Great Dane

Coat and looks how to spot one

Very short, dense, smooth, close-lying glossy coat

A giant dog that is tall and strong yet still graceful, often described as the Apollo of the dog world. The body is large and well put together with a proud, upright bearing, and males and females look clearly different. The head is long and noble, and the dog moves with an easy, powerful stride. The coat is very short, thick and sleek, lying flat with a natural shine.562

Personality what they are like

A loving, loyal companion that is warm with its own people and a little reserved with strangers. Danes are self-assured and brave but should always be friendly, patient and hard to provoke. At home they tend to be relaxed and happy to lounge near their family, while still keeping an eye on the house. They are generally good with children, though their sheer size suits them better to families with older kids, and early socialisation helps them get on well with other animals.5624

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Sources differ: Hill's suggests 20-40 minutes of activity a day, while the Royal Kennel Club lists more than two hours. In practice daily walks and room to stretch out are a must; a mature Dane is often calm at home between outings.47

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Easy coat care: a weekly brush or rub-down keeps the short coat shiny. Danes shed a light to average amount. Nail trimming and routine care take a little more effort simply because of the dog's size.74

Home where they are happiest

Needs a large house with room to move and stretch out, ideally with a big garden. Plan for a car, bed and furniture that fit a giant dog. Danes like to live indoors close to their people.74

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Eats considerably more than smaller breeds. A complete food suited to giant breeds, split into several smaller meals across the day rather than one big one, is the usual advice.4

Company who they like around

Very attached to its family and happiest sharing the home with them. Early and ongoing socialisation with people and other animals helps a Dane grow into the relaxed, friendly giant the breed is known for. Generally easy to train, with the odd stubborn streak.24

The story where it all began

The Great Dane's roots lie in powerful hunting dogs used to chase and hold wild boar. From the 16th century, European nobles brought in big, long-legged dogs from England and Ireland, bred from mastiff and wolfhound types, and in Germany these were known as the Englische Dogge. German courts kept breeding them through the 17th century, and several regional types appeared, such as the Ulmer Dogge. In 1878 a committee of breeders in Berlin brought these types together under the name Deutsche Dogge, and the FCI dates the first standard to 1880 (a UC Davis report gives 1888 for the German breed club's standard). The English name comes from the French 'Grand Danois', a label used by the naturalist Buffon, even though the breed has no Danish connection. Danes appeared at the first German dog show in 1863, were soon exported to the United States, and the AKC recognised them in 1887. Over time the breed was shaped into the taller, more elegant companion and guardian of today.58273

Recognised by the official bits

FCI

Standard no. 235 (Deutsche Dogge), Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs, Section 2.1 Molossian type, Mastiff type; definitive acceptance 18 Nov 1961; current standard published 21 Aug 2024; CACIB awarded in six colour varieties.1

The Royal Kennel Club

Working group, extra-large size category.7

AKC

Working Group; recognised in 1887 (per UC Davis breed report); current standard approved 9 Jul 2018, effective 1 Jan 2019.6

UKC

Recognised in 1923, Guardian Dog Group.2

Great Dane Club of America

Parent breed club in the USA, founded in 1899 (per UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory).8

Popularity Ranked 22nd of AKC-registered breeds in 2025.12