Great Dane Great Dane

Great Dane

1
Friendly Patient Dependable Gentle

About the Great Dane

The Great Dane — known as the "Apollo of Dogs" — traces its lineage to ancient Assyrian war dogs, though the modern breed was refined in Germany to hunt wild boar and later serve as estate guardians. Standing a towering 28–32 inches at the shoulder and weighing 110–175 pounds, Great Danes are among the tallest dog breeds in the world — the record holder stood 44 inches tall. Their short, sleek coat comes in six recognized colors: fawn, brindle, blue, black, harlequin (white with irregular black patches), and mantle.

Temperament & Personality

Despite their imposing size, Great Danes are famously gentle and affectionate — earning them the nickname "the world's biggest lap dog." They are patient with children and remarkably calm indoors, often preferring to lean against their owner's legs or drape across the couch rather than engage in rough play. Their friendly, confident demeanor means they greet most people warmly, though their sheer size alone is an effective deterrent to unwelcome visitors.

Pros

  • Surprisingly calm and gentle indoors — moderate exercise needs despite their enormous size
  • Naturally imposing presence deters intruders without aggressive behavior
  • Short coat requires minimal grooming — just weekly brushing and occasional baths
  • Patient and tolerant with children — gentle giants who rarely show aggression

Cons

  • Short lifespan of 7–10 years — one of the shortest of any breed due to their giant size
  • Extremely high risk of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) — a life-threatening emergency
  • Expensive to maintain — food, veterinary care, medications, and supplies all cost more at giant-breed scale
  • Prone to heart disease (dilated cardiomyopathy), hip dysplasia, and osteosarcoma

Ready to share your home with a gentle giant? Explore Great Danes available for adoption on Puplister.

Great Dane Quick Facts

Size
110–175 lbs, 28–32 in
Lifespan
7–10 years
Exercise
Moderate
Grooming
Low
Good with Kids
Yes
Good with Pets
Yes

Is the Great Dane right for you?

Answer 5 quick questions to see how well this breed matches your lifestyle.

Take the Quiz

Available Great Danes

Miso
Adult
Miso
M

Great Dane

Bureau Of Animal Regulation And Care · Houston, TX
Mikey
Young
Mikey
M

Great Dane

Paws Across Pittsburgh · Springdale, PA
Kitty
Young
Kitty
XL

Great Dane

Magnificent Mutts Rescue · Hillside, IL
Duke
Baby
Duke
L

Great Dane / German Shepherd Dog

Maricopa County Animal Care And Control East Valley Animal Care Center · Mesa, AZ
June
Adult
June
XL

Great Dane / Labrador Retriever

Castaway Critters · Harrisburg, PA
Aussie
Young
Aussie
L

Great Dane / Labrador Retriever

Animal House Shelter · Huntley, IL
Dewey
Baby
Dewey
XL

Great Dane / Cane Corso

Canine Rescue Coalition · Goodyear, AZ
Thomas
Baby
Thomas
L

Great Dane

Bureau Of Animal Regulation And Care · Houston, TX
Gertie
Young
Gertie
L

Great Dane

Hearty Paws Great Dane Rescue · Arlington, TX
Blue
Adult
Blue
XL

Great Dane

Legacy Humane Society · McKinney, TX

Related Breeds

Boxer
Boxer Dog

51 pets available

2

About the Boxer The Boxer was developed in Germany in the late 19th century from the now-extinct Bullenbeisser — a powerful hunting mastiff — crossed with English Bulldogs. Standing 21.5–25 inches tall and weighing 50–80 pounds, the Boxer is a medium-to-large, well-muscled dog with a distinctive square head, undershot jaw, and alert expression. Their short, tight-fitting coat comes in fawn and brindle — sometimes with white markings — and requires very little grooming beyond occasional brushing.Temperament & PersonalityBoxers are playful, energetic, and utterly devoted to their families — they are often called the "Peter Pan" of dog breeds because they maintain their puppyish exuberance well into adulthood. They are exceptional with children, combining patience and protectiveness with a love of play that makes them natural family dogs. Boxers are alert and courageous, making them effective watchdogs, but they are also clownish and affectionate — they're famous for their "kidney bean" wiggle of excitement.ProsOutstanding family dog — patient, protective, and endlessly playful with childrenNatural watchdog with a courageous yet non-aggressive temperamentShort coat requires minimal grooming effortEnergetic and athletic — great companion for running, hiking, and active playConsProne to cancer — one of the breeds most affected, particularly mast cell tumors and lymphomaBrachycephalic tendencies lead to heat intolerance and breathing difficulties during vigorous exerciseCan be excessively boisterous and may accidentally knock over small children or elderly family membersSusceptible to heart conditions including aortic stenosis and dilated cardiomyopathyBoxers bring boundless energy and unconditional love to every family — browse adoptable Boxers on Puplister and find your playful companion.

Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu Dog

13 pets available

1

About the Shih Tzu The Shih Tzu — meaning "lion dog" in Mandarin — was bred for centuries within the walls of the Chinese imperial palace, likely from crosses between the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese. These small, sturdy dogs stand 9 to 10.5 inches tall and weigh 9 to 16 pounds, with a slightly longer body than they are tall and a proud, flowing gait. Their luxurious double coat grows continuously and can reach floor length, coming in virtually every color and combination, with a distinctive chrysanthemum-like pattern on the face where hair grows in all directions. Temperament & Personality Shih Tzus are affectionate, outgoing, and delightfully playful — bred solely as companion dogs, they have centuries of experience perfecting the art of being a devoted lapdog. They are friendly with nearly everyone, including children, strangers, and other pets, making them one of the most sociable toy breeds available. Shih Tzus are happy, adaptable, and surprisingly sturdy for their size, with a mischievous charm that keeps their families entertained. Pros Exceptionally friendly and sociable with people of all ages and other animalsLow exercise requirements — short walks and indoor play satisfy their needsMinimal shedding when coat is kept in a shorter "puppy clip"Adaptable and content in apartments, condos, and any living situation Cons Long coat demands daily brushing or frequent professional groomingBrachycephalic structure contributes to breathing issues and heat intoleranceProne to eye problems (proptosis, corneal ulcers), ear infections, and dental diseaseCan be stubborn about housetraining — patience and consistency are essential A Shih Tzu's sole mission in life is to love and be loved — find yours waiting on Puplister today.

Border Terrier

4 pets available

About the Border Terrier The Border Terrier hails from the border country between England and Scotland, where it was bred to bolt foxes from their dens while keeping pace with mounted hunters and their hounds. One of the smaller terrier breeds, it stands 12–15 inches tall and weighs 11.5–15.5 pounds, with a compact, narrow body designed to squeeze into fox burrows. Their distinctive otter-shaped head and wiry, weather-resistant double coat — which comes in red, grizzle-and-tan, blue-and-tan, or wheaten — give them a charmingly scruffy appearance.Temperament & PersonalityBorder Terriers are affectionate, plucky, and adaptable — they have all the tenacity of a terrier but with a softer, more biddable temperament that makes them excellent family companions. They are good with children and generally get along better with other dogs than many terrier breeds. However, their strong prey drive means they cannot be trusted around small animals like hamsters, rabbits, or guinea pigs.ProsAdaptable to both country and city living — they adjust well to apartments with adequate exerciseMore trainable and less confrontational than many terrier breedsLow-shedding wiry coat that requires only periodic hand-strippingRobust and healthy with a long lifespan of 12–15 yearsConsStrong prey drive — they will chase squirrels, cats, and small animals relentlesslyCan be expert diggers and escape artists if left in a yard unsupervisedHand-stripping the coat is time-consuming, and clipping changes the coat texture permanentlyProne to canine epileptoid cramping syndrome (Spike's disease) and heart defectsThese scrappy, lovable terriers make wonderful companions — discover adoptable Border Terriers on Puplister.

Beagle
Beagle Dog

48 pets available

About the Beagle The Beagle is a small scent hound with roots tracing back to Roman times, though the modern breed was refined in England during the 1830s for rabbit hunting. Standing 13–15 inches tall and weighing 20–30 pounds, Beagles are compact, sturdy dogs built for endurance on the trail. Their short, dense, weather-resistant coat comes in a variety of hound colors — most commonly tri-color, red-and-white, and lemon — and sheds moderately throughout the year.Temperament & PersonalityBeagles are merry, curious, and sociable dogs — they were bred to work in packs, and that pack mentality translates to a strong desire for companionship. They are excellent with children and other dogs, making them one of the most family-friendly breeds available. However, their powerful nose can lead them astray, and once a Beagle has locked onto a scent, recalling them can be nearly impossible.ProsWonderful family dog — gentle, tolerant, and playful with children of all agesCompact size is well-suited for apartments and smaller homesGets along exceptionally well with other dogs due to pack-oriented natureHardy, healthy breed with a typical lifespan of 10–15 yearsConsVocal breed — their distinctive bay and howl can be excessive and loudStrong scent drive makes off-leash reliability extremely difficult to achieveProne to obesity and will eat anything they can accessCan develop separation anxiety and become destructive when left aloneBeagles bring joy to every household they join — search for adoptable Beagles on Puplister and find your new best friend.

Related Articles

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key traits of a Great Dane?
The Great Dane is known for being friendly, patient, dependable and gentle.
How many Great Danes are available for adoption?
There are currently 10 Great Danes available for adoption on Puplister. Browse the listings above to find your perfect match.
How do I adopt a Great Dane from Puplister?
To adopt a Great Dane, browse the available listings on this page, click on a pet you're interested in, and contact the shelter directly through their profile page.