A giant guide to Great Danes

With great size comes great responsibility, and nowhere is this more true than with a Great Dane. These gentle giants are truly majestic creatures, but their sheer scale means they can be quite a handful to manage. So whether you’re thinking about welcoming a Great Dane into your life, you're already the proud pet parent to one, or you just want to find out more about this ginormous dog breed, here’s everything you need to know about the Great Dane.

Great Dane breed characteristics 

• Origin: Despite the name, Great Danes were first bred in Germany around 400 years ago.  
• Size: Great Dane puppies might start off small, but they won’t stay that way for long! Adult Great Danes typically measure 71-81cm (28-32 inches) and weigh 50-80 kg (110-175 pounds), depending on whether they’re male or female.
• Character: Affectionate, loyal, and patient.
• Grooming: Great Danes don’t typically shed that much, so brushing their coats once a week should be enough.
• Health needs: They should be taken for regular check-ups at the vet, and particular attention must be paid to symptoms of gastric dilation volvulus (GDV), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and megaesophagus.  
• Great Dane energy levels: High levels of energy (and long legs) mean they need plenty of exercise. 
• Intelligence: Great Danes are intelligent and eager to please, if a little slow. 
• Great Dane lifespan: 7-10 years.
• Noise levels: Great Danes are not known for being particularly loud, but when they do decide to vocalize their feelings, expect a deep, low bark, which can make them sound rather intimidating. 

What does a Great Dane look like? 

One of the biggest dog breeds in the world, the Great Dane is hard to miss. And it’s obvious why it’s been named the “Apollo of Dogs”; a Great Dane towers over most other breeds and even small people, with a sleek, muscular body that gives them a handsome (dare we say horse-like?) appearance. Great Dane colors vary between white, brown, blue, and black, and they can have some truly impressive markings. The harlequin Great Dane pattern is unique to the breed but relatively rare, whereas fawn Great Danes (a light brown color) are the most typical to see. Brindle-colored and black Great Danes are also relatively common.

Great Dane personality 

While many dogs have been described as “gentle giants”, it’s the Great Dane that truly embodies the phrase. Great in all senses of the word, the breed is loyal, friendly, and patient, yet lively with a serious goofy side. 

Great Dane health

There are a few health issues to keep a special eye out for when caring for a Great Dane.

Gastric dilation volvulus (GDV)

This uncomfortable condition causes the stomach to bloat and twist and poses a danger to large breeds like the Great Dane. In order to reduce the chance of bloating, Great Danes should be fed multiple small meals a day rather than one or two large ones, and exercising them around mealtimes must be avoided. Some vets can perform a procedure called a prophylactic gastropexy to help reduce the risk of bloat, but if you notice symptoms such as restlessness, a swollen abdomen, retching, or excessive drooling, contact the vet immediately. 

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Another condition that Great Danes are unfortunately predisposed to, DCM causes the heart to have difficulty pumping blood around the body. It can be very serious if left untreated, so Great Dane puppies should have their hearts examined once they’re brought home and undergo regular veterinary check-ups throughout their life.

Megaesophagus 

Great Danes are at risk of developing megaesophagus, when the esophagus becomes too large, at any stage in their life. The condition causes food and water to get stuck in the throat rather than passing through to the stomach. Symptoms include bad breath and regurgitation, and dogs may even develop pneumonia. It is usually treated with a change of diet, and sometimes pups are fed upright to avoid regurgitation.

Hip dysplasia

As big-boned buddies, Great Danes are more at risk of joint problems such as hip dysplasia than other breeds. This painful condition causes the ball and socket of the hip joint to be out of alignment, which can lead to arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Watch out for weakness in the back legs, difficulty moving around, and hopping or limping, and take your pooch to the vet if you have any concerns.

Big bones are one of the biggest hindrances to a Great Dane’s health, and care should be taken not to overexercise Great Dane puppies until they’ve passed the age of two. 

Wobbler syndrome 

Another condition more common in giant breeds like Great Danes, this neurological disease causes the spinal cord in the neck area to compress. Otherwise known as cervical spondylomyelopathy (quite the tongue-twister), it causes pain, trouble walking, and even incontinence. It is typically managed with rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy, although surgery can be effective in treating the condition.

Pet parents and dog sitters should also keep an eye out for other common health problems, including: 

• Hypothyroidism
• Dental issues and gum disease
• Infection
• Obesity and weight problems
• Allergies 
• Epilepsy
• Cancer

Keep your furry friend happy and healthy by taking them for regular check-ups at the vet.

What’s the ideal home for a Great Dane?

Just one look at a Great Dane is enough to know they’re not the best breed to have in an apartment. They need space to roam and benefit from having access to a large garden, but that being said, they could be happy with apartment living so long as they spend enough time exercising outside.

Their gentle nature makes them excellent family pets, but their large size means small children are at risk of being toppled over, so Great Danes are best suited to families with older children. Note that small trinkets can also find themselves in the firing line of long wagging tails!

What’s the ideal human for a Great Dane?

With Great Danes, energy levels are high, so they need plenty of exercise – at least two hours per day is the ticket to a happy pup. They’re best suited to experienced pet parents who love spending time outdoors but will also be around a lot during the day. Great Danes grow tight bonds with their loved ones and can be prone to separation anxiety as a result. 

Great Dane training

Great Danes are an intelligent breed that are eager to please. They respond well to positive reinforcement training, and although they may need a moment to think, they typically learn to follow their pet parent’s every command. 

Because of their size and power, it’s important to start training Great Danes as soon as they come home. They should learn to walk on a leash and must be taught not to jump up (strangers may not appreciate all 80kg of Dane!). 

As they have an excellent sense of smell and a tendency to follow their nose, it’s a good idea to keep Great Danes on the leash unless you’re in a secure area (with legs as long as those, a small fence won’t deter them!). They also love learning tricks, but remember their size when training them – standing on their hind legs may not be so cute when fully grown.

As Great Danes are prone to separation anxiety, pet parents often crate-train their big furry friends to make it easier for them to run errands outside of the house. Getting an in-home dog sitter is the best option when pet parents are away for extended periods, and our loving sitters ensure pooch pals can enjoy the same routine and home comforts they know and love. 

Great Danes should also be well-socialized as young pups – introduce them to other furry friends, people, riding in the car, the sounds of traffic, and anything else they might encounter. Learning to interact with the outside world should ensure they live a happy, well-rounded life. 

Great Danes are also sometimes trained as guard dogs, even if the only thing that makes these gentle giants intimidating is their sheer size. Simply the sound of a Great Dane barking may be enough for potential intruders to think twice.

Grooming Great Danes

One of the pros of having Great Danes is that they have short coats that don’t shed too much… but one of the cons is that they’re so big that “not much hair” can still be quite a lot! 

Great Danes should be brushed weekly and as often as daily during shedding season (once or twice a year). They should be bathed only when dirty.

Grooming a Great Dane may not take up too much time, but they’re big on drooling, so pet parents should wipe their faces regularly. Other tasks include brushing their teeth, checking their ears, and clipping their nails to prevent them from getting too long. Get Great Danes used to pampering from a young age so they don’t put up a fuss when they’re adults – they can be quite the handful once they’re fully grown.

History of the Great Dane breed 

Despite the name, Great Danes actually originated in Germany around 400 years ago. Why they’re called “Danes” is a complete mystery, especially since they’re named the Deutsche Dogge (the German dog) in their birthplace of Germany. Either way, the breed was originally introduced by German nobles to hunt wild boar. It was recognized by the AKC in 1887 and has since become a much-loved family pet. 

Getting a Great Dane

Getting any dog is a huge responsibility, but with Great Danes, the responsibility is even, well, greater. Their wants and needs are on a different scale to those of a smaller pup, simply because of their size. 

For one, Great Danes can be expensive – they eat more than smaller dogs, and potential pet parents must also consider the cost of vet bills, insurance, dog sitters, grooming, and toys. 

They also need two or three walks per day, plus time to play at home. They should be provided with lots of stimulating activities from puzzle bowls to games of fetch, and time should be spent making sure they get to grips with their training from the moment they get home. 

They should also be fed a healthy diet specially formulated for large breeds that will ensure they get all the nutrients they need. 

Ultimately though, it’s important for pet parents to be prepared to spend as much time as possible with their beloved Great Danes. As they’re sometimes described as velcro dogs, these dogs will want to spend as much time by your side (or even on your lap) as possible.