It’s no secret that Great Danes are big dogs. Great Danes are one of the largest dog breeds in the world. What may surprise you is that you don’t need to have a huge home to have a Great Dane.
Great Danes have an activity level where they can live happily in both a big and small home.
What is the Right Amount of Space for a Great Dane?
Despite their size, Great Danes can make a great apartment or house dog. Great Danes have a calm personality, they’re perfectly happy curling up on the couch (if your couch is big enough). As long as you give your Great Dane at least 60 minutes of exercise a day, they will be happy in any environment. However, when it comes to small spaces, your Great Dane may inadvertently knock over things with their noses or tails.
What is a Great Dane?
The Great Dane is a breed of dog that is known for its connection to noblemen. They are a very large and elegant breed that makes up some of the largest dogs in the world.
Despite their size and the sound of their bark, they are a friendly and protective breed. What your Great Dane loves more than anything is to get a cozy spot and cuddle up with the family.
Great Danes come in black-and-white, silver, tan, and solid black or white. They have a slender build, a long thin tail, and perky ears.
How Big Do Great Danes Get?
Great Danes typically are between 30 to 34 inches tall. The ideal weight for your Great Dane to be is between 100 to 130 pounds.
With larger dogs, it’s important to maintain a proper weight. If they’re overweight it will put additional stress on their joints and can lead to health issues down the road.
Like most dogs, males will usually be larger than female dogs.
Do Great Danes Make Good Apartment Dogs?
Oftentimes, when we think of large dogs, we don’t picture them living in apartments. Great Danes are an exception to that.
As long as you take your Great Dane on one or two long walks a day, they’ll be perfectly content living in an apartment environment.
When it comes to exercising your Great Dane, it depends on their age, as to how much activity they need.
If your Great Dane is an adult or a senior, you can do between 30 to 60 minutes of walking or another exercise. Make sure that if your Great Dane seems tired or hesitant, especially if they are older, return home.
If you have a puppy or a young Great Dane, around 90 minutes of exercise a day will keep your Great Dance happy and healthy.
Do Great Danes Make Good Home Dogs?
If you have a larger home, you may find that your Great Dane will claim an area of its own.
They are great dogs for homes that have a lot of space. Because of their relaxed nature, you will most likely find that your Great Dane will select an area of your home to claim as their own.
If you have a fenced yard, it can benefit your Great Dane if you work longer hours. However, if you’re giving your Great Dane access to outside while you are away, it is important to provide them with a large shaded area.
Ideally, having a dog door allows your Great Dane to stretch and exercise when it wants, without risking overheating.
What Makes Great Danes So Versatile?
When it comes down to having a Great Dane, one of their best features is their easy-going personality. Great Danes have a strong pack mentality. As long as you’re home and the pack is together, they’re happy.
If you live in a larger space, you may still notice that your Great Dane favors a specific nook or cranny in your house. They are a breed of dog that loves to be comfortable.
While Great Danes have a very laid-back personality, they can be very protective of their pack (of their family).
Especially when you have a Great Dane that is living in a small space, it is important to introduce them to outside guests in a neutral environment. Otherwise, you may find that your Great Dane feels threatened.
While they are a very protective breed, some Great Danes may be a little shy. If you have people over, you should have enough space where your Great Dane can seek comfort if needed.
This can be as simple as their bed or crate in the bedroom, or an additional room where they can lounge on the couch.
One of the best ways to make sure that your Great Dane is comfortable in any space is to start training early. Getting into puppy classes, or a lower level class if your Great Dane is older, will help them gain socialization skills and adapt to any surroundings.
Health Issues That Can Affect Space
Because Great Danes are a large dog breed, they are more prone to health issues. This is mainly due to their height. Their heart has to work extra hard to get blood to all the areas of their body. They can also suffer from joint issues.
One of the benefits if you have an older Great Dane and live in a smaller space, is that if they are suffering from a medical condition, they don’t need to move around a lot.
If your Great Dane is suffering from hip dysplasia or heart disease, a smaller space without a lot of stairs is ideal.
While you don’t need to confine your Great Dane to a small area, open and easily accessible spaces will make your Great Dane more comfortable;e.
If you have a house or apartment and there are stairs, you can make modifications to keep your Great Dane happy and comfortable. When it comes to Great Danes, usually the first place to look for them is by your side.
If they’re napping elsewhere, you can make easy modifications to keep them comfortable when out of sight. If you have stairs, adding a ramp can make it easier for your Great Dane’s joints and hips.
Because they aren’t hyperactive dogs, you can have them in smaller homes without constant supervision. It’s important, however, that you make sure that your Great Dane doesn’t run into issues with furniture or stairs while you’re not around.
Enrichment Activities for Your Great Dane
If you don’t have a ton of space, you can do enrichment activities for your Great Dane. Because Great Danes don’t require a lot of space or a large amount of exercise. That doesn’t mean that they still don’t need mental stimulation. Like all dogs, your Great Dane will be happier if it has engaging toys or activities.
These can range from busy toys, training toys, or even physical obstacle courses if you have the space.
Doing at least 30 minutes of enriching activities a day for your Great Dane can make a world of difference in both their socialization and their all-over happiness.
Frequently Asked Questions About What is the Right Amount of Space for a Great Dane?
Can I have a Great Dane in an apartment?
While they may not seem like dogs that would fit in an apartment, Great Danes can actually make great apartment dogs. As long as you give them enough daily exercise and proper training, they can be happy in any environment.
Do Great Danes Require a Lot of Exercises?
Despite their size, Great Danes don’t need a lot of exercises. Depending on the age of your Great Dane, they will be happy with 30 to 90 minutes of exercise a day.
What sort of sleeping environment should you have for your Great Dane?
When it comes to making your Great Dane comfortable, as long as you have large dog beds and comfortable places for your dog to sit, they’ll be happy.
Depending on how big your Great Dane gets, usually, the extra-large size bed is best for your dog.
You should also take into account that Great Danes have tough nails. If you plan to let them onto your furniture, you may want to get protective covers.
Do Great Danes Need A Lot of Space?
When it comes to owning a Great Dane, you don’t need a lot of space. They are a dog breed that is very mild-mannered and relaxed.
As long as you give them 30 to 90 minutes of exercise a day, depending on their age, they’ll be happy with just your love and affection.
