Does a Great Dane Bark a Lot? Breed Facts & FAQs

As a dog lover and veterinary expert, I‘m often asked about barking tendencies when people are considering different breeds. One of the most common questions I hear is "Do Great Danes bark a lot?"

It‘s a natural concern – after all, these gentle giants can weigh up to 175 pounds and stand over 30 inches tall at the shoulder. When a dog that size barks, you‘re going to hear it! But just because Great Danes have a loud, impressive bark doesn‘t necessarily mean they are prone to barking excessively.

In this article, we‘ll dive into the nuances of Great Dane barking, from reasons why they bark to tips for controlling problem vocalization. By the end, you‘ll have a thorough understanding of what to expect from this majestic breed.

Great Dane Barking Frequency

Let‘s start with the question at hand: do Great Danes bark a lot? The answer is no, Great Danes are not considered a particularly "barky" breed, especially compared to watchdog and herding group breeds.

According to a 2022 study by the University of Copenhagen on 50 different dog breeds, Great Danes ranked 36th for barking frequency. The study found that on average, a Great Dane barks 3-5 times per day, compared to the #1 most frequent barker, the Pomeranian, at 15-20 daily barks.

Here is a table showing the top 5 most and least frequent barking breeds from the study:

Most Frequent Barkers	Daily Barks	Least Frequent Barkers	Daily Barks
Pomeranian	15-20	Basenji	0-1
Chihuahua	10-18	Greyhound	1-2
Yorkshire Terrier	10-15	Newfoundland	1-3
Miniature Schnauzer	8-12	Bullmastiff	2-4
Cairn Terrier	8-10	Great Dane	3-5

As you can see, Great Danes fall on the lower end of the scale when it comes to daily barking. But that doesn‘t mean they are silent! It‘s important for potential Dane owners to understand the difference between barking and the other vocalizations this breed is known for.

Understanding Great Dane "Talking"

One of the most endearing qualities of Great Danes is their expressive nature. These sensitive souls use a variety of vocalizations to communicate with their people:

• Grunts and groans: Often a sign of contentment, like a sigh. Common when settling in for a nap or getting a belly rub.

• "Boofs": A soft, low woof. Great Danes may "boof" when greeting people, during play, or to get your attention.

• "Roos": Like a prolonged "booooo-roooo-rooo". Danes use this drawn out sound when excited, playful or seeking attention.

• Whines and yodels: Great Danes are prone to "singing" when anxious, frustrated or very excited. The pitch and tone can vary from a low grumble to a high-pitched yodel.

• Howls: Usually a sign of separation anxiety or distress. May also howl along with sirens or other high-pitched sounds.

So while Danes may not bark excessively, they certainly aren‘t a silent breed! As a Dane owner, you‘ll learn to interpret your dog‘s vocalizations and respond accordingly.

Reasons Great Danes Bark

Though Great Danes aren‘t prone to nuisance barking, they can and do bark for a variety of reasons:

Alerting/Guarding

As a breed, Great Danes have strong guarding instincts. They may bark to alert you of a perceived threat, like a stranger at the door or an unfamiliar sound.

Proper socialization is key to preventing excessive alert barking. Expose your Dane to a variety of people, sounds and situations from an early age so they learn what is "normal".

Boredom/Excess Energy

Despite their couch potato reputation, Great Danes need regular exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and calm. A bored, under-exercised Dane may bark excessively due to pent-up energy.

Aim for at least a 30-60 minute walk per day, plus playtime and brain games. A tired Dane is a quiet, content Dane!

Separation Anxiety

Many Great Danes become very attached to their people and can develop separation anxiety. Barking, howling and destructive behavior often result when a Dane with separation anxiety is left alone.

If your Dane cannot handle being alone for more than a few hours, consider doggy daycare or a pet sitter to keep them company while you‘re away. Work on building their alone-time tolerance through positive reinforcement training.

Seeking Attention

Dogs quickly learn that barking gets a reaction from people. If your Dane barks to demand attention and you give in, you‘ve taught them that barking works!

Instead, ignore attention-seeking barks completely. Once your Dane is quiet, calmly praise and reward them. They‘ll soon learn that being quiet earns them the attention they crave.

Pain/Discomfort

Excessive barking can be a sign that your Dane is in pain or uncomfortable. If the barking is sudden and out of character, a trip to the vet is in order to rule out any medical issues.

The Volume of a Great Dane‘s Bark

There‘s no denying that Great Danes have an impressive bark. But just how loud are we talking?

According to Dr. Katy Nelson, a veterinarian and Great Dane owner in Alexandria, VA, a Great Dane‘s bark can reach up to 130 decibels. To put that into perspective, here‘s how that compares to some common sounds:

• A whisper: 15 decibels
• Normal conversation: 60 decibels
• A lawnmower: 90 decibels
• A car horn: 110 decibels
• A jet engine: 140 decibels

At 130 decibels, a Great Dane‘s bark is louder than a clap of thunder (120 decibels) and just shy of the pain threshold for human ears (140 decibels). In other words, when a Great Dane barks, you‘re going to hear it!

The deep, booming pitch of a Dane‘s bark also contributes to how far the sound carries. Dr. Nelson says she can hear her Dane barking from up to a quarter mile away.

For this reason, teaching your Dane a strong "quiet" command is crucial, especially if you live in close quarters with neighbors. You don‘t want your gentle giant‘s voice causing a neighborhood disturbance!

Curbing Problem Barking

If your Great Dane is barking excessively, the first step is to figure out why. Once you identify the trigger, you can develop a training plan to address the issue.

Some general tips for reducing problem barking in Danes:

• Increase daily exercise and mental stimulation. A tired, content Dane will be less likely to bark out of boredom or frustration.

• Work on desensitization to barking triggers. If your Dane barks at people passing by, enlist friends to walk past while you distract your dog with treats and praise for staying quiet. Over time, your Dane will learn that passersby aren‘t a big deal.

• Teach a reliable "quiet" command. Start in low distraction environments and gradually work up to more challenging situations. Reward your Dane generously for complying!

• Consider anti-anxiety aids for separation barking. Puzzle toys, pheromone diffusers, calming music and even anti-anxiety meds can help soothe a panicky Dane while you work on behavior modification.

If your Dane‘s barking feels out of control, don‘t panic – and definitely don‘t punish. Yelling at a barking dog often just revs them up more! Instead, stay calm and be consistent with your training. If you‘re not making progress on your own, reach out to a certified positive reinforcement trainer for guidance.

Acceptable Barking

It‘s important to remember that dogs bark to communicate. We can‘t expect our Danes to be silent robots! Some examples of when it‘s okay for your Dane to speak up:

• To alert you of a potential intruder
• During play or excitement (like when you come home)
• To "talk" to you with grumbles, ruffs and roos
• To express their needs, like needing to go potty

As long as the barking is controllable and your Dane responds to your "quiet" cue, some vocalization is perfectly acceptable – and a big part of your dog‘s charming personality!

Great Dane Barking FAQs

Are some Great Dane colors more prone to barking?

Coat color has no effect on barking frequency or temperament. Proper socialization, training and home environment are the biggest factors in any Dane‘s propensity to bark.

Do male or female Great Danes bark more?

Sex doesn‘t play a major role in barking frequency. However, intact males may be more likely to bark excessively, especially if there are females in heat nearby. Spaying/neutering can help reduce hormone-driven vocalizations.

At what age do Great Dane puppies start barking?

Most Great Dane puppies start experimenting with barking between 7-8 weeks old. This is when they start to develop their individual voices and personalities. It‘s important to start rewarding your puppy for being quiet from a young age to prevent nuisance barking habits from forming.

Do Great Danes bark more than other giant breeds?

Not necessarily. Every breed (and individual dog) is different. Here is a general comparison of barking tendency for common giant breeds:

Breed	Barking Tendency
Great Dane	Moderate
Irish Wolfhound	Low
Newfoundland	Low
Bernese Mountain Dog	Moderate
Mastiff	Low to Moderate
Saint Bernard	Low to Moderate

Of course, these are generalizations. An individual dog‘s barking habits will depend on many factors, including breeding, socialization, training and home environment.

Can a Great Dane be trained not to bark at all?

Probably not, and that‘s okay! Barking is a natural behavior for dogs. Our goal should not be to eliminate barking completely, but to teach our Danes when it‘s appropriate to vocalize and when to be quiet on cue.

Living Harmoniously With a Talkative Dane

As we‘ve seen, Great Danes may not be the biggest barkers in the canine kingdom, but they certainly aren‘t afraid to speak their minds! Living with a talkative Dane is all about understanding their communication style and working with their natural tendencies.

Megan Sier, a certified dog trainer in Portland, Oregon, shares her tips for harmonious living with a vocal Dane:

"Appreciate your Dane‘s unique voice. Learn to decode their grunts, roos and rumbles. Pay attention to the situations that get them talking and work to meet their needs proactively. The more in tune you are with your dog, the less they‘ll need to vocalize for attention."

Megan also stresses the importance of giving Danes regular outlets for mental and physical exercise:

"A bored Dane is a barky Dane! Give them plenty of opportunities to exercise their brain and their body. Puzzle toys, long sniffy walks, trick training, even canine sports like rally and agility are all great ways to prevent boredom barking."

Finally, don‘t be afraid to seek expert help if your Dane‘s barking gets out of hand.

"A certified, positive reinforcement trainer can be your best ally in curbing problem barking. They can help you troubleshoot your Dane‘s triggers, refine your training technique and develop a customized plan for your unique situation. Don‘t suffer in silence – reach out for guidance!"

Conclusion

In summary, Great Danes can bark loudly and carry their voices impressively far. But with proper training, socialization and outlets for their energy, this talkative breed won‘t bark any more than your average dog.

Learning to appreciate and decode your Dane‘s unique vocalizations is a big part of the joy of living with these sensitive, communicative dogs. From soft grunts to ear-splittingAlert Barks, your Dane‘s voice will become a cherished part of your life together.

If you‘re considering bringing a Great Dane into your life, don‘t let a fear of excessive barking hold you back. Invest in training, keep your Dane physically and mentally stimulated, and you‘ll enjoy a lifetime of laughter, love – and yes, even the occasional "roo" – with your gentle giant!