Great Danes, often called "gentle giants," are known for their towering height, regal appearance, and affectionate nature. Despite their imposing size, they are friendly, patient, and incredibly devoted companions.
Thinking about welcoming a Great Dane dog into your life? Or already sharing your home with one? This guide has everything you need to know about keeping them happy, healthy, and thriving.
From choosing the right diet to keeping their minds sharp, our holistic approach covers all the ins and outs of what it takes to care for a Great Dane.
Top breed takeaways
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Breed history
Originating in Germany, Great Danes (aka German Mastiff) were initially bred as boar-hunting dogs, prized for their strength, speed, and stamina. Over time, their role shifted from hunters to noble companions, often found in European courts. Their noble stature and gentle temperament have earned them the nickname "Apollo of Dogs."
Key characteristics
Great Danes are celebrated for their height, muscular build, and gentle disposition. Despite their massive size, they are affectionate, friendly, and excellent with families. They are intelligent and eager to please, which makes training relatively straightforward. However, due to their size, they need ample space and thrive in environments where they can stretch out comfortably.
Health considerations
Great Danes are generally a healthy breed, but they can be prone to hip dysplasia, gum disease, and dilated cardiomyopathy. A gently cooked, high-protein diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can support their skin, joint, and digestive health.
Appearance and size
Great Danes are one of the biggest dog breeds in the world with long legs and a large, square head. They have a sleek, muscular build with a short coat that comes in various colours, including fawn, brindle, blue, black, harlequin, and mantle.
Great Dane personality and temperament
Big, loving, and full of heart, Great Danes live up to their “gentle giant” reputation. They form deep bonds with their humans and thrive on affection — whether it’s leaning in for a cuddle or following you from room to room. With their patient and dependable nature, they make wonderful companions for both kids and adults.
Because of their size, early training and socialisation are key to ensuring they’re polite and easy to handle. While they’re not known to be a vocal breed, when they do speak up, you’ll definitely hear it!
Great Danes have a moderate energy level, but don’t be fooled — when they get moving, they love a good stretch of their long legs. Whether it’s a steady walk or a joyful, lolloping run in an off-leash area, regular exercise helps keep them happy and healthy. Without enough stimulation, they might take matters into their own paws — think enthusiastic digging or mischievous chewing.
Great Dane size guide
A full-grown Great Dane weighs between 50-80 kg and can grow between 66-82 cm tall, depending on their gender and genetics. They tend to stop growing in height by 18-24 months of age when they reach adulthood.
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How long do Great Danes live?
Great Danes typically have a lifespan between 7-10 years – giant breeds tend to live shorter than smaller dogs.
As dog parents, we want our pups to live a happy and healthy life for as long as possible – and there’s so much we can easily do to help them thrive, not just survive. Every dog deserves a long, vibrant life, and it begins with a thoughtful, holistic approach to their wellbeing.
A nourishing real food diet (like Lyka), regular exercise, mental stimulation, training, grooming, and proactive vet care all work together to help your pup feel their very best.
Read more: The real cost of chronic illness in dogs and how you can prevent it →
“Great Dane puppies benefit from a slow growth feeding plan to prevent skeletal development problems that are associated with rapid growth and overfeeding. Lyka calculates your puppy’s nutritional needs and adjusts their portion sizes as they grow, ensuring they get the right balance of nutrients at each stage.”
— Dr Alexander England, Lyka Veterinarian, BVetMed MANZCVS (Small Animal Veterinary Practice)
Learn more about Dr Alexander England and his veterinary experience.
What does a Great Dane eat?
Statuesque Great Danes need nutritious food to fuel their minds and bodies.
The best diet for a Great Dane is made with real food ingredients like high-quality protein, fresh vegetables, and healthy fats. Just like us, dogs thrive on fresh, nutrient-dense meals that can boost their energy levels and support their overall health.
Lyka’s human-grade meals are gently cooked to retain the tastes, textures, and nutrients of each carefully selected ingredient. They’re easy to digest, help keep your pup hydrated, and delicious — perfect for even the fussiest eaters.
Maintaining the right weight and body shape is crucial for a Great Dane’s health and wellbeing. Excess weight or obesity can lead to other diseases and affect their joints, mobility, quality of life, and lifespan.
That’s why Lyka meals are custom portioned to meet your dog’s specific needs, helping you keep them at their healthiest and happiest.
Read more: The life changing benefits of real food for dogs →
Do Great Dane puppies need special food?
Contrary to popular belief, puppies don’t need special puppy food if they’re getting the right portion of nutrient-dense real food.
Great Dane puppies need a diet containing high-quality protein for tissue growth, essential vitamins and minerals for bone development and brain function, and low GI carbohydrates for slow-release energy, like Lyka.
Read more: What should puppies eat? Expert nutrition tips for optimal development →
Read more: Puppy vs adult food: what our experts want you to know →
Great Dane health issues
Great Danes from reputable breeders are generally known to be healthy, but like all dogs, they can develop health issues or inherit conditions from their parents.
Before planning a litter, respectable breeders will consider the health, temperament, and genetic history of their breeding pairs to select good characteristics. Always check the health of the parents before choosing your new pup.
1. Musculoskeletal issues
Great Danes can be prone to inherited developmental conditions like hip dysplasia. Some dogs can develop arthritis as a secondary condition. Rapid growth as a puppy (caused by too much dietary calcium or protein) can be a contributing factor, making slow growth feeding crucial for all giant breeds like Great Danes.
Look for real, fresh food that supports joint health and contains bioavailable ingredients known for their musculoskeletal-boosting properties, like:
🐟 Sardines: a powerful source of Omega 3 fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties to support strong and supple joints.
🌾 Quinoa: contains manganese for bone development.
🌱 Fennel Seeds: rich in antioxidant properties to reduce the damage to joints caused by oxidative stress.
Lyka meals contain sardines, fish oil and flaxseed oil that support common joint ailments like arthritis and osteochondritis.
Read more: Hip dysplasia: how can your dog's diet help →
2. Gum disease
Gum disease in dogs (periodontal disease) is a bacterial infection along the gum line that can cause swollen gums and loose teeth. In severe, untreated cases, the infection can enter the bloodstream leading to other health problems.
All dogs benefit from a dental care routine, including regular brushing, to keep their teeth and gums clean, strong, and healthy.
Your dog’s diet can help too.
💚 Kelp (Ascophyllum nodosum): shown to reduce plaque and tartar build-up1.
🦷 Dental treats: chews like Lyka’s Busy Beefies and Pig Twigs, are designed for repeated chewing which can also support your pup’s oral health.
Read more: Gum disease in dogs: how to spot, treat, and prevent it (with pictures) →
3. Heart conditions
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common cardiac condition in large breed dogs that can lead to congestive heart failure. Heart problems aren't always noticeable, and they're usually identified during routine health checks by a vet.
Dogs with heart conditions are usually advised to eat a low-sodium diet as too much salt increases their blood pressure and puts their heart under more stress.
Support your dog’s heart health by feeding them a fresh, real food diet that contains powerful ingredients known for their cardiovascular benefits:
🍄 Mushrooms: Bursting with vitamins, minerals and antioxidant properties for cardiovascular health.
🥦 Broccoli: A rich source of potassium for a strong heart rhythm and optimal blood pressure.
🌱 Chia seeds: Small but mighty, these tiny seeds have antioxidant properties to combat oxidative stress and are high in fibre to promote satiety and support weight management.
Great Dane coat, grooming, and hygiene tips
Keeping your Great Dane well-groomed is about more than just a sleek and shiny coat – it’s essential for their overall health.
A consistent grooming routine helps maintain healthy skin, trim nails, and clean teeth. By investing a little time in their hygiene, you ensure your dog stays healthy and happy.
Coat types and shedding
Great Danes have a short, smooth coat that sheds moderately year-round.
Grooming
Due to their short coat, Great Danes require minimal grooming. Regular brushing with a soft-bristle brush or grooming mitt once a week can help reduce shedding and keep their coat healthy.
They only need a bath every 6-8 weeks, unless they’ve rolled in something dirty or smelly. Remember to use a mild, dog-friendly shampoo, as human products can irritate their skin.
Support your dog’s skin and coat health with skin-loving ingredients like chia seeds (containing zinc), and hemp seeds (containing omega fatty acids) You’ll find these in our Kangaroo and Lamb bowls.
Great Dane hygiene tips
A dog's nails can grow surprisingly fast and if they're not trimmed regularly can become uncomfortable and even affect how they walk.
Introduce your Great Dane to nail trims from an early age so they’re used to the sensation and the tools. Don’t forget to reward them with a high-value treat at the end, so they develop a positive association with the process.
Brushing your dog's teeth a few times a week helps reduce tartar buildup and supports healthy gums.
Routine ear checks are important to spot signs of an ear infection, wax buildup, or irritation. You can give them a gentle wipe with a clean, damp cloth, but be careful not to reach too far into their ear, as this can cause damage.
And don’t forget to inspect your dog’s paws frequently, checking for cuts, debris, or redness between their pads.
Great Dane exercise requirements
Even with their impressive size, Great Danes don’t need endless exercise — just 1–2 hours of moderate activity each day. They love a good walk, a fun play session, and anything that keeps their minds ticking, like obedience training or interactive toys.
For growing pups, though, less is more. Their developing joints need protection, so high-impact exercise should wait. Instead, opt for short walks, swimming, or gentle play to keep them active without overdoing it.
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Training a Great Dane
Great Danes are smart and eager to please, which makes training a rewarding experience — especially with consistency and positive reinforcement. But given their size, early socialisation and obedience training are a must to help them grow into well-mannered adults.
Training isn’t just for puppyhood, though. Keeping their minds engaged with enrichment activities and routines will help them stay happy and stimulated throughout their life.
For puppies, toilet training requires frequent breaks (expect one hour of bladder control per month of age), while crate training offers a safe space and helps with house-training. Controlled socialisation through puppy school or meet-ups is essential for building confidence and social skills.
Your pup’s receptivity to training can be improved with the right nutrition that helps support consistent moods, steady energy levels, and cognitive development.
Read more: Fuelling your dog’s focus: how nutrition impacts your dog’s training →
How to choose a reputable Great Dane breeder
So, you’ve decided that a majestic Great Dane is the perfect companion and fits your lifestyle like a glove. How exciting! The next step is to find a reputable breeder.
What do we mean by ‘reputable breeder’?
Reputable, ethical breeders establish breeding programs, planning a limited number of litters using breeding pairs carefully selected for their health and temperament. They believe the health and wellbeing of their dogs and puppies are paramount.
Ethical breeders often have an application and selection process and may even have a waitlist. They should be receptive to scheduled visits so you can see their facilities, meet their dogs, and ask them questions about their program.
This is when you should enquire about how they have addressed common health conditions, like hip dysplasia scoring.
A puppy farm (factory, or mill) often operates in poor conditions and on a large scale to maximise their profit. Health and wellbeing are of secondary importance, if at all, leading to puppies that often have long-term health and behavioural issues.
How do I find a reputable Great Dane breeder?
Often each state has a recognised breed club that can provide a list of reputable breeders that will usually have a website, social media channels, and direct contact details.
RightPaw is a website dedicated to promoting responsible breeders and ethical programs. Not all breeders use this site, but it’s a helpful tool to support you on your puppy journey.
Speak to other dog parents – it’s a great way to gain invaluable insight into their first-hand experience and give you even more of a taste of what to expect from the breed.
How much is a Great Dane puppy?
You can expect to pay around $4,500 - $6,000 AUD for a Great Dane puppy from an ethical breeder in Australia. But remember that the ongoing cost of parenting a dog is a significant commitment.
Veterinary bills can be expensive and unexpected, so it’s worth considering pet insurance too.
Adoption is also a wonderful option if you’re looking to give a Great Dane a second chance at a loving home. Try to find out as much information about them as possible but recognise that a lot of their history will be unknown.
When you bring them home, show them love, patience, and consistency to help them settle into a new and secure life with you.
Read more: How much does a dog cost? The real price of dog ownership →
Great Dane breed FAQs
Still have unanswered questions about Great Danes? Check out our FAQs below:
Are Great Danes hypoallergenic?
No, Great Danes are not hypoallergenic. They shed moderately and produce dander, which can trigger allergies in sensitive individuals.
When should I desex my Great Dane?
Most dogs are desexed when they reach maturity. Your vet will consider your dog’s age, size, health, and behaviour to determine the right time for the procedure.
For how long is a Great Dane pregnant?
The Great Dane gestation period is around 63 days or nine weeks from conception.
Do Great Danes drool a lot?
Yes, Great Danes are known to drool, especially after eating or drinking. Keeping a cloth handy to wipe their mouths can help manage excess drool.
Are Great Danes good with children and other pets?
Yes, Great Danes are typically gentle and affectionate with children. They also get along well with other pets when properly socialised. However, due to their large size, supervision is recommended when they interact with small children or fragile pets.
Do Great Danes require a lot of space?
Yes, due to their size, Great Danes do best in homes with ample space. While they can adapt to apartment living with sufficient exercise, they thrive in larger living environments with room to stretch and move around.
New to Lyka? Let’s rethink dog food together
Parenting your Great Dane comes with many decisions, like choosing the best diet for your new best friend.
Designed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists, and made with real, human-grade ingredients, our meals are custom-portioned to match your dog’s needs.
Lyka nourishes hundreds of Great Danes across Australia – from energetic pups to seniors in their golden years – they’re all thriving on Lyka.
Join our pack of proud Great Dane parents today.
References
1Effects of Edible Treats Containing Ascophyllum nodosum on the Oral Health of Dogs: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Single-Center Study
