Great Dane (Dane, the Apollo of Dogs)

The Great Dane is a giant dog belonging to the Working Group. The breed traces its roots to Germany. It currently ranks #21 in AKC registration popularity. Many owners just call them Danes. Adults typically stand 28–32 inches (71.1–81.3 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 110–175 pounds (49.9–79.4 kg), with males at the upper end of those ranges.

Published breed data puts a typical Great Dane lifespan at 7–10 years. The main levers behind that number are body size (smaller dogs usually outlive bigger ones), genetics, and how consistently a dog stays lean, exercised and current on preventive veterinary care. For its size class this breed lands in the typical longevity band: neither notably fragile nor exceptionally long-lived. Owners who keep the weight off and the teeth clean reliably see the upper half of the range.

Energy runs high, so plan on real daily exercise — long walks, fetch sessions, or a job to do. Trainability is average — consistent, reward-based sessions work well. With socialization, children and this breed get along well; supervise the early years. Other dogs are usually accepted, particularly with early socialization.

Compact living rarely stresses this breed, provided daily walks happen on schedule. Twice a year the coat blows noticeably, and the rest of the year shedding stays tolerable. Grooming needs are minimal: occasional brushing and routine nail care suffice. No low-shedding claim applies here. Allergy sufferers should spend time with the breed before committing.

Across the 152 breeds catalogued here, an average adult Great Dane at 64.7 kg sits heavier than 98% of them. That position has practical weight, so to speak: food portions, crate sizing and dose-sensitive medications all scale with it. All figures on this page come from the AKC breed profile cited below, and the calculators linked here use those same numbers for feeding portions, crate sizing, age conversion and first-year costs. Because breed-specific health risks affect veterinary spending, comparing pet insurance while your dog is young and healthy is usually worthwhile.