Thinking About Getting a Great Dane After Watching The Friend? Read This First.
Hollywood has a long history of making certain dog breeds wildly popular overnight.
🐾 Dalmatians after 101 Dalmatians
🐾 Huskies after Game of Thrones
🐾 Saint Bernards after Beethoven
🐾 Chihuahuas after Legally Blonde
And now, with The Friend putting a Great Dane in the spotlight, we’re anticipating a surge of interest in these giant, lovable dogs. But before you jump in and start looking for a Great Dane puppy, let’s talk about what real-life Dane ownership looks like.
Because while they’re incredible dogs (speaking from personal experience), they aren’t for everyone.
What to Know Before Getting a Great Dane
🎥 Movies Show the Good Parts—Not Always the Challenges
Movie magic can often skip over the real-life messy parts of being a pet parent. While Great Danes can be the best of companions, just like any other dog, they come with challenges.
💰 They’re expensive.
Great Danes can eat. A lot. Their food bills alone can cost hundreds per month. Not to mention vet care, medication, joint supplements, and the fact that everything from beds to crates to cars needs to be giant-sized.
🏠 They take up space. A LOT of space.
A full-grown Dane can weigh over 150 lbs and stretch across an entire couch. While Great Danes can be excellent apartment dogs due to their generally calm nature, you’ll still need to consider whether you have enough room (and patience) for a dog that thinks they’re a lapdog but absolutely is not.
💪 They require training—LOTS of it.
A poorly trained Great Dane isn’t just an inconvenience—they’re a safety hazard. If a Dane decides to jump up on a person, drag you down the sidewalk, or ignore your recall command, you’ve got a serious problem. Good training isn’t optional—it’s essential.
🏃♀️ They need regular exercise—even if they seem like couch potatoes.
Yes, Danes love to lounge. But a sedentary lifestyle doesn’t lead to a long, healthy life. Regular low-impact exercise helps keep their joints healthy, their weight in check, and their minds engaged. Think daily walks, play sessions, and mental stimulation. Lazy doesn’t equal healthy.
❤️ They’re deeply affectionate but HIGHLY sensitive.
Danes bond hard with their people. They want to be where you are, all the time. They don’t like being left alone for long periods, and they’re not as independent as some other breeds. If you’re away from home a lot, a Dane might not be the right fit.
🩺 Their lifespan is short.
This is the hardest part of loving a Great Dane. Their average lifespan is only 7–10 years, and they’re prone to serious health issues like bloat (GDV), hip dysplasia, and heart disease. If you want a dog that will be with you for 15+ years, a Dane isn’t the breed for you.
So, Should You Get a Great Dane?
If, after reading all this, you’re still convinced a Dane is the right dog for you, do your research and find a reputable breeder—or consider rescuing one! But if you were thinking of getting one just because you loved Apollo in The Friend… maybe hold off.
Danes are wonderful, goofy, loving companions, but they’re also a lot of work, responsibility, and financial commitment. They’re not just movie stars. They’re real-life dogs who deserve homes that are prepared for everything that comes with their size, needs, and lifespan.
Before making any decision, ask yourself: Am I ready for a dog this big, this sensitive, and this short-lived?
Because a Great Dane isn’t just a pet. They’re a lifestyle.
And one that we, in particular, wouldn't have any other way ❤️❤️
