Great DaneVSIrish Wolfhound
The Great Dane and Irish Wolfhound are both gentle, affectionate giants that leave everyone in awe. They are among the tallest dog breeds in the world but differ in coat type, temperament, and the way their large size affects daily care.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Great Dane | Irish Wolfhound |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 100–200 lbs, 28–32 in | 105–180 lbs, 30–35 in |
| Energy Level | Moderate | Low–Moderate |
| Shedding | Moderate | Moderate |
| Trainability | Good | Good |
| Good With Kids | Very Good | Very Good |
| Apartment Friendly | Poor | Poor |
| Average Lifespan | ✓7–10 years | 6–8 years |
| Monthly Cost (est.) | ✓$200–$400 | $250–$450 |
✓ indicates advantage in this category. Tie = comparable.
Which Breed Is Right for You?
Choose a Great Dane if…
Those who want an elegant, sleek giant companion with a slightly longer lifespan and lower grooming overhead.
Choose a Irish Wolfhound if…
Those who want the world's tallest breed with a shaggy, wolf-like appearance and ancient Irish heritage.
Grooming & Shedding: Great Dane vs Irish Wolfhound
Great Danes have a short, smooth coat that sheds moderately year-round. Weekly brushing with a rubber curry mitt manages loose hair effectively. Despite their enormous size, their short coat is relatively easy to maintain. Bathing every 6–8 weeks keeps their coat clean. Irish Wolfhounds have a rough, wiry, medium-length double coat that is more distinctive in texture. Their coat sheds moderately — similar in volume to the Great Dane despite a longer coat — because the wiry texture holds loose hair. Weekly brushing and occasional hand-stripping or professional trimming of stray hairs maintains their shaggy, natural appearance. Neither breed requires frequent professional grooming for coat maintenance. Great Danes are slightly easier to groom due to their smooth coat requiring no trimming, while Irish Wolfhounds need occasional tidying of their beard and eyebrows.
Temperament & Family Compatibility
Great Danes are sociable, gentle, and affectionate — the archetypal gentle giant. Despite their massive size they are playful, calm indoors, and reliably friendly with strangers, children, and other pets. They adapt reasonably well to family life and are easier to manage temperamentally than their size might suggest. Irish Wolfhounds are equally gentle and calm, with a dignified, somewhat more reserved personality. They are good with children and other animals, though their immense size requires management. Irish Wolfhounds retain some prey drive from their wolf-hunting heritage and may chase small animals. Both breeds have heartbreakingly short lifespans — the Irish Wolfhound even shorter at 6–8 years. For a family-integrated gentle giant, both are excellent; the Great Dane is slightly more reliably sociable.
Compare pet insurance for Great Dane and Irish Wolfhound
Both breeds have different health profiles — find the right coverage level before your first vet visit.
Compare Pet Insurance QuotesFrequently Asked Questions
Which breed lives longer?
Great Danes live slightly longer on average — 7–10 years versus 6–8 years for Irish Wolfhounds. Both have very short lifespans compared to smaller breeds. The Irish Wolfhound's enormous size contributes to an even shorter average lifespan.
Which is more trainable?
Both breeds are similar in trainability — gentle, responsive to positive reinforcement, but not the highest-drive working dogs. Early training and socialization is essential for both given their immense size. An untrained giant-breed dog becomes very difficult to manage.
Are Irish Wolfhounds good with other animals?
Irish Wolfhounds were bred to hunt wolves and large game, and retain a prey drive toward small animals. They can live peacefully with cats and small dogs they are raised with, but supervision is recommended. Great Danes are generally more reliable with other household pets.
Find the perfect name for your Great Dane or Irish Wolfhound
Our name finder quiz considers your dog's breed, personality, coat color, and vibe to give you a personalized top-3 recommendation — with explanations and audio.
Find the Perfect Name — Free🐾
Track your Great Dane or Irish Wolfhound's health for free
Care log, vaccination tracker, weight trends, and health journal — all in one place. Works in your browser.
Create free account →No credit card required · Works in your browser