Akita vs Great Dane
A side-by-side breakdown of size, cost, grooming load and lifestyle fit — with a straight answer on which suits which household.
Short answer
Great Dane is the easier breed to live with for most first-time owners — it scores better with children (4/5 vs 3/5); it sheds less (3/5 vs 5/5); it needs less grooming (2/5 vs 4/5). Akita makes more sense only if you specifically want a higher-energy companion.
Comparison table
| Attribute | Akita | Great Dane |
|---|---|---|
| Species | dog | dog |
| Origin | Japan | Germany |
| Weight (kg) | 32–50 | 45–80 |
| Height (cm) | 58–70 | 71–86 |
| Lifespan (years) | 10–13 | 7–10 |
| Monthly cost (USD) | $123 | $113 |
| Yearly cost (USD) | $1476 | $1356 |
| Purchase price (USD) | $2700 | $2900 |
| Grooming need (1–5) | 4 | 2 |
| Shedding (1–5) | 5 | 3 |
| Energy (1–5) | 3 | 2 |
| Trainability (1–5) | 3 | 3 |
| Apartment fit (1–5) | 1 | 1 |
| Good with kids (1–5) | 3 | 4 |
| Vocal (1–5) | 1 | 2 |
What the numbers mean
- Akita weighs 32–50 kg and lives 10–13 years; Great Dane weighs 45–80 kg and lives 7–10 years.
- On estimated monthly cost, Great Dane runs about $113/month versus $123/month for Akita — a difference of roughly $10 a month, or $120 a year.
- Both have the same apartment suitability score (1/5).
- Akita has the higher shedding score (5/5 vs 3/5) — higher means more hair on your sofa.
- Akita has the higher grooming requirement (4/5 vs 2/5) — higher means more brushing and professional trimming.
- Akita has the higher energy level (3/5 vs 2/5) — higher means more daily exercise.
- Both have the same trainability score (3/5).
- Great Dane has the higher kid-friendliness score (4/5 vs 3/5).
- Great Dane has the higher vocalisation score (2/5 vs 1/5) — higher means more barking or meowing.
Cost over ten years
At the estimated monthly rates above, ten years of routine care (food, treats, grooming, medication, vet visits and supplies — excluding insurance, emergency treatment and purchase price) works out to roughly $14,760 for Akita and $13,560 for Great Dane. The gap is $1,200 — usually larger than the difference in purchase price.
Health profile
Akita
Great Dane
Both breeds are associated with Hip problems, so screening for these is worth raising with a breeder either way.
Which one should you pick?
- Choose Akita if you want a more substantial dog to work with, prefer a calmer daily routine, and your budget covers about $123 a month.
- Choose Great Dane if you want a more substantial dog to work with, prefer a calmer daily routine, and your budget covers about $113 a month.
- Neither, if the grooming load is more than you can sustain; both need regular coat care.