Great Dane Temperament & Personality
The Great Dane is known for being gentle, friendly, patient, devoted, dignified. Learn everything you need to know about the Great Dane temperament, including their energy level, trainability, and compatibility with families and other pets.
Quick Facts
Temperament Overview
The Great Dane is a majestic giant breed known for its impressive stature combined with a gentle and affectionate personality. Despite their imposing size, Great Danes are often called 'gentle giants' due to their friendly, patient nature and desire to be close to their families. According to AKC standards, males should stand at least 30 inches at the shoulder with females at minimum 28 inches, though many exceed these minimums. They possess an elegant, well-muscled build with a regal bearing that commands attention wherever they go.
Great Danes are surprisingly well-suited to family life and are particularly known for their patience and gentleness with children. They form strong bonds with their human families and often consider themselves lap dogs despite their enormous size. These dogs thrive on companionship and do not do well when left alone for extended periods. Their moderate energy level means they require regular exercise but are generally calm and relaxed indoors, making them surprisingly adaptable to various living situations including apartments, provided they receive adequate daily exercise.
Prospective owners must carefully consider the commitment required for a giant breed. Great Danes have relatively short lifespans of 7-10 years, which can be emotionally challenging. Their size presents unique challenges including higher food costs, the need for appropriately sized vehicles and living spaces, and potential difficulty in emergency situations requiring lifting or transport. They also require early and consistent socialization and training to ensure their large size is manageable. Despite these considerations, Great Danes reward their devoted owners with unwavering loyalty, affection, and a dignified presence that is unmatched in the canine world.
Living with a Great Dane
Good with Children
Great Danes are generally good with children. They tend to be patient and gentle, making them suitable family companions. As always, interactions between dogs and young children should be supervised, and children should be taught to handle dogs with care and respect.
Good with Other Dogs
Great Danes typically get along well with other dogs. They are sociable by nature and can thrive in multi-pet households. Early socialization with other dogs helps ensure positive interactions throughout their life.
Training a Great Dane
Great Danes are intelligent and eager to please, making them generally responsive to training. However, their large size makes early training absolutely essential - what is cute puppy behavior becomes dangerous when the dog weighs 150 pounds. Begin training and socialization immediately upon bringing a Great Dane puppy home, ideally starting around 8 weeks of age. Puppy kindergarten classes provide crucial socialization with other dogs and people in controlled environments. Positive reinforcement methods work best with this sensitive breed; harsh corrections can damage the trust bond and make a large dog fearful or defensive. Focus training on essential manners including polite leash walking, not jumping on people, and basic obedience commands. Loose-leash walking is critical given their size and strength - a Great Dane that pulls can easily overpower most handlers. Teaching an automatic sit for greetings prevents jumping, which can knock over children and adults. Crate training is highly recommended despite the expense of giant-sized crates, as it provides a safe space and aids in housetraining. Great Danes are generally clean dogs that housetrain relatively easily with consistent routines. Socialization is equally important as obedience training. Expose Great Dane puppies to various people, animals, environments, sounds, and experiences during their critical socialization period (8-16 weeks). Well-socialized Great Danes are confident, friendly dogs; under-socialized individuals may become fearful or reactive, which is particularly problematic in a giant breed. Continue training throughout the dog's life to maintain good manners and mental stimulation. Great Danes can be sensitive to their owner's emotions and respond well to patient, consistent guidance. Training sessions should be kept relatively short (10-15 minutes) but frequent to maintain attention and prevent boredom.
Exercise & Energy Level
A moderate exercise routine of 30-60 minutes per day will keep this breed happy and healthy. Daily walks combined with some playtime are usually sufficient. They adapt well to both houses and apartments with regular outings.
Grooming & Care
Coat Type
Short
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
Weekly
Great Danes require specialized care due to their giant size. Diet is particularly crucial - they need high-quality food formulated for giant breeds, with careful attention to feeding schedules to prevent bloat, a life-threatening condition common in deep-chested breeds. Puppies should be fed multiple small meals throughout the day (3-4 times), and adults should receive at least two meals daily. Elevated food bowls were once recommended but recent studies suggest feeding at ground level may be safer. Avoid exercise immediately before and after meals, and consider gastropexy surgery as a preventive measure against bloat. Exercise needs are moderate but consistent - adult Great Danes require 30-60 minutes of daily exercise through walks and play. However, puppies should not be over-exercised as their bones and joints are still developing, and excessive activity can lead to orthopedic problems. Avoid jumping, stairs, and long runs until the dog reaches physical maturity around 18-24 months. Swimming and controlled leash walks are excellent low-impact options. Indoor space considerations are important - Great Danes need room to stretch out and move comfortably. Their powerful tails can easily clear coffee tables, so homes should be arranged with their size in mind. Grooming requirements are relatively minimal due to their short coat. Weekly brushing helps remove loose hair and distributes skin oils. They should be bathed every 6-8 weeks or as needed. Regular nail trimming is essential, as their weight can cause discomfort if nails become too long. Dental care through regular brushing and veterinary cleanings is important. Great Danes are prone to several serious health conditions requiring vigilant veterinary care including annual cardiac screenings, hip evaluations, and thyroid testing. Pet insurance or a substantial emergency fund is strongly recommended given the high costs of treating giant breed medical emergencies.
Health Considerations
Average Lifespan: 7-10 years
Like all breeds, Great Danes can be prone to certain health conditions. Being aware of these potential issues can help you work with your veterinarian to provide the best preventive care. Common health concerns include:
- •Hip Dysplasia
- •Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus)
- •Dilated Cardiomyopathy
- •Hypothyroidism
- •Wobbler Syndrome
When choosing a Great Dane, look for a responsible breeder who performs health testing on their breeding dogs. Ask about OFA certifications, genetic testing, and health guarantees to help ensure you bring home a healthy puppy.
History & Origin
Germany
Hunting wild boar and guarding estates
Despite their name, Great Danes originated in Germany, not Denmark. The breed's ancestors date back thousands of years, with depictions of similar large dogs appearing in ancient Egyptian monuments and Babylonian temples around 3000 BC. The more immediate ancestors were the Bullenbeisser (now extinct) and various large mastiff-type dogs brought to Germany by the Alans, an Asiatic people. These dogs were bred with Greyhounds to create a large, athletic dog capable of hunting dangerous game including wild boar. The resulting breed combined the size and strength of mastiffs with the speed and agility of sighthounds. In the 16th and 17th centuries, German nobility maintained packs of these large boar hounds, which were known by various names including English Dogges, German Boarhounds, and Ulmer Dogges. The most prized specimens lived in the courts of nobility and were known as Kammerhunde (Chamber Dogs), sleeping in their masters' bedchambers and wearing gilded collars. In 1876, German dog enthusiasts declared that the breed should be known as Deutsche Dogge (German Dog), recognizing it as a distinct German breed. The name 'Great Dane' persisted in English-speaking countries, though its origin remains debated - possibly derived from French naturalist Buffon's term 'Grand Danois' or from the English 'Danish Dog.' The Great Dane Club of America was founded in 1889, making it one of the oldest breed clubs in the United States. The AKC recognized the breed in 1887. Over time, breeding focus shifted from hunting prowess to companionship and appearance, creating the gentle, elegant dog known today. Selective breeding reduced aggression and enhanced the breed's patient, friendly temperament. Famous Great Danes in popular culture include Scooby-Doo and Marmaduke, which have contributed to the breed's recognition. The breed standard has been refined to emphasize balance, elegance, and soundness alongside imposing size. Today's Great Danes are primarily companion animals and show dogs, far removed from their boar-hunting origins but retaining the courage, nobility, and impressive physical presence of their ancestors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Great Dane Temperament
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