Dog Breed Guide

Great Dane

Profile

Size

Extra Large

Country of origin

Germany

Origin

Around the 16th century

Bred for

Hunting (wild boar), Watchdog, Companion

Height

male 80cm (31in) and over, female 72cm (28in) and over

Weight

male 64 - 79kg (141 - 174lb), female 50 - 64kg (110 - 141lb)

Life span

7 - 10 years

Thanks to its imposing height and its lean, elegant build, the Great Dane is called "the king of dogs" and "the Apollo of dogs." The short, sleek coat comes in fawn, brindle, harlequin (white with torn-looking black patches), mantle (black with white), black and blue.

For all its size, the Great Dane is very gentle and sweet, and loves lounging on the sofa with its family. As if it has no idea how big it is, it often tries to climb into laps or leans its weight against people. It is reasonably alert with strangers but rarely barks without reason.

It grows very fast, so puppies should avoid strenuous exercise to protect their joints. The breed is prone to bloat, a twisting of the stomach, so meals should be split into several portions and exercise avoided right after eating. Its life span is among the shortest of all dog breeds.

Good to know

The name means "big Danish dog," but the breed has almost nothing to do with Denmark. The name is said to have spread after the 18th-century French naturalist Buffon called it "the great Danish dog." In Germany, where the breed was developed, it is called the Deutsche Dogge (German mastiff) and is regarded as the national dog.

Great Danes have also held the Guinness World Record for the tallest dog. Zeus of Michigan, recognized in 2011, measured 111.8cm (44in) at the shoulder and stood 2.23m (7ft 4in) on his hind legs. In 2022 another Zeus, from Texas, was recognized as the tallest living male dog.

Scooby-Doo, the cowardly, always-hungry star of the classic American cartoon, is a Great Dane too. Once a fearless boar hunter, the breed is now loved around the world as a "gentle giant."