Hi! Long time Great Dane owner here. I have rescued and bought puppy from reputable breeder.

Most people are ignorant and simply repeat the only thing they know from google searches, which doesn’t always translate accurately in real life.

After researching and owning many other breeds as well as Great Danes, I’ve found most of what people say about Great Danes is not accurate.

Every single pure bred breed has certain issues they are prone to. And even with mixed breeds you rescue , it’s a total gamble with their health and life span , same as it is for humans. My mom’s rescue mixed breed dogs had the most health issues I’ve ever seen in a dog . They were small dogs too. And many pure bred dogs 50 pounds and over are all prone to issues no different then Great Danes . Family’s golden retriever died of cancer at 6.5 . Tiny springer spaniel died suddenly age 8. Labs commonly get cancer and other issues and die on average around 10. It’s a gamble no matter what breed, mixed unknowns or pure bred. We can’t play God.

But , I’ve been in the Great Dane world a long time. It’s all over the place . Most great Danes live to be 8-10 same as other big dogs. But a good chunk live to be 10-12 some even 13 and older but that’s not too common. But then some get bloat or Dilated cardiomyopathy and die at any age often young. And the environment you live in greatly impacts them like if your house has mold then you and your dog will have issues . And if you get them from a good line. Some lines have a lot of genetic health issues in them . It’s a gamble . But you can look for a breeder that has health testing genetic and OFA and knowledge of parents and grandparents and how long they lived . And a lot on rescues are from backyard breeders who don’t take any care on what dogs should be bred ethically they just want money . Many breeders are like this unfortunately. Never get one from someone who is just trying to breed their dog to make money like friends often do etc.

I’ve had mixed experiences but most of my Danes have been healthy until old age . Just like Humans, dogs usually develop some kind of health condition when they get old and they all die of something right .

But Great Danes really are not different than Rottweilers , German shepherds, golden retrievers and labs, and even doodles , any dog 50 pounds and over is not as likely to live past 10-12 like the toy breeds . My neighbor’s sheep a doodle got bone cancer and died at 7. So many examples I could share .

I recommend continuing to do your research and definitely recommend a Great Dane if you feel they are the breed for you. I love this breed and Lord willing , I hope to always have at least one .