Last Updated on May 21, 2023 by Becky Roberts
Quick Summary: The Great Dane really is mighty in size, and you will witness their rapid growth from puppyhood to adulthood. They can weigh 15 to 30 pounds with a height of 13 to 18 inches at only 8 weeks old. At 6 months old, they can be 26 to 33 inches tall and weigh around 65 to 100 pounds. Upon reaching adulthood at 1 year old, they can be as tall as 36 inches (or more) and weigh about 140 pounds.
The Deutsche Dogge or better known as the Great Dane in English-speaking countries does not fall short of greatness when it comes to their size and temperament. Commonly known as the gentle giant, Great Danes are the perfect family dog if you want a dog that’s good with the kids and can intimidate intruders with their size. But how big do Great Danes really get?
Great Dane: An Overview
The Great Dane is one of the largest dog breeds. Reaching the heights of 32 inches at the shoulders, this dog requires big everything! Big collars, a large crate, a large vehicle enough to fit him into, and big money to spend for their veterinary care and quality dog food. Not to mention a large pooper scooper! But be that as it may, being a Great Dane parent is just as greatly rewarding. Sadly, however, a lot of Great Danes are put into shelters because some owners “didn’t think it’d get so big.” To avoid this problem, this article will cover how big you can expect your Great Dane dog to be.
Great Dane Size and Appearance
In the first year, you can expect your Great Dane puppy to shoot up like a tree. At 8 weeks old, a Great Dane puppy is 13-18 inches tall at the withers and 15-30 lbs. in weight. In 6 months, your puppy would already be 26-33 inches tall at the withers and 65-100 lbs. heavy. And at a year old, your dog will be 95-140 lbs. and 29-36 inches tall at the withers. The list below will show you in further detail how Great Danes grow in size:
- 2 months – 15-30 lbs. – 13-18 inches
- 3 months – 25-45 lbs. – 17-23 inches
- 4 months – 45-65 lbs. – 20-25 inches
- 5 months – 60-85 lbs. – 24-30 inches
- 6 months – 65-100 lbs. – 26-33 inches
- 7 months – 70-110 lbs. – 27-34 inches
- 8 months – 80-120 lbs. – 28-34 inches
- 9 months – 85-125 lbs. – 28-35 inches
- 1 year – 95-140 lbs. – 29-36 inches
If you find that your dog falls short of the chart above, don’t worry. Great Danes do not reach their full maturity until they are 18 months. Some may even take 2-3 years before they mature, especially for males. Just remember that each dog is different, and a lot of factors can affect his size.
Nevertheless, an average full-grown adult Great Dane has a standing height of 42.5-49.5 inches, withers height of 28-32 inches, and body length of 35.5-43 inches. Additionally, according to the American Kennel Club, matured males can weigh up to 140-175 lbs. and females will weigh around 110-140 lbs.
Personality and Lifespan
According to SavingDanes.org, another reason why Great Danes are given up in shelters is that when their puppy turns 18 months old, owners think they “are too much to handle.” Can you imagine how much havoc a 140-pound dog can cause when they are not trained? A lot! Thus, Great Dane puppies must be trained and are taught the basic rules of the house. With their size, this giant breed can easily reach countertops and maybe even higher when they stand on their hind legs.
Additionally, like all large breed dogs, Great Danes, unfortunately, have a short life span. On average, Great Danes have a life expectancy of 7-10 years. The number one culprit? Bloating. That said, this breed needs to be fed high-quality dog food. Puppy food, adult food, and senior dog food must be low in fat content. Owners should be ready to spend a lot of money on their food alone.
Also, Great Danes have a high prey drive. They would want to chase anything they see that is why they should be kept on a leash as much as possible or in a home with a fenced-in yard. Although this breed also thrives with apartment living, fur-parents should be ready to provide Danes a lot of time outside. Great Dane puppies need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. While adult Danes need at least 45 minutes of daily exercise.
Conclusion
Great Danes are giant dogs and will continue to grow until they are 2 years old. You can expect your dog to grow at least 30 inches at the withers and weigh at least 110 pounds. They require a large space to stretch their long legs and get the daily walks they need. However, their naturally calm nature will also appreciate a day cozying up with their human. If you’re ready for a large dog with an equally large heart, then a Great Dane is perfect for you.
