A Brief History of the Great Dane

Despite the name, the Great Dane has strong roots not in Denmark, but in Germany. Originally developed as a boar-hunting dog in the 16th century, early Great Danes (or “Boar Hounds”) were bred by German nobility to be strong, fast, and courageous (AKC, 2024; Britannica, 2024). Over time, these dogs transitioned from fearsome hunters to elegant companions, with breeding efforts focusing more on temperament and stature.

By the 18th century, the breed evolved into the more refined and affectionate giant we recognise today. Germany officially named the breed Deutsche Dogge (German Mastiff), though English-speaking countries retained the term “Great Dane” (FCI, 2023; GDCA, 2024).

Temperament & Personality

Often described as a gentle giant, the Great Dane is known for its calm, friendly demeanour. Despite their imposing size, they tend to be affectionate, social, and eager to please, making them excellent family companions when properly trained and socialised (AKC, 2024).

They’re generally patient with children, loyal to their families, and moderately protective — often alert but not aggressive. However, because of their size and strength, early training and consistent leadership are crucial. According to the Great Dane Club of America, the breed thrives on human interaction and may become anxious or withdrawn if left alone for extended periods (GDCA, 2024).

If you’ve ever met a big Great Dane and you weren’t expecting it, it can be quite the surprise initially due to the size.

Caring for a Great Dane

Owning a Great Dane comes with some unique responsibilities, largely due to their size and specific health considerations. Grooming is relatively simple as their short coat requires only weekly brushing to manage shedding and keep the coat shiny. However, their large frame means daily exercise is essential to prevent restlessness or destructive behaviour. That said, they are not endurance athletes.  Short, structured walks and play are generally enough.

Despite their size, Great Danes adapt well to indoor living, provided they have room to stretch out and aren’t confined for long periods. They’re known to be “couch potatoes” and many will happily snooze near their humans once properly exercised.

Common Great Dane Health Issues

Like many giant breeds, Great Danes have a shorter average lifespan, typically 7–10 years (Longevity and mortality of owned dogs in England). They are particularly prone to certain conditions:

• Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus): A life-threatening emergency where the stomach twists. Preventive measures include feeding smaller meals and avoiding vigorous activity post-meal (UFAW).
• Hip Dysplasia and Joint Issues: Common in large breeds. Regular vet checks and joint supplements may help with management.
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM): A serious heart condition known to affect the breed disproportionately (VCA).

Because of these risks, responsible breeding and early health screening are critical. Pet owners are encouraged to work with vets familiar with large breed health management.

Living Suitability

Great Danes are affectionate, house-oriented dogs that crave connection with their family. They do best in homes with:

• Room to move, even if it’s indoors.
• Owners committed to early training and socialisation.
• A lifestyle that allows them to spend most of their time with their owners.

While they don’t need acres of land, apartment living is only realistic if space and daily exercise needs are met — and you don’t mind a dog that weighs as much as a grown human 

Dog Trainer’s Perspective

Great Danes are intelligent and eager to please but their sheer size makes early training important. A boisterous 70kg adolescent jumping up in excitement can be dangerous, even if well-meaning. That’s why puppy training and socialisation from as early as 8 weeks is essential.

Focus areas for Great Dane training include:

• Loose-leash walking – their strength makes pulling risky for both dog and owner.
• Manners and boundaries – especially around small children and furniture.
• Comprehensive socialisation and environmental conditioning.

We don’t really get Great Dane related specific issues, and as a breed they are very trainable.  It’s purely that problematic behaviours are magnified by the Dane’s size and strength.  The most common training issues we find is reactivity and fear through lack of socialisation. Both issues are can be somewhat more difficult with a 70kg dog that is either trying to retreat or run towards the stimulus.

When walking a Great Dane, you will find other dog owners will tend to cross the street before reaching you, ‘just in case’.  But there are plenty of Dane lovers that will be excited to meet you as well.

So How Great is a Great Dane, and Should You Get One?

Great Danes really are great in all ways and they are one of the most majestic and loveable dogs available.  But they are so big, that you generally will have to make changes or allowances and this makes them a somewhat uncommon companion.  

If you are considering a breed as big as a Dane, you’ve probably considered all of the size related factors.  If that’s you, it’s hard to beat a Dane as a giant loving family dog.

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Ask three dog historians where the Miniature Schnauzer came from and you might get three different answers. Some say they were simply downsized Standard Schnauzers — the smallest ones were picked and bred until they stayed small. Others suggest the breed was created by mixing Standard Schnauzers with smaller dogs like Affenpinschers or Miniature Poodles (The Miniature Schnauzer Club)

But here’s what we do know: the goal was to create a more compact Schnauzer that had the same scruffy good looks and personality — just in a smaller package.

Fashion and preferences come and go, but Schnauzer fans have always been focused on keeping what matters most. That sharp mind, fearless heart, and unmistakable cheeky charm. Whether they’re chasing rats or snuggling on the couch, Miniature Schnauzers have always had big dog energy in a ‘fun-size’ frame.

Miniature Schnauzers are intelligent. and full of personality.  They bring a bold energy that often surprises people unfamiliar with the breed.

They love people and thrive when they’re part of the action. Whether it’s joining you on errands or keeping watch from the couch, they like to be involved.

Care and Maintenance

The Miniature Schnauzer’s iconic look — wiry coat, dramatic eyebrows, and that unmistakable beard doesn’t happen by accident. This is a breed that needs regular grooming to stay sharp.

Their double coat is low-shedding, which is great for keeping your clothes hair-free, but it does mean they need scheduled upkeep. Most owners opt for a professional groom every 6 to 8 weeks to maintain that classic Schnauzer silhouette: short back, long furnishings, and a clean-lined beard.

In between trims, brushing a few times a week helps prevent matting and keeps the coat in good condition — especially on the legs and face. That beard, while undeniably charming, can collect all sorts of things (food, water, the occasional leaf), so a quick wipe or rinse often goes a long way.

Nail trims, ear checks, and dental care are part of the usual maintenance routine, as with any breed. But if you’re after a “wash and wear” dog, this probably isn’t it. The Mini Schnauzer takes a little effort, but they clean up very well.

Dog Trainer’s Perspective:

The Miniature Schnauzer is a dog that has really grown on me during my time as a dog trainer.  They are a stunning looking dog and respond well to training and love to interact.  I’d definitely consider one for myself.  We do however get a decent amount of in-home training requests for them and the issues tend to follow a consistent theme.

What We See:

Reactivity out an about is something we regularly assist owners with.  This presents as excessive barking, lunging, sometimes nipping and a unique excited squeal that I have really only heard in Schnauzers.  Excessive guarding and barking at home at almost anything but particularly visitors, doorbells, door knocks and other noises.

To some degree these issues can be present in almost any breed, however they are routinely intense in the Schnauzer’s we assist with.  

In my opinion there are a few factors influencing this:

• Lack of appropriate strategic socialisation and environmental condition during the puppy phase.  This leads to fear of the unknown or ‘untrusted’ which is responded to via barking.  This response becomes a habit where the assessment phase (of the perceived threat) is extinguished and anything that isn’t completely familiar or explainable is reacted to.  We have extensive coverage of this process in the online Puppy Pathway training programme.

• Acceptance or inadvertent reward for barking in the early development phases contributing to the habit.  This is visible in many ways during home visits but the ‘classic’ Miniature Schnauzer jump on top of the couch to get to the person level, and then bark until they get a pat – which often follows is common.  This demand-reward cycle is often present in other situations and can lead to issues if not managed.

• Lack of appropriate training and stimulation for the breed.  Miniature Schnauzers are a big dog in a lap dog package to some degree, and what they need from an owner is some consistent stimulation, direction and leadership.  

• Getting a second Miniature Schnauzer to accompany the first one due to barking and perceived boredom.  Almost always, the second dog will learn the behaviours of the first dog – this goes both ways, good or bad.

So the takeaways from the above are to consider the needs of your dog.  A Miniature Schnauzer needs good guidance and stimulation similar to that of a bigger active dog.  They also respond well to a carefully managed socialisation and environmental conditioning plan.  Detailed guidance and information on these processes are contained within our Puppy Pathway online training programme which we highly recommend. 

In addition, be mindful of what you allow your dog to demand of you and the way in which it is demanded. Miniature Schnauzers are very intelligent and will soon work out how to push your buttons.

If you already own a Miniature Schnauzer and are having problems such as those described above, seek assistance to resolve any issues prior to obtaining another Schnauzer.  We see this all the time as various behaviours are interpreted as a result of them being bored or lonely.  It is great to see two Schnauzers living their best life, but it is far more difficult to modify these behaviours with two dogs than with one.  Each dog will set the other off routinely and interrupting these patterns takes a lot of patience and time.  With one dog, it is usually a fairly straight forward process to manage the reactivity and associated habits to have a better balance on a day-to-day basis.  A second dog that comes into a calm orderly environment will likely mirror that vibe.

I do believe that the issues described above are largely influenced by training and environmental factors rather than the breeds inherent tendency towards these behaviours.  They really are a wonderful and engaging dog and very trainable.  They tend to want to learn and do what you ask of them. If you need any assistance in relation to training your Miniature Schnauzer you reach out to us here.

Verdict

If you want a smaller breed of dog with plenty of personality, who is still quite active and loves walks, the Miniature Schnauzer is a great choice.  The fact that they are low shedding is also a bonus for many people but factor in grooming expenses.  Some just love the look and wouldn’t have anything else.  I think they are great for families as well and they generally mix well with kids.  If you are looking for purely a lap dog, I’d at least consider some lower energy breeds.    

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