GREAT DANE  | Pronuncaition | GREAT DANE | | Description | The Great Dane is a giant dog that combines nobility with robustness and power with elegance. It has a long narrow head with an accentuated frontal stop and a rather large nasal canal. Its neck is long and muscular and its front legs are perfectly straight. It has muscular thighs and round feet with short, dark nails. The Great Dane's tail is medium-length, reaching to the point of the hock. Its eyes are round and usually dark - with a lively intelligent expression. Its ears are docked rather long, pointed, and carried erect. Its well developed white teeth must close in a scissors bite. All Danes have short, thick, shiny, close-fitting hair. The color of the coat indicates the variety. The Great Dane comes in fawn, striped brindle, black, blue, merle and harlequin. Black Danes must have glossy black coats and dark eyes, while blue Danes may have lighter eyes | | Temperament | The Great Dane is a gentle giant. Dignified, kind, sweet and affectionate, it is playful and patient with children. It loves everyone and needs to be around people. The Great Dane does not bark much and only becomes aggressive when the circumstances require it. A steady dog, responsible and dependable. Brave and loyal, it is a good watchdog. Because of his giant size, the Great Dane should be thoroughly obedience trained when young so it will be manageable when full grown. Teach this giant dog not to lean against people, especially children. Some individuals are dog-aggressive, especially with same sex dogs. It is good with other dogs if it is raised with them from puppyhood. This breed may be slightly difficult to train. | | Height, Weight | Height: Dogs 30-34 inches (76-86 cm.) Bitches 28-32 inches (71-81 cm.) Weight: Dogs 120-160 pounds (54-72 kg.) Bitches 100-130 pounds (45-59 kg.)
Dogs of even larger size are more prized | | Health Problems | Not a long lived breed. Be careful to buy from a conscientious breeder, as some very poor specimens are being sold to the unsuspecting public. Beware of hip dysplasia; buy only from OFA certified stock. Also prone to bloat, tumors, heart disease, and tail injuries. Do not jog with this dog until it is at least one year old | | Living Conditions | The Great Dane will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. It is relatively inactive indoors and does best with at least a large yard.
Exercise
The Great Dane needs plenty of exercise, at the very least a long daily walk. | | Life Expectancy | Under 10 years | | Grooming | The smooth short-haired coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush and dry shampoo when necessary. Bathing this giant is a major chore, so it pays to avoid the need by daily grooming. The nails must be kept trimmed. This breed is an average shedder. | | Origin | Incised on some Greek money dating back to 36 B.C. is the image of a dog very similar to the Great Dane of today. The Great Dane is known as the "Apollo of all dogs." In 407 A.D. German Gaul and part of Italy and Spain were invaded by an Asiatic people (the Alans) who brought with them powerful mastiff-like dogs. In Germany especially, where these magnificent animals capable of overcoming bears and wild boars were much admired, a process of selective breeding was begun. The dogs were crossed with Irish Greyhounds, and the issue was the beautiful, large, thin, agile dog known today as the Great Dane. Despite the fact that they are called Danes in English, these dogs have nothing to do with Denmark. Some of the Great Dane's talents are tracking, watchdogging and carting. |
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