If the Irish Wolfhound is the tallest dog, the Great Dane is the one that truly feels like living with a horse indoors. Originally bred in Germany to hunt boar, these massive dogs are now known as “gentle giants” — affectionate, goofy, and convinced they belong on your lap.
Owner insight: “They are fantastic, though they all think they are lap dogs! Great with kids … you need to limit exercise in the first year, short walks and playing in the garden is plenty for big soft bones.”
Tempted? Take the Which Dog Breed is Best for Me? Quiz before giving up your sofa space.
Great Names for a Great Dane
A dog this big deserves a name with gravitas (or irony). For even more inspo, try our Dog Name Generator.
- Regal picks: Zeus, Hera, Odin, Freya, Apollo
- Gentle giant nods: Moose, Bear, Titan, Cloud, Velvet
- Funny choices: Tiny, Cupcake, Sofa, Nugget, Tinkerbell
- Classic charmers: Max, Bella, Daisy, Charlie, Duke
Pickles’ Aside: “Name them Tiny and prepare for the double takes.”
Exercise
Despite their hunting heritage, Danes aren’t endurance athletes. They enjoy playtime and daily walks, but they’re also world-class nappers.
- Puppies: Short, gentle walks only — protect growing joints.
- Adults: 1 hour daily of steady walking or play.
- They love a romp in open space but aren’t marathoners.
Owner insight: “You need to limit exercise in the first year … short walks and playing in the garden is plenty for big soft bones.”
Giant Breed Warning
Danes grow at lightning speed and put huge strain on bones and joints. Over-exercise when young can cause lasting problems. Everything with a Dane is XL — food, beds, bills, even drool towels.
Pickles’ Aside: “Think baby giraffe in your living room.”
Temperament
The “Apollo of dogs” is famous for being gentle, affectionate, and goofy. They’re known for leaning against people, sitting on laps, and generally pretending they’re not the size of a pony.
- Affectionate and loyal.
- Great with children — patient but supervision essential due to size.
- Gentle but goofy — sometimes clumsy indoors.
Owner insight: “They eat a lot. Ours consumes 8 cups a day … drool and drip water so I have towels in my kitchen and living room … they think they’re lap dogs though.”
Training
Great Danes are people-pleasers, but their size makes training non-negotiable. A 70kg dog pulling on the lead is no joke.
- Start early — sit, stay, recall, loose-lead walking.
- Positive reinforcement works best.
- Consistency prevents cheeky habits becoming dangerous.
Owner insight: “I have a 16 week old Great Dane puppy … they can be highly destructive dogs until they are around 2 years old. I can’t tell you the number of TV remotes I had to replace, and the cost of furniture was in the thousands.”
Need backup? The World’s First AI Dog Trainer can keep training on track for your sofa-sized pup.
Pickles’ Aside: “Train them early — or wave goodbye to your furniture.”
Strangers & Watchdog Potential
Danes make excellent deterrents thanks to sheer size, but most are friendly, not aggressive.
- Will bark at strangers at the door.
- Size alone is intimidating.
- Big softies once they meet people.
Other Animals
Danes are generally sociable with other dogs and can live happily with pets if socialised. Their size, though, can overwhelm smaller animals.
Pickles’ Aside: “Friendly giant… unless you’re a roast chicken left on the counter.”
Grooming
For such a big dog, grooming is simple. Their short coat sheds lightly but year-round.
- Weekly brushing is enough.
- Wipe-downs for slobber.
- Nails & ears need regular care.
The real “grooming” challenge is drool. Be ready for slobber on walls, furniture, and ceilings.
Health
Danes are sadly one of the shortest-lived breeds, averaging 7–10 years. They’re prone to several serious health issues:
- Bloat (GDV) — a major risk in deep-chested breeds.
- Heart disease (dilated cardiomyopathy).
- Hip & elbow dysplasia.
- Bone cancer (osteosarcoma).
Owner insight: “I wouldn’t. Everything is bigger, so the costs are as well. And… they drool. Bigger dog = higher bills, more hair, more maintenance.”
Always choose a health-tested breeder — see our Best in Breeder Guide for the right questions to ask.
Bloat Warning
Great Danes are at very high risk of bloat (GDV). This is a life-threatening emergency.
Reduce the risk by:
- Feeding smaller, frequent meals.
- Avoiding exercise right before/after food.
- Using slow-feeder bowls.
- Knowing the signs: distended belly, unproductive retching, sudden collapse.
Pickles’ Aside: “Trust me — you’ll want a slow-feeder bowl. And a mop.”
Cost of Ownership (UK)
Great Danes = great costs. Everything is scaled up.
- Puppy price: £1,200–£2,500
- Food: £80–£150/month
- Insurance: £60–£100/month
- Routine vet care: £400–£600/year
- Furniture replacements: potentially thousands.
Famous Owners & Moments
Scooby-Doo is arguably the world’s most famous Dane, though Marmaduke runs close. Real-life fans include Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz, and the late actress Jayne Mansfield.
Myth-Busting
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| They’re fierce guard dogs | Not really — most are softies. |
| They don’t need exercise | Wrong — daily walks are essential. |
| They don’t shed | They do, just lightly. |
| They live long lives | Sadly, Danes average 7–10 years. |
Great Dane FAQs
- Do they drool? Yes — towels recommended.
- Are they good with kids? Yes, gentle but supervision needed.
- How much exercise? 1 hour daily for adults.
- How long do they live? 7–10 years.
- Do they fit in small houses? Only if you give up your furniture.
Thinking of Bringing Home a Great Dane?
If you want a loyal, gentle giant who’ll think your sofa is theirs and your lap was built for them, the Great Dane could be the one. But be ready: big size means big bills, short lifespan, and slobber on every surface.
Before you dive in, grab our New Puppy Paw-rent Planner to get organised. And once your Dane is home, celebrate them with a Custom Cartoon Pet Portrait.
Pickles’ Aside: “Great Danes: part horse, part sofa hog, part cuddle bug.”
Breed Stats
- Origin: Germany
- Weight: 45–90 kg
- Height: 71–86 cm
- Lifespan: 7–10 years
- Best Trait: Gentle, affectionate giant
- Challenging Trait: Short lifespan, drool, giant costs