Caring for a Great Dane

A Great Dane makes a great pet, but many people find this type of dog´s size intimidating. On average, a female Great Dane stands 30 to 34 inches tall, and weigh between 110 and 145 pounds, with the males being several inches taller and about 20 pounds heavier.

Despite their size, a Great Dane is not as difficult to care for as one might think. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about caring for a Great Dane.

How much activity does a Great Dane need?

Activity level is typically most people´s first concern. They assume that because Great Danes are bigger than other dog breeds, this means they will need more exercise and more room to romp. In actuality, though, most large dog breeds are less active than smaller breeds, and Great Danes are no exception.

Great Danes have average or slightly lower activity needs when compared to other dog breeds. This means that if left to their own devices, a Great Dane can be quite a couch potato, but that they do benefit from daily exercise. As a general guideline, a daily walk of 30 to 60 minutes should be plenty to keep your dog in good shape.

Playtime in the backyard or at a dog park are also good ideas for keeping a Great Dane in good health, but should not be used excessively. Like other large breeds, Great Danes actually tire more quickly than other dogs, so you will need to monitor the activity closely to prevent your dog from becoming overtired and potentially getting injured. Growing puppies in particular may actually be harmed from too much exercise, as their size makes them susceptible to hip and joint problems.

What else do I need to know about caring for a large dog?

As you have already seen, Great Danes not only have fairly moderate activity requirements, but also can be injured from too much activity. However, this is not to say that their large size doesn´t have any impact on the care they need. While having a large dog doesn´t mean you need to have a large house, you will need to be sure that the dog´s bed and crate are large enough. This means having enough room in your house for a bed or crate of this size.

Another thing to keep in mind is that a Great Dane´s size and long, powerful strides make them good jumpers. If you intend to leave your dog unattended in the backyard, 6 foot fencing is almost a necessity, as the normal half-size fencing is nothing more than a hurdle for a Great Dane.

Finally, don´t forget that a Great Dane´s height puts him more on your level, so to speak. If you don´t want your dog sleeping on the couch or sharing your bed, you will probably need to pay special attention to training. Also, don´t forget that the dining table and even the kitchen counter are well within your dog´s reach, so even with good training you will most likely need to learn not to leave food unattended.

Caring for a Great Dane

Despite the special challenges that are unique to large dog breeds, a Great Dane can be a very rewarding pet. Their moderate energy levels make them well suited for busy dog owners, and with their friendly personalities they make ideal pets for families with children. As long as you don´t mind your dog weighing almost as much as (if not more than) you do, Great Danes are in many ways easier to care for than smaller breeds.