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Surprisingly, the temperament and exercise can suit a large flat, because adults are calm and quiet indoors. The obstacles are physical: stairs strain young and old Danes, doorways and lifts must fit 150 pounds of dog, and many landlords refuse giants. Ground floor living is strongly preferable.
The apartment verdict on this breed's record is blunt: Not ideal. Ground floor living or a lift matters, because stairs are hard on young joints and old ones. In character they are exceptionally gentle house dogs: good with children (though toddlers get knocked by tails and turns), friendly with visitors and calm with other dogs.
When the match is wrong, it is usually the routine that is wrong rather than the dog, and routines are the one part of the equation completely in the owner's hands.
Energy scores 3 out of 5, the middle of the scale: the Great Dane needs its 45 to 75 minutes daily and then settles like a sensible dog. At 3 out of 5, the Great Dane is a reasonable watchdog: vocal at the door, quiet through most of the day, honest about strangers (Friendly with strangers).
Context from the wider record: the Great Dane stands in the Working group, originates from Germany, and carries a temperament summarised as Gentle, patient, friendly and dignified.
Size context from the growth table: 8 weeks at about 11 to 18 lb, 9 months at about 66 to 105 lb, 18 months at about 97 to 154 lb mark the Great Dane's first year, against an adult standard of 110 to 175 lb. Fawn, brindle, blue, black, harlequin and mantle. The breed belongs to the Working group and its home ground is Germany.
Senior age arrives at about 5 to 6 years in a giant breed, and the whole arc deserves planning. The Great Dane is a fair deal for the household it suits and a poor one for any other, and the record makes the distinction plainly. The full Great Dane profile carries the complete record: health screening, life stages, growth and the questions owners ask next.
Alone time is trained, not assumed: minutes become an hour, an hour becomes a morning, and dogs built up this way rarely develop the anxiety that makes headlines.
An exercised, occupied Great Dane is a good tenant; a bored one is a renovation project. Crate training through the destructive young months and honest daily exercise, 45 to 75 minutes, protect both the deposit and the dog. The apartment verdict on the record, Not ideal, assumes the daily routine around the dog is genuinely delivered.
Quietly: one room first, the dog's own bedding and smells in place, visitors postponed a few days. A giant dog of 110 to 175 lb reads a calm first week as the household's character, and first impressions settle dogs faster than any gadget. A dog walker or a helpful neighbour at midday changes the alone time arithmetic more than any toy or gadget.
Adults manage; puppies and seniors struggle, and giant or long backed breeds should not do daily flights at all. A Great Dane of 110 to 175 lb can be carried as a puppy, which tells you the long term answer for its old age too.
The medical picture for the Great Dane: known conditions, daily care and working with your vet.
The Great Dane with children, rated and explained: family life, supervision, other dogs and visitors.
Home life with a Pomeranian: apartments, alone time, neighbours and the routine that makes it work.
Last updated: November 6, 2026