Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | German Shepherd | Great Dane |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $40,121 | $44,330 |
| First year | $6,525 | $7,595 |
| Monthly average | $296 | $349 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,151 | $3,721 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 14 | 12 |
| Median lifespan | 11.3 yrs | 10.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 65 to 90 lb | 110 to 175 lb |
| Daily food | 4.3 cups | 6.7 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $300 | $220 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Skin disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 19% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3% | $281–$756 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 3% | $169–$455 |
| Lipoma | 3% | not priced |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Otitis externa | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Umbilical hernia | 2% | $621–$1,671 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Gastric dilatation volvulus | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | n/a | not priced |
| Expected total | $0 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Hip dysplasia | 13% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 5% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 5% | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 1% | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Dilated cardiomyopathy | n/a | $534–$1,438 |
| Wobbler syndrome | n/a | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a German Shepherd or a Great Dane more expensive?
The German Shepherd is cheaper by about $4,210 over a lifetime. German Shepherd: $40,121. Great Dane: $44,330. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a German Shepherd or a Great Dane?
The German Shepherd has the longer typical lifespan. German Shepherd: 11.3 years. Great Dane: 10.6 years.
Which is healthier, a German Shepherd or a Great Dane?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The German Shepherd's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Great Dane it is skin disease, at 36%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.