Working group

Great Dane

The Apollo of dogs — gentle, dignified and enormous.

Great Danes are giant, graceful dogs with a sweet, easygoing temperament. They are calmer indoors than many smaller breeds, but their size affects everything from car choice to vet bills, and their lifespan is short.

Height
28–32 in71–81 cm
Weight
110–175 lb50–79 kg
Life expectancy
7–10 years
Size
Giant
Group
Working
Origin
Germany

Coat: Short, thick, smooth coat. Colours: Fawn, Brindle, Harlequin, Black, Blue, Mantle, Merle.

At a glance

Exercise Requirement2.5 / 5
20-30 min gentle walk2+ hours intense stamina
Indoor "Off-Switch"5.0 / 5
Restless / constantly searching for actionInstantly curls up and relaxes indoors
Trainability3.5 / 5
Strong independent thinkerEager biddable student
Mental Stimulation2.5 / 5
Content with routineNeeds a job or creates mischief
Affection Level4.5 / 5
Polite distanceConstant lap snuggler
Stranger Friendliness4.0 / 5
Naturally aloof / watchfulGreets every stranger as best friend
Child Patience & Safety4.5 / 5
Prefers quiet adultsRemarkably sturdy & patient
Other Dog Friendliness3.5 / 5
Strong solo-dog preferenceLoves pack play and multi-dog homes
Prey Drive2.5 / 5
Ignores crittersHigh pursuit instinct / fence chaser
Vocalization & Barking2.0 / 5
Nearly mute / quietWatchful alarm barker or howler
Shedding Level3.0 / 5
Minimal to non-sheddingHeavy year-round fur shedding
Grooming Burden1.5 / 5
Wash & wear coatDaily brushing + salon visits
Drool Tendency4.0 / 5
Dry-mouthedRequires dedicated slobber towels
Apartment Suitability2.5 / 5
Needs acreage or private runThrives in urban elevator apartments
Beginner Friendliness3.0 / 5
Demands experienced handlerIdeal forgiving companion for first-timers
Owner Demand Level3.0 / 5
Very forgiving for novicesRequires skilled firm handling

Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.

Temperament

Danes are friendly, patient and affectionate, often trying to be lap dogs despite their size. Most are gentle with children and polite with strangers, though they make impressive watchdogs.

Puppies grow extremely fast and are clumsy and boisterous. Without early lead training and manners, an adolescent Dane can easily knock people over. Some are sensitive or shy and need confident socialisation.

Living with a Great Dane

Exercise

Adults need about an hour of moderate exercise daily. Avoid forced running and jumping until growth finishes, around 18–24 months.

Grooming

Easy weekly brushing. Moderate shedding and some drool. Keep nails short to protect their feet.

Training

Essential from day one — a 150 lb dog needs manners. Reward-based training works well.

Kids & other pets

Gentle with children, though their size can topple toddlers. Usually good with other dogs.

Time alone

Tolerates moderate alone time; needs space to stretch out and a large crate or room.

Home fit

Best suited to a house with secure outdoor space; apartment living is hard on this breed and its neighbours.

Is a Great Dane right for you?

Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Great Dane matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.

Take the Breed Fit quizTry Dogsona →

Health

With good breeding and care, a Great Dane typically lives 7–10 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.

  • Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)

    Great Danes have the highest bloat risk of any breed. Many owners opt for a preventive gastropexy during spay or neuter.

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)

    A serious heart disease common in the breed.

  • Hip dysplasia

    Screened parents and controlled puppy growth help.

  • Osteosarcoma

    Bone cancer is more common in giant breeds.

  • Wobbler syndrome

    Spinal compression in the neck causing an unsteady gait.

Ask a breeder for

  • Hip evaluation
  • Cardiac examination
  • Thyroid evaluation
  • Eye examination

Sources: OFA CHIC breed requirements: Great Dane; Great Dane Club of America. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.

Cost to own

After the first year, expect roughly $2,000–$4,000 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).

  • Food, medication and anaesthesia are dosed by weight, so every vet visit costs more for a big dog.
  • Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
See the full first-year cost breakdown →

History

Despite the name, Great Danes are German. They were developed from mastiff-type dogs as boarhounds — powerful enough to hold wild boar — and later became estate guardians and status symbols for German nobility.

Germany named the Deutsche Dogge its national dog in 1876. The AKC recognised the Great Dane in 1887.

Did you know?

  • Great Danes have held the Guinness record for tallest dog several times; Zeus measured 44 in at the shoulder.
  • Scooby-Doo is a Great Dane.
  • Danes are nicknamed the “Apollo of dogs”.

Library guides for Great Dane owners

Similar breeds

Frequently asked questions

Are Great Danes good apartment dogs?
Surprisingly, they can be — they are calm indoors. Space, stairs and lifts need thought.
How long do Great Danes live?
Typically 7–10 years, due to bloat, heart disease and cancer.
How much do Great Danes eat?
Adults may eat 6–10 cups of food daily; feed large-breed puppy food to control growth.