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Known as prestigious guardians of estates and carriages, the Great Dane breed is a gentle giant, affectionate, loving and, all in all, great with people. Although they were originally bred to hunt wild boars, the Great Dane is not such a big fan of the sport nowadays, and would much rather spend their energy running around and playing.
They would be perfect for someone who is at home a lot (as they are not easily portable), has lots of space, and is able to cope with a friendly dog, whose head is on the level of every worktop, but thinks they are a lapdog!
The Great Dane is predisposed to a number of problems that are common in large breeds of dog, including:
- Gastric dilatation volvulus
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Dilated cardiomyopathy which is a condition where the heart muscle becomes progressively weak and cannot beat properly.
- Wobblers syndrome which is a problem in the spine that causes a wobbly abnormal gait.
- Inherited myopathy of Great Danes which is a disease that causes muscle wastage in this breed.
- Osteosarcoma which is a serious type of bone cancer.
- Entropion and/or ectropion which are painful conditions where the eyelids turn inwards or outwards, this happens as a result of excessive skin around the eyes.
- Cherry eye, which is where a gland within the third eyelid pops up in the corner of the eye.
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
None but there are several recommended schemes that the Kennel Club recommends which can be found here.
The Great Dane truly deserves the nickname “gentle giant”. These dogs are indeed giant with the Great Dane size reaching 86 cm in the case of males, and about 81 cm in the case of females. Despite being muscular and strong, they have a friendly expression and a genuine desire to please everyone around them, humans or pets. They can be easily recognised due to their large stature as well as their long, rectangular head. The Great Dane colours range from fawn and black to blue, brindle, and harlequin.
The Great Dane is an affectionate dog, ideally suited to an active family. They can become very close and loyal to their family, and even to frequent visitors. They are quick to alert the family of any strangers approaching their territory, as they are excellent guard dogs and can sometimes be territorial and not welcoming of canine intruders. Puppy socialisation and puppy training is of particular importance in such a canine giant.
| Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 5/5 |
| Easy to train: | 5/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 1/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 5/5 |
| Energy level: | 5/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 4/5 |
| Shedding: | 5/5 |
Despite their name, the Great Dane is a German breed and has been known as the German Mastiff or the Deutsche Dogge. The ancestors of this breed have been known since ancient times but they were far heavier and more mastiff in appearance. In the Middle Ages they became popular as high-status hunting dogs of royalty, often working in a pack, to hunt wild boar. The Great Dane as we know it today, didn’t come into being until the 19th century when it had become both taller and more lightweight — possibly with the inclusion of Greyhound, or other large hounds. While they have worked as guard dogs, the modern Great Dane was bred for docility, and so their impressive bark is far worse than their bite!
You’ll need a really big car, big house, big garden, big… well, everything, including bank balance. The Great Dane is big, drooly, eats an enormous amount of food and takes a long time to mature. They do like long walks once mature, and space to run off lead safely, they need on-going training to ensure their size and behaviour does not get them into trouble – people will not tolerate behaviour from big dogs that they’d laugh at in tiny breeds! Rural or semi-rural dwellers only, and only for those with a decent sized garden that is very securely fenced.
A fit Great Dane adult will need a couple of hours of exercise daily. They enjoy walks and will happily go along with the family on their outdoor activities. But they are also keen on spending time in front of the fire, enjoying any creature comforts that are available. Dog exercise must be given in limited amounts during the growth period, as too much can cause serious bone, joint, and muscle problems.
Given the Great Dane size, they usually need a lot of space — both in the house and in the garden — and they’re best suited to a large, rural property.
Giant-breed dogs, as well as having giant appetites, benefit from a different balance of minerals and vitamins, supporting different joint and cartilage needs. Great Danes are prone to bloating and stomach problems. Try feeding smaller, more frequent meals to help minimise the risk. Proper nutrition along with care can contribute to a Great Dane lifespan reaching 10 years.
The short, sleek, and dense coat of the Great Dane is low-maintenance and needs grooming about every week to 10 days. They can be groomed using a rubber-grooming mitt, which will remove the loose and dead hairs.
Such a giant breed needs training to make sure they are safe and social members of canine society. It is especially important that they learn to walk well on a lead and that they have good recall — especially as their size can intimidate other dogs and people. Great Danes can enjoy reward-based training, and some have been seen competing in obedience.
Dog socialisation activities should be prioritised and ongoing.
Great Danes can make great family dogs but they are often just too big to live easily with smaller children.
While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.
Are Great Danes smart?
Great Danes might not be as smart as Border Collies, but they are pretty bright dogs. In fact, they ranked as the 44th smartest breed out of a total of 208 breeds.
What should I expect from a Great Dane?
Don’t be fooled by their big size, Great Danes are actually very friendly and highly social. Because of this, they can become quite anxious if left alone for too long.
Are Great Danes difficult?
Although they might be pretty stubborn, Great Danes are fairly easy to train as they are easy-going and intelligent gentle giants.
Do Great Danes swim well?
Great Danes are naturally proficient at swimming and can easily manage to keep their heads afloat. However, even though they love playing in the water, they will not be able to stay afloat for long periods of time.
