Get to know

Great Danes

Written by
Caroline Coile, Ph.D.,
 author of 34 dog books.
Veterinarian reviewed
 by Nate Ritter, DVM.
Written by
Caroline Coile, Ph.D.,
 author of 34 dog books, including the top-selling Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds.

Veterinarian reviewed

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Foto Danes

Known as the Apollo of Dogs, the Great Dane does not disappoint.

This dog is magnificent, combining great size and commanding appearance with a surprising amount of gentleness and, yes, goofiness.
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40+ available Great Dane puppies

$2.2k average price

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240 active litters

At a glance

Moderate Energy

Energy level

3/5

Minimal Maintenance

Grooming

1/5

Extra large, 110 to 180 pounds

Size

Friendly, willing to please, gentle

Temperament

7-10 years

Lifespan

Average Trainability

Training

3/5

Low Vocality

Barking

2/5

At a glance

  • Energy level

    Moderate Energy

  • Grooming

    Minimal Maintenance

  • Size

    Extra large, 110 to 180 pounds

  • Temperament

    Friendly, willing to please, gentle

  • Lifespan

    7-10 years

  • Training

    Average Trainability

  • Barking

    Low Vocality

Why people love the breed

Dane owners love the breed’s combination of aristocracy and goofiness. They embrace the challenges of living with a giant dog.
Danes are big dogs with even bigger hearts. They are loving and demonstrative, and tend to be oblivious of their size. Many consider themselves lapdogs, and seem baffled when they won’t fit. Don’t get a Dane if you don’t want heads to turn every time you walk down the street, or if you can’t stand hearing the same questions (“Where’s the saddle?” “Who’s walking whom?”) when you walk by. Dane lovers acknowledge the hardships of feeding, caring for and accommodating a dog bigger than they are, but they wouldn’t have it any other way. A Dane is, simply put, magnificent. They command attention, and get it. The sleek lines, stunning head, and assortment of colors and patterns are a joy to those with a sense of aesthetics, and their brave, proud personality has just enough streak of silliness to be endearing.

Appearance

No other breed combines the look of great power and size with elegance as does the Great Dane.
The Dane is big. The American Kennel Club (AKC) standard states males should stand at least 30 inches at the shoulders, and preferably 32 inches, but most are actually much larger, about 32 to 35 inches. Females are about 2 inches shorter. They are well covered without being ponderous, with males weighing 140 to 180 pounds, and females 110 to 140 pounds. They are square-proportioned, and have a long, easy stride. The original Great Dane hunting dogs had to combine speed with power, enabling them to both overtake and overcome tough game like wild boar. The topline is level, the neck long and arched, and the tail long and hanging. The abdominal tuck is noticeable. The head is long, large and rectangular, with a square jaw and deep muzzle, accentuated by somewhat hanging jowls. The ears may be cropped to stand erect or uncropped to hang down. The coat is thick, but close-lying and sleek. Danes come in several acceptable patterns and colors, but take note that many other combinations are disallowed by the AKC standard. The acceptable color patterns include brindle, black-masked fawn, blue, black, harlequin, merle, or mantle (black with white trim). The Great Dane Club of America provides color breeding guidelines to avoid breeding combinations that produce disallowed combinations.

Grooming

Grooming is easy. Just polish the coat occasionally. But do look out for drool.
Use a bristle or rubber brush to stimulate the skin and remove dead hairs every week or so...actually even less if you don’t feel like it. Even during shedding season you won’t be inundated with hair. Some Danes drool more than others. Heavier droolers can wear a drool bib that hands down the front of their neck. And many Dane owners carry a drool rag in case a long stalactite of drool appears. Not all Danes drool heavily, but you have to consider it a possibility when you get one. Cutting the nails is the hardest part of grooming. You may have to cut them in older dogs more frequently. You’ll need heavy-duty nail clippers, or a grinder. Work with yours starting in puppyhood to accustom them to lying or standing calmly, as you don’t ever want this to devolve into a wrestling match. Your Dane will win. Brush their teeth daily.
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European Great Danes

Breed temperament and characteristics

The description of gentle giant is overused, but totally appropriate for the Great Dane.
The Great Dane was bred for several roles requiring great courage, and today’s Dane generally retains that bravery. They’re protective and will not hesitate to place themselves as guard dogs between danger and family. However, they’re not a dog that looks for a fight. They’re generally mild-mannered and low-key, getting along with other household dogs and animals, and relatively friendly toward strange dogs and people. They tend to be gentle with young kids and the elderly, but not always as careful as they should be and can bowl over any human. As with any larger breed, caution should be observed when mixing dogs and young children, simply because of the Dane’s size. Danes are ready to take up any game you deem fun, but they also like to lounge around the house. This is definitely not a hyperactive breed.

Exercise

Danes are big dogs and need to get outside to stretch their legs daily. But they aren't exercise fanatics.
Being that big takes energy, which may explain why Danes are surprisingly low-energy dogs. Like all giant breeds, they enjoy taking it easy. They do need to get out and exercise daily, and because of their size you'll need a large area in which to run. They enjoy games of fetch, and also hiking or just walking around the neighborhood. They’re not enthusiastic runners, so keep jogging fairly short. Some enjoy swimming, but it’s not normally a favorite activity. They do enjoy drafting and carting sports. Because of their giant size, and the fact they can be so intimidating, they may not be good dog park candidates. Some, however, form friendships with fellow dog park dogs and do quite well. Some Danes overheat easily, so have a cooling plan in place if you are exercising in hot weather.
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TDT Great Danes

Training

Danes are willing to please, but don’t expect lightning quick responses. They do things at their pace, not yours.
Their sheer size and strength makes training a necessity, and fortunately, most Danes enjoy the training process and learn quickly. Obviously, force methods aren’t going to work well, as it’s likely a Dane is stronger than the average person. But Danes are eager to please, and also work for food and toys. It takes time for them to bend their long legs into a sit, or to lower themselves to the ground to lie down, so be patient. Many Danes have competed at the highest levels of obedience and even agility (despite the challenges of certain obstacles like the dog walk and tunnels). Socialization at a young age is equally important. A scared Dane, or worse, a reactive one, is a danger to themself, their family, and others. Be sure to get your Dane out having good experiences meeting people and dogs starting at a young age.

Diet and nutrition

Big dogs need big nutrition. Fortunately many commercial meals meet that need.
Due to the Great Dane’s size, they thrive on diets specifically formulated for large dogs. Such diets, which are balanced in calories, calcium, and phosphorus and offer high quality protein, are especially critical for puppies and cause them to grow at a controlled rate. Many studies have shown that growing too fast increases the chance of many developmental joint diseases to which Danes are already susceptible to as one of the largest dog breeds, including hip and elbow dysplasia. Free-feeding is not recommended for large breed puppies like Great Dane puppies, as they tend to overeat, increasing their growth rate and the chance of developmental joint disease due to their size. Instead, feed several small meals of large-breed puppy food over the course of a day, starting with three to four meals as a little puppy, then two meals at about four months of age, transitioning to an adult diet at around 9 months. Note that it is a good choice to feed dry, large breed food which has a larger kibble size, giving the dog a chance to crunch and chew more. Great Danes can become obese, so you should always monitor your Dane’s weight. You should be able to feel the ribs with gentle probing, and there should be a definite indication of a waist, with no dimple over the tail or roll of fat over the withers. Obesity makes joint disease worse, so always keep your Dane trim. Always consult with your veterinarian if your dog has a particular health problem. Many specialized diets are available that are scientifically formulated for different conditions.
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Foto Danes

Health issues

Like most giant dogs, Great Danes have a comparatively short life span, and are more prone to some health problems and diseases.

Lifespan: 7 to 10 years.

Hip dysplasia

A complex condition involving both genetic and environmental factors that can cause varying degrees of pain and loss of function in the affected hip joint. No genetic test is available to date, therefore, the recommended screening test is x-rays. Definitive reports include OFA radiographs taken after 2 years of age or another recognized screening and grading program (e.g. PennHIP, BVA, SV, FCI) following the validated process and minimum age for that organization.

Dilated cardiomyopathy

A heart disease in which the heart muscle degenerates and becomes thinner, leading to a larger heart as the walls expand due to the pressure from the blood inside the heart. Cardiac evaluations are useful in screening dogs for congenital heart conditions that can be passed down to the puppies.

Gastric dilatation-volvulus

A life-threatening sudden twisting of the stomach. It is an extreme emergency that can be fatal if not treated immediately. Great Danes are predisposed due to their large, deep chest. A prophylactic gastropexy surgery can be performed to prevent torsion - most typically done at the time of spay or neuter.

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)

An abnormality of cartilage development causing an inflammatory condition when the disease's cartilage separates from the underlying bone. This painful condition can occur more frequently in large breed dogs who are not eating an appropriate large breed puppy diet.

Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD)

This is a developmental, auto-inflammatory disease of the bones that can cause limping, pain, and joint swelling.

Other health issues

This includes panosteitis, megaesophagus, eyelid disorders including entropion (lid rolls inward) and ectropion (lid is everted), generalized demodicosis (demodectic mange) and splenic torsion.

Learn more about health issues that may impact Great Danes

History

He may be Great, but he’s not really a Dane.
By the fourteenth century a strain of dogs derived from crossing ancient Roman Molussus war dogs with Greyhounds was proving itself as the ideal boar hunter in Germany. These elegant dogs combined speed, strength and most of all, courage. And at home, these same dogs could patrol the estates, looking elegant while keeping out intruders. Nobody knows how they came to be called Great Danes. An early name was German Boarhound, and in Germany they are now called the Deutsche Dogge. The AKC recognized the Great Dane breed in 1887. They are in the AKC Working group. DNA studies show that the Great Dane’s closest relative is the Rhodesian Ridgeback, probably because the Dane contributed to the development of the Ridgeback. Several Danes have held the record as the world’s tallest dog. It is currently held by a Dane named Zeus, who measures 44 inches at the shoulder. Celebrity Dane owners include The Red Baron, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Mario Andretti, Greg Loughanis, Chubby Checkers, William Shatner, and Olivia Newton-John. Danes have starred as cartoon characters Scooby-Doo, Marmaduke, and Astro; and in several films, most famously as The Ugly Dachshund.
An adult Great Dane stands by a fence
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Rhalvek European Great Danes

Mantle Great Dane puppy
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YK Great Danes

About the author

Canine specialist, Caroline Coile, Ph.D., is the author of 34 dog books, including the top-selling Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds. She’s written thousands of magazine and web articles about dogs. She specializes in canine science, health, breeds and competitions. Caroline has won 20 national dog-writing awards, and was a 2015 Inductee into the Dog Writers Association of America Hall of Fame.

Veterinarian reviewed

Dr. Nate Ritter, DVM is the Veterinary Medical Director at Good Dog. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lafayette College and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, New York State Veterinary Medical Society, the Veterinary Medical Association of New York City, and the Society for Theriogenology. Additionally, he is a USDA-accredited veterinarian.

Breed Scorecard

Characteristics and temperament

  • Affectionate with family

    4

  • Watchdog level

    4

  • Playfulness

    3

  • Adaptability

    3

  • Social needs

    4

  • Temperament

    Friendly, willing to please, gentle

  • Intelligence

    3

  • Good with other dogs

    2

  • Good with cats or other pets

    3

  • Friendly with strangers

    4

  • Good as a service dog

    3

  • Good for apartments

    2

  • Barking level

    2

Appearance

  • Height

    28-30"

  • Size

    Extra large, 110 to 180 pounds

  • Colors

    Blue and white (non-standard), Black and white, Chocolate and white (non-standard), Chocolate brindle (non-standard), Mantle merle, Merlequin (non-standard), Chocolate (non-standard), Blue brindle (non-standard), White, Silver, Brindle, Fawn, Blue, Harlequin, Mantle, Merle, Black

  • Coat texture

    Smooth, thick, glossy

  • Coat length

    Short

Training

  • Trainability

    3

Exercise

  • Exercise needs

    3

  • Exercise time

    About an hour a day

  • Mental exercise needs

    2

  • Favorite activities

Grooming

  • Grooming needs

    1

  • Brushing frequency

    Monthly

  • Needs professional grooming?

    No

  • Drooling level

    4

Health issues

  • Hip dysplasia

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy

  • Gastric dilatation-volvulus

  • Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)

  • Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD)

  • Other health issues

Other

  • Bred for

    Estate guardian; large game hunter

  • Country of origin

    Germany

  • Popularity level

    5

FAQs

  • On Good Dog, you can search for Great Dane puppies or dogs in rescues and shelters. Adopting a Great Dane from a shelter or rescue is generally less expensive than buying a puppy from a breeder with ethical practices. Across the United States, there are dedicated rescues that specialize in specific breeds and may even help transport a Great Dane dog to you from another part of the country. Although it can be more cost-effective, adopting the exact breed you're looking for is typically more difficult than working with a responsible breeder. Learn more about adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue.

  • The typical price for Great Dane puppies for sale may vary based on the breeder and individual puppy. On average, the price of Great Dane puppies from a breeder is $2,150.

  • Despite their size, Danes are definitely house dogs. They don’t do well in extreme heat or cold, nor are they happy when separated from their family. You just need a big house as they don’t fit well in small apartments.

  • When properly socialized, Danes are fairly friendly, and enjoy meeting new people. But they can also be protective.

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