Great Dane
Other names: Danish, Deutsche Dogge, German Mastiff

The Great Dane is the biggest dog in the world. It is difficult to go unnoticed by his side. His appearance is noble and his body is powerful. He is considered to be the Apollo of his species, as his presence and stature are remarkable. What’s more, his dedication to his family is proportional to his immense size. Very friendly among familiar faces, and especially with children, he remains suspicious of strangers. A very good watchdog, he is courageous and naturally dissuades with his mere presence.
Key facts about the Great Dane
Access the rest of the content after the ad

Loading advertisement ...
Origins and history
The Great Dane is of German origin. Its ancestors were the ancient "Bullenbeisser" (Bull catchers), who came from the Saupacker (sow-catcher) breed in the middle-ages. They were all big game dogs hunting for deer, wild boar and bear. Their build was midway between the powerful English-type Great Dane and the Greyhound. However, until the First World War, this breed was called "Great Dane" because it was widespread in Denmark. In 1920, the name "German Mastiff" was adopted to remind that among the Great Dane’s ancestors were the massive fighting dogs of the Alains, an ancient nomadic people of Iranian descent, who came to Germany.
Physical characteristics of the Great Dane
Adult size
Female : Between 28 and 33 in
Male : Between 31 and 35 in
Weight
Female : Between 99 and 154 lb
Male : Between 110 and 154 lb
Coat colour
There are five coat colours:
- Fawn: Light yellow gold to intense yellow gold. A black ‘mask’ is common.
- Brindle: yellow or bright gold fur covered with slight black stripes. The Black Mask is, again, to be regarded as standard.
- Harlequin: pure white with all black or blue patches spread all over the body. Grey mastiffs with black spots are not excluded from the ‘standard’ but not specifically desirable, either.
- Black: Black coat with the possible white marks on the chest and feet.
- Blue: pure steel blue coat with possible white marks on the chest and feet.
- Mantle (Black & White)
Type of coat
The hair is short.
The coat is dense, smooth and shiny; it should not be dull. This big dog has no undercoat.
Eye colour
The eyes must be as dark as possible. Clear, haggard or amber eyes are undesirable and not recognized by the standard of the breed.
However, clearer eyes are allowed in blue Mastiffs as well as in Harlequin mastiffs.
Description
The Great Dane is a proud dog with a powerful and elegant look. Since it is the world's biggest dog, it has a sturdy and well-built body. His appearance is noble and his proportions are balanced. There is strong sexual dimorphism between males and females.
Good to know
The biggest dog in the world was a Great Dane called Zeus. Unfortunately, he died at the age of 5 in 2014. He measured nearly 44 inches, which is more than 110 cm at the tourniquet. When he stood on his hind legs, Zeus could reach the height of 7 feet and 4 inches, which is to say, more than 2,10m.
Temperament
Behaviour of the Great Dane
Access the rest of the content after the ad

Loading advertisement ...

Is the Great Dane right for you?
take the testLifestyle
Compatibility
Price
The price of a Great Dane varies according to his origins, age and gender. An average of £1000 is to be paid for a dog registered with the Kennel Club.
The monthly budget for a mastiff is estimated at £80/month. It is quite consistent and ultimately proportional to the large size of this dog.
Grooming
This Danish dog’s maintenance is very easy but still deserves regular attention.
Brushing will have to be done weekly. Your Great Dane will appreciate it because he loves being taken care of.
Eyes and ears should be monitored and treated regularly as well.
Shedding
Hair loss is moderate but will be more consistent in spring and autumn, during moulting periods.
Nutrition of the Great Dane
Whatever the diet given to Great Dane, whether dry, raw or homemade, it must be specifically suitable for large dogs.
The growth of this giant dog is very fast. In fact, he will grow from 600g at birth to almost 70 kg in less than a year and a half. His diet is therefore critical; it must be neither too rich nor too light.
Many breeders recommend a traditional diet, especially raw meat, but there are industrial dog foods composed of high-quality products that can meet the needs of this Mastiff.
Several meals a day are advisable, three meals up to 6 months of age and then two meals a day: a light one in the morning and a more copious one in the evening.
Raised bowls are to be preferred to ensure better digestion.
Health of the Great Dane
Life expectancy
Life expectancy is estimated at 9 years.
Strong / robust
Unfortunately, the large size of this dog does not make it perfectly healthy. He is rather sensitive, so he has a rather short life expectancy.
Withstand heat
Heat can be tolerated, but he does not appreciate it much. Fresh and regularly renewed water will be indispensable and a cool place to rest should be made available.
Watch out for Harlequin Mastiffs who could quickly get sunburned if exposed too long outside.
Withstand cold
Given the absence of a quality undercoat, cold tolerance is very limited for this large dog. So don't let him stay out in the winter or when it rains.
Tendency to put on weight
A Great Dane puppy’s diet should be closely monitored. Your dog’s food should not be too rich nor too nutrient-deficient. Daily rations must be adapted to the physical condition of the dog and his state of health. Avoid any excess.
Common illnesses
- Joint and ligament problems: hip and elbow dysplasia
- Bloating-stomach twist syndrome
- Cardiomyopathy
- Entropy/Ectropion
- Rapid growth that can lead to skeletal development disorders
- Panosteitis (inflammation of the bones)
- Hyperparathyroidism (Bone weakness)
- Wobbler Syndrome (malformation of the cervical vertebrae)
- Osteochondritis (thickening and cracking of cartilage)
- Osteoarthritis