Great Dane
A towering, elegant German giant that is usually gentle, friendly and happy to lean on the people it loves.
At a glance
- Size
- Giant
- Height at the withers
- Males 80–90 cm · Females 72–84 cm
- Weight
- Males 60–80 kg · Females 45–60 kg
- Life expectancy
- 7–10 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Fawn, Brindle, Harlequin, Black, Mantle, Blue
- Bred for
- Companionship, Guarding
- Country of origin
- Germany
- FCI
- Group 2, no. 235 · Pinschers, molossers & mountain dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
- Kennel Kæmpeborg (Næstved, Sydsjælland)
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 2/5 – Low |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- have space for a very large dog
- want a gentle, affectionate companion
- like a calm housemate
Think twice if you …
- want a long-lived dog
- have a small car or small home
- are not prepared for high vet and food costs
Care
Temperament
Friendly, gentle and affectionate, often unaware of its own size. Alert and capable of guarding, but usually polite with visitors once introduced.
Exercise
Moderate daily walks and free play; avoid strenuous exercise while young and around meals because of bloat risk.
Grooming
The short coat needs only a weekly brush; shedding is moderate.
Training
Sensitive and willing; start leash training early, as a large adolescent can be hard to manage.
Health
Bloat (gastric torsion) is a serious risk, and the breed is also prone to dilated cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, wobbler syndrome and bone cancer. Ask the breeder for the parents' hip and heart results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Heart
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
Despite its English name, the Great Dane comes from Germany, where it is called the Deutsche Dogge. It descends from large boarhounds used by nobles to hunt wild boar and later served as an estate guard and a status symbol. Its modern standard was set in the late 19th century.
Living with a Great Dane means planning around size: big beds, big cars and big food bills. It is often calm and affectionate indoors and enjoys company. Puppies grow fast and need careful feeding and controlled exercise to protect their joints.
Did you know?
A Great Dane named Zeus, measured at 111.8 cm at the shoulder, was recognised by Guinness World Records as the tallest dog ever.