Great Dane
Great Dane: does it suit you?
11 quick questions, the same ones this page answers. After each answer you see what the breed needs, and at the end whether it fits your life.
Great Dane: a good fit for you
Great Dane: could work, with compromises
Great Dane: probably not the right dog for you
Your answers match what the breed needs.
Most of your answers fit. Check the points below before you decide.
Some of your answers don't fit what the breed needs. The points below show where.
What to think about
What fits
A better match for your answers:
None of the 42 breeds on this site fits your answers better.
The Great Dane was developed in Germany, where nobles once used these dogs to hunt wild boar; later they became known as protectors of home and family.[1] The FCI standard lists the breed today as a companion, watch and guard dog.[2] It describes a friendly, loving dog devoted to its owners, possibly reserved with strangers, but confident, fearless and without aggression.[2]
- Size
- Giant
- Weight
- 50–90 kg
- Life expectancy
- 7–10 years
Great Dane: origin and history
Its forerunners were the old ‘Bullenbeisser’ and the hunting and wild-boar hounds, dogs midway between the Mastiff of English type and the Greyhound.[2] At first ‘Dogge’ meant any large, powerful dog rather than a particular breed; later, names such as Ulmer Dogge, English Dogge and Great Dane sorted these dogs by colour and size.[2]
In 1878 a committee of seven breeders and judges in Berlin grouped all these varieties as ‘Deutsche Doggen’, laying the foundation for a separate German breed.[2] The first standard followed at a Berlin show in 1880; since 1888 the Deutsche Doggen Club 1888 e.V. has looked after it.[2] The English name translates the French ‘grand Danois’ (‘big Danish’), but there is no known link between the breed and Denmark.[1] In the FCI system it belongs to Group 2 (Pinscher and Schnauzer – Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs), Section 2 (Molossian type), subsection 2.1 (Mastiff type).[2]
Fact sheet
- Origin
- Germany
- Size
- Giant
- Height at withers
- 72–90 cm [2]
- Weight
- 50–90 kg
- Life expectancy
- 7–10 years
- Coat
- Short
- Colours
- Fawn, brindle, harlequin, black, blue
- Low-shedding coat
- No
Character and needs
Rated on a scale from very low to very high.
- Exercise needsmoderate
- Trainabilitymoderate
- Grooming needsvery low
- Sheddingmoderate
- Barkinglow
- Good with kidshigh
- Good with other dogshigh
- Good with catsmoderate
- Apartment-friendlyvery low
- Copes with being alonemoderate
- Watchdog instinctmoderate
- Good for first-time ownersmoderate
- Affectionhigh
Great Dane: questions and answers
Is it a good dog for first-time owners?
With good preparation. It rates 3 out of 5 for first-time owners. Training takes patience and consistency (3 out of 5 for trainability).
How long can it be left alone?
Up to 4 hours, once the dog is an adult and has learned to be alone step by step. A few hours alone work if you build up slowly (3 out of 5 for coping alone). More than 6 hours at a stretch isn't fair on any dog; plan for a dog sitter or daycare. Puppies need company: start with a few minutes and build up.
How much exercise does it need?
1 to 2 hours a day, spread over several walks. A mix of walks and play keeps the dog balanced. Until the dog is fully grown, keep walks short and avoid jumping to protect the growing joints.
How long does it live?
7–10 years is the typical life expectancy. That is shorter than the average of the 42 breeds on this site (12.6 years). As with most large breeds, life is shorter than for small dogs. Breed-typical health risks: bloat (gastric torsion), heart disease, hip dysplasia, eye disease.
How big does it get?
72–90 cm at the withers and 50–90 kg. Size class: giant.
Is it a good family dog?
Yes. It rates 4 out of 5 with children. With other dogs it rates 4 out of 5, with cats 3 out of 5. Never leave young children alone with any dog.
Does it shed a lot?
Moderately: 3 out of 5 for shedding. Grooming is quick: a brush once a week is enough.
Male or female?
80–90 cm at the withers for males and 72–84 cm for females, according to the breed standard. Character differences between the sexes are smaller than between individual dogs; upbringing matters more. Unspayed females come into heat about twice a year, and unneutered males can be restless around them.
Great Dane or Rhodesian Ridgeback?
Biggest difference: exercise needs (moderate vs. high).
| Great Dane | Rhodesian Ridgeback | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Giant | Large |
| Weight | 50–90 kg | 32–36.5 kg |
| Life expectancy | 7–10 years | 10–12 years |
| Coat | Short | Short |
| Exercise needs | Moderate | High |
| Good with other dogs | High | Moderate |
| Good with cats | Moderate | Low |
| Apartment-friendly | Very low | Low |
Who it suits
A good fit if you…
- have children
- want an easy-care coat
- want a quiet dog
Great Dane: the downsides
Every breed has a flip side. Before you decide, check that you can live with these:
- Needs space
- 1 out of 5 for apartment living. The dog does best in a house with a garden or with fields on the doorstep.
- A short life
- 7–10 years, well below the 12.6-year average of the 42 breeds on this site.
- Big dog, big bills
- Up to 90 kg means more food, a bigger car and higher vet and medicine costs, since doses go by weight.
- Breed-typical health risks
- Bloat (gastric torsion), heart disease, hip dysplasia, eye disease. Choose a breeder who screens the parents, and consider health insurance.
Great Dane: puppy price and monthly costs
£1,000 – £2,000 for a puppy from a breeder in the UK (Agria Pet Insurance, 2026). From £116 a month in running costs in the UK (PDSA, 2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
| Country | Puppy from a breeder | Running costs per month |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £1,000 – £2,000 [3] | from £116 [4] |
| United States | $1,000 – $2,000 [5] | $116 [6] |
| Canada | no data | CA$367 [7] |
| Australia | A$4,500–6,000 [8] | A$210 [9] |
| New Zealand | no data | NZ$100 [10] |
- Set-up costs at the start: £415 – £560 for basic equipment, first vaccinations, wormers and neutering (PDSA, 2024).
- Dog licence in Northern Ireland: £12.50 a year; England, Scotland and Wales have none (nidirect, 2026).
- Dog licence in the US: $5 – $20 a year, set by the city or county (American Kennel Club, 2021).
- Dog licence in Canada: CA$25–60 a year in Toronto, less for a neutered dog (City of Toronto, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in Australia: A$20–200 a year, depending on the council and whether the dog is desexed (Mozo, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in New Zealand: NZ$78–182 a year in Auckland, depending on the dog (PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council, 2026).
- Puppies far below these prices often come without health checks or papers.
Health
Breed-typical health risks
- Bloat (gastric torsion) [16]
- A life-threatening emergency in large, deep-chested dogs. Rest after meals.
- Heart disease [17]
- Breed-typical heart conditions. Regular heart checks are sensible.
- Hip dysplasia [18]
- A malformed hip joint. Both parents should be X-ray screened.
- Eye disease [19]
- Inherited conditions such as PRA or cataracts. Good breeders have the eyes tested.
Health tests for the parent dogs
6 health tests appear in the breeding rules for the breed.
- No health test is required for breeding in the UK (The Royal Kennel Club); the table shows what is recommended.
- Needed for a CHIC number in the US (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) / Canine Health Information Center): hip X-ray (HD), eye exam, heart exam, and thyroid test.
- No health test is required for breeding in Australia (The Great Dane Society of Qld Inc.); the table shows what is recommended.
- No health test is required for breeding in New Zealand (Dogs New Zealand); the table shows what is recommended.
| Test | United Kingdom [20] | United States [18] | Australia [21] | New Zealand [22] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip X-ray (HD)Hip dysplasia | Recommended | Required | Recommended | Recommended |
| Elbow X-ray (ED)Elbow dysplasia | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| Eye examInherited eye disease, by a certified vet ophthalmologist | Recommended | Required | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| Heart examInherited heart disease, by a cardiologist | Recommended | Required | not in the rules | Recommended |
| Thyroid testAutoimmune thyroiditis | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| DNA test: IMGDInherited myopathy of Great Danes | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
● Required. ○ Recommended: advised, not required. – Not in the rules. The clubs and their rules are in the source list.
United Kingdom: the Royal Kennel Club’s Health Standard requires no test, so every test is ○ recommended.
United States: ● means the test is needed for a CHIC number from the OFA; taking part in CHIC is voluntary.
Australia: ● means the breed club’s code of ethics requires the test of member breeders; the kennel club registers litters without it.
New Zealand: the kennel club lists these tests as advice and requires none, so every test is ○ recommended.
What to ask the breeder
- Certificates for both parents: hip X-ray (HD), eye exam, heart exam, and thyroid test. A claim that the parents are “health tested” is not enough.
- To see the puppies with their mother, at the breeder’s home.
- The pedigree papers (United Kingdom: Royal Kennel Club registration certificate; Canada: CKC certificate of registration; Australia: Dogs Australia pedigree, issued by the state body; New Zealand: Dogs NZ certificate of registration). [23] [24] [25] [26]
- 8 weeks: the youngest age at which a puppy may leave its mother in the UK, in Canada (Quebec), and in Australia (New South Wales). [27] [28] [29]
- Advice on buying a puppy: The Royal Kennel Club, The Canadian Kennel Club, Dogs Australia, and Dogs New Zealand. [30] [31] [32] [33]
Similar breeds
Sources
- American Kennel Club (AKC): Great Dane Dog Breed Information
- FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale): Breed standard No. 235: Great Dane (2024)
- Agria Pet Insurance (UK): Great Dane Pet Insurance - The UK's Most Trusted Pet Insurer (2026)
- PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, UK veterinary charity): The cost of owning a dog (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
- PetMD: Great Dane Dog Breed Health and Care (2024)
- ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021). Covers food, vet visits, preventive medicine, insurance, toys and treats, boarding, dog licence, grooming supplies.
- Pets Plus Us (Canadian pet insurer; figures from OVMA 2024 Cost of Care research): HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGY? (EN-DOG_PPU_Cost-of-Care_Aug2024_v3.pdf) (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, dog tax, accessories.
- Lyka: Great Dane breed insights: care, personality & expert tips (2026)
- Animal Medicines Australia (survey by Sweeney Research/SNR): Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people (Pet Ownership Study 2025) (2025). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, parasite treatment, vet medicines, supplements, grooming, training, accessories, dog walking, boarding, transport, memberships, alternative healthcare.
- Companion Animals New Zealand (NZ Companion Animal Council): Companion Animals in New Zealand 2016 (section 6.3 Dogs, Fig 50) (2016). Covers food, vet visits, dog tax, boarding, equipment, grooming, healthcare products, insurance, training, other costs.
- nidirect (official government website for Northern Ireland): Dog licensing and microchipping (2026)
- American Kennel Club: Are You Financially Prepared for a Puppy? Explore Costs of Owning a Dog (2021)
- City of Toronto: Pet Licensing Fees (2026)
- Mozo: How much does it cost to own a dog or cat in Australia? 2026 (2026)
- PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council: Auckland Dog Registration 2026–27: Late Fees Now Apply — Full Fee Table (2026)
- Journal of Small Animal Practice 58(11):629-638 (O'Neill DG et al., VetCompass): Gastric dilation-volvulus in dogs attending UK emergency-care veterinary practices: prevalence, risk factors and survival (2017)
- Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 26(5):1140-7 (Stephenson HM et al.): Screening for dilated cardiomyopathy in Great Danes in the United Kingdom (2012)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) / Canine Health Information Center (CHIC): CHIC Program Requirements and testing statistics: Great Dane
- The Royal Kennel Club: Breed Watch: Great Dane - Category 2
- The Royal Kennel Club: Royal Kennel Club Health Standard: A complete guide to health testing for responsible breeding (2026)
- The Great Dane Society of Qld Inc.: Common Health Problems in Great Danes
- Dogs New Zealand: Accredited Breeder Health Tests for the GREAT DANE (former Accredited Breeders Scheme test list)
- The Royal Kennel Club: What should the breeder give me?
- The Canadian Kennel Club: By-Laws (incl. Code of Ethics (2025)
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Importance of Pedigree Papers
- Dogs New Zealand (New Zealand Kennel Club Inc.): Registration Regulations (Section 4, Reg. 24: Litter Registration Limitations (2026)
- UK Government (legislation.gov.uk): The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/486), Schedule 6 (breeding dogs) and Schedule 3 (selling animals as pets) (2018)
- Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ): Guide d'application du Règlement sur le bien-être et la sécurité des animaux domestiques de compagnie et des équidés (reproduces CQLR c. B-3.1, r. 0.1, art. 36) (2023)
- NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), State of New South Wales (fact sheet hosted by Dogs NSW): New laws for dog breeders in NSW (fact sheet on the 2024-25 amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and Companion Animals Act 1998) (2025)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Questions for the breeder
- The Canadian Kennel Club: Finding an Accountable Breeder
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Choosing a Breeder
- Dogs New Zealand: How do you go about purchasing a pedigree pure bred dog?
Breeding rules, health sources and breed standards checked October 8, 2026.
Prices as published by the sources; collected October 8, 2026.
Breed traits describe typical tendencies. Every dog is an individual, shaped by genes, upbringing and training.