Dog breed · Working
Great Dane
An enormous, mild-mannered companion often described as a gentle giant, with a sadly short lifespan.
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Breed characteristics
- Group
- Working
- Origin
- Germany
- Size
- Giant
- Weight
- 50–90 kg (110–200 lb)
- Height
- 71–86 cm
- Lifespan
- 7–10 years
- Coat
- Short and sleek
- Temperament
- GentleDignifiedFriendlySensitive
History
Bred in Germany as a boar hound and estate guardian, then refined into a stately companion.
Appearance
Towering and elegant, in fawn, brindle, blue, black, harlequin or mantle.
Exercise and activity
Two moderate walks daily; restrict strenuous exercise until growth completes at around eighteen months.
Care and grooming
Feed a large-breed growth diet, provide orthopaedic bedding and discuss bloat risk and prophylactic gastropexy with your vet.
Health considerations
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Osteosarcoma
- Hip dysplasia
- Wobbler syndrome
Honest challenges
Before choosing a Great Dane
- Treat the breed profile as a starting point, not a guarantee of temperament. Meet the individual and discuss its history, needs and behaviour with the rescue or responsible breeder.
- Check your routine can support the activity described here: Two moderate walks daily; restrict strenuous exercise until growth completes at around eighteen months. Allow for age, weather, health and recovery rather than imposing a fixed target.
- Ask the breeder or rescue and your vet about problems reported in this breed (such as Gastric dilatation-volvulus, Dilated cardiomyopathy, Osteosarcoma, Hip dysplasia, Wobbler syndrome), which of them have recognised screening tests, and the parents' results where relevant. Screening reduces some uncertainty but cannot promise a healthy lifetime. Bloat has no screening test: learn its emergency signs and ask about prevention.
- Plan grooming, veterinary costs and care during holidays. Children and other pets still need careful introductions and supervision whatever a breed's typical rating.
Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.
Guidance libraries and further reading
These organisations publish relevant guidance. Their links are further reading, not evidence that they have reviewed this page.
- RSPCA — animal care and welfare advice across species
- PDSA — veterinary charity pet health advice
- Dogs Trust — dog care, behaviour and welfare advice