Adopt a Great Dane. Find Your New Best Friend.

Looking for a Great Dane to steal your heart, your couch, and approximately 90% of your personal space? You’re in the right place.

At Great Dane Rescue of Minnesota & Wisconsin, we believe every dog deserves more than just a home. They deserve the right home.

Whether you’re a lifelong Great Dane lover or you’ve recently fallen head over heels for these lovable giants, we’re excited that you’re considering adoption.

Our dogs come to us from all walks of life. Some have been surrendered by families who could no longer care for them. Others come from shelters or situations where they simply need a fresh start.

Some arrive with excellent manners. Others need a little patience, structure, and guidance. And some are convinced they’re 150-pound lap dogs.

But they all have one thing in common: They deserve a family who understands them, loves them, and is committed to them for life.

That’s where you come in!

View Our Available Great Danes

Complete an Adoption Application

We Don’t Just Find Homes. We Find the RIGHT Homes.

Here’s something that makes our adoption process a little different.

We don’t believe that choosing a Great Dane should come down to who has the prettiest markings, the cutest puppy photo, or the most soulful eyes.

(Don’t get us wrong. They’re all ridiculously good-looking.)

We take the time to get to know our dogs, their personalities, energy levels, quirks, needs, and behaviors, so we can help match them with families where they’ll truly thrive.

Maybe you’re looking for a laid-back couch companion. Maybe you have an active household and want a dog who can keep up. Maybe you already have another dog and need someone who will fit into the pack.

The right match matters. For you AND for the dog.

That’s why we don’t operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Being the first person to apply for a dog doesn’t necessarily mean you’re the best fit, and that’s okay!

Our goal isn’t simply to get dogs adopted. It’s to make thoughtful, lasting matches that set everyone up for success.

Before You Apply, Let’s Cover a Few Important Things

We know rules aren’t the most exciting part of adopting a dog, but they’re an important part of keeping our Danes safe and setting families up for success.

Our Adoption Requirements

To adopt through Great Dane Rescue of Minnesota & Wisconsin:

• You must live in Minnesota or Wisconsin. We only place adoptable dogs in homes within these two states.
• Children in the home must be at least eight years old. We do not adopt to households with children under eight.
• You must be at least 18 years old.
• All adults living in the home must know about and agree to the adoption.
• If you rent, you must have your landlord’s permission to have a Great Dane.
• You must complete our adoption application and approval process.

Our approval process includes personal references (non-family members), a veterinary reference, a background check, and a home visit.

We know that might sound like a lot, but we promise there’s a reason behind it.

We’re placing living, breathing, sometimes very large and very stubborn family members into homes. We take that responsibility seriously!

What About Special-Needs Danes?

Some of our dogs have additional medical, physical, or behavioral needs that require a particular type of home.

For example, adopting a deaf Great Dane comes with additional considerations, and we have specific requirements to help ensure these dogs are placed in safe, appropriate environments.

If you’re interested in adopting a Dane with special needs, we’re happy to talk through what that looks like.

How Does the Adoption Process Work?

We want the adoption process to be thorough, but we also want you to know what to expect.

Step 1: Submit Your Application

Complete our adoption application and pay the nonrefundable $25 application fee.

This fee helps support the administrative costs of processing applications and is not a deposit or a guarantee of adoption.

Step 2: Let’s Get to Know Each Other

We’ll review your application, contact your personal and veterinary references, complete a background check, and arrange a home visit.

This is also an opportunity for us to learn more about your lifestyle, household, experience, and what you’re looking for in a Great Dane.

Step 3: Get Approved!

Once you’ve completed the approval process, you’ll be notified of your adoption status.

Being approved means you’re eligible to be considered for a dog through our rescue. It doesn’t guarantee placement of a specific dog, but it does mean we’ve already completed the important groundwork.

And that’s a pretty great place to be!

Step 4: Find Your Match

If we have a Dane who seems like a good fit, we’ll talk through their personality, history, needs, and what life with them might look like.

When appropriate, we’ll arrange a meet-and-greet.

We want you to fall in love, of course, but we also want you to feel confident that the dog you’re bringing home is right for your family.

Step 5: Welcome Home!

When the right match is made and the adoption is finalized, it’s time for the best part: bringing your new best friend home!

Cue the oversized dog beds, giant food bowls, and endless photos.

Don’t See Your Perfect Dane Right Now?

Apply anyway!

This is one of the biggest pieces of advice we can give prospective adopters.

Our available dogs change, and sometimes a dog comes into rescue who is a perfect fit for a family we’ve already approved.

Having your application completed ahead of time means you’re ready when the right dog comes along.

Approved applications remain active for three months. After that, we’ll review your information and update any changes before renewing your approved status.

We also have returning adopters who have welcomed multiple Danes into their families over the years, and we love seeing those relationships continue!

What Are the Adoption Fees?

Adoption fees help us provide veterinary care, preventative treatments, and other necessities for the Great Danes who come through our rescue.

Our current adoption fees are:

• Puppies, 8 weeks to 6 months: $800 adoption fee + $200 spay/neuter deposit.
• Great Danes, 6 months and older: $500, plus applicable state sales tax.
• Special-needs Great Danes: Fees are determined individually based on the dog’s needs.

The spay/neuter deposit for puppies is separate from the adoption fee and is handled according to the terms of the adoption agreement.

Adoption fees don’t necessarily cover everything we spend on each dog. Some Danes come to us needing extensive medical treatment, specialty care, or additional time in foster homes.

When you adopt, you’re not just giving one dog a home. You’re also helping us continue caring for the next Dane who needs us.

What Veterinary Care Will My New Dane Receive?

We work to ensure our adoptable Great Danes receive appropriate veterinary care before joining their new families.

Depending on their age, medical history, and individual needs, that care includes:

• Spay or neuter surgery, with age-appropriate exceptions for young puppies.
• Age-appropriate vaccinations, including rabies and distemper combination vaccines.
• Heartworm and tick-borne disease screening, as appropriate.
• Intestinal parasite treatment.
• Flea and tick prevention.
• Evaluation and treatment of identified medical needs.
• Microchipping.
• Required veterinary health documentation.

Puppies who are too young to be spayed or neutered at adoption are placed with specific requirements outlined in their adoption agreements.

We also share available medical information with adoptive families so they understand their new dog’s health history and any recommended follow-up care.

A Great Dane Is a Big Commitment. Literally.

We love Great Danes. Their personalities, their loyalty, their ridiculous sleeping positions, and the way they somehow manage to take up an entire king-sized bed.

But we’re also the first to tell you that this breed isn’t for everyone.

Great Danes require proper nutrition, training, socialization, preventative veterinary care, and a family prepared for the financial responsibilities of owning a giant-breed dog.

They’re big. Their expenses can be big. And sometimes their personalities are even bigger.

Some of our rescue Danes also come with a history that requires patience, management, or ongoing training.

We believe in being upfront about those needs because successful adoption starts with realistic expectations.

We’re not looking for perfect homes. We’re looking for committed homes that are the right fit for each individual dog.

And when the match is right? There’s really nothing quite like loving a Great Dane.

Ready to Meet Your New Best Friend?

Whether you’ve already spotted a Dane you love or you’re just beginning your adoption journey, we’d love to hear from you.

Take a look at our available dogs, learn a little about their personalities, and consider completing an application—even if your perfect match hasn’t arrived yet.

Because sometimes the best things in life show up when you least expect them.

And sometimes they show up with four enormous paws, a wagging tail, and absolutely no understanding of personal space. ❤️

View Our Available Great Danes

Complete an Adoption Application

Have questions about adopting or whether a Great Dane is right for your family? Contact us at info@savingdanes.org. We’re happy to help!