Believes it is a lap dog. We agree.
Also called Deutsche Dogge, German Mastiff, German Boarhound, Dogue Allemand · Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs · Germany
A loving, loyal companion that is warm with its own people and a little reserved with strangers.
a day
| Size | Giant |
|---|---|
| Weight | 45 to 79 kg (100 to 175 lb)males 54 to 79 kg, females 45 to 64 kg123 |
| Height | 71 to 90 cm (28 to 35 in)males 76 to 90 cm, females 71 to 84 cm342 |
| Lifespan | 6 to 10 years15 |
| Coat | Very short, dense, smooth, close-lying glossy coat |
| Origin | Germany (despite the English name, the breed has no link to Denmark)672 |
| Group | Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs (FCI group 2) |
| Exercise | 60 min a day |
Ranges cover males and females and every standard linked on the line, so one standard alone may give a narrower range.
A loving, loyal companion that is warm with its own people and a little reserved with strangers. Danes are self-assured and brave but should always be friendly, patient and hard to provoke. At home they tend to be relaxed and happy to lounge near their family, while still keeping an eye on the house. They are generally good with children, though their sheer size suits them better to families with older kids, and early socialisation helps them get on well with other animals.3471
Very short, dense, smooth, close-lying glossy coat
A giant dog that is tall and strong yet still graceful, often described as the Apollo of the dog world. The body is large and well put together with a proud, upright bearing, and males and females look clearly different. The head is long and noble, and the dog moves with an easy, powerful stride. The coat is very short, thick and sleek, lying flat with a natural shine.347
A typical home-care rhythm for a Great Dane. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Sources differ: Hill's suggests 20-40 minutes of activity a day, while the Royal Kennel Club lists more than two hours. In practice daily walks and room to stretch out are a must; a mature Dane is often calm at home between outings.15
Needs a large house with room to move and stretch out, ideally with a big garden. Plan for a car, bed and furniture that fit a giant dog. Danes like to live indoors close to their people.51
Very attached to its family and happiest sharing the home with them. Early and ongoing socialisation with people and other animals helps a Dane grow into the relaxed, friendly giant the breed is known for. Generally easy to train, with the odd stubborn streak.71
Easy coat care: a weekly brush or rub-down keeps the short coat shiny. Danes shed a light to average amount. Nail trimming and routine care take a little more effort simply because of the dog's size.51
Eats considerably more than smaller breeds. A complete food suited to giant breeds, split into several smaller meals across the day rather than one big one, is the usual advice.1
Feed your Great Dane a complete food for giant breeds, split into several smaller meals across the day rather than one big one. Adult dogs should have at least two meals daily, and puppies need three to four smaller meals. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.18
A complete food made for giant breeds is best. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and macadamia nuts. Always avoid alcohol, caffeine, and raw bones too.19
Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests a bath about every eight weeks, or at least once every three months. Bathe more often if your Dane gets very dirty or has skin issues, but always use a gentle dog shampoo.10
Brush your Great Dane weekly with a soft brush or grooming mitt to keep the short coat shiny and reduce shedding. This also helps spread natural oils and is a nice bonding time.51
Trim nails about every four weeks, or sooner if you hear them clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time, stopping before the quick (the pink part inside). If unsure, ask your vet or a groomer for a demo.10
Aim for about 60 minutes of daily activity, such as walks and free play in a secure garden. A mature Dane is often calm at home between outings, but regular exercise keeps them healthy and happy.15
Brush your Dane's teeth daily with a dog-safe toothpaste, and check their floppy ears weekly for moisture or dirt. Gently dry the ears if needed, and never push anything into the ear canal.10
Great Danes typically live between 6 and 10 years. Senior care usually starts around age 6, so regular vet check-ups become extra important then.15
Yes, Great Danes are generally good with children and other pets, especially with early socialisation. Their large size suits families with older kids better, and they are friendly, patient, and hard to provoke.3471
Great Danes are very attached to their family and prefer not to be left alone for long periods. They are happiest sharing the home with you, so plan for company or a dog sitter if you are away often.71
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
The conditions the breed clubs and health schemes name for the Great Dane. Most animals of the breed never get them; this is what to ask a breeder or an insurer about.
The stomach swells and can twist, which is an emergency; many owners choose a preventive stomach tack. Regional Great Dane club calls it the number one killer of the breed; no published rate ↗
The heart muscle weakens and enlarges, leading to heart failure; a cardiologist check every two years is advised. Science for Animal Welfare: a familial, genetic tendency is established; Swedish insurance data put the breed third for heart deaths; no breed rate ↗
Loose hips in a giant breed that wear into arthritis; ask for the parents' hip results. Hip evaluation required for CHIC by the Great Dane Club of America; no published rate ↗
An underactive thyroid causing weight gain and a dull coat; treated with daily tablets. Thyroid test required for CHIC by the Great Dane Club of America; no published rate ↗
A painful bone tumour, usually in a leg, more common in giant breeds. Regional Great Dane club lists it among the top three causes of death; no published rate ↗
A recessive muscle disease of young dogs that causes weakness and tremors; a DNA test exists. Kennel Club official DNA testing scheme since 2018; no published rate ↗
From the breed club or a health scheme. Not veterinary advice: for your own animal, ask your vet.
Running costs for a Great Dane, built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
| Foodabout 213 kg of dry food a year | 699 GBP ↗ |
|---|---|
| Routine vet care | 345 GBP ↗ |
| Pet insurancetypical policy, varies by breed and age | 538 GBP ↗ |
| Dog tax | 0 GBP ↗ |
| Licence and registration | 12 GBP ↗ |
| Gear to start | 531 GBP ↗ |
| Microchip and registration | 26 GBP ↗ |
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
3 of the 61 countries we check have a rule that names the Great Dane. Check the law before you travel or move, the details change.
| Country | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland, Ticino | Permit requiredRegolamento sui cani (RCani, in force 1 Jan 2026) art. 14-20: the 32 listed breeds (Bull Terrier and Miniature Bull Terrier share one entry) and their crosses, born after 1 April 2009, need an authorisation from the cantonal veterinary office before acquisition, a training course, and aptitude tests at 9 to 13 months and again in the third year. Applies to residents and to anyone staying with the dog in the canton for at least 30 days a year. | source |
| Japan, Ibaraki Prefecture | RestrictedIbaraki dog ordinance: specified dogs must be kept in a fully enclosed, roofed cage and the owner must display a specified-dog label. | official |
| Belarus | RestrictedAnnex to Ministry of Agriculture and Food Resolution No. 40 of 12 Dec 2001 lists 40 potentially dangerous breeds (Russian names as in the FAOLEX copy, English in brackets). Importing them needs permission from the Main Veterinary Directorate, and owners must complete a special course at a dog club within three months. The Law of 1 April 2024 No. 361-Z on responsible treatment of animals replaced the term with 'dogs requiring special owner responsibility'; a new list is in a draft Council of Ministers resolution not yet adopted as of Aug 2026, so the status of the 2001 list is uncertain. | official |
See the rules and sources for every country
Laws change and local rules exist; this is a sourced overview, not legal advice.
For treats, choose low-fat, single-ingredient options and keep them to no more than 10% of your Dane's daily calories. Better yet, use a few kibbles from their daily meal allowance as rewards to avoid extra weight and tummy upsets.
Source: petmd.com
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
The tallest dog ever recorded by Guinness World Records was Zeus, a Great Dane from Otsego, Michigan, who measured 111.8 cm (44 in) at the shoulder on 4 October 2011.11
The Guinness record for tallest living male dog belongs to Reggie, a Great Dane from Idaho Falls, Idaho, measured at 1.007 m on 27 January 2025.12
The Great Dane has been Pennsylvania's official state dog since 1965; the vote was nicknamed the 'Barking Dog Vote' after lawmakers barked and growled their approval.13
A painting of Pennsylvania's founder William Penn with his Great Dane hangs in the state Governor's reception room.13
Otto von Bismarck kept several Great Danes, which were nicknamed 'Reichshunde', dogs of the Empire.14
The FCI breed standard calls the Great Dane 'the Apollo amongst all breeds'.3
Before 1878 German breeders called the dog the 'Englische Dogge', meaning English dog.2
I rose early and gently nudged my human's hand for a scratch. After a short stroll around the block, I settled on the rug while the house woke up. The kids offered me a squeaky toy, I carried it carefully in my big mouth. Midday, I followed my human to the kitchen and lay down nearby, keeping an eye on things. In the afternoon, we had a quiet cuddle on the couch. Now I'm dozing, a gentle giant at peace.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
Films and series picked by Oskar, who made Pet Wiki.
Astro, the family Great Dane, lives with the Jetsons in a future sky city.
A Great Dane puppy raised among dachshunds is sure he is one too.
A radio vet helps a caller with a Great Dane on roller skates.
Live-action: the Great Dane and Mystery Inc. investigate a spooky island resort.
Two orphan sisters secretly keep a Great Dane puppy in a New York apartment.
A clumsy Great Dane moves with his family to California.
The Great Dane's roots lie in powerful hunting dogs used to chase and hold wild boar. From the 16th century, European nobles brought in big, long-legged dogs from England and Ireland, bred from mastiff and wolfhound types, and in Germany these were known as the Englische Dogge. German courts kept breeding them through the 17th century, and several regional types appeared, such as the Ulmer Dogge. In 1878 a committee of breeders in Berlin brought these types together under the name Deutsche Dogge, and the FCI dates the first standard to 1880 (an UC Davis report gives 1888 for the German breed club's standard). The English name comes from the French 'Grand Danois', a label used by the naturalist Buffon, even though the breed has no Danish connection. Danes appeared at the first German dog show in 1863, were soon exported to the United States, and the AKC recognised them in 1887. Over time the breed was shaped into the taller, more elegant companion and guardian of today.314752
Popularity Ranked 22nd of AKC-registered breeds in 2025.15
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
Text is written in our own words from these sources.
English Mastiff
Irish Wolfhound
Dogue de Bordeaux
Cane Corso
Neapolitan Mastiff