Great Dane Dog Breed Information & Characteristics (2025)

The Great Dane is a giant breed with an impressive size, elegant build, and affectionate nature. The breed started in Germany in the 16th century when Mastiff-type dogs were crossed with Irish Wolfhounds. The idea was to create a quick and strong hunting dog strong enough to trail and restrain large game like wild boars. While the Great Dane started off as a hunter and guardian, over the course of time he became a companion dog and now even a popular family pet.

💡 Quick Facts About Great Danes

“Great Danes grow faster than most dogs and need to be closely monitored for their weight to prevent joint and bone problems,” said Dr. Lisa Lippman.

🔍 Did You Know? The worlds tallest dog of all-time is a Great Dane called Zeus standing a massive 111.8 cm (44 inches) at the shoulder!

👉 Big love for Great Danes, but special care for their rapid growth! Maintain their diet and health under expert guidance

Great Danes are known as the tall dog breeds in the world and are nicknamed as the "Apollo of Dogs". They are sweet, loving and people-oriented, despite their colossal size.

A loyal, calm, and loving family member who is a strong watchdog for himself and his loved ones, his deep bark and strong build only add to the mystique of the majestic Mastiff. They are affectionate and love being around people, and help them to form close bonds.

The Great Dane is one of the largest dog breeds, with a big, muscular, well-proportioned frame. The males weigh 63–90 kg and 76–86 cm tall, and the females 50–75 kg and 71–81 cm tall. Keeping them a healthy weight is important due to the breed's propensity toward bloat (GDV) and heart problems, as well as the issue of joint strain.

Great Dane Growth Chart

Yes, Great Danes are a loving, laid-back, and protective breed that makes a great companion for families. They have a calm demeanor and loving personality, which makes them especially great for households with children. They are very large and patient, so when trained they can be very gentle.

Great Danes are immensely loyal and will often bond closely with their owners. They like to hang out with their families and are referred to as “lap dogs in a giant’s body” because they love to cuddle. Although highly protective, they are not naturally aggressive: rather, they rely on their menacing size to scare away threats, making them exceptional watch dogs.

Qualities That Make Great Danes Family Pets:

• Gentle and patient with children — Size means that supervised contact is required
• Protective but not aggressive – They naturally protect their family while being sociable.
• Good with other pets — Properly socialized, they can get along with smaller animals.
• Loving and people-oriented — They love human interaction and will get distressed if left on alone too long.

“Great Danes are wonderful family dogs if they are given proper training and room to roam,” says Dr. Tannetje Crocker. “Their size necessitates a firm yet positive approach to training to guarantee a good temperament around children and other animals.”

Yes, while Great Danes are playful and energetic, their activity needs vary with their age and with their health. Puppies and young adults are exuberant and playful; mature adults are more mellow but still require activity every day.
Because Great Danes have long legs and a big build, they require moderate exercise to keep their muscles toned and their heart healthy. But they are not marathoners; they favor short spurts of play over long, grinding activities.

Unsure How to Properly Exercise Your Great Dane❓

Great Danes require age-appropriate exercise to remain healthy and happy — but doing too much or too little can lead to joint problems and stiffness.

📌 Watch this training video and get individual exercises in the Dosty App for you and your Dane at any stage of their life!

▶️Tune in Now & Train with the Dosty App!

How Much Exercise Does a Great Dane Need?

• Puppies (less than 1 year): Short play sessions to prevent joint injury.
• Adults (1–6 years): 30–45 minutes of moderate exercise each day.
• Older dogs (7 years and up) — short walks and gentle movement to help avoid stiffness.

Most Suitable Activities for Great Danes:

Great Danes need both physical and mental stimulation. They are smart dogs, so mental exercise is as important as physical exercise to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

Daily Walks (30–45 minutes) — For weight maintenance and cardiovascular health.
Fetch & Tug-of-War – Works their muscles without over-stressing their joints.
Mental Stimulation — They stay mentally sharp whenever they work for a living like puppy puzzle toys and obedience classes.
Supervised Social Play – Great Danes do have social play with other dogs, but their size can make it dangerous if play gets rough.

Activities to Avoid For Great Danes:

🚫 Jumping or running on hard surfaces — This can cause problems elsewhere, in the joints and bones.

🚫 Exercising puppies too much — Their bones are still growing and heavy impact can be problematic.

The specific nutritional needs of Great Danes are carefully balanced in a diet specific to the breed to support its large size, muscle mass and bone health. Making proper nutrition critical in the first two years of life, due to their rapid growth rate.

Nutritional Requirements of Great Danes:

✔ High-Quality Protein (25 to 30 percent) – Increases and repairs muscles (chicken, beef, fish).
✔ Healthy Fats (15-20%) – Keeps their coat shiny and supports brain function (salmon oil, flaxseed)
✔ Glucosamine & Chondroitin – Protects the joints and prevents arthritis.
✔ Calcium & Phosphorus – Strengthens bones and teeth, but excess amounts should be controlled in puppies to not promote excessive growth.

Great Dane Feeding Guidelines:

❌ Stay away from low-quality, filler-rich dog foods – They don't contain the nutrients that big breeds require.
❌ Feed smaller meals several times a day – Prevents bloat (GDV), a dangerous condition prevalent in Great Danes.
❌ Never exercise within right after meals – at least 1 hour after risks digestive overload.

The Proper Way to Feed Your Great Dane

These big guys grow quick and need the right diet to help support their muscles, joints, and overall health. The Woeful wrong diet can result in bloat, obesity, and bone/joint problems—but Dosty App makes the right diet so easy!

✅ With Dosty App, you can:

🥩 Customize meal plans according to age & weight for your Dane
🍖 Monitor key nutrients to maintain their strength & wellness
⏰ Use feeding reminders to prevent overfeeding & minimize bloat risks

👉 Download Dosty App for your Great Dane's excessive nutrition. 

Yes; thanks to their short, smooth coat, Great Danes groom themselves easily. Yet their large size means it takes more time and effort to groom them than smaller breeds.

Great Dane Grooming Requirements:

✔ Brushing (1–2 times/week) – Removes dead hair and distributes natural oils.
✔ Bath (Every 4–6 Week) – A good dog shampoo will maintain the health of their skin.
✔ Drill Your Hooves (3-4 Weeks) – Long nails create joint pain or discomfort.
✔ Ear Cleaning (Weekly) – Helps prevent ear infections, which Great Danes are susceptible to.
✔ Wrinkle & Skin Fold Care – Some Great Danes have lots of loose skin requiring the occasional cleaning.

📢 Make Grooming Your Great Dane Easier with Dosty App! 

Grooming a Great Dane takes time and effort, but with the right routine, you can keep their coat, nails, and ears in top shape!

Need help❓ The Dosty App provides step-by-step grooming guides, reminders, and expert tips to ensure your Dane stays clean, comfortable, and healthy.

Due to their giant size and rapid growth, Great Danes are predisposed to certain structural and genetic health conditions.

Common Health Issues in Great Danes

💡 Pro Tip: Regular vet visits, weight management, and preventative care help reduce the risk of serious health problems in Great Danes.

Hard to remember❓ Regular health monitoring is a must for puppies and senior dogs, but with a busy life, it’s easy to forget.

🔔 Stay on track with Dosty App Reminders!

1. Are Great Danes aggressive?
No, they are gentle and affectionate, but early training is essential to ensure good behavior.

2. Do Great Danes bark a lot?
They are not excessive barkers, but they will bark if they sense danger or are excited.

3. Do Great Danes get along with other pets?
Yes, with proper socialization, they get along well with other dogs and even cats.

4. How long do Great Danes live?
On average, 7–10 years, though some reach 12 years with excellent care.

5. Do Great Danes need a lot of space?
Yes, they prefer large living spaces but can adapt to apartments if given enough exercise.
 

This giants are perfect breeds for families, and experienced dog owners. While their gentle temperament and protective nature make them amazing companions, they do require proper training, space, and care.

If you want a gentle giant that will always love you and offer companionship, you can't go wrong with the Great Dane!

👉 Great Danes are susceptible to joint problems and require careful attention, with the help of expert tips and feeding reminders on the Dosty App!