Apartment fit
Apartment life can work for a calm, trained adult only when the space, elevator access, walking routine, and neighbors are realistic. It is a poor fit if stairs, cramped rooms, or noise sensitivity are major issues.
WorkingLarge
Germany
GermanyGreat Dane
Weight
110-175 lb
Height
28-32 in
Lifespan
7-10 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
The Great Dane is a giant German working breed known for its imposing size, smooth coat, steady temperament, and serious health and space needs.
Giant German working breedShort smooth coat with moderate sheddingUsually calm indoors when trained and exercisedMajor commitment because of size, cost, and health risk
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Deutsche DoggeGerman Mastiff
FriendlyDependablePatientConfidentWatchfulGentle
Weight
110-175 lb
Height
28-32 in
Lifespan
7-10 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
Moderate
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Moderate
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
1/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Great Dane, known in Germany as the Deutsche Dogge, is a giant working breed historically associated with boar hunting and estate guarding. Modern Danes are usually kept as companions, but the breed standard still calls for a powerful, square, elegant dog with confidence and balance.
A well-bred Great Dane can be affectionate, dependable, and surprisingly calm indoors, but ownership is a real commitment. Size affects everything: training, transport, veterinary costs, food, flooring, furniture, and safety around children. Early socialization and leash manners are essential because an adolescent Dane can be stronger than many adults can physically manage.
The short coat is easy to brush, but health planning is central to responsible ownership. Great Danes have a short average lifespan for a dog, and breed health sources consistently flag bloat, cardiomyopathy, joint and bone disease, thyroid disease, eye issues, and cancer. Choose breeders who health test and ask your veterinarian early about growth, diet, exercise limits for puppies, and bloat prevention.
Temperament & Personality
FriendlyDependablePatientConfidentWatchfulGentle
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a friendly, dependable, patient companion, with daily rhythms shaped by moderate energy, moderate barking, and moderate drooling.
Coat type
Smooth
Coat length
Short
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Fawn, Brindle, Blue, Black, Harlequin, Mantle, Merle, Black and White, White, Silver
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs3/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly2/5
Exercise Needs3/5
Grooming Needs1/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 3/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- owners prepared for giant-breed costs and logistics
- homes with enough space for a very large dog to rest and turn comfortably
- families committed to early training and supervised child interactions
- people who want a watchful but usually companionable house dog
Not ideal for
- homes that cannot manage a giant dog physically or financially
- owners wanting a long-lived low-risk breed
- people who cannot handle bloat planning, health screening, and large veterinary bills
- homes with many stairs for a growing puppy or aging adult
Common challenges
- bloat prevention and emergency planning
- adolescent size before adult manners are reliable
- joint stress from excess weight or inappropriate puppy exercise
- finding housing, transport, and veterinary care that fit a giant dog
Barking & behavior
Great Danes are often moderate barkers and naturally watchful. Early socialization helps prevent shyness, over-alerting, or unsafe pulling toward people and dogs.
Training style
Train early with rewards, consistency, and cooperative handling. Focus on leash manners, polite greetings, settling, and vet-style handling before the dog reaches adult strength.
Grooming & shedding
The smooth coat is easy to groom, but the dog's size makes nail care, bathing, ear checks, and skin checks easier when cooperative care is taught from puppyhood.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most adult Great Danes need steady daily walks and training, not punishing endurance work. Puppies should avoid forced running, repeated stairs, and high-impact exercise while growing; ask your veterinarian for age-appropriate limits.
Grooming
The short smooth coat needs weekly brushing, nail trimming, ear checks, and skin checks. Because the dog is huge, grooming and handling should be taught early while the puppy is still manageable.
Training
Start leash manners, polite greetings, mat settling, and cooperative care early. Reward-based training is important because physical control is not a realistic plan once a Great Dane is mature.
Nutrition
Feed a large- or giant-breed diet matched to age and body condition. Growth rate matters in puppies, and adults should stay lean to reduce joint stress and bloat risk.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
Moderate
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Moderate
Watchdog ability
4/5
Guard dog ability
2/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather2/5
Heat tolerance2/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Bloat and gastric dilatation-volvulusDilated cardiomyopathyHip dysplasiaOsteoarthritisHypothyroidismWobbler syndromeOsteosarcoma
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Great Dane a good apartment dog?
A calm adult Great Dane can live in an apartment if the building, elevator, floor space, and daily walking routine truly fit a giant dog. Many apartments are impractical because of size, stairs, tight hallways, and neighbor noise.
Does the Great Dane bark a lot?
Great Danes are usually moderate barkers. They may alert to visitors or unusual sounds, and their bark is deep enough that even occasional barking can be disruptive.
Is the Great Dane good for first-time owners?
It is not an easy first dog. A first-time owner can succeed with strong preparation, but the breed's size, growth management, cost, and health risks leave little room for casual ownership.
How much exercise does the Great Dane need?
Most adults need daily walks, training, and free movement, but they are not endurance athletes. Puppies need controlled, low-impact activity while their bones and joints develop.
Is the Great Dane good with kids and other dogs?
Many Great Danes are gentle family dogs, but supervision is essential because they can accidentally knock over children. Dog sociability depends on breeding, socialization, and management.
Does the Great Dane shed a lot?
The short coat sheds moderately. Brushing is simple, but there is a lot of dog, so loose hair can still be noticeable.
What is the biggest challenge of owning the Great Dane?
The biggest challenge is the scale of responsibility: giant size, short lifespan, bloat risk, heart and joint health, training before strength becomes a problem, and higher routine costs.
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