How Long Do Great Danes Live? Vet-Reviewed Average Lifespan, Data & Care

Despite their size and protectiveness, Great Danes, also known as Deutsche Dogges, are well-known gentle giants. These big softies are often loyal, loving, and affectionate, so much so that they often believe themselves to be lap dogs like their much smaller canine counterparts.

While these giants are well recognized for their massive size and gentle demeanors, proper care requirements may not always be widely understood by new owners. It can be surprising for many new Great Dane owners that their lifespan is much shorter than their height would suggest. Great Danes usually live for 7 to 10 years.

What’s the Average Lifespan of a Great Dane?

Great Danes might be huge, but their lifespans are shorter than those of many of their fellow dog breeds. With an average lifespan between 7 and 10 years, it is rare to find a Great Dane living as long as a smaller dog breed will.

Why Do Some Great Danes Live Longer Than Others?

While your Great Dane puppy might not live as long as you hope, there are ways to help extend your dog's life and keep them happy as they grow. Many things can affect a Great Dane's lifespan, including their breeding history, any health issues, and even their environment.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you take on the responsibility of caring for a Great Dane.

1. Nutrition

Larger dogs have bigger appetites and require different nutrition than smaller breeds. High-quality dog food will give your dog the nutrients that they need to stay healthy, but choosing a food for your Great Dane goes a little deeper than settling for the first large breed dog food that you can find.

Some health issues that can affect Great Danes may be influenced by nutrition and how often you feed your dog. The American Kennel Club has great advice for feeding large breed dogs.

Your Great Dane should eat age- and lifestyle-appropriate food with balanced protein, fat, and carb content. Keeping meals small and spreading mealtimes throughout the day may also help reduce the risk of bloat.

2. Environment and Conditions

Keeping your Great Dane safe will go a long way toward extending their lifespan. While they're not one of the most active breeds, they still do well with a few walks a day and space to play a game of fetch. Making sure they have enough space in the house to safely maneuver will also keep these big dogs from knocking over furniture or getting injured in other ways.

Make sure your yard, if you have one, is properly fenced in. A 6-foot fence will often work best to prevent these big dogs from jumping over it and keep your dog away from busy roads.

3. Housing

Considering these dogs’ size, people assume that Great Danes make perfect outdoor-bound dogs. In actuality, they shouldn't be left outside for the long term. Due to their large size, they may not be ideal for all apartments, though they can adapt if given enough space and exercise.

While they often act like lapdogs and will flatten you into the couch if given the chance, Great Danes do best with their own area in your house. A comfortable bed that's large enough to accommodate them will do nicely.

4. Size

With size comes power, and a Great Dane's strength can be deceptive. Their lithe build and docile nature can make it seem like they're a weak dog breed, but their unassuming persona hides quite a bit of muscle.

Gentle giants or not, it's important to properly train your Great Dane. The first 1 to 2 years is a good time to focus on behavior and socialization. Most Great Danes take years to fully mature, and younger dogs should have controlled, moderate exercise to help prevent joint issues later.

With training, not only will you be able to teach your dog to control themselves and avoid being dragged when you're out on walks, but you'll also teach them how to interact with strangers and other dogs.

5. Sex

Your Great Dane's sex can somewhat influence their temperament, energy levels, and the health issues they may be more prone to, though individual differences also play a significant role. For example, male dogs are sometimes described as goofier, while females are more likely to develop mammary cancer, particularly if unspayed.

Some sex-related issues, including certain unwanted behaviors, may be reduced by spaying or neutering your dog. This can also help lower the risk of some sex-specific illnesses and may contribute to a longer, healthier life.

6. Genes

The main reasons that Great Danes have such short lifespans is due to health-related issues, as well as their large size and rapid growth. Some, like heart disease and hip dysplasia, have a genetic component and can be passed down from adult dogs to their puppies. Genetics will also determine how tall and heavy your Great Dane will be.

If you're interested in buying a Great Dane puppy, make sure you only consider breeders who run regular tests on their dogs for common hereditary health issues. Reducing these traits in the gene pool can help improve your Great Dane’s chances of living a healthy life for as long as possible.

7. Breeding History

Purchasing a Great Dane from a breeder gives you more knowledge about their health than adopting from a shelter or rescue. While we always recommend adopting over buying, a reputable breeder will monitor and test their breeding animals for common, inheritable disorders. They can also give you important information about your new puppy's family history and how old your Great Dane is.

For dogs that end up in shelters, their health information and ancestry aren't nearly as in-depth or reliable.

8. Healthcare

Great Danes aren't exempt from the common ailments that affect dogs. Regular trips to your veterinarian and paying attention to your Great Dane's behavior and well-being will help you keep on top of any health issues that might arise with your puppy.

Learning the signs of various health disorders will help you catch the warning signs early.

Bloat

Caused when a dog's stomach fills with gas, bloat can be fatal, and factors like exercising immediately after eating may increase the risk. Besides feeding style, other factors may increase the likelihood of a dog developing bloat, such as type of food, anxious temperament, family history of bloat, and more. Not only does the expanding stomach put pressure on the diaphragm and make breathing difficult, but the stomach can also twist. It's a severe health issue facing Great Danes and other dogs and needs to be treated by a veterinarian immediately.

To help reduce your Great Dane’s risk of bloat, keep a careful eye on how much they eat and drink. Eating to excess, along with exercising or rolling soon after a meal, are considered risk factors. Your veterinarian might also suggest a preventative surgery called gastropexy that tacks the stomach to the inner walls of your dog's body to stop it from twisting.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Although male Great Danes may be somewhat more susceptible to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) than females, both sexes can suffer from this disorder. DCM occurs when the heart muscle becomes enlarged and weakened, most commonly affecting the ventricles of the heart.

Untreated, the muscle walls of the heart become weak, and fluid can collect in the lungs and other tissues. This can result in congestive heart failure.

Bone and Joints

Although not as immediately life-threatening as bloat or dilated cardiomyopathy, bone and joint issues are common in Great Danes. Hip dysplasia and arthritis (or degenerative joint disease) are two of the biggest disorders that can make your Great Dane's life miserable.

A healthy, balanced diet and omega fatty acids can help support joint health and reduce inflammation. Also, avoiding activities that will put too much strain on your dog's body will help manage pain and inflammation. You can also consider joint supplements that may benefit your Great Dane, under veterinary guidance.

Hypothyroidism

As a generally manageable condition seen in Great Danes, hypothyroidism can be monitored through regular veterinary visits and bloodwork. It's also relatively straightforward to regulate through proper medication.

The 4 Life Stages of a Great Dane

All dog breeds grow at different rates, and large dogs often reach full maturity later than small breeds do. Great Danes grow quickly, especially height-wise, but their weight often doesn't keep up. To ensure that your dog grows as healthy as possible, here are the life stages of the Great Dane to help you take proper care of your puppy:

Puppy

Dogs are considered puppies from the time that they're born to sexual maturity. For Great Danes, this is the stage where their growth is more obvious, and they'll often have a massive growth spurt between 4 and 6 months old.

Puppyhood for Great Danes requires careful attention. Due to their rate of growth, Great Danes can sometimes develop health problems, particularly regarding their bones and joints, if they're not properly supported. Feeding your puppy large-breed dog food designed for controlled growth will help support steady development without stressing their bodies or affecting their final adult size.

By the time your Great Dane reaches 1 year old, or 1 ½ in some cases, they've usually reached their full height. They haven't entirely stopped growing yet, though.

Young Adult

Once your puppy reaches their full height, it can be easy to believe that they've stopped growing. Great Danes are often slow to reach their full overall size, however, as their muscle and body mass continue to develop after their height is reached. Your gentle giant might only fully mature when they reach 2 years old.

This is why it’s important to avoid excessive high-impact activity during the early years of your Great Dane’s life. Instead, focus on obedience and socialization.

Mature Adult

A fully grown, well-developed Great Dane will typically stand around 28–32 inches for females and 30–34 or more inches for males at the shoulder, and weigh about 110–175 pounds, though some males may exceed this range. Females are on the lower end of the spectrum, while males are generally larger. Genetics will play a part in your Great Dane's final size too, and crossbreeds often tend to be somewhat smaller on average, depending on the other parent breed.

Senior

With their health issues and large size, Great Danes have relatively short lifespans and are often considered senior around 7–8 years old, with many living to about 7–10 years. Reaching 10 years is generally at the upper end of their life expectancy.

There are stories of Great Danes living for 12 years or longer, but these cases are uncommon and not always well documented.

How to Tell a Great Dane’s Age

If you adopted your dog from a rescue or shelter, it can be almost impossible to know for sure how old they are. For Great Danes, particularly if they're still growing, this can lead to problems later if you push your puppy too much, whether through lengthy walks or exercise that is too intense for their age.

The best thing to do in this case is to estimate your dog's age depending on their development in the following areas. Remember that a few of these signs can develop for younger dogs too.

• Teeth — Dogs usually lose their baby teeth by 6 months old.
• Eyes — Age-related issues, like cataracts, may help suggest your dog's age, though they can also occur in younger dogs due to other causes.
• Fur — If they are grey around their eyes and muzzle or even through their whole body.
• Breed—Great Danes don't often live longer than 10 years at most.
• Health issues — Arthritis is a common ailment in older dogs.
• Blood profile — Your veterinarian can use your dog's blood to test your dog's kidneys, liver, pancreas, and thyroid function.

Conclusion

Great Danes are surprisingly short-lived due to their massive size, and their average lifespan is between 7 and 10 years, if not less. While there are ways to help your gentle giant live longer and avoid common health issues like bloat and hip dysplasia, it's rare for these dogs to live longer than 10 years.

• See also:  How to Breed Great Danes: Breeding Practices, Litter Size & Tips

Featured Image Credit: David Pegzlz, Shutterstock