Buyer question
Is a Great Dane good for beginners?
It can be: our Animal Library rates the Great Dane 3 out of 5 for beginners (gentle but huge).
Source: the Great Dane page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Great Dane in the Animal Library
The detail
A German boarhound refined into a giant companion, the Great Dane is gentle, friendly and surprisingly calm indoors as an adult. Everything about it is large, including its food, vet bills and car, and its lifespan is short.
- Temperament
- Gentle, friendly, patient
- Best fit
- Homes with space, calm families
- Trainability
- 4 out of 5 (Willing, train early)
- Energy
- 3 out of 5 (Daily walks, easy indoors)
- Grooming load
- 1 out of 5 (Quick weekly wipe)
What to weigh
Giant size means giant costs and a short life, with bloat and heart disease as serious risks. Puppies grow fast and need controlled exercise, and training must start early before the dog outweighs you.