Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Smooth coat, short.
A Great Dane suits
- A home that changes often, or apartment life (adaptability 4 of 5)
- Runners, hikers and active households (energy 4 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 5 of 5)
Think twice if
- You can't offer daily training or puzzle games (mental stimulation needs 4 of 5)
- Drool bothers you: drooling is 4 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 4 and mental stimulation needs of 4 mean plenty of daily exercise plus training games or puzzle feeders. With barking at 3 of 5 and a watchdog score of 5, expect some barking at the door. Grooming at 1 of 5 means an occasional brush.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 15.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Compare: Great Dane vs Dogue de Bordeaux · Great Dane vs Chinese Shar-Pei · Great Dane vs Great Pyrenees
Frequently asked questions
Are Great Danes good with kids?
The AKC rates the Great Dane 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Great Danes shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 3 out of 5 (moderate), and coat grooming 1 out of 5.
Are Great Danes easy to train?
Trainability is rated 3 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 4 out of 5.
How much energy does a Great Dane have?
Energy is rated 4 out of 5 and playfulness 4 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Great Dane page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.