Great Dane characteristics
| Trait | Rating | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Giant | 6% of breeds |
| Energy level | Medium | — |
| Trainability | Medium | 48% of breeds |
| Friendliness | Very High | 22% of breeds |
| Good with children | Very High | — |
| Grooming needs | Very Low | 12% of breeds |
| Shedding | Medium | 40% of breeds |
| Barking | Low | 32% of breeds |
| Protectiveness | Low | 24% of breeds |
| Adaptability | Medium | 41% of breeds |
| Typical lifespan | 8 years | — |
| Hypoallergenic | No | — |
“How common” is the share of the 321 breeds we score that sit in the same band. Ratings describe the breed, not any individual dog.
Is the Great Dane right for you?
The Great Dane is a giant breed that demands a large home, and everything about keeping it costs more. In terms of temperament, it is renowned for its patience and gentleness with children and is not a natural guard and greets visitors warmly. Day to day, the Great Dane needs a solid walk or two a day plus some active play, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.
Exercise and daily routine
The Great Dane needs a solid walk or two a day plus some active play. With medium energy and medium athleticism, a consistent daily routine keeps this breed physically and mentally satisfied. Skipping exercise is the most common cause of problem behaviour, so match the Great Dane to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.
Grooming, shedding and upkeep
The Great Dane takes almost no grooming, since the odd brush keeps it tidy and loses a fair amount of coat, especially seasonally. It is not considered hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers should spend time around the breed first.
Temperament and training
The Great Dane trains reasonably well with regular positive sessions and speaks up only now and then. It would rather have company and manages only brief spells alone, so plan for company or gradual alone-time training if you work away from home. Early socialization and positive, reward-based training bring out the best in this breed.
What stands out about the Great Dane
Most breed descriptions call everything “loyal and intelligent”. These are the ratings where the Great Dane genuinely differs from the rest of the catalogue — the things worth knowing before you commit.
- Size: Giant — the Great Dane is a giant breed, which changes the car, the vet bill and the space a dog needs. Only 6% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Drooling: Medium — the Great Dane drools more than the typical breed, though not dramatically. Only 10% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Grooming needs: Very low — the Great Dane needs unusually little coat maintenance. Only 12% of breeds we score share this rating.
What a week with a Great Dane actually costs you
| Exercise | About an hour a day of walking and play suits it. |
|---|---|
| Coat | Minimal coat work — an occasional wipe-down and little else. |
| Time alone | Wants company. Long days alone are where the problems start. |
| Noise | Quieter than most breeds. |
Where the Great Dane fits — and where it does not
Each verdict below comes from the ratings in the table above, so you can check the reasoning rather than take it on trust.
| Household | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment living | Depends | Size alone rules out small flats, though the temperament can suit one. |
| Families with young children | Good fit | Very high child tolerance, and sociable with people generally. |
| First-time owners | Good fit | Medium trainability without an unusually strong will makes the learning curve forgiving. |
| Homes with cats | Good fit | Low prey drive makes cohabitation straightforward in most cases. |
| Long working days | Depends | Low independence — this breed wants company and shows it when it does not get any. |
| Allergy households | Depends | No low-allergen coat recorded, though shedding is not extreme. |
Guides the Great Dane is ranked in
The Great Dane earns a place on 4 of our lifestyle shortlists:
Perfect for
- Experienced giant breed owners
- Gentle families
- Large properties
- Patient owners
Things to consider
- Very large size
- Short lifespan
- Expensive to maintain
Not sure which breed is right for you?
Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalized match from 321 breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — plus a full report on what living with that breed actually costs.
Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Great Dane good with children?
- Yes — the Great Dane is known for being very good with children and makes an excellent family dog.
- Does the Great Dane shed a lot?
- The Great Dane has medium shedding.
- How much exercise does the Great Dane need?
- With medium energy, the Great Dane needs moderate daily exercise such as a good walk or two.
- How long does the Great Dane live?
- The Great Dane typically lives around 8 years.
- Can the Great Dane live in an apartment?
- The Great Dane is a larger breed and does better in a home with more space, though it can adapt with enough daily exercise.
- Is the Great Dane easy to train?
- The Great Dane trains reasonably well with regular positive sessions. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
- Can the Great Dane be left alone during the day?
- The Great Dane would rather have company and manages only brief spells alone. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.