Great Dane
The Great Dane is one of the world's tallest dog breeds, with roots stretching back to Germany, where large hunting dogs were used for centuries to pursue wild boar and deer.
Known locally as the Deutsche Dogge, the modern breed was standardised in Germany during the nineteenth century.
25-34kg
Weight
Large
Size
12-14yrs
Lifespan
About the Great Dane
Today, these magnificent dogs typically stand 51–61 centimetres at the shoulder and weigh 25–34 kilograms, displaying elegant proportions and a short coat in various colours including fawn, brindle, and black. What truly sets the Great Dane apart is its gentle nature. Despite their imposing stature, they are famously affectionate and good-natured, earning their reputation as the friendly giant of the dog world. Great Danes form strong bonds with their families and thrive on human companionship, often seeming unaware of their considerable size. They are typically friendly towards children and other animals when properly socialised, though early training is essential given their strength. Whilst not highly energetic, they require regular daily exercise to maintain good health. Prospective owners should recognise that Great Danes demand significant space, generous food allowances, and considerable veterinary investment. With an average lifespan of 12–14 years, they offer rewarding companionship for those prepared for the practical realities of owning such a substantial dog.
Great Dane at a Glance
- Group
- Working
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 25–34 kg
- Height
- 51–61 cm
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
- Coat
- Short
- Sheds
- Yes
- Exercise
- More than 2 hours per day
- Origin
- Germany
- Colours
- Weight:
- Typical price
- £800–£1500
Great Dane Temperament
The Great Dane is a majestic, elegant and affectionate breed that, despite its enormous size, is generally gentle and good-natured with its family. It carries itself with great dignity and alertness, and is typically friendly towards people and other animals when properly socialised. Great Danes form strong bonds with their owners and enjoy being close to them, often unaware of how large they actually are. They are not a highly energetic breed but do need regular exercise to stay healthy. Their sheer size means early training is essential to ensure good manners, particularly around children and visitors. With consistent handling and plenty of affection, the Great Dane is a truly impressive and loving companion.
Great Dane Lifestyle
The Great Dane is best suited to a larger home and really benefits from a large, secure garden. Whether in the city or the countryside, they tend to settle well.
Dog Food for Great Dane
Top-rated foods for Large breeds, ranked by FurScore. How we score →
Nutrition & Diet
Great danes are a breed somewhat prone to gastric dilatation-volvulus, so they should always eat their meals in peace, and should never exercise straight after a meal. Large and giant dog breeds are prone to a plethora of joint conditions, so a diet with added glucosamine and chondroitine can provide your dog’s joint with much-needed support. For your great dane choose a diet designed for large and giant dog breeds - such diet will provide your canine with enough energy and all the necessary nutrients. Great dane is not a longevous dog breed and they tend to start ageing quicker than other breeds of dogs. It is estimated great danes become geriatric around the age of 7. At that point it is advised to change your dog’s diet to a formula aimed at older dogs - reduced amount of fats will make weigh management that much easier. Remember that every dog is different and actual energetic needs of your canine depend on the energy levels, their lifestyle and living conditions. Great choice for Great dane dogs is .
Recommended Food for Great Dane
Great Dane Food Costs
Estimated based on a typical Great Dane weighing around 30 kg, using the food prices shown above.
Per day
£5.22 - £5.57
Per month
£157 - £167
Per year
£1906 - £2032
Great Dane Characteristics
The Great Dane needs substantial daily exercise and mental stimulation to stay settled and responds brilliantly to positive reinforcement. They love children and tend to get on brilliantly with them, but are fine alone for moderate amounts of time. The coat is fairly easy to maintain with regular brushing and sheds a fair amount but nothing unmanageable. They are a highly intelligent breed that needs mental stimulation as well as physical exercise.
Great Dane Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely loyal and affectionate, forming deep bonds with their family
- Intelligent and capable of picking things up quickly with proper training
- Short, sleek coat that needs very little grooming
- Playful and good-natured, bringing a lot of joy and entertainment to family life
Cons
- Not suited to first-time owners given the demands of training and managing a dog of this size
- Needs plenty of space to accommodate their large frame and daily exercise needs
- Prone to heavy drooling and enthusiastic tail-wagging that can cause accidental damage
- Susceptible to breed-specific health conditions including bloat and heart disease
