Great Dane Growth Chart: How Big Will Your Great Dane Get?

Two Great Danes laying side by side outdoors in the sun

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Coined the “Apollo of Dogs,” according to the American Kennel Club, or AKC, the Great Dane is a magnificent giant dog breed, known for its friendly nature and gentle patience.1 It’s not surprising, though, if the first thing that comes to mind is the sheer size of the breed. The Great Dane growth chart estimates weight and height for Great Dane puppies up to adults and includes adult male and female weight and height numbers. Learn how big and tall a Great Dane could grow to help you determine if the breed is right for you and your family.

Consider the general growth rate for puppies of various breeds as you weigh the pros and cons of adopting a Great Dane puppy. What is the average growth rate of a puppy? When will they reach their adult size? We consulted our veterinarian, Dr. Jennifer Coates, about the average size and weight of Great Danes over their lifespan. After Dr. Coates reviewed and approved the data, we created this handy Great Dane growth chart. A Great Dane’s weight and height are typically higher than other breeds, even during puppyhood. Check out our Great Dane puppy weight calculator to give you some guidance.

Great Dane Growth Chart

Great Dane Growth Chart by Weight

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Great Dane – Age Weight Height
2 months
3 months
4 months
5 months
6 months
7 months
8 months
9 months
1 year
15 – 30 lbs
25 – 45 lbs
45 – 65 lbs
60 – 85 lbs
65 – 100 lbs
70 – 110 lbs
80 – 120 lbs
85 – 125 lbs
95 – 140 lbs
13 – 18 inches
17 – 23 inches
20 – 25 inches
24 – 30 inches
26 – 33 inches
27 – 34 inches
28 – 34 inches
28 – 35 inches
29 – 36 inches

Great Dane Full-Grown By Gender

Great Dane – Gender Adult Weight Adult Height
Males
Females
140 – 175 lbs
110 – 140 lbs
32 – 36 inches
30 – 34 inches

How Fast Does a Great Dane Grow?

Great Dane puppies grow at a slightly faster rate than other large and giant-breed puppies. According to the Great Dane growth predictor, a Great Dane puppy is already about 30 pounds by the time they’re 8 to 12 weeks old. In comparison, a Labrador retriever puppy doesn’t reach 30 pounds until they’re almost 4 months old. Of course, a full-grown Labrador also doesn’t get as big as a full-grown Great Dane.

On average, a Great Dane gains 15 to 20 pounds every month from 2 to 6 months old. After that, the rate slows down to about 10 pounds per month, up to about 1 year old. Great Danes will continue to grow, albeit at a relatively slow pace, until they are 18 to 24 months old.

Just like all dogs age faster than humans, large dog breeds age faster than small dog breeds. This concept has sparked a decades-old debate regarding why smaller dogs live longer than larger dogs. Though the science is unclear as to exactly why, the size (height and weight) of the animal does matter. Other factors involved include breeding, health, and cognitive development.2

When Do Great Danes Stop Growing?

You may be wondering “how much do Great Danes weigh?” or how long does it take Great Danes to fully grow? They are considered adults by the time they reach the age of 1 but may not be fully grown until the age of 2. Commonly referred to as “gentle giants,” Great Danes continue along a growth pattern longer than most dog breeds.3 While smaller dogs usually reach their full size within the first year of their life, Great Danes take their time, and can continue to grow well into their second year.

Great Danes are the tallest breed of dog.4 How tall is a Great Dane? From the age of 2 months, a Great Dane puppy is up to 18 inches tall at his shoulders. The puppy continues to grow about 3 to 4 inches per month up until 6 months old, according to the Great Dane weight calculator. After that, growth slows to a rate of about 1 inch per month until the puppy has matured into an adult, which is roughly one to two years.

Consult with your veterinarian to discuss the health needs and well-being of your Great Dane puppy. Though the charts give a rough measurement based on averages, do not panic if your puppy doesn’t fall into the target range as recommended by a dog weight chart.

Gentle Giants and Health Problems

Great Danes have been beloved companions for quite some time. The breed has been around for centuries, but most folks understand the actual life span of a Great Dane is typically shorter than the average dog breed. Great Danes typically only live for seven to 10 years, unlike the average large dog, who lives to about 14 years old.5

Affectionate, protective, and a good family dog, the Great Dane – like many large dog breeds – is prone to health issues, some of which can be serious. The smart, high-energy breed is strong and athletic, requiring regular exercise, but for reasons unknown, have shorter lives. One possible reason is a tendency for the breed to be afflicted with a number of different health conditions.

The Great Dane commonly suffers from bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus, a potentially fatal medical condition characterized by a twisted stomach. It is mostly unknown what causes bloat, but dogs with large, deep chests are more at risk. Other known health problems include:

  • cardiomyopathy
  • hip dysplasia
  • osteoarthritis
  • thyroid problems

Great Danes require regular grooming, good exercise appropriate for their age and size, well-balanced nutrition, and plenty of love and affection. Though these gentle giants may be at risk for unwanted health conditions, they have lots of energy and love dog-specific sports. Great Danes enjoy, and usually do well at, agility, tracking events, and weight pulls.6

Great Dane Puppy Size and Weight Calculator

Whether you already have a Great Dane puppy, or you’ve just decided you want one, our Great Dane puppy weight chart helps give you an idea of your new puppy’s growth rate. Male and female puppies grow at about the same speed, though a female Great Dane is usually smaller than a male Great Dane.


Great Dane puppies can reach 100 pounds by the time they’re 6 months old and often stand over 2 feet at the shoulders. But some Great Danes don’t reach 100 pounds until adulthood. When the female Great Dane reaches her full size, she can weigh up to 140 pounds and stand nearly 3 feet in height at the shoulders. Male Great Danes may reach 175 pounds and 3 feet in height at the shoulders. Either way, you’ve got yourself a big dog.

You can also use our convenient puppy growth calculator to find out how big you can expect your Great Dane to get as an adult. The calculations are based on the American Kennel Club’s database of adult dog weights and heights. Fill in your puppy’s current age and weight details below.

Note: please don’t feed your dog more or less based on the results. For that advice, consult your veterinarian.

PUPPY WEIGHT CALCULATOR
What’s your puppy’s breed

What’s your puppy’s weight

What’s your puppy’s birth date?

What’s your puppy’s gender


Additional Resources

If you’re looking for more information about dog growth in general, we’ve created a series of growth charts for different breeds (and dogs and mixed breeds in general):

Article Sources

Pet News Daily uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Great Dane. Akc.org. Accessed December 12, 2021.
  2. Meyers H. Why Do Small Dogs Live Longer Than Large Dogs? Akc.org. Published September 30, 2021. Accessed December 10, 2021.
  3. Great Dane. Akc.org. Accessed December 12, 2021.
  4. Reisen J. 8 Things to Know About Great Danes. Akc.org. Published November 13, 2020. Accessed December 10, 2021.
  5. Burke A. Great Dane Life Span and Health Issues. Akc.org. Published June 17, 2020. Accessed December 10, 2021.
  6. Reisen J. 8 Things to Know About Great Danes. Akc.org. Published November 13, 2020. Accessed December 10, 2021.
Dr. Jennifer Coates
Dr. Jennifer Coates was valedictorian of her graduating class at the VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and has practiced in Virginia, Wyoming, and Colorado. She is also the author of numerous articles and books including the Dictionary of Veterinary Terms: Vet-Speak Deciphered for the Non-Veterinarian.