A Great Dane is a giant dog breed known for extreme height, a calm “gentle giant” temperament, and a shorter average lifespan than many smaller breeds. Most adult males stand 30–32 inches at the shoulder and females 28–30 inches, and daily care is dominated by joint load, bloat (GDV) prevention, heart screening awareness, and size-safe training.
Quick facts: Great Dane at a glance
| Trait | Typical Great Dane profile |
|---|---|
| Height | Male: 30–32 in (76–81 cm) • Female: 28–30 in (71–76 cm) |
| Weight | Often 100–160 lb (varies by frame + Body Condition Score) |
| Lifespan | Often 7–10 years |
| Energy level | Moderate |
| Temperament | Calm, affectionate, dependable (with socialization) |
| Coat | Short, moderate shedding |
| Biggest owner risks | Bloat (GDV), DCM, Wobbler, joint overload, handling accidents |
What is a Great Dane?
A Great Dane is a tall, large-framed companion dog historically developed from European large hunting and estate dogs and later standardized as a distinct breed. Modern Great Danes are primarily family companions whose behavior profile is usually calm, people-oriented, and stable when raised with structured training and early social exposure.
How big do Great Danes get?
Great Danes get very tall and heavy, and size management is about proportions + healthy body condition, not maximum weight. Owners should plan for “giant-dog logistics” such as vehicle space, bedding size, door clearance, and safe leash control.
What is the Great Dane height for males vs females?
Male Great Danes commonly stand 30–32 inches at the shoulder, while females commonly stand 28–30 inches. Some individuals exceed these ranges, but height alone does not predict health.
What is the typical Great Dane weight range?
Great Dane weight varies widely by frame. Many healthy adults fall roughly between 100–160 lb, with some outside that range. Body Condition Score (BCS) is the better indicator of health because excess fat increases joint load, heat load, and exercise intolerance.
Practical body condition checks (owner-friendly):
- Waist visible from above
- Tuck-up visible from the side
- Ribs easy to feel with light pressure (not protruding, not buried)
How tall can a Great Dane get standing up?
A Great Dane can appear 6–7 feet tall when standing on hind legs depending on shoulder height and posture. This matters for counter access, jumping risk, and home safety.
What is Great Dane temperament like?
Great Danes are typically calm, affectionate, and loyal, and they often prefer staying close to their people. Their “gentle giant” reputation is mainly accurate when three inputs are present: early socialization, consistent training, and size-aware handling rules.
Are Great Danes aggressive?
No—aggression is not typical of well-socialized Great Danes. The most common “danger” pattern is accidental impact from size (knocking over a child, pulling on leash, tail strikes), not intentional aggression.
Are Great Danes good family dogs?
Yes, Great Danes often do well in families because many are stable, tolerant, and people-focused. The family fit depends on management, not breed myth.
Family success controls:
- Teach calm greetings (no jumping)
- Use a front-clip harness for leash training
- Supervise around toddlers (giant body + tail)
- Create a quiet bed zone where the dog is not bothered
Are Great Danes good with other pets?
Great Danes are often compatible with dogs and cats when socialized early and introduced correctly. The main risk is size mismatch, so structured introductions reduce fear and chasing.
How long do Great Danes live?
Great Danes often live 7–10 years, and many owners experience a shorter lifespan than they would with small breeds. Lifespan is influenced by genetics, growth management, weight control, heart health, and emergency risks like bloat.
Why do Great Danes have a shorter lifespan?
Great Danes are giant dogs, and giant body size increases lifetime exposure to:
- Cardiac workload (DCM risk)
- Orthopedic stress (hips, elbows, arthritis)
- Neurologic risk (Wobbler in predisposed lines)
- Acute emergencies (GDV/bloat)
The practical owner takeaway is simple: reduce controllable risk early (weight, feeding pattern, growth pacing, training, screening).
What are the most common Great Dane health problems?
Great Danes carry several high-impact health risks. The best approach is prevention planning plus “what to do if” readiness.
What is bloat (GDV) and why is it the #1 emergency risk?
Bloat (GDV) is a condition where the stomach fills with gas and may twist, restricting blood flow and causing rapid shock. Great Danes are widely considered a high-risk breed for GDV relative to many other breeds.
High-value early signs (owner-observed):
- Repeated retching with little or no vomit
- Drooling and distress
- Tight or swollen abdomen
- Restlessness, pacing, “can’t get comfortable”
- Rapid worsening over minutes to hours
Feeding controls that reduce risk exposure:
- Feed 2–3 smaller meals (avoid one huge meal)
- Reduce gulping (slow feeder if needed)
- Avoid intense exercise right before/after meals
- Keep the dog lean (obesity increases strain)
- Discuss prophylactic gastropexy with your vet (especially for high-risk lines)
What is DCM in Great Danes?
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a heart muscle condition that can reduce pumping strength and cause arrhythmias. Some dogs show no signs early, so owners should treat “reduced stamina” as a signal worth checking.
Common owner-noticed signs:
- Tiring faster than usual
- Coughing or heavy breathing
- Weakness or fainting episodes
Practical control: Ask your vet about cardiac screening and family history if you are buying from a breeder.
What is Wobbler syndrome and what does it look like?
Wobbler syndrome (caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy) is a neck/spine condition that can affect coordination and strength.
Owner-visible signals:
- Wobbly rear-end gait
- Scuffing paws or worn nails
- Reluctance on stairs
- Neck pain, stiffness, or guarding
Practical control: keep the dog lean, use controlled exercise, and seek veterinary evaluation if gait changes appear.
Are Great Danes prone to hip dysplasia and arthritis?
Yes, Great Danes can be predisposed to orthopedic wear because of size and growth demands.
Joint-protection controls:
- keep a lean body condition (biggest controllable factor)
- avoid repetitive high-impact exercise during growth
- use traction support at home (rugs/mats on slippery floors)
- provide orthopedic bedding
What should Great Dane puppies eat?
Great Dane puppies should eat a best large breed puppy food designed to support steady growth rather than rapid weight gain. Growth management is a core health strategy for giant breeds because overfeeding increases bone/joint load during development.
Owner rules for puppy feeding:
- Use a measured schedule (don’t free-feed)
- Track weight trend weekly
- Keep the puppy lean with a visible waist
- Avoid “high-calcium growth pushing” foods unless vet-directed
How much should a Great Dane eat per day?
A Great Dane should be fed based on body condition + activity + age, not a fixed scoop count. Most adults do best on 2–3 meals per day to support steadier digestion and reduce gulping patterns.
Simple feeding adjustment rule
If the waist disappears or ribs become hard to feel, reduce calories and reassess in 2 weeks. If ribs are too prominent and energy is poor, increase gradually.
Calculate daily calories for your dog by our Dog Food Calculate
How much exercise does a Great Dane need?
Great Danes need daily moderate exercise and consistent routine. They are not usually high-endurance athletes, but they need movement to support joints, digestion, and behavior stability.
Exercise by life stage
| Life stage | Best exercise style | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | short walks + gentle play + training games | repetitive jumping, long runs, heavy stairs |
| Adult | 2–3 walks/day + moderate play | extreme high-impact sports without conditioning |
| Senior | shorter, frequent walks + mobility support | forced long distances, slippery surfaces |
Training + exercise combo: leash manners are an exercise safety requirement for a giant dog.
Can Great Danes live in apartments?
Yes, Great Danes can live in apartments if owners provide consistent exercise, calm indoor behavior training, and practical space planning.
Apartment success checklist:
- Elevator or manageable stairs
- Quiet bed zone (dog can fully stretch)
- Controlled greetings (no door-rush)
- Daily walks + indoor enrichment
- Noise control (barking habits shaped early)
How much does a Great Dane cost?
A Great Dane costs more than most breeds because everything scales: food volume, medication doses, crate size, bed size, and emergency surgery costs.
Cost buckets owners should plan for:
- High-quality diet (giant intake)
- Routine vet care + vaccinations
- Parasite prevention sized for giant weight
- Training (leash control)
- Emergency fund (GDV risk is the most important)
Great Dane grooming and shedding
Great Danes have short coats but still shed. Grooming is simple and improves skin comfort.
Routine:
- Brush 1–2× weekly
- Nail trims every 2–4 weeks
- Wipe drool-prone areas if needed
- check ears and skin folds (some lines have more irritation issues)
How do you choose a healthy Great Dane?
A healthy Great Dane comes from genetics + early care + temperament stability.
What should a good breeder provide?
A good breeder provides:
- Transparent health history of parents
- Proof of relevant screening (hips/heart as available)
- Early socialization plan
- Written contract and return policy
What should you check if adopting?
When adopting, evaluate:
- Gait and mobility
- Stamina on a short walk
- Calm handling response
- Medical history (if known)
- Basic training foundation
“Apollo of Dogs”: where the nickname fits
Great Danes are called the “Apollo of Dogs” because the breed is known for a balanced outline, height, depth of chest, and elegance in movement despite massive size. The nickname matches what owners observe when the dog is healthy: smooth gait, calm confidence, and controlled power.
How big are Great Danes?
Most adult males are 30–32 inches tall and females 28–30 inches, with weight commonly 100–160 lb depending on frame and body condition
Are Great Danes aggressive?
No. Great Danes are typically calm and friendly when socialized, and most safety issues come from size-related accidents, not aggression.
How long do Great Danes live?
Great Danes often live 7–10 years, which is shorter than many smaller breeds.
What is the biggest health risk in Great Danes?
Bloat (GDV) is the top emergency risk because it can progress quickly and become life-threatening.
Should I feed my Great Dane once or twice a day?
Most do better with 2–3 smaller meals per day rather than one large meal.
What should Great Dane puppies eat?
A large-breed puppy formula supports steady growth and helps reduce joint overload risk.
Can Great Danes live in apartments?
Yes, if they get daily exercise, calm greeting training, and enough indoor space to stretch and turn comfortably.
Do Great Danes drool a lot?
Many do, especially after drinking and eating, because of lip structure and head shape.
Are Great Danes good with kids?
Often yes, but supervision is required because a giant dog can accidentally knock a child over.
How much exercise does a Great Dane need?
Most adults need moderate daily exercise split into multiple sessions plus basic training and mental enrichment.
