Breed guide
Great Dane Breeding Guide: Litter Size, Whelping, Puppy Weights and Health Testing
Updated September 6, 2026 · 6 min read · By the BreedBloom team
Great Danes are a giant breed with a short lifespan and a specific cardiac burden (dilated cardiomyopathy). Neonates are large but the dam's size makes crushing a genuine risk; whelping needs supervision.
Great Dane at a glance
Typical litter size
7–10 puppies (average around 8)
Birth weight
16–24 oz (450–680 g)
Adult weight
110–175 lb (50–80 kg)
Gestation
About 63 days from ovulation (57–72 from breeding)
Whelping
Free-whelping is usual, but litters of 12+ and a dam that tires easily are common. The puppy count from radiographs matters; extra hands are needed to keep puppies warm and away from the dam's weight.
Breeding and whelping notes
Bloat (GDV) is the breed's leading emergency; prophylactic gastropexy is worth discussing with families.
DCM screening by echocardiogram, and ideally Holter, before each breeding.
Growth: no supplements beyond a large-breed diet; hypertrophic osteodystrophy and panosteitis are common in fast-growing pups.
Puppies go home at 20–30 lb; equip families for the size they are about to live with.
Health testing before breeding
•
Hips: OFA or PennHIP
•
Cardiac: echocardiogram by a cardiologist (dilated cardiomyopathy) annually
•
Thyroid panel
•
Eyes: CAER exam
•
Elbows: OFA
•
Many programs add DM and a Holter
Keep the paperwork attached
Test results are only useful when they travel with the dog. Keep certificate numbers and dates on each dog's record and include copies in every go-home packet.
Tracking a Great Dane litter
Enter the ovulation or tie date and BreedBloom builds the Great Dane litter timeline: ultrasound window, X-ray count reminder, temperature checks, the day 3–16 ENS/ESI schedule, deworming and vaccination tasks, and per-puppy weight curves you can compare against the whole litter. Families follow along in the BloomPetz portal, and the go-home packet is assembled from the same records.
About these figures
Figures on this page are typical ranges drawn from breed club and veterinary references; individual lines vary. Confirm health-testing requirements with your breed's parent club, and whelping plans with your reproductive veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
How many puppies do Great Danes have?
Typically 7–10, average around 8; very large litters occur.
What health tests do Great Dane breeders do?
Hips, a cardiologist echocardiogram for DCM, thyroid, eyes and elbows are the standard panel.
Run your program on BreedBloom
Dogs, litters, puppy weights, ENS/ESI tasks, waitlists, contracts and go-home packets in one connected record, with a family portal built in. Free for up to 3 dogs.
© 2026 BreedBloom. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy
·
Terms of Service
Contact support@breedbloom.com