The short version
Big, brave, and beautiful, Great Danes hold a special place in our hearts. But despite their larger-than-life persona, this giant breed has a relatively short life span.
Why Are Great Dane Life Spans So Short?
For such big dogs, Great Danes sure get the short end of the stick when it comes to longevity. Great Danes live between 8-to-10 years, with some living only 6 or 7 years, and a lucky few reaching the ripe old age of 12. Compared to small dogs, which can live almost twice as long, this hardly seems fair.
It also poses an interesting paradox. After all, some of the longest-living animals in the wild, such as elephants and whales, are also the largest, while smaller animals like rodents live for only a handful of years. Why are dogs so different?
Scientists do not yet understand the exact reasons behind this contradiction, although they have a few theories, but they do know that large dogs appear to age faster than small dogs. It is almost as if large dogs live their adult lives in fast motion, and for better or for worse, the bigger the dog, it seems, the less time we have with them.
Giant Health Problems for Giant Dogs
Scientific mysteries aside, Great Danes are prone to quite a few health conditions that can shorten their life span.
The breed is particularly susceptible to bloat, a dangerous and often fatal condition that results in the stomach twisting and cutting off blood supply. Dogs that suffer from bloat once often get it a second time, and your veterinarian may recommend a tacking procedure to try and minimize future risk. If you own a Great Dane or another breed that is prone to this disease, talk to your veterinarian about the symptoms of bloat and how it can be avoided.
Great Danes are known for their big hearts, but this figure of speech has a darker, more literal meaning. Great Danes frequently suffer from cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle that leads to enlargement of the heart itself.
Tips to Improve Your Great Dane’s Life Span
As owners, we have a lot of control over what goes on in our dogs’ lives, from what they eat to how often they exercise. But can we really control how long our dogs live?
The answer is a little bit of yes and a lot of no. There many things we can’t control, from cancer to biology, but there are a few things you can do to help your Great Dane reach the upper limits of her life span.
Responsible Great Dane breeders will provide you with the health history of their breeding lines. As you choose a puppy, always look for a breeder who has had his or her dogs tested for hip dysplasia, and be aware of other genetic problems, such as heart disease, eye problems, and autoimmune thyroiditis.
Puppy Nutrition
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Frequently asked questions
Great dane dog life span?
The AKC covers this in the article linked on this page. Big, brave, and beautiful, Great Danes hold a special place in our hearts. But despite their larger-than-life persona, this giant breed has a relativ… If your dog is unwell, contact your veterinarian — this page is educational, not a diagnosis.
How long do great dane dogs live?
The AKC covers this in the article linked on this page. Big, brave, and beautiful, Great Danes hold a special place in our hearts. But despite their larger-than-life persona, this giant breed has a relativ… If your dog is unwell, contact your veterinarian — this page is educational, not a diagnosis.
Whats the longest a great dane has lived?
The AKC covers this in the article linked on this page. Big, brave, and beautiful, Great Danes hold a special place in our hearts. But despite their larger-than-life persona, this giant breed has a relativ… If your dog is unwell, contact your veterinarian — this page is educational, not a diagnosis.