The Great Dane is a gentle giant with a big body and an even bigger heart. These dogs were originally bred in Germany to hunt boars and guard wealthy estates. They have a muscular build with short hair and a square muzzle. Due to their impressive appearance, they’ve earned the nickname “Apollo of Dogs”.
Despite their intimidating size, these dogs are friendly, low maintenance, and get along well with kids. These days they’re more likely to chill with their humans on the couch than chase off wild animals. Their goofy, easygoing personalities have made them a popular breed in America.
Preservation breeders Brian and Wendy O’Donnell of Stardust Danes answer all your questions about this lovable dog. Here are the basics you should know about the Great Dane.
Key
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Origin: Germany
- Size:
- Weight: 150-160 pounds
- Activity level:
- Barking/howling level:
- Good with dogs: yes
- Good with kids: yes
- Good with cats:
- Shedding:
- Grooming level:
- Training level:
Great Dane Appearance
Great Danes are easy to pick out in a crowd. They have an athletic physique with powerful legs and lean torsos. Their ears are set high on their skull, so you always have a clear view of their face and eyes.
The O’Donnells say these dogs tend to reach their full height of 2.5 feet when they are 2 years old. They’ll gradually fill out with muscle until they are 4 years old, reaching up to 160 pounds. If you’re on the smaller side, your Great Dane could easily outgrow you by the time they reach adulthood.
While their physique is pretty consistent, their coats can have a lot of variety. “There are seven approved colors for show,” says Brian O’Donnell. They come in:
- Brindle: Golden brown coat with black stripes
- Black: Glossy black coat
- Blue: Bluish gray coat
- Fawn: Golden brown fur with a black “mask” around the snout and eyes
- Harlequin: White with black patches
- Mantle: Black with a white muzzle, chest, and paws
- Merle: Pale gray with a white muzzle, chest, and paws
Great Dane Personality
Great Danes often have lovey-dovey personalities and enjoy being everyone’s friend. “They’re very, very attached to their humans,” says Wendy O’Donnell.
However, Great Danes don’t really know their own size. They love to lean on you and may try to become a lap dog. This can lead to some rather clumsy moments, but their goofy antics are part of their charm.
Great Dane Health
“A reputable breeder, before breeding any dog, will do testing on their eyes, their thyroid, their hips, and their heart,” says Brian O’Donnell. A dog who clears those tests likely won’t pass on genetic conditions to their puppies.
However, even ethically bred Great Danes may be vulnerable to the same health issues as other large breeds. Giant dogs are more likely to develop cervical spondylomyelopathy, which squeezes the spinal cord in their neck. Without steady nerve signals, Great Danes can develop a shaky, stumbling gait called Wobbler’s syndrome.
Wendy O’Donnell says large breeds like Great Danes are also prone to hip dysplasia (where leg bones can slip out of the hip joint) and dilated cardiomyopathy (where the chambers in the heart swell).
Ideal Environment for a Great Dane
“Once they get out of the puppy stage, Great Danes are pretty much couch potatoes,” says Wendy O’Donnell. She adds they are great in an office and love to lounge by you while you work.
They can be as happy in an apartment as in a house so long as you walk them regularly. However, you’ll want to be mindful of how you decorate and dog-proof your home. When a Great Dane’s tail starts wagging, it can easily knock over table lamps or ornaments on low shelves. If you have any fragile valuables, the O’Donnells recommend storing them above waist height or in a sturdy cabinet.
Ideal Human for a Great Dane
Great Danes want to be near their humans all the time. Their ideal person either works at home or can take a dog with them to work.
Be prepared to make cuddling a regular part of your routine. These dogs love to share personal space, and they’ll completely take over your lap if you let them.
Great Dane Training
Great Danes are eager to please their humans, so they are often quite easy to train.
“What’s important for a Great Dane in the early years is that you train them in basic obedience,” says Wendy O’Donnell. “You want a well-behaved Dane, so those first two years, training is crucial.”
Certain behaviors, like jumping up to greet you, may seem cute when your Great Dane is a small puppy. But when that same dog is 150 pounds, tackling you with joy can easily bowl you over.
Obedience dog training is especially important if you have cats or small children. While Great Danes are rarely aggressive, they could accidentally hurt someone if they get too rowdy during play. It’s important to teach your Great Dane how to act gently with smaller companions.
Great Dane Grooming
When it comes to hygiene, Great Danes are often very low maintenance. Wendy O’Donnell says they only need nail trimming and teeth maintenance, with a shower once a month.
She recommends trimming your dog’s nails every 10-14 days. As with any dog, letting your Great Dane’s nails grow too long can affect their bone structure for walking. Since these dogs are so big and heavy, nail care is important to ensure they can move around freely.
Famous or Notable Great Danes
With their easygoing, derpy personalities, it’s no surprise that most famous Great Danes come from comics and cartoons. The most famous Great Dane is arguably the mystery-solving Scooby Doo, although his speech impediment is not typical of the breed. You may also know Astro from The Jetsons and Marmaduke from the classic newspaper comic Marmaduke.
Getting a Great Dane
There are two key things to know before getting a Great Dane.
First, a bigger dog can come with bigger bills. Brian O’Donnell explains that many prescriptions and drugs for dogs are based on their weight. Therefore, a Great Dane will have a higher medical bill than a smaller dog with the same prescriptions. Luckily, quality pet insurance can help mitigate these higher vet costs. Additionally, these dogs also eat more food than your average Yorkie or Chihuahua, so make sure to give yourself a healthy kibble budget.
Second, Great Danes with coats outside the seven official colors may be prone to health issues. For example, Merlequin dogs have the coat patterns of Harlequin but with Merle-colored patches. While Merlequin dogs may look striking, Brian O’Donnell says they are also more likely to have vision and hearing problems.
The Most Popular Great Dane Names
Due to their size, many Great Danes get larger-than-life names. Gods are a common inspiration, as are large natural objects like the moon. The top 10 Great Dane names include the following.
- Luna
- Duke
- Bella
- Zeus
- Moose
- Thor
- Diesel
- Stella
- Athena
- Hank
Why Great Danes May Not Be Right For You
While Great Danes are excellent dogs, they aren’t right for everyone. If you work long hours or travel a lot, you may not be able to give the dog the attention they need. They can become anxious and lonely if left alone for a long time.
Getting a Great Dane may also be a challenge if you’ve recently brought an infant home. “The Dane doesn’t know their own size, and they could end up knocking a baby over unintentionally,” says Wendy O’Donnell. “You have to be vigilant if you have small children.” Once a child is older and steadier on their feet, though, these dogs can be great companions.
4 Breeds Like the Great Dane
If you like the Great Dane’s low-key lifestyle but need a smaller dog, you might consider the Whippet. These dogs are very friendly and easy to groom. They do need slightly more exercise, but their smaller size may make them easier to handle than the Great Dane, says Wendy O’Donnell.
If you’re looking for a large dog that’s easy to groom but with a more Type-A personality, Brian O’Donnell suggests getting a Doberman.
If you want a gentle giant like the Great Dane but with a lot more fluff, there are a couple of giant dog breeds that would fit, including a Newfoundland or Saint Bernard.