed match →