We adopted our Great Dane, Claire Danes (formerly known as Shorty), in September 2021 from the Humane Society in Fishers, Indiana.
To be clear: We were not looking to adopt a dog.
The loss of our Newfoundland, Ayla, a few years earlier was still raw, tender, and very much unresolved. She was a one-of-a-kind sort of dog and also our first together. We told ourselves we were just going to look. Just to say hi. Just to walk through the shelter for a minute.
You already know how this story ends.
One moment of weakness — or maybe insanity — later and a night to think it over, we were loading a 100+ pound dog into the car and driving home with a brand-new family member who would proceed to steal our hearts, our floor space, and most of our personal boundaries.
Adopting any dog comes with challenges. Adopting a large rescue dog — especially one with an unknown past — comes with a learning curve. We don’t know exactly what Claire experienced before she ended up at the shelter, but she definitely arrived with a few quirks that required patience, consistency, and a sense of humor.
She still won’t go up or down stairs inside a house. She’s not a fan of small rooms. And we’re actively working through leash reactivity when other dogs appear on the street.
Also, yes — holding back a 115-pound dog who suddenly decides today is the day to have big feelings can be… memorable. Especially when she plants a paw squarely on your foot.
Over the last few years, though, we’ve learned a lot about Great Danes — things no one really tells you upfront. So if you’re thinking about getting one (or already have one stretched across your couch), here are a few things to know.
And if you’re a fellow Dane parent, feel free to add anything we missed in the comments. We know this list could go on forever.
1. Great Danes Are German (Despite the Name)
Great Danes actually originated in Germany, where the breed is known as Deutsche Dogge. Somewhere along the way, marketing — or geography — stepped in, and they were rebranded as “Great Danes.” They are neither Danish nor particularly aware of their own greatness, but here we are.
2. They Are Olympic-Level Sleepers
Great Danes are shockingly lazy. Claire appears to sleep at least 18 hours a day, and on some days, she’s not even enthusiastic about going outside. We’ve had mornings where she looks at us like, “You’re awake… on purpose?” Honestly? This was a feature, not a bug.
We love hiking and being outdoors, but we don’t always have time for a five-mile trek before breakfast. We intentionally looked for breeds that matched our real lifestyle — not our aspirational one — and Danes fit that bill perfectly.
3. They Are Naturally Anxious (About Everything)
Great Danes are sensitive souls.
- Outdoor trash cans? Terrifying.
- A dropped lid? Immediate flight response.
- A new object that wasn’t there yesterday? Suspicious at best.
Claire startles easily and sometimes reacts before her brain catches up. This seems to be fairly common with the breed — they’re big, gentle, and emotionally tuned in, which also means they can be anxious.
Patience helps. So does routine. And occasionally, reassurance that the recycling bin is not, in fact, trying to kill her.
4. They Are Incredibly Good-Natured
Claire genuinely wants to be a rule follower. She doesn’t always know what the rules are, and she can get a little over-excited, but she tries. That’s something that really stands out about her.
This was the complete opposite of our Newfie, who marched to the beat of her own drum and spent her life negotiating for the alpha position until the very end. Claire, on the other hand, just wants to be told she’s doing a good job. Even when she isn’t.
5. You’ve Never Seen a Sad Face Like a Hungry Great Dane
Great Danes have elite facial expressions. The sad eyes. The dramatic sighs. The slow head tilt that says, “I have never been fed in my entire life.” Claire’s expressions alone could run a successful Instagram account. Hunger amplifies this by at least 300%.
6. They Can (Apparently) Tell Time
Claire has an alarm clock embedded somewhere deep in her soul. She knows exactly when breakfast time rolls around every morning. Not five minutes early. Not late. On time.
That said, she’s actually far more patient than our Newfie ever was. There’s urgency, yes — but not the same level of existential panic.
7. They Are True Gentle Giants (With Zero Spatial Awareness)
Claire has absolutely no idea how big she is. She would happily cuddle on the furniture with us like the cats if we allowed it. (We mostly don’t.)
She’s affectionate, sweet, and deeply committed to physical closeness — but she also has very little control over her limbs. Stray paws happen. Eye punches happen. Sometimes simultaneously.
It’s all part of the charm.
Would We Adopt a Great Dane Again?
Absolutely.
Great Danes aren’t for everyone — they take up space, eat a lot, and come with emotional sensitivity packaged in a very large body. But if you’re looking for a calm, loving, slightly ridiculous companion who thinks you are their entire world, they’re hard to beat.
Claire has brought laughter, chaos, and an enormous amount of love into our home. And while we didn’t plan on adopting her that day, it turns out she was exactly who we needed.
If you’re considering a Great Dane — especially a rescue — we hope this gave you a realistic (and honest) look at life with one.
And if you already have a Dane? You know exactly what we mean.
