Great Dane Price Guide: A Complete Breakdown of Costs in 2024

Great Dane Characteristics

A hunting dog from the middle ages, the Great Dane is a hunting dog that originated in Germany and was originally for the German nobility. The term great can be given to its size as it is one of the largest dog breeds in the world. But as intimidating as it looks, the inner personality is just as soft and friendly. They are rightly referred to as the ‘gentle giants.’

Initially, they were used for hunting boars, deer, and bears for the nobility. They are mastiff sighthound type dogs which were previously also called "German Dogge" and "German Mastiff."

‘Apollo of dogs’ as termed by the AKC, these dogs are available in a variety of colors, including fawn, brindle, black, harlequin, grey merle, mantle, and blue. Despite them being a hunting-type breed, they do not have a very strong prey drive. They will make humans, other pets, and even non-canine pets feel comfortable around them. There is a reason they are called gentle giants.

What is the price of a Great Dane? 

The price of a Great Dane will include its adoption, initial costs, and the other expenses that could be incurred thereafter in its maintenance. We will break down the price by categorizing it by initial buying/adoption costs, vaccinations, diets, healthcare, grooming, and miscellaneous expenses.

According to Rover and the OVMA, here are the average costs of puppy ownership in Canada.

Adoption: $100 – $300  

One reason for the huge price range when it comes to Great Dane cost is that there are several ways to get one. The most common way is to get in touch with a reputable breeder and buy a pup from them. The cost can vary depending on the reputation of the breeder, the health of the pup, gender, and age, among other factors, but on average it will cost you around $1200. And if the breeder provides papers, the cost can go up to around $2000-$2500. Talking about coat colors which can influence the price, a Harlequin Great Dane price can be around $2000 because of the rarity of the color. A blue or merle Great Dane on the other hand can cost about $1500 as they are not as rare. More common colors like white and black may cost an average of $1000.

If you are looking for Great Dane puppies for under $200, then adoption can be a great option for you. There are several adoption shelters that can help you adopt one of these. The only problem is that it may be difficult to find the exact color or age you’re looking for. But nonetheless, adoption is a great way to get a Great Dane, and you’re helping the shelter to provide services for other dogs! The cost of adoption is around $100-$300.

Monthly costs for a Great Dane

Diets: $60-$120

With a great name (literally) and a great size comes a great appetite. These dogs will have to be fed more food than an average size dog in order to help maintain their physique and energy requirements. A good vet-recommended raw dog food could cost you around $100 per month. You can also add meat, eggs, fruits, and vegetables (not all, so read about them before feeding) to their diet once in a while. Supplements are recommended to help boost their joint health.

Grooming: $50-$60

Grooming these Great dogs is where you can try to compensate for the food and diet expenses. Due to their short coats, they do not require much grooming. Brushing them a couple of times a week and taking care of their teeth, ears, and nails would be substantial. The costs of grooming supplies if you decide to groom your pet at home could cost around $50-$60.

Medical Costs: $700-$1200

During the first years, it is recommended you take your pet to the vet about 3-4 times annually. Vet fees can range from $100 to $300, and could include things like annual wellness exams and blood tests among other recommended preventive care treatments. Other examinations and tests could cost you another $300-$400.

One-time costs for a Great Dane

Initial Costs: $400-$500

Big dogs will need big quality toys, a big bed, a big crate, leashes and collars, food and water bowls, among other initial items. Overall, the expense for all these can be around $500.

Microchipping: $50-$70

The average cost of microchipping is around $50, but may vary depending on where you live. Along with a dog license, it could cost an additional 10-20 bucks. Spot pet insurance encourages pet parents to get all their pets microchipped as it can help increase the chances of finding a lost pet.

Vaccinations: $250-$300

There are certain core vaccinations that a Great Dane would need. These include distemper, parvovirus, Adenovirus, type 1, Adenovirus, type 2, and rabies. All of these could cost you around $150-$200.

There are certain non-core vaccinations as well that are recommended by most vets for a Great Dane. These include parainfluenza, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis. The cost of these vaccines can be around $130-$150.

Miscellaneous $200-$250

There should always be a sum of money kept aside for miscellaneous expenses like dog sitting, park visits, trips that you could take with your dog, and dog walkers. These expenses could cost around $250 annually.

Lifetime Great Dane Cost

Our estimate of the monthly costs is around $250-$300, which brings our annual costs to around $3000. Adding the initial buying cost, initial costs, and other one-time and miscellaneous costs, we can conclude that a Great Dane could cost you around $30,000-$35,000 in its lifetime.

Conclusion

The 36 inches-tall gentle giants may not be an easy ride for your wallet. The overall costs and the medical costs can be heavy on your pockets over the course of your Great Danes life. However, if your budget allows, then these dogs will repay you with their undying love, affection, and playfulness.

Happy Parenting to you and Lots of Love to your Pup!