The Great Danes’ size may be intimidating to some, but this breed is a joy to live with. They may be big but their cost doesn’t always follow their size.
So how much does a Great Dane cost? As with any breed, you can choose to adopt or purchase a Great Dane. Adopting is cheaper, usually around $150 but adoption can mean more work. If you want puppies, a pedigree dog will cost $600 to $3,000, while a non-show puppy is $1,500. Adult dogs can range between $200 to $400.
Aside from the cost, there is a list of things to consider when getting a Great Dane. The price tag of a Great Dane adds up throughout its lifetime. From the purchasing cost to food, maintenance, health care, and accessories, we will discuss later the must-knows. For now let’s understand what goes into a Great Danes price tag.
Great Danes can get quite expensive to care for.
Given their humongous size, there is also an equally massive cost that comes with making sure Great Danes stay healthy and happy.
From their daily meals to their regular maintenance, like grooming and health check ups, and their entertainment needs, you can expect to shell out money now and then. We will go through the common health issues of a Great Dane in a bit.
But once you experience what it is like to have a Great Dane, you will be able to say that they are so worth it.
Great Danes are good pets to have especially in a household with kids. They are patient and friendly dogs that adapt well in any family.
With all these benefits that Great Danes bring to their families, you will definitely always want to keep them in their best shape. As mentioned, they can be a handful to maintain. They have many needs and it is wise to take note of the long term ownership costs.
All dogs need good nutrition.
But for Great Danes, it’s especially important to prevent many of the medical conditions they are prone to having.
The size of a Great Dane makes it more demanding, financially, for a dog owner. They grow quickly and once fully grown, they will need a fixed amount of calories everyday.
Aside from the routine annual checkups and vaccinations, there are other veterinary costs associated with Great Dane ownership. The most common ones are antibiotics for infections, X-rays and surgery for fatal conditions, like stomach and gastrointestinal conditions, and hip dysplasia.
Due to their rapid growth, they tend to develop joint pains, experiencing bone related issues, and bloat as they age. Unfortunately, this can mean shorter lifespan than other dog breeds.
What they do have similar with other dogs is their tendency to stink. The reasons why Great Danes smell bad seem to be a common occurrence among dogs in general.
It can be an ear infection, dental problem or it can be simply just their farts or their dirty coats that have not been cleaned for days. Other serious conditions include skin infections, gastrointestinal issues, and anal gland problems.
If the reason why Great Danes smell bad is due to their poor bathing habits, train them to love the water while they are young. As they are not naturally good swimmers and do not like swimming in general, taking them to the beach or pool while they are young will build their passion in swimming and bathing.
The mentioned serious conditions that result in Great Danes emitting a foul odor should be treated immediately as they are often fatal. They can be due to serious illness like cancer.
Considering how Great Danes are prone to having terminal illnesses, it is always better to check with your vet as soon as possible.
GDV or bloat is a common issue among Great Danes because of their stomachs’ or intestines’ tendency to twist around. This always requires prompt surgery to treat as this can be deadly.
The heart of Great Danes can get big but not in a good and healthy way. Cardiomyopathy is one of the leading causes of death in this dog breed.
Taking care of Great Danes is achieved by a combination of proper nutrition, through a balanced diet, and adequate exercise. To keep them healthy and active, they should be fed with the right kind and amount of food and be taken on daily walks as recommended.
For a rapidly growing giant-breed like a Great Dane, diet plays a very important role in keeping them healthy. They should be fed with high quality dog food as much as possible.
But Great Danes are also allowed to eat human foods such as animal protein, fruits, and vegetables. To keep feeding times more enjoyable, variation can be introduced.
Adults Great Danes need 6 to 10 cups of dog food per day or around 2,500 calories while Great Dane puppies aged 10 to 24 weeks should eat 4 to 8 cups of dog food daily.
Puppies should be fed with puppy food designed for large breeds to receive the required nutrients for their age.
For the first four to five months of life, Great Dane puppies should have three meals per day. Once fully grown, they should be given two meals per day for life.
To make it more comfortable for your Great Danes and reduce the stress on their necks and joints as they bend to consume their meals, you may consider using an elevated dog bowl to complement their height.
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Sometimes, a meal is not enough to provide the necessary nutrients you Great Dane may need.
To ensure that they get all the needed nutrients, you can add multivitamins supplements in their diet to help complete the recommended nutritional requirements they need.
Great Danes cannot be left alone all day.
They belong to a group of breeds that are more prone to worry or even panic when left alone by their owner.
An anxious Great Dane can get very destructive and will bark endlessly, chew out anything they can get their teeth on. They do best when a family member is home during the day because they always want to be where the family is.
Although they like people a lot, including strangers and children, and will welcome visitors happily, Great Danes can be fiercely protective of their owners. They can sense when you need defending and will not hesitate to attack intruders.
However, as much as Great Danes are fierce, they are also very affectionate. The thing about them is that they do not understand that they are giants and think they are lap dogs. They will keep trying to get on your lap to cuddle even if you keep moving to maintain circulation in your legs.
Such a giant breed needs training to make sure they become safe and social dogs.
Thankfully Great Danes are trainable and intelligent. They respond well to firm, consistent training methods not only for obedience but as well as potty training. The early socialization and puppy training classes will help them develop into a well-adjusted adult.
If you need help to train your Great Dane, there are professional dog trainers who can help you. Dog training will be very helpful to make sure Great Danes grow up to be sociable and obedient.
For a dog the size of a Great Dane, it is important to start these training early on. We would recommend instilling discipline in them before they grow to a size that can damage your furniture easily, even though they do not mean it.
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Great Danes shed but only do so during certain seasons.
For the most part of the year their short, smooth coat does not shed much, but given their massive size, the amount of hair loss can accumulate to a considerable amount.
The short, sleek and dense coat of the Great Dane is low-maintenance and needs grooming about every week to 10 days.
Weekly brushing with a medium-bristle brush, a rubber grooming mitt or tool, or a hound glove will help keep shedding to a minimum by removing the loose and dead hairs before they fall off.
As with all breeds, the Great Dane’s nails should be trimmed regularly. The overly long nails can cause the dog pain as well as problems walking and running.
But expect that grooming a Great Dane is a daunting task, particularly if they are not looking forward to it. For the times they are fussy and quite unmanageable, you can seek professional help at grooming salons.
Heading to a grooming salon will make it easier to achieve a clean and neat look for your Great Dane. You can try different regular services they offer which include dog bath, hand drying, ear cleaning, nail trimming and thorough brushing.
Premium services offered by salons include, nail filing, dental care, deshedding, degreasing, and nose and pad conditioning. The best thing about using premium service is that you can have it done at home instead of you bringing your dog to the salon.
How Tall Is A Great Dane? A Great Dane stands at 30 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder for males while females have an average height of 29 inches. There’s also a gender difference in weight among Great Danes. The males weigh 140 to 175 lbs while females are lighter at 110 to 140 lbs.
What Color Great Dane Is The Most Expensive? The Great Dane covered in a harlequin coat is the most expensive one making it also the most popular version of this dog. Other expensive show colors are black, fawn, blue, and brindle. White Great Danes are the most rare and noted to be the most susceptible to genetic defects.
Do Smaller Great Danes Live Longer? No, regardless of size, Great Danes have a life expectancy of 7 to 10 years. Sadly, some dogs live only for 6 years, and a lucky few reach the ripe old age of 12. Great Danes are prone to quite a few health conditions that can shorten their life span.
Pete Decker is the Lead Editor at The Goody Pet. He is a passionate wildlife educator and loves to share his experiences on pets. During his free time, you can find him cozying around his 2 adorable Labradors (Tobi & Kobi).
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