Great Dane
大丹犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Great Dane is the 'Apollo of dogs' — a towering, elegant German giant that is friendly, patient and dependable with its family. Danes need room, a couple of brisk walks a day and careful joint protection while growing; their size shortens their lifespan, and bloat is the breed's number-one killer, so owners must know the warning signs.
Facts
| Size | Giant |
|---|---|
| Height | 71–81cm |
| Weight | 50–79kg |
| Life expectancy | 7–10years |
| Breed group | AKC: working FCI: 2 |
| Role | Working |
| Coat | Short coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 60–150min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 4/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 2/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Heart conditions
Certain heart conditions are reported in the breed; breeders may have breeding stock examined by a veterinary cardiologist. Ask your vet about heart checks at routine visits.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Deep-chested dogs of this breed are at risk of bloat, a life-threatening emergency. Ask your vet about the warning signs and prevention options.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is reported in the breed. Ask your vet about thyroid testing if you notice weight gain, lethargy or coat changes.
Panosteitis (growing pains)
Panosteitis (shifting lameness in growing dogs) is reported in the breed. Ask your vet if a young dog is intermittently lame.
Immune-mediated conditions
Immune-mediated conditions are reported in the breed. Ask your vet if your dog has unexplained illness.
Behaviour
Gentle giant, alert home guardian
The CKC says today's Dane must be spirited and courageous, never timid, and is friendly and dependable; the AKC adds that despite their sweet nature Danes are alert home guardians, and that obedience training is a must for a dog this large and powerful.
Exercise with growing joints in mind
The AKC says a brisk walk two or three times a day can be enough, and that Danes can join jogs or hikes only after about two years of age to avoid damaging growing joints; the CKC notes they adapt to city or country living but need room indoors as well as out.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 4/5 (high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Great Dane
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Great Dane (Working Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Great Dane
Breed characteristics (size extra large, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan under 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Great Dane (standard no. 235, group 2)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's health page tells owners that bloat (GDV) is the number-one killer of Great Danes and a true emergency where hours matter; many owners feed several small meals a day, avoid vigorous exercise around mealtimes, and discuss preventive gastropexy with their vet.”
— Great Dane Club of America — Health and Research via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Great Dane — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Great Dane — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Great Dane — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Great Dane — FCI standard no. 235 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Great Dane Health and Research — Great Dane Club of America — Great Dane Club of America — Health and Research (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.