Great Dane
Also known as: Deutsche Dogge, German Mastiff, Apollo of dogs
The "Apollo of dogs" - a giant, elegant breed that is gentle, affectionate and surprisingly calm indoors despite its towering size. Great Danes are devoted, sociable and famously good with children, combining an imposing presence with a sweet, patient temperament that wins over everyone they meet.
Origin and purpose
Despite the name, the Great Dane is a German breed (Deutsche Dogge), refined in the 19th century from large boarhounds used to hunt wild boar and guard estates. Selective breeding turned the working boarhound into the towering, dignified companion recognised today.
Temperament
Breed authorities describe the Great Dane as friendly, patient and dependable — a "gentle giant" that is good with children and usually sociable with other dogs, often convinced it is a lap dog. It is moderate in energy and trainable with early, gentle guidance. As with any breed, individual temperament varies far more than the label implies (Morrill et al., Science 2022).
Health and longevity
Giant size comes at a cost: Great Danes are one of the breeds at highest risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat), which is why many owners and breeders opt for a prophylactic gastropexy. Controlled growth in puppyhood and lean body condition matter enormously.
Common health conditions
Living with a Great Dane in Quezon City
This section is specific to Quezon City (Quezon City Veterinary Department / Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)). The rest of this guide applies to the breed anywhere.
PAWS Philippines / CARA Welfare / QC City Pound: Not eligible
This breed is not eligible for PAWS Philippines / CARA Welfare / QC City Pound.
Licensing
Dog registration required under the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 (RA 9482): register with Quezon City Veterinary Department or your Barangay; annual rabies vaccination mandatory; fees PHP 100–500/year. Philippines is NOT rabies-free — annual vaccination is a legal requirement.
Climate & exercise in Quezon City
Quezon City is tropical maritime; hot dry season March–May (32–36°C); rainy/typhoon season June–November; cool dry December–February (22–28°C); Metro Manila urban heat island effect pronounced in Quezon City's densely built barangays. walk before 7:30am or after 6pm year-round; March–May peak heat — limit walks to before 7am; UP Diliman and QMC provide shade cover for midday emergencies but avoid pavement in direct sun. Quezon City's tropical heat peaks March–May with extreme humidity — heatstroke is a genuine risk for all dogs and particularly dangerous for brachycephalic breeds. Typhoon season (June–November) brings flooding especially in low-lying barangays near Diliman Creek and San Juan River — keep dogs away from floodwater due to leptospirosis risk.
Parasite prevention
Plan for year-round heartworm prevention essential; tick-borne disease (Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis/gibsoni) high risk year-round — Rhipicephalus sanguineus endemic; annual rabies vaccination legally required (RA 9482); leptospirosis risk from floodwater during typhoon season June–November.
Cost of ownership in Quezon City
Local Great Dane cost figures for Quezon City are being verified. Budget for purchase or adoption, initial setup, food, grooming, routine veterinary care, parasite prevention and pet insurance. Figures are quoted in ₱.
Health & longevity
Responsible breeders health-test their breeding dogs. Ask to see current certificates before committing.
Nutrition note: Giant-breed puppy diet with controlled calcium/energy to slow growth and protect joints; raised, multiple small meals and rest after eating to lower bloat risk.
Known breed conditions
DNA & screening panel
Cost of ownership
FLAG: indicative Singapore estimate — very high food and medication doses by weight; short lifespan offsets some lifetime total.
Registries
Sources & references
- AKC — Great Dane breed standard & traits[Breed standard / registry]
- The Kennel Club (UK) — Great Dane[Breed standard / registry]
- Merck Veterinary Manual — hereditary and breed-associated disease[Veterinary reference]
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) — breed health screening / CHIC testing[Peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA]
- McMillan et al., "Longevity of companion dog breeds…", Scientific Reports 14:531 (2024) — RVC VetCompass life tables[Peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA] · 2024
- NParks/AVS — Pets in HDB flats (approved small breeds; ≤55 cm shoulder height)[Breed standard / registry] · checked June 2026
- Morrill et al., "Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics…", Science 376 (2022) — breed ≈ 9% of behaviour[Peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA] · 2022
Source tiers: 1 = breed standard / registry authority; 2 = peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA; 3 = veterinary reference; 4 = encyclopaedic. OurPetCircle cites only tiers 1–4 and never blogs or e-commerce pages. Behavioural traits carry low confidence — breed explains ~9% of individual behaviour variation (Morrill et al., Science 2022).
Image credits
- Image 1: Fainomenon · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
- Image 2: Rytis Mikelskas · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
- Image 3: Melissa · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
