Mini Great Danes are the pocket-sized variety of the purebred giant Great Danes. They result from dwarfism or breeding smaller Great Danes. Hence, they are not officially recognized by any canine clubs. Although they are “mini,” they are still large compared to other miniature dog breeds.
Mini Great Danes have the same temperament and qualities as a Standard Great Dane. However, they are not runts or in miniature sizes because of health issues. Any Great Dane smaller than the standard breeds can be marked as “mini.” They are also called by different names, “pocket-sized,” “dwarf,” or “teacup” Great Danes. Welcome these pocket surprises into your routine life and enjoy their companionship!
Table of Contents
Mini Great Dane Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Highly energetic
Prone to separation anxiety
Highly trainable
Unsuitable for new owners
Mini Great Dane Basic Information
Name: Mini Great Dane
Height: 20 – 26 inches
Weight: 90 pounds
Color: Harlequin, fawn, mantle, blue, brindle, black
A Mini Great Dane is a powerful, elegant, colossal dog that stands 20 to 26 inches tall and weighs approximately 90 pounds. However, no perfect measurement fits the term “mini” for Great Danes. Their head is narrow, massive, and flat. Their eyebrows are prominent, and their ears are floppy and cropped to erect. Mini Great Dane has a long, muscular neck with an equally long and muscular body, forequarters, and hindquarters. Their tails are medium in length, tapered down the hocks, and thick at the base. They are moderate shedders; however, they can be heavy shedders during the shedding season. Their coats are short, smooth, and silky and come in harlequin, fawn, mantle, blue, brindle, or black. They have a short life span.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
High
Pet-friendly
High
Stranger -friendly
High
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
Low to medium
Good to new owners
Low
Sensitivity level
High
Tolerates being alone
Low
Cold-tolerance
Low to medium
Heat-tolerance
Medium
Mini Great Dane Temperament
Mini Great Danes are gentle, affectionate, and playful in disposition. They are sweet, people-pleasers and make good guard dogs. Mini Great Danes love kids and get along well with them. They will coexist with other pets with their gentle demeanor. However, they thrive for people and can’t tolerate being alone. Although he is highly trainable, he can be a stubborn learner sometimes. Mini Great Danes are unsuitable for new owners. They are highly energetic and prepared to perform tasks. Thus, mini Great Danes are an amalgam of these qualities rolled into one:
Affectionate
Loyal
Calm
Guarding
Playful
People pleasers
Gentle
Mini Great Dane Training
Early socialization and training are recommended for Mini Great Danes. Mini Great Danes require obedience training as well. An experienced owner can handle mini Great Danes. They need to be gently trained as they are susceptible. Mini Great Danes are easy to house-train and respond well to positive reinforcements. They can be vocal, and training should be given to bark only when necessary. These canines can be excellent human and pet companions when trained and socialized early. Their training methods should include the following:
Mini Great Danes are active, energetic dogs that may need daily exercise. A brisk walk twice or thrice daily would be sufficient for these dog breeds. They can be great companions for jogging and hiking. Pet owners should bear two things in mind during their exercise sessions. Firstly, Mini Great Danes should not be allowed to exercise before two years of age to avoid the destruction of joints. Secondly, they should not do vigorous exercise during mealtime as this can cause a risk of bloating. They are scent hounds, so they should be kept on a leash and let free only in tall, secured fenced areas. Few Mini Great Danes enjoy taking part in obedience, agility, tracking, pulling weight events, and dog sports like Flyball.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level
High
Exercise needs
High
Intensity
High
Playfulness
High
Mini Great Dane Grooming
Mini Great Danes bear a thin coat that doesn’t shed heavily. Since their fur is short, the chances of matting are relatively low. So the pet owners would need to brush them occasionally to remove the dead hair. Though they have a short, smooth, and silky coat, they may shed heavily during the shedding season, and brushing is mandatory during those times of the year with a slicker brush. Their grooming regime will include the following:
Maintaining their dental hygiene as a part of regular grooming.
It is mandatory to bathe him every two months with a mild bath shampoo for dogs. Also, since they have a moderately high drooling tendency, pet owners must keep a hand towel to wipe the Mini Great Dane’s mouth. Some grooming product suggestions are as follows:
Mini Great Danes are relatively healthy breeds. However, like any other breeds, they are prone to health conditions stemming from their lineage. Thus, to keep them healthy, it is vital to take your dog to the veterinarian for regular health checkups and ensure that he is updated with vaccinations. The lifespan of a Mini Great Dane is 7 – 9 years. Some inherited health problems are listed below:
Health Overview
Overall health
Medium to high
Weight gain tendencies
Low to medium
Size
High
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition in which the thigh bone would not fit into the hip joints. X-ray screening for hip dysplasia can be done at the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. It is challenging to breed dogs with hip dysplasia. Do not buy a puppy without asking the breeder for proof that the parents have been tested and are hip dysplasia-free.
Elbow Dysplasia: Elbow dysplasia occurs when the elbow joint bones don’t align properly. This misalignment causes abnormal pressure at the joint, leading to chronic rubbing and being prone to severe osteoarthritis. Symptoms include:
Mild to moderate pain
Lameness in the forelimbs
Although the symptoms begin to show as early as four months, some dogs will not show these signs until later in life. Further, the disorder may also injure the elbows, but one of them may be heavily affected.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: A life-threatening condition that affects deep-chested dogs like Mini Great Danes, especially if they have an overfed meal, eat rapidly, drink excessive amounts of water, or exercise vigorously after eating. Gastric Dilatation Volvulus leads to bloating in the stomach. Your dog cannot vomit to get rid of excess air in his stomach, and blood flow to the heart is prevented. Blood pressure lowers, and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog may die. Suspect bloat if your dog is drooling excessively and is not throwing up. He might be restless with rapid heartbeats. If you notice the above symptoms, take your furry friend to the doctor as soon as possible.
Cardiac Disease: Heart problems may be present in Mini Great Dane, including mitral and tricuspid valve murmurs. They may develop a murmur as early as four to six years due to a leaky mitral valve.
Osteosarcoma: Bone cancer is malignant, common in breeds like the Mini Great Danes.
Recommended Tests for Mini Great Danes
Hip Evaluation
Elbow Evaluation
Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Thyroid Evaluation
Cardiac Evaluation
Mini Great Dane Diet and Nutrition
Mini Great Danes should be fed high-quality dog food appropriate to their age, activity, weight, and height. Pet owners should bear one thing vital when Mini Great Danes are concerned – bloating. The causes of bloat may vary. Mini Great Danes are high-energy dogs and require several commercial kibbles high in proteins, but consider supplementing the kibbles with rich quality lean meat and canned dog food.
Depending on his size, age, weight, and activities, consult your veterinarian and feed him the amount of food he will need. You can divide his meal time into two or three per his veterinarian’s suggestions. According to vets, you can avoid bloat by feeding multiple small meals to your dogs per day. Also, avoid giving vigorous exercise after or before mealtime. Some suggestions on how to provide Mini Great Danes are as follows:
Time
Male
Female
3 to 6 months
4 – 8 cups
3 – 6 cups
8 months to 1 year
6 – 10 cups
5 – 8 cups
Adolescents
9 – 15 cups
8 cups
Adults
8 – 10 cups
6 – 8 cups
The quantity should be divided into three meals for puppies and into two meals for adults, per day.
Mini Great Dane Living Condition
Mini Great Danes will require the following living conditions to lead a happy and healthy life:
Mini Great Danes must be trained to ensure they are manageable when they grow up.
They need a fenced yard and ample space to run around.
A regular exercise regime can make them obedient dogs.
A typical grooming regime keeps Mini Great Danes healthy.
If you live in an apartment, you must ensure that you provide time for his physical exertion.
Adding a Mini Great Dane to Your Family
Things to Remember Before Adding a Mini Great Dane
Adding a Mini Great Dane to your family will need proper research about their parent breed, cost, breeders, health, and certificates. Then, get your Mini Great Dane from a reputable breeder who will provide you with vaccines and gene testing certificates. Also, make sure you check the health of the puppy’s parent breeds.
