Personality
Great Danes are not what their size suggests. They are calm, gentle, and deeply affectionate - lapdogs that haven't been informed of their dimensions. They're typically good with children, patient with people, and sociable with other dogs when properly socialised from puppyhood.
They can be sensitive, particularly to raised voices or chaotic environments. They respond better to calm, consistent handling than to pressure. They want to be close to their family and do not thrive in environments where they're left alone for long periods or kept outside.
The size is real and has practical implications: a Great Dane puppy that hasn't learned manners can injure people unintentionally, simply by moving around enthusiastically. Early training in calm greetings and lead manners pays dividends quickly.
Exercise
Adult Great Danes need moderate exercise - an hour to two hours daily is adequate. They're not high-energy dogs in the way that many working breeds are, and marathon exercise isn't appropriate or necessary.
Puppies require careful management. Growth plates in giant breeds don't close until 18–24 months, and high-impact exercise - running on hard surfaces, stairs, jumping - during this period can cause lasting joint damage. Puppy exercise should be gentle, low-impact, and shorter than you might expect for a dog that size: leashed walks on soft ground, with free play on grass rather than forced repetitive exercise.
Weight and Feeding
Healthy adult weight ranges widely - 50–90 kg depending on sex, with males at the upper end. They grow rapidly and reaching full skeletal maturity takes longer than most breeds.
Feeding a large-breed puppy diet until 18–24 months is important. Standard puppy food is too energy-dense and causes growth that's too rapid, which is associated with joint problems and developmental bone disease. Large-breed formulas are designed to moderate growth rate.
Giant-breed dogs benefit from multiple smaller meals rather than one large one. This is relevant not just for bloat prevention (though it is) but because their digestive capacity doesn't match their size in the way you might expect.
Health
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus, GDV) is the most immediately life-threatening condition in the breed. Great Danes have one of the highest rates of GDV of any breed. The stomach fills with gas and then twists on itself, cutting off blood supply. It is fatal without emergency surgery - often within hours. Track Bloat (GDV) →
Signs: distended abdomen, unproductive retching (trying to vomit but nothing comes up), restlessness, drooling, obvious distress. If you see these signs, this is an emergency. Go immediately.
Prophylactic gastropexy - a surgical procedure that tacks the stomach to the body wall to prevent twisting - is increasingly recommended for Great Danes. Many owners and breeders opt for this at the time of neutering. It doesn't prevent the stomach filling with gas, but it prevents the fatal torsion. Discuss this with your vet.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is extremely common in Great Danes. The heart muscle weakens and the chambers enlarge, reducing the heart's ability to pump effectively. Many affected dogs will eventually develop heart failure. Annual cardiac screening from age two to three - echocardiography performed by a cardiologist or a vet with cardiac training - is strongly recommended. Early detection allows earlier treatment and longer survival. Track Dilated Cardiomyopathy →
Wobbler syndrome (cervical spondylomyelopathy) affects the cervical spine, causing compression of the spinal cord. Signs include a wobbly, uncoordinated gait in the hindlimbs, weakness, and in severe cases partial paralysis. Great Danes are among the most commonly affected breeds. Surgical and medical management options exist.
Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) is more common in giant breeds. Lameness, swelling, or pain around a limb - particularly in middle-aged or older dogs - warrants prompt assessment. Track Cancer →
Hip and elbow dysplasia occur in Great Danes as in other large breeds. BVA hip scoring for breeding dogs is recommended. Track Hip Dysplasia → Track Elbow Dysplasia →
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD) is a painful developmental bone condition that can affect giant breed puppies, causing swollen, painful joints, lameness, and fever. It typically affects dogs between 2–8 months and often resolves, but requires veterinary management.
Grooming
The coat is short, smooth, and low-maintenance. Weekly brushing with a rubber grooming mitt removes dead hair and keeps the coat looking good. They shed moderately and the short hairs can be surprisingly pervasive - white and harlequin Danes on dark furniture are particularly visible.
Ears should be checked monthly. Nails grow quickly in a dog who isn't walking heavily on hard surfaces and need regular trimming.
Common Conditions to Watch
- Bloat/GDV: know the signs, react immediately, consider prophylactic gastropexy
- Dilated cardiomyopathy: annual cardiac screening from age 2–3
- Wobbler syndrome: watch for hindlimb coordination changes, swaying gait
- Weight and growth: monitor monthly; avoid excess in puppyhood
- Bone pain or lameness: any new lameness in a giant breed needs prompt assessment
- Joint health: avoid high-impact exercise until 18–24 months
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Great Danes live? 8–10 years on average - shorter than most breeds of comparable size, and significantly shorter than small breeds. This is partly attributable to the cardiac risks and the rate at which giant breeds age physiologically. Great Danes from cardiac-tested lines, maintained at a healthy weight, with good preventive care, tend toward the higher end.
Should I get prophylactic gastropexy for my Great Dane? Most vets who work with Great Danes would recommend at least a conversation about it. The procedure is usually done at the time of neutering, adds limited complexity and recovery time, and significantly reduces - though doesn't eliminate - the risk of fatal GDV. Given how quickly bloat can become fatal in this breed, many owners consider it worthwhile.
How much does a Great Dane eat? A lot, but not as much as the size suggests. An adult Great Dane typically eats 6–10 cups of dry kibble daily, split into two to three meals. The actual amount depends on the specific food's caloric density, the individual dog's metabolism, and activity level. Giant-breed adult diets are formulated appropriately for maintenance.
Are Great Danes good with children? Generally yes - they're gentle, patient, and not inclined to aggression. The practical caveat is their size: a Great Dane who's excited can knock over a small child without meaning to. Supervision with young children is sensible, and teaching the dog calm greetings is worth prioritising early.
Can Great Danes live in smaller homes or flats? More easily than you'd expect. They're not high-energy indoors and will occupy a space calmly. The main requirement is that they can stretch out to sleep comfortably - they need actual room for that - and that they get adequate outdoor exercise. They're quieter and easier indoors than many smaller working breeds.