Great Dane

The Great Dane truly deserves the nickname “gentle giant”. These dogs are indeed giant, muscular and strong, but 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. Their short, sleek coat comes in a range of colours.

The need-to-know

Dogs suitable for experienced owners
Extra training required
Need to be aware of potential health issues
Enjoys active walks
Enjoys one to two hours of walking a day

Giant dog
Some drool
Requires grooming once a week
Quiet dog
Barks, alerts and may be physically protective/suspicious of visitors

Could have issues with unknown dogs but gets along with known dogs
May need additional training to live with other pets
May need additional supervision to live with children
Needs a large garden
Can live in semi-rural areas

Can be left occasionally with training

This breed may encounter health problems

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.

Key Facts

Ratings

Key Facts

Lifespan:	8–10 years
Weight:	Ideal weight should be 54kg. Females should be 46kg
Height:	Over 18 months of age, the minimum height of dogs should ideally be 76cm. Females of the same age should be a minimum of 71cm
Colours:	Fawn, black, blue, brindle and harlequin
Size:	Giant
Kennel Club group:	Working

Ratings

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

Personality

The Great Dane is an affectionate dog, ideally suited to the 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.

History and Origins

Country of Origin: Germany

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 however 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 his impressive bark is far worse than his bite!

Ideal Owner

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.

Exercise Needs

A fit Great Dane adult will need in the region of a couple of hours of exercise daily. They enjoy walks and will happily go along will 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.

Space Requirements

The Great Dane is a dog who needs a lot of space - both in the house and in the garden - and is best suited to a large rural property.

Nutrition and Feeding

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.

Grooming Great Danes

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.

Training Great Danes

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 a 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.

Suitability for Family Life

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.

Did You Know?

The Great Dane holds the record for being the tallest dog breed in the world, and while in its present form it has only worked as a guard dog, the ancestors of this canine colossus have been war dogs, fighting dogs, and high-status hunting dogs. They are now gentle giants, bred for their docility. Their deep powerful bark being far worse than their pretty much non-existent bite.