How tall are Great Danes?

KIRBYMOORSIDE, ENGLAND - JULY 31: A Great Dane dog stands with its owner ahead of competing during 152nd the Ryedale Country Show on July 31, 2018 in Kirbymoorside, England. Held in Welburn Park near Kirbymoorside in North Yorkshire the Ryedale Show was established in 1855 and is a traditional agricultural show renowned for its very high standard of entries in all sections. The show is run with both the farming community and townspeople’s interests in mind and there are attractions for all ages offering a full and varied day of entertainment. Situated within a natural ampitheatre there are eight rings running throughout the day exhibiting prime cattle, horses, sheep and pigs. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
KIRBYMOORSIDE, ENGLAND - JULY 31: A Great Dane dog stands with its owner ahead of competing during 152nd the Ryedale Country Show on July 31, 2018 in Kirbymoorside, England. Held in Welburn Park near Kirbymoorside in North Yorkshire the Ryedale Show was established in 1855 and is a traditional agricultural show renowned for its very high standard of entries in all sections. The show is run with both the farming community and townspeople’s interests in mind and there are attractions for all ages offering a full and varied day of entertainment. Situated within a natural ampitheatre there are eight rings running throughout the day exhibiting prime cattle, horses, sheep and pigs. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

Have you ever seen a Great Dane and thought that pup is the size of a mini horse? For us, this is a common thought when seeing Great Danes in public.

Recently, while visiting a local park, we came across a Great Dane standing next to their owner and they were so tall that they nearly towered over her without even standing on their back legs. This got us thinking about the height of the breed and wondering just how tall Great Danes can actually get.

And the answer may surprise you (or not, if you have ever owned one of these dogs).

How tall do Great Danes get?

Great Danes
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MARCH 06: A Great Dane is paraded in a show ring as it competes on the second day of Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre on March 6, 2015 in Birmingham, England. First held in 1891, Crufts is said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part and vie for the coveted title of ‘Best in Show’. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), “As tall as 32 inches at the shoulder, Danes tower over most other dogs and when standing on their hind legs, they are taller than most people.” However, that seems more like a generalized average, as the heights can vary a bit between male and females of the breed.

It seems that males can range from 30 to 35 inches tall, whereas the females can be between 28 and 33 inches in height. And perhaps unsurprisingly, this also means that these dogs can also be a bit heavier than a smaller pup. The Great Dane is said to weigh anywhere between 110 and 180 pounds!

Honestly, if you have ever seen a Great Dane out in the wilds of the city, then you already know that these pups are tall. But they are also extremely friendly dogs, known for being gentle giants. It’s an interesting dichotomy, as Great Danes might look intimidating thanks to their larger sizes, they are very devoted to their owners, loving, and even affectionate.

If you are looking for a dog that knows how to snuggle, you may want to consider a Great Dane. And if you want a dog that will make you feel like you’re extra short, they can do that too.