How much time do Great Danes need per day?

Budget roughly 45–90 minutes per day for exercise, training, and interaction. On top of that, grooming adds around 1–2 hours per week spread across sessions.

Are Great Danes hard work?

Great Danes require consistent effort but are manageable for an engaged owner. The key is keeping to a routine — irregular exercise and sporadic training make things harder.

Is a Great Dane a good dog for busy people?

It depends. Great Danes can work for busy people who are disciplined about making time for exercise and training — but they're not a dog that looks after itself.

How much grooming does a Great Dane need?

Great Danes shed a moderate amount and benefit from brushing 2–3 times per week. Budget around 1–2 hours per week. Increase to daily during seasonal coat changes.

Are Great Danes High Maintenance?

Q: Are Great Danes high maintenance?

Great Danes are moderately high maintenance. They need regular exercise, consistent training, and routine grooming — but nothing that should overwhelm a reasonably active, committed owner.

About the Great Dane

The gentle giant of the dog world. Surprisingly calm for their size, but their lifespan is heartbreakingly short.

Size

Giant

Weight

50–90 kg

Energy

Low

Trainability

Moderate

Lifespan

7–10 yrs

Time commitment breakdown

Owning a Great Dane isn't just about daily walks. Here's what the weekly time commitment actually looks like:

Grooming: 1–2 hours per week — brushing, bathing, checking ears and nails.
Exercise: 3–5 hours per week — walks, off-lead time, active play.
Training: A few 10–15 minute sessions per week — Great Danes learn reliably with consistency but have an independent streak.
Mental stimulation: Occasional — low-energy breeds still benefit from mental stimulation but don't demand it daily.

Grooming requirements

Great Danes shed a moderate amount — brushing 2–3 times per week keeps it under control outside of peak shedding seasons. During the spring and autumn coat blows, step this up to daily.

A slicker brush and a de-shedding tool cover all your needs. Budget around 1–2 hours per week on average.

Exercise requirements

Great Danes have lower energy levels — 30–60 minutes of daily walking is typically sufficient. They're content to relax once their exercise needs are met and generally don't have the restless edge of high-energy breeds.

This makes them much more practical for owners with less time, smaller homes, or a less active lifestyle.

Mental stimulation needs

Physical exercise alone isn't enough for most dogs. Great Danes also need mental engagement. Great Danes are fairly relaxed about mental stimulation — occasional training sessions and enrichment activities are appreciated but won't become an emergency if they're occasionally skipped.

What "low maintenance" actually means day to day

A Great Dane's maintenance needs sit at a level that rewards routine. Owners who build exercise, grooming, and training into their weekly schedule find it entirely manageable. The problems come when these get skipped — a Great Dane that misses a week of brushing or a few days of proper exercise will show it.

Is this breed right for your lifestyle?

Should a first-time owner get a Great Dane?

Great Danes are manageable for motivated first-timers. They have a moderate stubborn streak, so training takes more patience than an easy breed — but it's absolutely achievable with consistency and positive reinforcement.

Want the full picture on Great Danes?

Read the complete Great Dane breed guide →

Are Great Danes high maintenance?