Great Dane

• ExerciseLow

  Short strolls and play indoors keep them content.

• GroomingWash & go

  The occasional brush and bath is plenty.

• Living spaceNeeds space

  Wants plenty of room indoors and out.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment7–10 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Bloat (GDV) · Dilated cardiomyopathy · Hip dysplasia

The Great Dane is a gentle giant — a towering, dignified dog with the sweet, affectionate temperament of a lapdog that has forgotten its own size. Despite the imposing frame it is fairly calm and only moderately active as an adult, needing regular but not extreme exercise; puppies, though, must not be over-exercised while their huge bones are still growing. It bonds closely, leans on the people it loves, and needs soft, supportive bedding to protect its joints and a home with room to simply exist. The short coat is easy, needing only a weekly brush. The hard truth of giant breeds is a short lifespan — often only seven to ten years — and real health risks. The most urgent is bloat and gastric torsion, a life-threatening emergency, so feed measured meals from a raised bowl, avoid exercise around mealtimes, and many owners opt for preventive stomach-tacking surgery. Also screen for heart disease (dilated cardiomyopathy), hip dysplasia and the breed's elevated cancer risk. Feed a proper large-breed growth diet as a puppy, keep it lean, know the signs of bloat, and a Great Dane will give enormous love in its precious, short life.

• How much exercise does a Great Dane need?

  Low. Short strolls and play indoors keep them content.

• How much grooming does a Great Dane need?

  Wash & go. The occasional brush and bath is plenty.

• Is a Great Dane suited to apartment living?

  Needs space. Wants plenty of room indoors and out.

• Is a Great Dane a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Great Dane live?

  7–10 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Great Dane?

  Keep an eye out for Bloat (GDV), Dilated cardiomyopathy, Hip dysplasia. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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