My Great Dane is an Ugly Duckling

Suddenly my stunning Great Dane puppy, which was a cute bundle of fuzz, has turned into a gangly, long-legged, big-headed, crooked-eared, clumsy-pawed Tyrannosaurus, and he looks downright ridiculous. This phase, often referred to as the **Great Dane puppy uglies**, is completely normal as they grow into their massive frames. Embrace the awkwardness—it’s all part of raising a Great Dane!

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“Puppies are a reflection of unconditional love, entrusted to us like precious seeds. We water them with praise, patience, and love, and watch them grow into full bloom"

~ Leila Grandemange -  A Story of a Promising Puppy 

Is your Great Dane puppy suddenly looking a bit odd to you? Don’t worry. The puppy uglies are only TEMPORARY. I promise you that your Great Dane will not be ugly forever. Your puppy, just like other Great Danes will quickly go from an ugly out of proportion teenager to and incredibly good-looking adult.

This is “Maker” at 7 months old. Look how long and gangly his legs are. Owner Haley commented “he looked like a foal” he was all legs :)

And without further ado - look at "Maker" in his Best in Show win photo. Such a handsome boy he matured into

When will the puppy uglies start? We typically see this stage start around just about the same time they start to lose their puppy teeth. You’ll get the fuglies at around 4-7 months, maybe again at 11-18 months, and some in between!

Do people actually show their pups during the ugly puppy stage?

It is common for show breeders to withhold their “ugly puppy” from the show ring until they’re in full bloom.

When will it go away? This really all depends on their breeding (bloodlines) and while waiting it out can seem like an eternity, most are done around 13-15 months old. The worst-case scenario would be when your pup has fully matured (around 2 years old)

What parts of my puppy will be ugly?

1.    Splayed feet Let your pup walk on concrete, pebbles and hard surfaces. This will help keep their feet tight (added bonus it will keep their nails short) Put those feed and water bowls up on an elevated feeder so he can keep his stance while eating and drinking. This is a great example of a raised feeder for a Great Dane

2.    Legs that are too long Perfect photo description as shown above ^ As long as your puppy isn’t showing any signs of pain or discomfort there is no need for concern. Before you know it your little bundles gangly legs will have caught up with the rest of his body

3.    Ears that flop or ears growing so big they represent Dumbo This is very common especially during their teething months. Typically, once the ear cartilage has matured the days of ears going rogue will be a distant memory.

4.    Overshot bite (aka an overbite) Again, this usually resolves itself after teething has stopped. The bottom jaw continues to grow long after the top jaw is done growing.

5.    Saggy loose skin Love, snuggle and smoosh your hands all in it while you can. One day you will wish your Great Dane puppy never grew into their skin.

6.    Too skinny Did you know your Great Dane should be on the lean side? Do not try to fatten up your Great Dane puppy. This will lead to catastrophic growth issues. Your Great Dane puppy will be healthier and happier being reasonably slim, eating a proper diet and exercising.  Click here to see our Great Dane growth chart

One thing is for sure—all dogs are wonderful critters worthy of love and respect, regardless of their appearance. Every four-footer has their own form of canine cuteness, even when they’re going through an “ugly” stage. For many large breeds, especially Great Danes, this “ugly” phase is entirely normal and just part of growing up. Known as the **Great Dane puppy uglies**, this phase is when your adorable bundle of fluff transforms into a gangly, awkward, and often downright silly-looking adolescent

The Great Dane puppy uglies happen as your puppy’s body tries to catch up with their rapid growth. Their legs might look too long for their body, their paws too big, and their head might seem disproportionately large. Add to that crooked ears, clumsy movements, and an often ridiculous appearance, and it’s easy to see why this stage is called “ugly.” But in reality, it’s just a temporary phase that all Great Dane owners come to understand and cherish in hindsight.

During the Great Dane puppy uglies, your pup might lose that fluffy, puppy-like charm as they grow into their sleek, adult form. This is a critical developmental period as their body focuses on growing in size, strength, and coordination. It’s important to remember that this phase doesn’t reflect their future beauty or health. With time, your once gangly Great Dane will blossom into the majestic, elegant dog the breed is known for.

While the Great Dane puppy uglies might make your pup look a little goofy, it’s also an endearing part of their personality. Those oversized paws and awkward movements are part of what makes Great Danes so lovable. As they stumble around trying to master their growing body, you’ll find yourself laughing at their antics and falling even more in love with your gentle giant.

Embrace the Great Dane puppy uglies for what they are—a fleeting moment in your dog’s journey to adulthood. This stage doesn’t last long, and before you know it, your awkward puppy will transform into a stunning, graceful companion. Remember, every stage of your Great Dane’s life is precious, and the memories you make during their puppyhood will be treasured forever.

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