Breed library

Great Dane

Also known as Deutsche Dogge, German Mastiff.

Great Dane photograph.
Dog niemiecki żółty LM980.jpg - Lilly M. CC BY-SA 2.5. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dog_niemiecki_%C5%BC%C3%B3%C5%82ty_LM980.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5. License: CC BY-SA 2.5.

Breed overview

The Great Dane is a German breed of large mastiff-sighthound, which descends from hunting dogs of the Middle Ages used to hunt bears, wild boar, and deer. They were also used as guardian dogs of German nobility. Along with the Irish Wolfhound, it is among the tallest dog breeds in the world.

  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: GermanyBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • In the sixteenth century the nobility in many countries of Europe imported strong, long-legged dogs of different sizes and phenotypes, some of mastiff or greyhound type, from England and Ireland.
  • Since then, the English word "dog" has come to be associated with a molossoid dog in Germany and France.
  • The dogs were used for hunting bear, boar, and deer at princely courts, with the favorites staying in the bedchambers of their lords at night.
  • While hunting boar or bears, the Englische Dogge was a catch dog used after the other hunting dogs to seize the bear or boar and hold it in place until the huntsman was able to kill it.
  • When the hunting customs changed, particularly because of the use of firearms, many of the involved dog types disappeared.

Size and appearance

The Great Dane is an extremely large domestic dog of mastiff-sighthound type known for its big size. It is often dubbed the "Apollo of dogs". The UK and New Zealand Kennel Clubs specify the minimum weight for a Great Dane over 18 months of age, as 120 lb for males, 100 lb for females. The American Kennel Club dropped the minimum weight requirement from its standard. The male should appear more massive throughout than the female, with a larger frame and heavier bone.

  • Body mass reference: Up to 70 kgBreed reference body mass. female, maximum.
  • Body mass reference: 50 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. female, minimum.
  • Body mass reference: Up to 90 kgBreed reference body mass. male, maximum.
  • Body mass reference: 60 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. male, minimum.
  • Height reference: 72 - 84 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 72 - 84 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 72 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
  • Height reference: Up to 84 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
  • Height reference: 80 - 90 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 80 - 90 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: Up to 90 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
  • Height reference: 80 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.
  • Height category: very_tall
  • Weight category: giant

Personality and behavior

Care planning: record what your dog enjoys, how they greet visitors, and how they respond to new places. Add notes after walks and training so you can see their habits over time. Where this profile includes behavior research, use the same named measures when comparing your shortlist.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.16 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Great Dane.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 1.70 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Great Dane.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.88 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Great Dane.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.60 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Great Dane.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 1.90 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Great Dane.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 2.01 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Great Dane.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.41 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Great Dane.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.70 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Great Dane.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.07 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Great Dane.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.71 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Great Dane.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.61 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Great Dane.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.68 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Great Dane.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.76 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Great Dane.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.50 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Great Dane.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

  • Lifespan reference: 9 yearsBreed reference lifespan years.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

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Breed history

In the sixteenth century the nobility in many countries of Europe imported strong, long-legged dogs of different sizes and phenotypes, some of mastiff or greyhound type, from England and Ireland. These dogs were called Englische Docke or Englische Tocke (later written and spelled Dogge) or Englischer Hund in Germany. The name simply meant "English dog". Since then, the English word "dog" has come to be associated with a molossoid dog in Germany and France. These dogs were bred in the courts of German nobility, independent of the English methods, since the start of the 17th century. The dogs were used for hunting bear, boar, and deer at princely courts, with the favorites staying in the bedchambers of their lords at night. These Kammerhunde (chamber dogs) were outfitted with ornate collars, and helped to protect the sleeping princes from assassins.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  2. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  3. Great Dane - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Great Dane, revision 1380207821. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Great_Dane&action=history
  4. File:Dog niemiecki żółty LM980.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 2.5. Dog niemiecki żółty LM980.jpg - Lilly M. CC BY-SA 2.5. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dog_niemiecki_%C5%BC%C3%B3%C5%82ty_LM980.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.