The easygoing Great Dane, the mighty "Apollo of Dogs," is a total joy to live with — but owning a dog of such imposing size, weight, and strength is a commitment not to be entered into lightly. This breed is indeed great, but not a Dane. The Great Dane is a German breed of large mastiff-sighthound type, descending from hunting dogs of the Middle Ages used to hunt bears, wild boar, and deer, and used as guardian dogs of German nobility.
The Great Dane combines, in its regal appearance, strength and elegance with great size and a powerful, well-formed, smoothly muscled body. It is one of the two largest dog breeds in the world, along with the Irish Wolfhound, and the tallest of the working breeds.
A Four-Hundred-Year-Old German Breed
The Great Dane was developed at least 400 years ago in Germany, where it was used for boar hunting. It probably originated in the Middle Ages as a combination of strong mastiff-like war dogs and swift greyhound-like dogs — a big-game hunter of great speed and strength. By the 1300s, they were popular with nobility in Germany as unrivaled hunting dogs and imposing estate guardians.
In the sixteenth century, the nobility in many countries of Europe imported strong, long-legged dogs of different sizes and phenotypes, some of mastiff or greyhound type, from England and Ireland. These dogs were called Englische Dogge or Englischer Hund in Germany — the name simply meant "English dog." These dogs were bred in the courts of German nobility, independent of the English methods, since the start of the 17th century.
In 1878, a committee was formed in Berlin which changed the name of the "Englische Dogge" (English mastiff derivatives) to "Deutsche Dogge" (German mastiff). In 1876, the Great Dane was declared the national breed of Germany and was prized by the statesman Otto von Bismarck, who kept them as bodyguards. The German breed club developed a standard in 1881, and the Great Dane Club of America formed eight years later.
The name "Great Dane" came from the French Grand Danois ("Big Danish"), a literal translation of which became the English name — even though there is no known reason to associate Denmark with the history or origin of the breed. During the 19th century, the dog was known as a "German boarhound" in English-speaking countries. The AKC recognized the Great Dane in 1887.
The Tallest of the Working Breeds
The Great Dane is the tallest of the working breeds, a short-haired breed with a strong, galloping figure. In the ratio between length and height, the Great Dane should be square. Males should not be less than 30 inches at the shoulders and females 28 inches; Danes under minimum height are disqualified. Weight ranges from about 110 to 175 pounds.
The breed has a massive, square-jawed head and body lines that give it an elegant appearance, with a long, well-chiseled, rectangular head — the only Working breed whose standard calls for a long, rectangular head. The short coat comes in black, fawn (golden brown), brindle, blue-gray, harlequin (white with black patches), and mantle (white with a black "blanket" extending over the body). Fawn and brindle dogs have a black mask.
Courageous, Friendly, and Dependable
The Great Dane is typically a swift, alert dog noted for courage, friendliness, and dependability. The breed is generally not unduly aggressive toward people and other animals. It makes a loyal and protective companion, playful and gentle with children, though its sheer size can make it not the best choice as a child's playmate.
Today's Great Dane is a gentle giant — along the way, the breed's savage hunting nature was tamed as its original function no longer existed. It's a thinking guard dog and family companion. "We have very deliberately bred away from dogs with unreliable temperaments, which are totally unacceptable in today's society." The breed combines playfulness and confidence, is well-mannered and friendly, and loves getting physical affection from humans.
Exercise and Activity
The Great Dane requires daily exercise in the form of a long walk or short jog, making a calm and alert housedog as long as it receives adequate exercise. Despite its large size, the breed should have a smooth, majestic gait. As athletic, active, and energetic dogs, they enjoy keeping busy with activities.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 30–45 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 20–30 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for this giant breed.
Training a Great Dane
The Great Dane learns quickly but can be both sensitive and stubborn, doing best with a firm owner who can combine reward-based training with good control and leadership. Obedience training is essential not only for control but for the mental exercise it provides. As powerful and large dogs, owners should start socializing Danes to people and places gently and early. They're generally sociable, so they respond well to training.
The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming a Great Dane
The Great Dane's short coat is short and shiny, needing only occasional brushing — once a week or so — to remove dead hair. Shedding is average. Routine care includes nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental hygiene.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 1–2 times a week | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a short-coated giant.
Feeding a Great Dane
Great Danes, like most giant dogs, have a fast metabolism, resulting in more energy and food consumption per pound of dog than in small breeds. Adult dogs should be fed a balanced diet, with restricted calories if the dog starts to gain too much weight. Puppies should be fed a large-breed growth food, which slows their growing rate but not final size — this may decrease the incidence or severity of hip dysplasia in adults.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1.5–2 cups | Use a large-breed puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 3–4 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 2.5–3.5 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Because of their deep chests, Great Danes are at high risk of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), so feed several smaller meals daily and avoid vigorous exercise immediately after eating. Your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
The Great Dane has a lifespan of 7 to 10 years; a 2024 UK study found the average life expectancy to be 10.6 years, compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreds. A 2005 Swedish study found 83% of Great Danes died by age 10. The breed has some health problems common to large breeds, including bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), dilated cardiomyopathy and many congenital heart diseases — leading to its nickname, the "heartbreak breed," in conjunction with its shorter lifespan — plus hip dysplasia, cancer, autoimmune disease, and wobbler syndrome.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Hip/elbow dysplasia and bloat awareness | Discuss with your vet | OFA/PennHIP on parents |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 5–6 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
Responsible breeders screen their stock and the Great Dane Club is making a concerted effort to address the breed's health problems. The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
The Great Dane makes a loyal, protective companion and a calm, alert housedog. It's outgoing toward strangers, generally good with other dogs (though some can be aggressive toward strange dogs), and generally good with other pets. The Dane's short coat makes it intolerant of very cold weather, so it's best kept indoors with a soft place to rest those big joints.
Great Danes may be rowdy during their younger years and are prone to unusual chewing behaviors and separation anxiety. If you're weighing whether a Great Dane fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning a Great Dane means committing to a giant breed with a shorter lifespan, significant health concerns, and real financial costs for food and veterinary care. Their sheer size is the major challenge — they need space, careful supervision around small children, and firm training. They can be rowdy as youngsters, prone to chewing and separation anxiety, and intolerant of cold weather.
Yet for the right owner, the Great Dane is the gentle Apollo of dogs — majestic, loyal, and dependable, a total joy to live with.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Loyal, friendly, and dependable
- Gentle giant temperament
- Good with children and other pets
- Excellent guard and watchdog
- Short, easy-care coat
- Calm and alert housedog
Disadvantages
- Short lifespan (7–10 years)
- Prone to bloat, heart disease, hip dysplasia
- Imposing size needs space
- High food costs
- Not ideal as a child's playmate
- Intolerant of cold weather
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Great Danes get? Males 30–32 in, 140–175 lb; females 28–30 in, 110–140 lb.
How long do Great Danes live? Typically 7 to 10 years.
Are Great Danes good family dogs? Yes — gentle, playful, and loyal, but size needs consideration.
Are Great Danes easy to train? Learn quickly but can be sensitive and stubborn.
Are Great Danes good for first-time owners? Their size and needs suit experienced owners.
Are Great Danes good with other dogs? Generally good, though some can be aggressive to strange dogs.
Are Great Danes good guard dogs? Excellent — vigilant and protective.
Are Great Danes from Denmark? No — the breed is German (Deutsche Dogge).
Do Great Danes bark a lot? Not especially — they're calm housedogs.
Are Great Danes good apartment dogs? Not ideal — they need space.
Are Great Danes the tallest dog breed? Yes — among the two largest breeds, with the Irish Wolfhound.
What health problems do Great Danes have? Bloat, dilated cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, wobbler syndrome.