It’s true that big dogs need more food than smaller dogs but be careful not to overfeed your Great Dane. This breed is at risk of bloat, so split their food into two, or even three, meals to stop them from eating too much at once. Always weigh food to make sure you’re feeding the correct amount. Feeding guidelines are on the back of food packaging. 

Thanks to their big stature, Great Danes require a balanced diet rich in vitamins, nutrients and minerals. Complete dog foods will contain the right amount of nutrients, but you should speak to your vet if you’re unsure.

Your Great Dane’s short coat won’t need to be brushed very often as it won’t matt. However, they do shed fur and brushing at least once a week will help to minimise this, as well as keeping the coat and skin clean and healthy. 

You’ll need to bath your Great Dane every six to eight weeks. Their size makes them difficult to bath so it may be best to visit a dog groomer.

While Great Danes are low maintenance when it comes to grooming, they are known to drool a lot. Keep their face and mouth clean with regular wiping. 

Great Danes are strong and energetic, so they need quite a bit of exercise to keep them in good shape. Young Great Danes will need 90 minutes of exercise per day, while older big Danes can enjoy up to two hours of exercise a day. 

Whether it’s a brisk walk or a run around the park, Great Danes will thrive outdoors. But be careful to not over-exercise your dog when they are a puppy, as this can affect their joints long term. 

Great Danes are easy to train but can have stubborn moments. They have big bodies and can stand their ground when they don’t want to do as they are told. But they are loyal dogs and will want to please you. Clicker training with food as a reward is an effective training method. 

Puppy toilet training is easy if you give your puppy lots of chances to go to the toilet. With repetition, your Great Dane will be house trained before you know it.

Great Danes have a shorter lifespan than smaller breeds, with a life expectancy of around eight to 10 years.

A fully-grown Great Dane can reach a height of around 81 cm and weigh up to 59 kg. By the time a Great Dane puppy is two months old, it will weigh 8 – 12 kg and be 33 – 45 cm tall. That’s the same size as some adult dog breeds.

Great Danes were bred in Germany to protect property and hunt wild boar. Their height and weight make them powerful dogs that can be dangerous. But they are gentle giants at heart. With training and socialisation, they’re very unlikely show signs of aggression to people or other animals.

Like all dogs, Great Dane training takes time and patience. Clicker training and food rewards will help, but repetition is key, and it’s important not to overfeed them. Practice commands every day for quick success.