Known as gentle giants, this large dog breed has the big heart to match its big frame. Despite their intimidating size, Great Danes are generally sweet and affectionate and have been known to try and clamber onto their humans’ laps. Patient and loyal, Great Danes can make perfect family pets for those who have the space in their hearts and homes.
Want to learn more about this breed? Read our guide below to see if Great Danes are the pet for you.
If you’d like to get to know the breed a little more closely, here are a few key traits and facts about the Great Dane:
Due to their size, Great Danes have a short life span of about eight years with some living up to 12.
Great Danes are the tallest dogs in the world. Males can reach up to 80cm shoulder height and weigh almost 80kgs. Females are slightly smaller at about 75cm shoulder height and weighing almost 65kgs.
Great Danes are considered moderate to heavy shedders despite having a single layer short coat. The amount they shed depends on the season with heavier shedding occurring in the change from Winter to Spring, and the change from Autumn to Winter.
While Great Danes are usually laid back enough to live in apartments, it’s best to ensure the space is big enough as a small apartment might start to feel very cramped. If you have a yard, ensure the fence is high enough to keep them in. Great Danes are not known to be jumpers, however, their size can make it easy to jump a small fence.
Great Danes are sociable and generally easy to train. As with all dogs, temperament differs with each individual dog and is impacted by the level of training and lifestyle.
Great Danes are usually confident and tend to do well with children and other dogs. Loyal and affectionate, Great Danes are often goofy and act as giant lap dogs. Due to their size, training is recommended. They are generally easy to train and known to be calm, particularly when they age out of puppyhood.
Great Danes require minimal grooming. For shedding and upkeep of fur, brushing once or twice a week is recommended.
They may suffer from dry skin or sensitivity so bathing too frequently is not recommended. Bathing once a month with appropriate dog shampoo should suffice.
For an adult Great Dane, a daily 30 to 60 minutes of exercise can be optimal. Puppies and adolescents require more exercise at about 90 minutes of daily exercise.
This can include a walk or a play in a large yard, however, a daily walk is best as it also stimulates their other senses and allows them to use their keen sniffing skills. Ensure you do not over exercise Great Danes when they’re young as their bones are still growing and this could lead to overexertion or health issues when they are older.
Food designed for larger dogs can be a good option for this breed. The amount you feed will depend on the size of the dog and the type of food. You could feed your Great Dane kibble or meat depending on their nutritional needs. Consult a vet and determine the right diet for your dog.
They are a large breed that are prone to bloat – a life-threatening condition that results from eating too much or too quickly. Feeding more than once a day mitigates this risk as the amount of food is smaller and they are less likely to scoff it too quickly.
Due to their large size hip dysplasia can be a common health condition for Great Danes. Hip dysplasia is a result of the femur bone not fitting in the hip socket correctly. It's a chronic condition that almost always leads to arthritis later in life. Both conditions can be managed but not cured. Hip dysplasia can be diagnosed with an x-ray.
Gastric torsion, also known as bloat, is a serious condition resulting from overeating or eating too quickly, resulting in a build-up of food, fluid, or gas, and twisting of the stomach. Bloat acts very quickly and is often fatal, so it is essential to know the signs and symptoms. If you see any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately.
If you’re thinking about getting pet insurance for your Great Dane, factors like age and location could affect the cost of your premium. Everyday Pet Insurance offers Basic, Standard, Comprehensive and Comprehensive Plus cover that helps protect you and your furry friend. Check what each insurance cover includes.
Claim up to $30,000 a year
Get up to 80% back on eligible vet bills
Your pet is covered from 8 weeks old for life
Claim your benefit on the spot and only pay the gap on eligible claims=
# Policy Terms and Conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Benefit limit amounts vary by level of cover.
* Exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply.
‡ Cover is available for the life of your pet provided you renew your policy each year without any break, lapse or change in the level of Cover. This means once your pet is insured with us and as long as we continue to offer the product, you will be able to renew your policy for that pet for life provided you continuously maintain the cover. Cover is subject to the terms and conditions of your renewing policy. See details in your PDS.
= The gap is defined as the difference between the vet's invoice and the claim benefit under your policy. Policy terms and conditions apply. GapOnly® is only available at participating Vets. Please visit GapOnly® to search for GapOnly® enabled vets. GapOnly® is a trademark owned by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd (PetSure) (ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183).
Everyday Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time prior to 17 July 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436 (Hollard), arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by Hollard’s Authorised Representative (AR) Woolworths Group Limited ABN 88 000 014 675, AR 245476 (Woolworths). Everyday Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time on or after 17 July 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure and promoted and distributed by PetSure’s AR, Woolworths. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at insurance.everyday.com.au/pet-insurance.
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