How much does a Great Dane cost? (price, grooming, more)

The Great Dane’s cost can vary from $500 to upwards of $3000 for a single Great Dane puppy. However, this is just the initial cost of acquiring the puppy. The are other Great Dane costs that one may incur while owning this dog such as feeding cost, grooming, medical fees, and more.

Most potential Great Dane owners only tend to focus on the price of getting the puppy.

But this is a lifetime commitment that and one should consider all the cost estimate, especially of the dog’s essential such as medical cost and feeding the dog.

You may also be interested in the Blue Great Dane Guide. 

So, how much does a Great Dane cost?

Well, in this informative guide we are going to breakdown all the costs that you should know about if you are looking to add this gentle giant as the next family member.

Great Dane costs in a nutshell

You should note that the table above only breaks down summary estimates of some of the essentials that you may need to own and take care of your Great Dane.

How much does a Great Dane Puppy cost?

On average, a Great Dane puppy will cost you around $600 from a breeder. However, the initial price of the puppy can vary from around $500 to upwards of $3000.

This price will be determined by several factors such as the breeder, location, pedigree, and so on. Keep reading as we are going to look at some of the factors that can affect this puppy’s cost.

But adoption is also a great idea if you are looking to own this gentle giant also known as the “Apollo of all dogs.”

The price to adopt a Great Dane can go for around $200 depending on the shelter’s rates which is way cheaper than buying a puppy from a breeder. 

You also get to save on other costs such as the cost of vaccination.

However, as much as adoption has its perks, there some disadvantages that may arise due to the same decision.

Pros of adopting a Great Dane dog

1. Dogs are usually vaccinated.
2. Older dogs are calmer than puppies.
3. Already toilet trained most of the time.
4. Most of them may have basic obedience and agility training.
5. You get a full check of the dog’s health up front.

Great Dane adoption cons

1. It is harder to train an older Great Dane than a puppy.
2. Some may have some unwanted behaviors that may take time to correct.
3. The dog may take time to adapt to the new environment and may even suffer from anxiety.

But all options considered the benefits of adopting a Gentle Giant outweigh the disadvantages.

You should take time to make the dog feel comfortable in the new environment and spend most of the time with him to prevent him from getting lonely or even anxious.

Factors that may affect the initial cost of a Great Dane

Pedigree

A pedigree is a canine friend whose lineage has been recorded and there is proof that the dog is purebred.

Whether a Great Dane is bred to be a Show Dog or a pet can make a huge difference in the initial price.

Show line Danes are bred from award-winning parents and meet all the dog’s breed standards. The breeder of these show line dogs are certified by major kennel clubs and, therefore, charge more for their puppies.

These show line Danes can cost upwards of $3,000 up to $10,000. 

Non-show line Gentle Giants are mainly bred to be kept as pets and are cheaper than those meant for conformation.

These dogs are great and a reputable breeder will charge you around $600 on average for puppies.

Location

The location where you get your Great Dane can also affect the price of the puppy.

If you are getting your puppy from an area with only one breeder with a waiting line, he or she will charge you much more for the puppy.

Puppies from areas with more breeders will be cheaper as they compete with each other.

Quality and dog coat color

There are several colors and variations of the Great Dane that you can learn more about by visiting the guide in the link.

White Great Danes are the rarest but being rare does not always mean expensive while the popular color for this dog is fawn.

Gender

The can be a difference between the price of a female Great Dane and a male one but it is a small difference.

Also, because Male Danes grow bigger than their female counterparts, they may cost more to maintain and feed.

Age of the puppy

Most breeders let go of their puppies at the age of between 8 and 12 weeks.

At this age, the breeder may ask more money for the puppy but as he/she ages, the price drops.

Vet and health care bills

Great Danes are big dogs that are susceptible to conditions such as bloat, joint dysplasia, hypothyroidism, arthritis, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other health conditions.

These health problems can be expensive to treat.

Medical fees are different from the initial cost of getting the puppy as this can be a recurring cost.

It is always recommended that you take your Great Dane for a health checkup often or when you suspect he may have a health condition. On average, a medical check-up will cost about $50.

Before you get a Dane here are some of the conditions that you should get him tested for;

• Cardiac Evaluation (Congenital Cardiac Exam)
• Hip Dysplasia (PennHip Evaluation and OFA evaluation)
• Eye examination
• Autoimmune Thyroiditis

These tests should be carried out by qualified veterinarians in approved labs and can differ depending on the vet you visit.

Treatment costs

After taking your Gentle Giant for a medical check-up, he may or may not be found with a medical condition.

If the former is true, he will, therefore, need treatment. Below is a break down of some of the estimates to treat some of the condition that may occur in this canine;

Insurance cost

Vet bills can be extremely high and the above table only scratches the surface of some of the conditions that Great Dane owners may need to treat.

This is why it is great to get an insurance cover for your dog which you can pay monthly. Doing this will save you a great deal of money, especially if your Great Dane suffers from a life-threatening condition and for emergencies.

A good pet insurance cover will cost around $50 per month but can range from $10 to $150 per month depending on what the insurance covers.

Neuter and spay services cost

Due to the size of the Great Dane, spay and neuter services may cost more compared to other breeds such as the German Shepherd.

Typically, Dane neuter operations can cost between $140 to $450 while spaying may cost between $200 to $600.

How much does Grooming a Great Dane cost?

Unlike grooming dogs such as Poodles, the Great Dane does not have high grooming requirements.

Therefore, the visit to the groomer will not be as expensive or as time intensive.

You should visit the groomer every 6 to 8 weeks if you are not willing to do the grooming by yourself and this can cost you between $50 and $150 per grooming session. 

Grooming supplies can cost between $50 and $120 for the essential supplies that you may need if you are going to groom you Gentle Giant by yourself. This will include a brush, comb, nail clippers, shampoo, and so on.

Feeding costs

This is a large pooch and he will, therefore, have a large diet.

For you, this will mean spending more on the dog’s food but the amount you feed him will also depend on age.

• 6 weeks to 3 months- Males: 2 cups, Females: 1.5 cups.
• 3 to 6 months- Males: 3 to 6 cups, Females: 2.5 to 5 cups.
• 8 to 12 months- Males: 6 to 9 cups, Females: 4 to 7 cups.
• 12 to 18 moths(adolescents)- Males: 8 to 12 cups, Females: 6 to 10 cups.
• Adults- Males: 7 to 10 cups, Females: 5 to 8 cups.

You will need to invest in high-quality dry food that ma cost between $30 and $50 for a 40lb bag of kibble.

Depending on the food and the treats you purchase you should expect to spend between $80 and $150 per month on feeding a Great Dane. 

Training

Training your Gentle Giant by yourself is best if you are comfortable doing it and if you have experience in basic training.

The alternative is to take your dog for training classes and personal training lessons by professionals.

Puppy training classes can cost between $10 and $20 while personal training lessons will cost between $30 and $200.

Doggie supplies

Crates

A large Great Dane crate will cost between $150 and $300 depending on the quality and material used.

You will also need decent beddings for the dog that can range widely in cost. A good quality bed will cost around $100 but some can go for as low as $30.

Collar/harness and leash

It Will cost you between $10 and $50 per piece depending on the quality.

I would recommend using a harness instead of a collar as it causes less strain on your dog.

Great Dane dishes and Toys cost

Toys are not only for small dogs but large dogs such as Great Danes love to play too.

Toys can cost between $5 and $100 depending on the number and type of toy you are getting.

You will also need to have some doggie dishes for water and food that will cost you as low as $5 per piece.

Miscellaneous costs

These are costs that you may not have planned for.

There are some days you may need someone to walk your dog for you when you are busy or take the dog to doggie care.

On average a dog daycare will cost around $30 give or take per day.

Great Dane cost Summary

Owning a dog is a commitment that may require you to spend money even after purchasing the canine from your breeder.

So, if you are planning to get a Great Dane you can use this dog breed cost guide to help you estimate how much you will be spending on the pooch annually.

We would also love to hear what you have to say in the comment section below.

There you go, WOOF!