If you're looking for a perfect mix of guard dog and companion, consider the Great Dane, one of the largest dog breeds.

Bev Klingensmith could've never dreamed her champion Great Dane, "Bing," would be asked to be the star of a movie. Now, Bing is on billboards across the country.

Seven-year-old Tobi is more than a diving dog; he has nine lives! Surviving bloat and three colonic torsions, he's competing at the AKC Diving Premier Cup.

Diving Dog Millie is a 4-year-old brindle Great Dane who has jumped 24.5 feet in Diving Dogs, and is competing at the Diving Dogs Challenge airing on April 9, 2023, on ESPN2.

The Great Dane's history is rich in defining a breed that is both regal and gentle in temperament for a sunshine-like dog fit for a god.

Great Danes are easy to spot—thanks to their physical magnitude—and quite easy to live with too, despite their large stature. The breed is known to be friendly, patient, and dependable. They are gentle giants who get along well with kids and are loyal and lovable pets all around. However, their large size and [...]

Training a new puppy does not come with a one-size-fits-all approach — especially when dealing with a very large breed like the Great Dane. “Great Danes are considered working dogs and are intelligent dogs," says Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified trainer and Founder of Fun Paw Cares. “Still, all [dogs] are individuals." Hartstein points out [...]

They’re certainly great, but did you know they’re not Danish? Dogs resembling Great Danes appear as far back as ancient Egyptian carvings, but the modern Great Dane was actually bred in Germany in the 1800s.

Big, brave, and beautiful, Great Danes hold a special place in our hearts. But despite their larger-than-life persona, this giant breed has a relatively short life span. Why Are Great Dane Life Spans So Short? For such big dogs, Great Danes sure get the short end of the stick when it comes to longevity. Great [...]

These Great Danes, Calla and Wrigley, waited six months for their owner to return from military service in Afghanistan. Spending many days at a dog daycare, they were used to people coming and going. But one day, someone walked through the door that had them bounding with joy— literally.  The feels are so [...]

Love is in the air during the month of February, and many dog owners find their “true love” in a canine companion, warming their laps and their hearts. To help keep those hearts happy and healthy, dogs and humans alike benefit from a daily walk or play time in the yard. However, there are many [...]

Tuxedos are usually reserved for formal affairs, but Brittany Cipriotti of Warrenton, Virginia, lives with that striking black-and-white pattern day in and day out. Under her Ellenni banner, she breeds mantle Great Danes with her mentor and co-breeder Kristi Allison of Blackstone Great Danes, as well as similarly patterned but more vertically understated Boston Terriers [...]

“Times Past,” AKC Gazette: Lina Basquette (1907–1994) did enough living for 10 lifetimes: Ziegfeld Follies dancer, movie star, widow of Sam Warner (of Warner Brothers fame), and fabulously successful breeder-handler-judge of Great Danes. Basquette handled her Honey Hollow Danes to 125 BIS, 500 group wins, and more than 1,000 BOB. Along the way, she was married nine [...]

Though she's barely taller than the tips of her Great Dane's ears, Junior Handler Olivia Betancourt shines in the conformation ring.

With over 200 AKC-recognized breeds, modern dogs come in many shapes and sizes. From the tiny Chihuahua to the giant Irish Wolfhound, it’s hard to believe they’re the same species. It's even more shocking that all dogs are descended from gray wolves. The range of traits seen in today’s dogs is often attributed [...]

Many people think their dog is a senior at seven years old. But there are many factors in when a dog becomes a senior, aside from age.

Learn the causes, signs, and treatment options for laryngeal paralysis in dogs, and how to help maximize your dog's quality of life.

The American Kennel Club is the world's largest registry of purebred dogs, and uses these statistics to rank the most popular breeds — and the rarest breeds. The numbers are in: these are the rarest dog breeds according to AKC registration statistics. In 2025, 202 total breeds were counted in the registration statistics. In 2026, 205 breeds will be counted [...]

The American Kennel Club has released registration statistics for 2025. Who will be crowned the most popular breed?

Learn about the signs and management options for megaesophagus in dogs, an esophageal condition that causes regurgitation and associated complications.

Cooling mats and other similar products for dogs intend to provide relief and prevent heatstroke on hot days. Many rely on pressure-activated gel.

Kim Berkley and her Border Collies "Zayne" and "Zuko" are household names in obedience. But Berkley actually got her start in horse dressage.

Learning about why dogs sigh and what can be confused with sighing can help us enhance our pets emotional and physical well-being.

Loyal, courageous, and always up for a good game, Boxers never shy away from showing off their silly side. Learn more about Boxer history.

The easygoing Great Dane, the mighty “Apollo of Dogs,” is a total joy to live with—but owning a dog of such imposing size, weight, and strength is a commitment not to be entered into lightly. This breed is indeed great, but not a Dane.

  The American Kennel Club® announced recently that the Illini Great Dane Club (IGDC) of Wesmont, Illinois has been named a recipient of the AKC® Community Achievement Award for expanding its yearly match show into an extensive AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day (RDO Day) event. The IGDC received one of three awards for [...]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior [...]

The AKC Agility Department is excited to welcome Dan Wolfson of Florida to the AKC Agility Field Representative team. Dan has been an agility competitor since 20024 and an agility judge since 2016. He looks forward to working with judges, clubs and competitors in his new role. From his earliest memories, dogs have always been part of [...]

AKC Group Standards Download AKC approved breed standards by complete group for use on any portable electronic device. Sporting Hound Working Terrier Toy Non-Sporting Herding Misc. Judges Study Guide No single written guide is ever comprehensive enough to be the only learning tool utilized in preparation for judging a new breed. We urge you to [...]

SUMMARY Proposed changes to Greenville County, South Carolina’s Animals and Fowl ordinance are currently under consideration by the Greenville County Council.  Among its many changes, the proposal appears to require all “pet breeders”, including fanciers and enthusiasts who breed purebred dogs as a hobby, to register as a business and implement significant changes to [...]