How to Draw a Great Dane (Easy Step by Step)
Learn to draw a friendly cartoon Great Dane with this easy step-by-step guide. You'll build your drawing from basic shapes like a round head, wavy neck, and sloping back.
- Draw a friendly cartoon Great Dane with ease.
- Begin by sketching a round head for your dog.
- Form the neck using a simple wavy line.
- Define the back with a sloping line.
- Complete your drawing by adding a few simple legs.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
A Great Dane is one of the tallest dog breeds, and this friendly cartoon version sits up proudly. You build it from a round head, a wavy neck line, a sloping back and a few simple legs. Once you see those shapes, the whole dog comes together.
- Medium
- 15 minutes
- 10 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawing
In this article (7 sections)
How to draw a Great Dane step by step
How to Draw a Great Dane · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: The head
Start with a big, soft dome for the top of the head. Draw it from the front of the snout, up and over, and down the back of the head to where the ear will hang.
Step 3: Chin, neck and front leg
Under the snout, draw a short curve for the chin. Then draw a long, gently wavy line down for the neck and chest, and keep going straight down to a rounded front paw on the ground.
Step 4: Back and hind leg
Start at the back of the head and draw a long, sloping curve down the back. Then draw a straight line down for the back leg, ending in a rounded paw on the ground. Add a small bump inside for the knee.
Step 5: The tail
Where the back meets the back leg, draw a skinny loop shaped like a leaf that curls up and out for a happy tail.
Step 6: Second front leg
Next to the first front leg, draw another line going down from the chest to the ground. Finish it with a rounded paw that overlaps the first paw a little.
Step 7: Small paw
Between the front legs and the back leg, draw a small curved loop for a paw peeking out. Keep it small and rounded.
Step 8: The floppy ear
Inside the head, draw a long U-shape that hangs down from the top, like a soft leaf. Let the bottom of the U touch the head line.
Step 9: Nose and smile
Fill in a round nose at the tip of the snout. Then draw a short curved smile line below it that sweeps back toward the cheek.
Step 10: The eyes
Add two small round dots for eyes on the face. Put them above the smile and a little back from the nose.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your Great Dane? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a fox or how to draw a hedgehog next.
Tips for drawing a Great Dane
- Draw the neck and chest as one long, gentle line. Go slowly and let it wiggle a little, which makes the dog look proud.
- The paws are the trickiest part, so draw them as small rounded bumps. Do not worry if they look a bit squished.
- Keep the floppy ear a simple U-shape. Start at the top of the head and let the bottom touch the head line.
Free Great Dane coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this Great Dane coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your Great Dane drawing
Try fawn tan, deep brown, gray, or a black and white pattern like a Harlequin. For a creative twist, give your dog a bright collar and a bone near its paws.
Great Dane fun fact for kids
A Great Dane named Zeus measured 44 inches tall at the shoulder and was named the tallest dog ever by Guinness World Records.
Questions about drawing a Great Dane
What shapes do I need to draw a Great Dane?
You need a big rounded dome for the head, long curves for the neck and back, and straight lines for the legs. A small loop makes the tail and rounded bumps make the paws.
How do I make my Great Dane look big?
Draw the neck and back with long, smooth lines and keep the head a bit smaller than the body. Long lines make the dog look tall.
How do I make my dog look cuter?
Add a big round nose, a curvy smile and two small eyes. A floppy ear and a wagging tail help too.
