Basic Information About Great Danes

Danes are very large dogs and are called "Gentle Giants". Males stand from 32" to 36" at the shoulder and can weigh from 140 to 180 pounds. Females typically stand 28" to 33" tall at the shoulder and weigh from 110 to 140 pounds. Danes do not usually reach full maturity until they are 18 to 24 months of age.

Danes come in six recognized colors: fawn (tan with black mask), brindle (tiger striped), black (a solid black), blue (steel blue/gray), mantle (marked like a Boston Terrier), and Harlequin (a white base coat with torn black patches). There are other colors that are not recognized as acceptable by the Great Dane Club of America, including white, merle (gray with darker gray patches), and colors such as "fawnequin) (a white base with tan patches) and :"merlequin" (a white base with merle patches). White Danes are often deaf. Some Danes, particularly merles, whites, and Harlequins can have blue eyes.