Known for being the “Apollo of Dogs,” the Great Dane is a giant dog breed with a gentle nature. Despite their name, Great Danes are not actually Danish. German nobles originally bred them for boar hunting. They are well known for their gentleness and patience with children as well as their fierce protectiveness. If you’re the lucky pet parent of a Great Dane, you may be wondering how large can a Great Dane grow and how do I know when they are finished growing?
Everything you need to know about Great Dane growth:
- Great Dane Growth & Weight Chart
- At what age is a Great Dane fully grown?
- How much bigger will my Great Dane get?
- What is the size of a full-grown Great Dane?
- How do I make sure my Great Dane Is healthy?
Great Dane Growth & Weight Chart
The following numbers are estimates of how much your Great Dane may weigh and how tall they might be at certain ages. If your Great Dane puppy is ahead or behind these numbers, do not worry! All dogs are different and will grow at different rates. Continue taking your Great Dane to their veterinarian for regular checkups and to discuss any concerns you may have about your Great Dane’s growth or health.
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Great Dane Growth and Weight Chart
| Age | Weight | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 5 - 8 lbs | N/A |
| 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 |
| Gender | Adult Weight | Adult Height |
|---|---|---|
| Males | 140 - 175 lbs | 30 - 32 inches |
| Females | 110 - 140 lbs | 28 - 30 inches |
*Please note that the above height numbers are measured from the ground to shoulders while the dog is standing.
At what age is a Great Dane full grown?
Great Danes grow quickly, with their largest growth spurts occurring around four to six months of age. Per the Great Dane Club of America, Great Danes grow as much in one year as a human will grow in their first fourteen years!
Great Danes are considered fully grown between 18 and 24 months of age. Most Great Danes will reach their full height by 18 months and continue adding muscle during their second year.
(Image Source: Pexels)
How big should a 6-month-old Great Dane be?
Most Great Danes will weigh between 65 and 100 pounds and stand around 26 to 33 inches tall at six months old. Remember that these numbers are averages and every puppy is unique and will grow at a slightly different rate.
It’s vital that you monitor your Great Dane puppy’s growth. When a Great Dane puppy grows too quickly, they are more prone to hip dysplasia and other joint problems. The Veterinary Centers of America recommend feeding your Great Dane a large-breed specific puppy food to slow down their growth speed. Eating a large-breed growth dog food does not affect their final size and it just reduces the overall stress on a Great Dane puppy’s body while they grow.
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How much bigger will my Great Dane get?
Great Danes typically reach their full height by 18 months old but will take at least two years to fill out completely. If your Great Dane puppy is less than two years old, they are likely still putting on muscle to reach their full adult size.
If you purchased your Great Dane through a breeder, contact them for a more precise height and weight estimate based on your Great Dane’s parents and previous litters. Your breeder should be able to give you a more exact estimate of your Great Dane’s full size since puppies rarely grow larger than their parents.
Alternatively, you can take a look at your Great Dane’s paws and compare them to their legs and body. Do your Great Dane’s paws look oversized? This is a classic puppy feature indicating that they still have some growing to do.
What is the size of a full-grown Great Dane?
Per the American Kennel Club Official Great Dane Standards, a male Great Dane will be 30 to 32 inches tall and 140 to 175 pounds. In comparison, a female Great Dane will stand around 28 to 30 inches tall and weigh 110 to 140 pounds.
Please keep in mind that these figures are estimates that can be impacted by your Great Dane’s genetics and environment.
(Image Source: Pexels)
How do I make sure my Great Dane is healthy?
Prevention is an essential part of keeping your Great Dane healthy and strong.
Purebred dog breeds, like Great Danes, are at a heightened risk of genetic health problems. Great Danes are particularly prone to joint issues, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and bloat. The American Kennel Club lists canine bloat otherwise known as Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, which occurs when the stomach swells and twists, as the number one killer of the Great Dane breed. Although the cause of canine bloat isn’t always predictable, it’s widely agreed upon by experts that feeding several small meals a day, ensuring your pup doesn’t eat too quickly, and avoiding heavy playtime or exercise within 1 hour before and after meals can decrease the risk of canine bloat. If you are concerned about your Great Dane puppy getting bloat, talk to your veterinarian about preventative surgical procedures available, or what early symptoms of bloat look like so that you can watch for them in your pup.
Other preventive measures like feeding your Great Dane puppy a large-breed growth dog food are essential to prevent or decrease the severity of hip dysplasia and other joint issues. Consult with your veterinarian about the best large-breed growth food options and other preventive health measures for your Great Dane pup.
Unfortunately, veterinary care can cost thousands of dollars for procedures and treatments especially in large breed dogs like these. The American Veterinary Medical Association reported that the average household took their dog to the veterinarian clinic 2.4 times a year. This can quickly add up, especially if your Great Dane puppy requires special medical treatment of any kind. As the largest dog breed, Great Danes are also pricier to own due to the increased cost of treating and feeding such a massive dog. This is where pet insurance comes in.
Pet insurance helps you take care of your dog when the worst happens. Pet insurance works by reimbursing you for up to 90% of the out-of-pocket cost of veterinary care like diagnostic services, lab work, physical exams, surgical procedures, anesthesia, and hospitalization. If you’ve gotten your Great Dane puppy on pet insurance, then any new injury, illness, or emergency that might arise can be covered by your plan allowing you to focus on what’s really important, your pup’s health and happiness.
In addition, many pet insurance plans offer wellness add-ons that reimburse you for everyday veterinary costs, like annual exams, routine blood work and vaccines, which helps you provide your dog with the best preventative care. Preventative care is especially beneficial for purebred dog breeds, like the Great Dane, who are more prone to genetic health issues as many pet insurance plans cover breed-specific health issues, like hip dysplasia and cancer.
Final Considerations
Great Danes are gentle giants who make friends easily. As a purebred dog breed, Great Danes are more susceptible to genetic health issues, like aortic stenosis and joint problems, which can quickly become expensive to treat. Regular veterinary care is also becoming more costly every year. Your veterinarian is your most valuable resource in caring for your pup and pet insurance is a wonderful way to offset the grand majority of the costs associated with both regular and emergency veterinary care for your dog.
Pet insurance saves lives and helps you provide your pup with the best ongoing, preventative care to ensure they are feeling their best! Get your free, personalized pet insurance quote today to give you and your pup peace of mind should the worst happen.
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