The Great Dane or the Giant Cuddler. They are well-known worldwide and one of the reasons for that is their goofiness, affection, and size! But, don’t get fooled by their looks. The Giant Dane can be quite clever and will do its best to get what they want. That usually means more treats and more hugs. They belong to the working group (one of the AKC groups) and were originally bred in 16th and 17th century Germany for boar and other big game hunting. However, they have been family dogs and nothing else for many years now. 

1. Size

The Great Dane is one of the tallest dog breeds. The breed standard size is:

• Male height: 30 to 32 inches (76 to 81 cm)
• Male weight: 140 to 175 pounds (63 to 80)
• Female height: 28 to 30 inches (71 to 76 cm)
• Female weight: 110 to 140 pounds (50 to 63 kg)

The general appearance of a Great Dane dog is that of a muscular and well-built, strong dog with long legs and a high carried neck and head. They can look goofy and clumsy when at play, but when focused, they give a sense of unique elegance that goes with their strong and big bodies.

2. Color

The Great Dane comes in various coat color variations. From solid to two or three different coat colors. Some examples of breed-standard coat colors are:

• Black
• Blue
• Fawn
• Merle 
• Harlequin 

The breed can also have many different markings or masks, but the three standards are:

• Black markings
• White markings
• Black mask 

3. Social Traits

Great Danes are very affectionate dogs. If you read somewhere or heard people saying that Great Danes think they are lap dogs and will often try to get on your lap – it is true! Great Dane is a lap dog trapped in a big body. 

They are also good with children, but you have to remember this is a big dog. That means they can play rough which can lead to accidental injuries. Even though dogs know how to act around children with an instinctual behavior to calm down and be gentle, they can simply knock down a child when running around them. So, don’t leave toddlers or young children unsupervised with any dog breed.

Great Dane also goes well with other dogs. Each dog is unique and they all have different personalities, but generally speaking, they are good with other dogs. There was an opinion circling around dog owners a few years back where having a Dachshund and a Great Dane was the best combination! 

Great Danes are wonderful family pets if you can take care of a 140-pound dog!

And, if you plan on having a cat, be prepared that the cat will rule the household (like most cats). Great Dane is not a dominant breed with a high prey drive. Although their prey drive is not high, we have to properly socialize them to ensure they grow into friendly and confident dogs that won’t lunge or run away from the first cat they see.

Good with children: yes

Good with other dogs: yes

Good with small animals: yes

4. Activity Needs

Generally speaking, an adult Great Dane doesn’t need a lot of daily exercise. They are big dogs and they do need to run and walk, but they are not the same as Weimaraners. About an hour a day is appropriate, if you combine walks with some off-leash play time and games. Like with other dogs, it is as equally important to give them proper mental stimulation as it is to give them enough exercise. 

Another great thing about the Great Danes is that they do not need lots of space. They are big, but they adapt very well to living in an apartment. Of course, with an appropriate-sized bed (or your bed) and daily walks and playtimes in the park.

Activity needs: up to 1 hour (suited for either country or town)

5. Trainability

Great Dane is a trainable dog breed. They are not the easiest to train, but with patience and consistency, they will quickly learn basic obedience commands. The thing that can get in the way is their playfulness and slow maturing. Similar to other large dog breeds, and this one is giant, they mature slower than other smaller dogs. This means you’ll have to deal with their puppy behavior longer.

However, no matter how difficult you think training a Great Dane is, it is a must! After all, you will be dealing with a very large dog, and having one that doesn’t listen to you can be quite troublesome. I am not talking about aggression, but misbehavior. Imagine trying to stop a 160-pound dog from running to jump-greet your friend. 

Trainability: 4 out of 5 
Struggle with: Boundaries (they are big and want to go where they please)

6. Feeding

Generally speaking, an adult Great Dane needs from 6 to 10 cups of kibble food every day. It is best to divide the amount into two meals. If your dog needs 6 cups, then give 3 cups in the morning and the other 3 in the evening. 

Great Danes can eat a lot, which leads to higher monthly food costs

These are general stats on how much they need and it can vary from dog to dog. How much food a dog needs depends on age, health, activity levels, and other factors. We want to keep our dogs fit and healthy. If you are in doubt, you can consult a vet.

An adult Great Dane needs from 6 to 10 cups of kibble food a day divided into two meals

7. Grooming

Great Danes have a short and smooth coat type. They do shed, in normal amounts. However, they drool a lot! Be prepared for dog slobber all around the house (even the ceiling in some cases). But, on the other hand, they are very easy to groom. 

Great Danes can be brushed once in two weeks, but they are big dogs and if you want to prevent hair from being everywhere, brushing at least once a week is recommended. You can use a hound glove or a bristle brush. Apart from brushing, they need regular nail trimming and an occasional bath. 

Shedding: Normal

Brushing: Once a week/two weeks

8. Possible Problems

The Great Dane is a very large dog breed with a large and deep chest. They can eat a lot too, which further puts them at a risk of developing Bloat or GDV. Other possible health issues are:

• Hip dysplasia
• Heart problems
• Thyroid problems
• Eye problems 

Life expectancy: up to 10 years

Summary

Great Dane is an amazing family dog. They adapt well to any living accommodations as long as they get their daily walks and playtime. This dog also goes great with children, but because of their large size, they shouldn’t be left unsupervised with very young children. This is because some accidental injuries might happen. Great Danes are affectionate, drooling, goofy, and sometimes stubborn dogs with a big heart. But, they eat a lot. After all, you need to feed a dog that can be well over 160 pounds! Not only will the feeding be more expensive but the vet bills as well. And, finally, a sad truth… They have a very short lifespan. If you are ready for all of this, you won’t be disappointed with this amazing dog breed.

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Cover photo by David Kanigan