🧳Travelling with a Great Dane: car, crate and rules

Great Dane : Few off-the-shelf crates fit: an estate car or van with a divider and non-slip mat is the most realistic option. Teach calm loading, with a ramp to spare its joints.

In short: Giant dog of 50 to 80 kg, short coat, moderate energy in adulthood. A gentle, calm giant in adulthood, often nicknamed the Apollo of dogs for its bearing. Its growth stretches over 18 to 24 months and dictates everything: giant-breed junior food, no jumping, and a 120-140 cm bed that few standard shelves stock.

In the car with a Great Dane

At 50 to 80 kg, the only genuinely safe option is a crash-tested crate of about 130 cm secured in the boot — failing that, a solid partition grille. An unrestrained dog of this weight becomes a projectile under braking — and a possible fine for distracted driving.

Trains, planes, holidays

Too big for the cabin, the Great Dane flies in the pressurised hold in an IATA-approved crate — an ordeal to reserve for unavoidable trips. On trains, a muzzle and lead meet the rules. Get it used to the crate weeks before departure: left open at home with treats inside, it becomes a den rather than a trap.

Identification and good habits

Before any departure, check the trio: microchip, up-to-date vaccines and an EU passport for trips abroad. In warm weather a Great Dane never stays in a parked car: fifteen minutes is enough for tragedy.

Frequently asked questions

What crate size for a Great Dane?

The rule: roughly 130 cm, i.e. room to stand and turn without contortion. For air travel, check the specific model’s IATA approval.

Can a Great Dane fly in the cabin?

No, it exceeds the cabin limit (8 kg including the bag): it travels in the pressurised hold in an IATA crate — avoid it when you can.

The guides that apply to you

The rest of the Great Dane’s gear

Travel & safety for related breeds and species