Should You Get a Great Dane?
The Great Dane is a giant dog breed with a height range of 29-34 inches and weight ranging from 100 to 200 pounds. It’s an athletic, powerful, and elegant dog. Here are 12 interesting facts about Great Danes.
Great Dane Origin and Uses
The Great Dane was originally bred to hunt wild boar in Germany. They were known as “Deutsche Dogge” (German Mastiff) or “German Boarhound” in English, reflecting their role in hunting boar. These early Great Danes were shorter, stockier and more aggressive then todays dog. In fact, they had much more of the classic Mastiff look.
Great Dane’s Closest DNA Ancestors
The Breed as it is known today was developed primarily in Germany throughout the 1800’s. It is believed they are a mix English Mastiffs and Irish Wolfhounds with a touch of Greyhound. According to a huge study into the Genomic Analyses of dog breed development, they share the most common DNA with the same ancestors as Irish Wolfhounds, Rottweilers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
The Great Dane is a Dog of Many Names.
In English speaking countries, they are generally known as Great Danes or German Mastiffs. In many parts of central Europe they are known as the “Deutsche Dogge” while in France they are the “Dogue Allemand” and in Italy “Alano”. Many also refer to them as the “Apollo of Dogs”. The English name “Great Dane” likely came from 18th-century French naturalist Comte de Buffon, who referred to them as “Grand Danois” (Big Danish) while studying dogs in Denmark—even though the breed was German. The name stuck in English, while Germans and much of Europe kept the original “Deutsche Dogge”.
Great Dane Size and Coat Colors
This Giant Dog can reach over 34 inches in height and 180+ pounds. Some males exceed 36 inches (91 cm), with the tallest recorded Great Dane (Zeus) reaching 44 inches (111 cm)! According to breed standard, their coat colors can be:
Fawn with a Black Mask
Brindle
Black with no markings
Blue
Harlequin – white with black patches
Mantle – a very specific mix of black and white
Non-Standard (But Sometimes Seen) Colors
Merle (controversial, linked to health issues).
White (not albino; usually a poorly marked Harlequin).
Chocolate/Liver (not recognized, considered a fault).
The Great Dane is a Fast Growing Dog
It is not unusual for a newborn puppy to grow to over 100 pounds in the first 6 months of life! According to the Great Dane Club of America, Great Danes grow as much in one year as a human will grow in their first fourteen years! Most Great Danes will be fully grown between 1.5 – 2 years-but may still continue to increase muscle mass after that. It is imperative they be fed a high quality diet.
Are Great Dane’s Aggressive?
Despite their large size this breed is known to make great family pets and be gentle loving animals. In landmark research on canine temperament being done at the University of Pennsylvania, the Great Dane ranks 111 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners. They also rank very low (106th) in chasing other animals. While they can be protective and their booming bark can make them intimidating watchdogs-most of the time they are gentle giants.
Great Dane Temperament
is somewhat prone to separation anxiety and attachment/attention-seeking behaviors. Basically, they love attention from their owners and may get jealous when you pay attention to another dog/person instead of them!
Great Dane Puppy Growing Up-They Grow Up Fast!
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How Fast Can a Great Dane Run?
The American Kennel Club Conducts 100 year dog breed races called the FastCat. The average running speed of Great Danes is about 22.9 mph. The fastest speed recorded was by a dog named Dino Lewandowski-Zais, an amazing 35.3 mph! That is stunning for such a large dog.
Great Dane Intelligence
According to Professor Stanley Coren author of the landmark book, “The Intelligence of Dogs”, the Great Dane ranks 48th out of 130 dog breeds when it comes to canine intelligence. They are considered a breed of average intelligence. Essentially this means it will take 25-40 repetitions for a Great Dane to learn a new command. In contrast, the Border Collie will lean new commands in less than 5 repetitions and follow them 99% of the time.
Great Dane Humor!
Great Dane Health and Lifespan
The Lifespan of a Great Dane is generally 7-10 years. As with any other breed, they are prone to certain health conditions. The 5 most common are:
Gastric Torsion is the #1 Killer of Great Danes – The stomach fills with gas and twists, cutting off blood flow.
Hip Dysplasia
Cardiomyopathy
Tricuspid Valve Disease
Cancer
They can be very active dogs but generally need minimal exercise. As a puppy, care should be taken not to “over do” the jumping and running as they are growing VERY fast and excessive exercise may effect their bone growth.
Great Dane Charm!
1. Shedding – The Never-Ending Fur Storm
“Short hair, but LOTS of it!” – They shed year-round, with seasonal blowouts.
Tips:
Daily rubber grooming mitt sessions help.
Invest in a pet vacuum (trust me).
Diet with omega-3s can reduce dry skin/flakes.
2. Slobber – The Dangling Drool Drama
“You’ll find drool on your ceiling.” – Those jowls hold reserves.
Trigger moments: After drinking, eating, or seeing food.
Slobber Survival Kit:
“Slobber towels” stationed around the house.
Stain-resistant fabrics (RIP, nice furniture).
3. Drinking & Eating – The Splash Zone
“Water? More like a floor mopping session.”
Solutions:
Splash-proof water bowls (or a DIY towel mat).
Elevated feeders (may help with mess, but controversial for bloat risk).
4. The Gas – Silent But Deadly
“Biohazard warning: Great Dane farts.”
Causes: Sensitive stomachs, gulping air, or poor diet.
Solutions:
Slow feeder bowls (less air intake).
Probiotics (may help… or just make it smell different).
5. The Lean – A 150-Pound Lap Dog
“If they lean, they love.” – It’s their way of hugging.
Side effects: Knocked-over drinks, accidental furniture relocation.
Training tip: Teach “gentle lean” to avoid full-force affection.
Get Ready for the Jokes.
If you have a Great Dane, you have probably heard them all: “Where is your saddle?” – “Is that a dog or a horse?” – “What does that monster eat?”. But, because you have “the Apollo of Dog Breeds” it’s easy to laugh it off and soak up the envy.
Pennsylvania named the Great Dane its official state dog in 1967-and who doesn’t know the most famous Great Dane of them all?
Check your Great Dane Facts and Take a Fun Great Dane Quiz!
Quick Facts about Great Danes Infographic
Great Dane Facts – Final Thoughts
Great Danes are truly fascinating animals with unique qualities. As a large dog breed, they may appear intimidating at first glance, but their gentle disposition and affectionate nature make them ideal companions for young children and families. With proper training and obedience, Great Danes can become well-behaved and obedient pets. Proper socialization is key to ensuring they develop good behavior around other animals and people. So, whether you’re drawn to their majestic appearance or their loving personality, Great Danes are undeniably remarkable in every way.
