"Don’t be scared. Deep down, I’m a softie!"
Great Danes may seem intimidating, but inside their enormous bodies are even bigger hearts. Their size and loyalty make them good watch dogs, but intruders won’t realize their bark is worse than their bite. Although they appear energetic, Great Danes would rather grab a pillow indoors and relax by your side.
Great Danes are surprisingly calm and affectionate for their size. After interacting with them, it will be clear that their presence is definitely more ominous than their personality. This breed has earned the nickname “gentle giant” because of their quiet, loving nature. Don’t let their warmth fool you, though. Their stature, intelligence, loyalty, and deep, loud bark make Great Danes excellent watch dogs. Little do the intruders know that they probably won’t do much damage.
The Great Dane has a short, smooth coat that comes in several colors. Most dogs are fawn (gold with a black mask, ears, and tail tip), brindle (gold with a black stripe pattern), steel blue, glossy black, “Harlequin” (white with black patches), or “Mantle”/”Boston” (black with white muzzle, chest, and tail tip). This breed isn’t high maintenance when it comes to grooming. They don’t shed much, and when they do, all they need is a good brushing with a rubber brush to remove dead hair.
Great Danes gets along well with children, other dogs, and household pets. Some Great Danes are dominant with other dogs of the same sex or have a high prey drive with small cats. Socializing them from a young age helps make their interactions with others positive. Still, your Great Dane may be wary around strangers but will most likely welcome family and friends. Due to their size, apartments and small spaces just aren’t practical for this breed.
This breed is fairly calm when young and needs a moderate amount of exercise when fully grown. Great Danes should be taken on a daily walk or allowed to play in a large, fenced yard where they can run and explore. They may seem like outdoor dogs, but their favorite spot is actually indoors where they can relax and be by your side. However, if they get bored or are left unsupervised for too long, they may begin barking, digging, and being destructive.