Great Dane
Height71–86 cm (28–34 in)
Weight45–90 kg (99–198 lbs)
TypeWorking
Life Expectancy7–10 yrs
OriginGermany
The gentle giant of the dog world, Great Danes combine massive size with a sweet, patient temperament. Despite standing up to 32 inches tall, they are affectionate couch companions at heart.
Breed Ratings
Personality
Intelligence
3/5
Trainability
3/5
Playfulness
4/5
Energy Level
3/5
Social
Good with Kids
4/5
Good with Dogs
4/5
Good with Strangers
4/5
Lifestyle
Apartment Friendly
2/5
Exercise Needs
3/5
Watchdog Ability
4/5
Barking Level
2/5
Care
Shedding
3/5
Grooming Needs
1/5
Health Robustness
1/5
Where Are Great Danes From?
Great Danes aren’t Danish at all — they were developed in Germany from crosses between English Mastiffs and Irish Wolfhounds to hunt wild boar, one of the most dangerous game animals in Europe. German nobility later kept them as prestige guard dogs and chamber dogs (dogs allowed in the bedroom for protection). The name “Great Dane” appears to come from a French naturalist’s description, “Grand Danois,” and the name stuck despite having nothing to do with Denmark.
What Is It Like Living With a Great Dane?
Great Danes are gentle souls trapped in enormous bodies. They lean against you, try to sit in your lap (all 140 pounds of them), and approach strangers with friendly curiosity rather than suspicion. The breed’s calm indoor demeanor surprises people who expect a dog this large to be constantly in the way. Danes are sensitive and respond poorly to harsh corrections — a disappointed tone affects them more than a raised voice. They’re good with children but their sheer size means they can accidentally knock over toddlers just by turning around.
How Much Exercise Does a Great Dane Need?
Despite their size, Great Danes need only moderate exercise: 45–60 minutes of daily walking suits most adults. Puppies are a different story — exercise must be carefully limited during growth phases to protect developing joints. Running and jumping on hard surfaces should be avoided until at least 18 months old. Adult Danes enjoy leisurely walks and surprisingly relaxed indoor lifestyles. They are, genuinely, one of the best apartment dogs in the large breed category because of how calm they are inside.
How Often Do You Need to Groom a Great Dane?
The short coat needs weekly brushing, nothing more. Nail trimming is important because Great Dane nails are thick and grow fast. The biggest concern is lifespan and health: Great Danes live only 7–9 years on average. Bloat (GDV) is the number one killer and a genuine emergency — many Dane owners opt for prophylactic gastropexy (stomach tacking surgery) during spay/neuter to prevent it. Dilated cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, and osteosarcoma are also significant concerns. Wobbler syndrome, causing spinal cord compression, occurs at higher rates in Great Danes than most other breeds.
Are Great Danes Healthy?
Great Danes suit families with space (even if it’s an apartment — they don’t need a yard as much as you’d think), patient owners who understand the short lifespan trade-off, and people who want a dog that turns heads everywhere. They’re wrong for people with tiny living spaces, owners on tight budgets (everything costs more at this size: food, medication, vet care, even car size), or anyone who can’t handle a dog that drools. The surprising fact: a Great Dane named Zeus holds the record for tallest dog ever at 44 inches at the shoulder — over three and a half feet tall before even lifting his head.
Our Honest Take on the Great Dane
Great Danes are gentle giants in the truest sense — calm, friendly, and remarkably good with families. Their trade-off is a heartbreakingly short lifespan (6–8 years) and above-average health costs, particularly for bloat and cardiac conditions.
Common Mistakes New Owners Make
- 1Feeding from a raised bowl to prevent bloat. Research now suggests raised bowls may actually increase bloat risk in giant breeds — contrary to what was widely recommended for years. Feed from ground level, split meals, and avoid vigorous exercise 1 hour before and after eating.
- 2Underestimating costs at scale. A Great Dane eats 8–12 cups of quality food daily. At $60–$80 per bag, food costs $120–$200/month. Medications, flea/tick prevention, and vet costs are all dosed by weight — plan accordingly.
- 3Not discussing prophylactic gastropexy with your vet. Bloat (GDV) kills Great Danes quickly and without warning. A prophylactic stomach tack surgery ($400–$600 at time of spay/neuter) can prevent the $3,000–$8,000 emergency GDV surgery that claims many Dane lives.
- 4Treating their calm demeanor as low exercise needs. Great Danes need 30–60 minutes of daily exercise — less than high-drive breeds, but skipping it leads to destructive behavior in a 140-lb dog.
Who Should Think Twice
Great Danes are wrong for people in small apartments (they need space to exist comfortably), budget-conscious owners (scale alone makes everything more expensive), anyone who can't handle a 6–8 year lifespan, or families without large vehicles (getting a sick or elderly Dane to a vet is a logistical challenge).
Real Costs in 2026
Great Dane puppies from health-tested parents: $1,500–$3,000 in 2026. Annual costs: food $120–$200/month, routine vet $600–$900 (scale pricing), routine preventatives $300–$500/year. Bloat emergency surgery: $3,000–$8,000. Cardiac issues (DCM is prevalent): $1,000–$4,000/year in management. Pet insurance ($80–$150/month for a giant breed) is heavily recommended from day one.
Living With a Great Dane: Year by Year
Puppyhood (0-12 months) is deceptively brief and high-stakes — they hit 100 lbs by month 6 and lack any awareness of their size. Expect tail-whip injuries to coffee tables and toddlers, plus pano (panosteitis) flare-ups around month 8 that have owners panicking at the ER. Adolescence (1-3 years) is when the leaning starts; they will press their full body weight into your hip while you cook, every night. Prime adulthood (3-8) is the payoff — they sleep 16 hours, cuddle absurdly, and fail at being intimidating despite their bulk. The hard truth: senior years start at 6, not 8. By 7 you are managing arthritis, watching for bloat, and feeling DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) anxiety with every cough. Most owners describe the final year as 'borrowed time' — bittersweet because the dog is perfect and the body is failing in real time.
The Training Reality
Treat-based marker training works, but you have a narrow window — most cognitive plasticity locks in by month 18, and a 140-pound dog that didn't learn loose-leash walking as a puppy is now a physics problem. Recall is unreliable in about 40% of Danes; their prey drive is moderate but their stubbornness when something interesting is happening is absolute. Reliably housetrained by month 4-5 if crate-trained from day one; the bladder is huge but the focus is not. Skip aversive collars entirely — they shut down rather than comply. The ceiling: solid obedience, decent off-leash in fenced areas, genuinely good therapy-dog candidates. What they cannot do: protection work (despite the look), agility (joints won't survive it), or anything requiring sustained drive. Most owners find that 15-minute sessions twice daily produce a dog that listens 90% of the time, which is the realistic peak.
A Day in the Life
Morning starts with a 70 lb body landing on your chest at 6:30 am — they do not understand weekends. A 30-40 minute leashed walk is plenty; longer than an hour on hard surfaces and you will pay in joint problems by year 5. Daytime is mostly horizontal — they need 14-16 hours of sleep and will commandeer the entire couch. Counter-surfing is not a phase; they reach the back of the kitchen counter standing flat. Evening exercise is light — a play session in the yard, not a run. They sulk visibly when ignored (head turned to wall, dramatic sighs) and lean on guests as a greeting, which terrifies non-dog people. The unexpected thing: the gas. Even on premium food, the flatulence is industrial. And they shed surprisingly heavily for a short-coat breed — twice yearly, the entire house is covered in fawn microhairs.
How Great Danes Compare to Similar Breeds
Versus the Mastiff: Great Danes are taller and leaner, more athletic in adolescence, and less prone to drooling — but they live 2-3 years shorter (7-10 vs 10-12). Versus the Irish Wolfhound: Wolfhounds are gentler, even more couch-bound, and have similar lifespan issues, but require far more grooming. Versus the Newfoundland: Newfies are wetter (drool, water-loving), heavier coats, and better with rough children, while Danes are cleaner but more fragile in joints. If you want the look without the heartbreak of a 7-year lifespan, look at a Cane Corso or even a Boxer.
Great For
- Families with children
- Multi-pet households
- Home security
- Social, outgoing lifestyles
Think Twice If
- You live in a small apartment
- Vet bills are a concern
Are Great Danes Prone to Health Issues?
Great Danes are predisposed to: bloat, hip dysplasia, cardiomyopathy, osteosarcoma. Regular vet checkups and health screening are strongly recommended.
Health Robustness
1/5
How Much Does a Great Dane Cost?
Purchase Price
$1,000–$3,000
Monthly Food
$100
Annual Vet
$700
Annual Grooming
$100
Est. First Year
~$4,000
Est. Annual
~$2,000
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Great Dane cost?
A Great Dane puppy typically costs $1,000–$3,000. The estimated first-year cost including food, vet visits, and grooming is around $4,000, with ongoing annual costs of approximately $2,000.
How long do Great Danes live?
Great Danes have an average lifespan of 7 to 10 years. Common health concerns include bloat, hip dysplasia, cardiomyopathy, osteosarcoma.
Are Great Danes good with kids?
Great Danes score 4/5 for being good with children. They are generally excellent family dogs and get along well with children of all ages.
Do Great Danes shed a lot?
Great Danes have a shedding level of 3/5. They shed moderately and benefit from regular brushing.
Are Great Danes good for apartments?
Great Danes score 2/5 for apartment friendliness. They are better suited to homes with yards and ample space to move around.