Great Danes are a modification of the legendary Mastiffs—the tall, slender dogs with the finest skin texture you’ve ever seen. Great Danes make wonderful companions – and you can’t put a price on companionship.
These dogs are extremely loyal and fun to be around. They carry an aura of peace and can instill tranquility within whichever room they go. Living up to their nickname, these “gentle giants” really are gentle, sweet, and caring dogs.
However, you’re not going to find many Great Danes being given away for free adoption, so you’re going to have to buy one instead. Besides their height, their prices are also towering as compared to those of other canines.
Aside from that, you’re also going to have to collect some extra funds to support its diet and living standards. If you’ve been wondering about whether or not you should purchase a Great Dane, you’re in the right place!
This article will discuss everything important about the gentle giants, including the following important question: how much does a Great Dane cost?
So, what are you waiting for?
Let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
How Much Does a Great Dane Initially Cost?
There are two ways to purchase a Great Dane. If you are aiming to spend little, you can go to an adoption center. These can let you pick a Great Dane for as little as $300. However, these almost always have some prevalence of physical or psychological issues that either has ongoing treatment or need one.
This can cost you more than twice or even thrice the amount of the Dane itself. So even if you can get the dog at a minimal price, you’ll probably need to spend what you managed to save on its treatment.
Instead, you might want to buy a Great Dane from a professional breeder. With these people, the highest price of a Great Dane is set around $5,000. They’re considerably well mannered but might have a lifestyle pattern that could be too expensive for you. Their bedding, leashes, and leisure could cost you a handsome chunk of money that might be way too much for your wallet.
However, you can purchase a cheaper Great Dane from a breeder too. We’re talking about prices in the range of the early thousands. The exact price depends on how well-groomed the dog is and whether it was raised as a companion dog or as a show dog, with show dogs being on the higher end of the price spectrum.
Either way, Great Danes themselves don’t cost a whopping ten grand as some other canines do. But they still come with their fair share of expenses once they’re purchased.
A puppy’s pedigree also determines the cost. If the dog has a pure lineage with only Great Dane ancestors, it’s going to cost a great deal more than one that has a mixed lineage. Purebreds always cost more than mixed breeds!
However, there is much more to Great Danes than just their adoption cost.
So as you can see a Great Dane can cost anywhere from $300 (if adopted), all the way to $5000 if bought from a reputable breeder.)
How Much Does a Purebred Great Dane Cost?
Purebred German Great Danes with a proven pedigree and lineage certainly cost much more than mixed breeds. These include European and American mixes of this German native canine. The Great Dane’s purebred puppies can be bought at a starting price of $600 to $1,000 per pup. So if you take a full-grown mixed breed from an adoption center, it might cost you way less than a purebred Great Dane puppy.
However, purebreds are easier to train and control than mixed breed ones. These show much more predictable behavior and are protected against the variety of genetically transferred diseases from breed mixing.
Puppy Vs. Older Dog
Like all other comparisons, the Great Dane’s adult and puppy versions can be as expensive or as affordable as you can manage. Whether you own a puppy or an adult dog, both have their good and bad points that might make it somewhat easy for you to figure out a price.
Here’s what makes all the difference:
For Great Dane Puppies
Great Dane litter can cost around $1,000 if you choose to buy from a high-end breeder.
The Pros of Getting Puppies
They have naturally strong immunity that derives from their mother’s milk or from formula milk, so they can survive without needing to see the vet every now and then.
They also get their initial vaccinations as soon as they’re born, so they come with their basic protection against diseases.
They are easily trained according to the lifestyle you provide them with, so you can shape their lifestyle to be affordable for you later on.
The Cons of Getting Puppies
They have developing bodies, so any accident might result in a lasting injury, causing you to spend in rehab.
If their vaccination hasn’t completed its full course, they might be prone to diseases that can strain your finances.
You might have to avail the services of a professional trainer, hence charging you extra money.
For Great Dane Adult Dogs
Great Dane adult dogs can cost as much as $5,000 if you look for a purebred show dog. The prices go down with lower breed and behavior quality.
The Pros of Getting Adult Dogs
They have well-built immunity so they can fight against diseases, therefore no huge medical bills in the initial years of life.
They’re more comfortable to adjust with and don’t need constant professional attention.
They’re often well trained to assist a minimalist lifestyle.
The Cons of Getting Adult Dogs
They might have chronic conditions that may worsen over the years, indicating heavy treatment charges.
Their behavior can be quite problematic sometimes, hence requiring relentless therapy.
What Are The Standard Costs?
Medical bills, furnishing, toys, leashes, food, grooming kits, etc., all have a separate price tag that you’ll need to prepare yourself for.
As an estimate, you should probably save at least $8,000-10,000 on this beautiful breed. This is inclusive of all the costs that accompany any canine and may go even higher in case of any casualty.
Food
Great Danes, by their very nature, require a great quantity of food to sustain their large and growing bodies. If you adopt or purchase a puppy, it’ll easily finish 8-9 cups of dog food per day.
Once the growth process has stabilized a bit, the diet will cut down to 6 cups per day. For this reason, you can estimate around $60-$80 for a month for a premium quality diet plan that covers all their nutritional and medical requirements.
Grooming
Grooming a canine as big as the Great Dane might prove to be a bit of a challenge. You can keep a kit at home, or you can take your dog to a professional salon every once in a while. Since they’re so large, they’ll require ample amounts of shampooing and conditioning on a regular basis.
So, you can either spend on getting the products at your own disposal or scheduling salon sessions. Both ways, you should be able to spend no less than a hundred dollars on this cause.
Training
From pups to full-grown adults, you’ll need to change their habitat multiple times. If you go for a proper doghouse, it’s going to cost you anywhere between $50-$200 for the crate alone.
Include bedding, pee pans, dog bowls, and a couple of toys, and this can go up to $500. Those so cannot afford a house build an outdoor fence instead, which is much cheaper, but also a lot less comfortable.
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Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
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Full Breakdown of Recommended Vaccinations
A vaccine for a Great Dane can cost as much as $50. The most common ailments that a Great Dane needs resistance against including the following:
Distemper.
Parvovirus.
Hepatitis.
Parainfluenza.
Rabies.
Bordetella.
Leptospirosis.
Lyme disease.
Depending on the immunity, age, and health of your dog, it may need to get DHPP and Rabies vaccines. These come with a customized schedule for the first sixteen months and then with a vet-recommended plan of yearly vaccination.
Potential Health Costs
Be sure to factor in all the other important costs that go into caring for this dog. There are many potential health costs you need to keep in mind:
Vaccination costs: Vaccines against Bortadella may cost between $12 and $35. DHLPP can cost you between $25 and $50. Rabies (per year) will demand between $9 and $40. The exact price you’ll be charged depends upon your location and how exclusive your pet’s vet is.
Fecal, heartworm, and flea treatments: A single time treatment of any of these can cost up to $100 each.
Your complete vaccination and preventative treatment cost should come up to somewhere between $125 and $480, depending on your vet and location.
If you’re looking to neuter your pet, you’ll have to pay between $125 and $400 for a simple neutering operation. A spaying operation can cost between $200 and $600.
A single check-up with your Great Dane’s vet will cost you between $20 and $75. This isn’t too bad, especially if you go to a more affordable vet. Be sure to take your Great Dane for regular visits to help preserve their health! You can even go once a year or once every six months just to make sure everything is in top order.
Additionally, antibiotics can cost anywhere between $10 and $200, while an ear infection can demand $15 to $75. An x-ray typically costs between $50 and $200.
In more extreme cases, GV surgery could cost between $1000 and $5000. Gastroplexies can run at around $500. However, the latter may cost less if performed alongside another surgery, like a neutering operation or spaying.
If your Great Dane develops cardiomyopathy, which is an extremely common heart condition in these gentle giants, you may find yourself paying between $500 and $1500 per month just for meds!
Why You Shouldn’t Buy From Puppy Mills
Puppy mills can sometimes get you a dog for a lower price. However, there are many reasons why you shouldn’t buy from a puppy mill:
Inhumane Breeding Practices
Nobody should support puppy mills. These mills employ inhumane and unkind methods to “breed” their dogs.
Great Danes coming from such backgrounds are often traumatized. Within such mills, adult dogs are seen as birthing machines that create children until they are too old. They are then discarded, like a worn-out tool, often euthanized or left on the streets.
Some of these breeders claim to be “USDA-inspected” or “AKC approved” when they are actually using these monstrous practices instead.
False Pedigrees
Many puppy mill owners use unfair means to create false pedigrees for their dogs.
As you can see, puppy mills are just not the kind of place you want to buy from. Try searching for a well-reputed breeder instead!
What to Look For in a Great Dane Breeder
Here are some things you should be on the lookout for when searching for a Great Dane breeder:
Reputation: Ask around in trusted dog communities; you’re bound to get many breeder recommendations from real people with real buying experiences.
Facility: You should also try visiting the breeder’s facility and check how well they treat their dogs.
Pedigree: Your chosen breeder should be able to provide you with a pedigree. If they can’t, then you’re in the wrong place.
Keeping these tips in mind when looking for a Great Dane breeder can prove to be extremely useful. The most important thing is reputation, though, and the breeder’s attitude towards the dogs. The kinder they are, the better.
Differences in Expensive vs. Cheap Great Danes
Below are some common differences between expensive and cheaper Great Danes:
Coat: More expensive Great Danes will have coats that are remarkably shiny (due to their superior dog feed, grooming, and genetics), whereas cheaper ones will have less lustrous coats. Softer coats are also more common amongst pricey Great Danes.
Attitude: Some breeders will charge more for a Great Dane that they know has a likable attitude. The more obedient and caring a dog is, the higher the price tag.
Upbringing: Expensive Great Danes have a great upbringing; their breeder will have trained them well and taught them to be patient and use the litter instead of dropping bombs everywhere. All of these things count greatly when deciding a dog’s price!
These common differences contribute to a Great Dane’s price point. The higher you pay, the better the dog’s attitude, appearance, and upbringing!
Recap
Now that you’ve gone through our Great Dane guide let’s do a brief recap of everything we learned. Great Danes cost a significant amount, but of course, the price you pay depends on a variety of factors. For example, where you purchase the dog from and whether you’re looking for a puppy or an adult dog.
It’s also essential to remember that buying one is just part of the initial investment. You’re going to have to keep up with food costs, grooming expenses, and regular vet check-ups if needed.
If you’re considering buying a Great Dane, do keep all these costs in mind! Also, you should avoid puppy mills and try to adopt dogs instead. If you’re looking for a show dog, though, then a private breeder is your best bet at getting the dog of your dreams.
