Great Dane
Overview
A truly enormous yet gentle and affectionate "gentle giant" — surprisingly calm for its size.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Great Dane is good with children and sociable with other dogs. They tend to be a quiet, and as a guide they are manageable for committed beginners. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Great Dane typically needs around an hour of exercise a day (roughly 60–80 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content; mental stimulation matters as much as the distance covered. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is wash-and-go and shedding is moderate. A quick brush now and then, plus the occasional bath when needed, is usually plenty. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Great Dane should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a giant breed will eat a fair amount compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Calm, friendly and good with families
- +Lower energy than its size suggests; easy-care coat
Things to consider
- –Needs a lot of space, a big food budget and a sturdy home
- –Prone to bloat and joint issues; sadly short-lived
Is a Great Dane right for you?
On space, a Great Dane is needs plenty of space — they really need plenty of room and a lot of daily activity. For experience level, they are manageable for committed beginners. First-time owners can absolutely succeed, but should be ready for consistent training, exercise and (ideally) some support.
Kit that suits a Great Dane
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Great Danes good with children?
Good with children. As a general guide, Great Danes tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Great Dane need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Great Dane needs around an hour of exercise a day (60–80 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Great Danes shed a lot?
Moderate shedding. Coat upkeep is wash-and-go — a quick brush now and then is usually enough.
Are Great Danes easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Manageable for committed beginners. Great Danes are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Great Danes bark a lot?
Quiet. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Great Danes good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Great Danes suit flats or smaller homes?
Needs plenty of space. A Great Dane really needs plenty of space and a lot of daily activity — not ideal for a small flat.