fellfolioWorking dog
Great Dane
Despite its imposing size, the Great Dane is often an affectionate, playful companion at home. It needs room, and its people need to practise lead walking and greetings while the dog is still young.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at shoulder
- 72 to 90 cm
- Weight
- 50 to 79 kg
- Lifespan
- under 10 years
- Activity
- High
- Grooming
- Low
- Training
- Patience & clear guidance
- Owner experience
- Experience recommended
A friendly dog with a very long reach
Great Danes were originally kept for hunting wild boar. Today, many would rather stay close to their people. Some would happily climb onto the sofa even when there is barely room for them. Their size is always part of family life, though: an excited greeting can knock over an adult, and a wagging tail can catch a small child.
Teach a young Dane to wait at the door and greet guests only when given a cue. Ask visitors not to call the dog over straight away; give it attention once it waits calmly. An adult should stay nearby when a Dane plays with young children.
Everyday life
The UK veterinary charity PDSA recommends at least two hours of daily exercise for adult Great Danes. Spread walks and play through the day; a securely fenced area gives the dog space to run freely. Take a gentler approach with puppies while their bones and joints are growing. Long runs beside a bicycle and repeated jumping are poor activities for a young Dane.
Before bringing one home, think through ordinary journeys. Can an adult Great Dane move comfortably around your home and stretch out to sleep? Can you transport it safely to a vet when needed? Stairs can be difficult for an older Dane. Practise loose-lead walking while the young dog is still manageable.
Staying home alone
Dogs learn to stay home alone in small steps. The RSPCA advises no more than four hours at a time. Puppies and dogs that become unsettled when left alone need shorter absences and gradual practice. Arrange someone to care for your dog when you will be away longer.
Everyday dog training: recall, a loose lead and clear communication ↗
Day-to-day care
The short coat usually needs one thorough brush a week, with more hair coming loose during shedding. Use grooming time to check the skin and paws. Get a puppy used to calm handling of its paws, ears and mouth. Small cuts or an overgrown nail are then easier to spot, and veterinary examinations become easier later on.
Many Great Danes drool, especially after drinking, so a cloth near the water bowl is handy. At home, non-slip floors help the dog get up and move securely. A padded bed should be large enough for it to stretch out fully.
Size and build
The Great Dane is tall and muscled, with a deep chest and an almost square outline. Females may be slightly longer in body. The standard of the international kennel federation FCI gives 80 to 90 cm at the shoulder for males and 72 to 84 cm for females. The American Kennel Club gives a weight range of about 50 to 79 kg.
A long head, drop ears and short, glossy coat define the breed. Colours include fawn, brindle, black, blue and harlequin. A Dane should still be able to move smoothly despite its size. Stiffness when rising or an unsteady gait deserves attention rather than being dismissed as normal for a giant dog.
From puppy to senior: caring for your dog through every life stage ↗
Health
A Great Dane can develop gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), when the stomach bloats and twists. Repeated retching that produces little or nothing, or sudden marked restlessness, are warning signs. The abdomen may swell, but this is not always obvious at first. Do not wait for every sign to appear: call an emergency vet and take your dog there immediately. PDSA also lists hip and elbow dysplasia and dilated cardiomyopathy, which weakens the heart muscle.
When looking for a puppy, ask for the parents’ joint and heart results as well as the family history of heart disease. If your Great Dane faints or struggles to breathe, call your vet or an emergency vet immediately. Have new, unusual fatigue assessed promptly. Keeping the dog lean also helps avoid extra strain on its large joints.
Could this breed fit your life?
Could work well if …
- You have room and experience to handle a very large dog calmly.
- You can plan for particular veterinary, transport and food costs.
May be less suitable if …
- Your home has little room to turn, many narrow stairs, and you cannot supervise play with young children.
- You have no safe way to transport a sick or older Great Dane to a vet.
Similar needs, different dogs.
Selected by shared size, activity, grooming and training characteristics.
Large terrier from Yorkshire
Airedale Terrier
With its wiry coat, long head and distinctive beard, the Airedale is hard to miss. It is the largest terrier and shares much of the curiosity and independence of its smaller relatives. The breed originated along Yorkshire’s rivers, where dogs were needed for hunting on the banks. Today it suits people who enjoy being out with their dog, train patiently and make time for regular coat care.
Japanese spitz with a dense undercoat
Akita
The Japanese Akita is a large dog with a dense undercoat, upright ears and a curled tail. It can form close bonds with familiar people while remaining more reserved with strangers. Its independence and hunting instincts suit people willing to guide encounters calmly and work with it regularly.
Lean sighthound from the Sahel with close bonds to familiar people
Azawakh
Long legs, a narrow body and a remarkably short coat give the Azawakh its distinctive appearance. This sighthound from the Sahel can be deeply attached to familiar people while keeping its distance from strangers at first. A suitable home offers shared exercise, secure space to run and people willing to let introductions develop gradually.
Sources and photograph credit
- Breed Weight Chart
Used in this profile for: Size / Weight, Size and build
- Teaching your dog to be left alone
Used in this profile for: Staying home alone
- FCI-Standard Nr. 235 · Deutsche Dogge
Used in this profile for: Size / Weight, Size and build
- What to Do in a Dog or Cat Emergency
Used in this profile for: Health
- GDV in dogs
Used in this profile for: Health
- Breed-specific health screening requirements
Used in this profile for: Health
- Great Dane · breed guide
Used in this profile for: Temperament, Everyday life, Day-to-day care, Health, Lifespan, Could this breed fit your life?
Photo credits
Portrait · Philippe Alamazani · Pexels License
Puppy · Daniel Kandie · Unsplash License
In action · Great Dane floppy ears · Sheila Sund from Salem, United States · CC BY 2.0 · Edited
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Side view · File:Great Dane black male.jpg · Canarian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Edited
