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Great
Dane
Deutsche Dogge) (German Mastiff)
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Description
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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 either cropped rather long,
pointed, and carried erect, or left natural.
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. fawn,
brindle, black, blue, mantle harlequin and
sometimes Merle. However Merle is a common result
of harlequin breeding, but it is not a recognized
color. Black coats and dark eyes,
while blue Danes may have lighter eyes. |
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Temperament
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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 fully
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. |
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Height,
Weight
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Height:
Dogs 30-34 inches (76-86 cm.) Bitches
28-32 inches (71-81 cm.) Weight:
Dogs 120-200 pounds (54-90 kg.) Bitches
100-130 pounds (45-59 kg.)
Dogs of even larger size are more prized.
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Health
Problems
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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. |
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Living
Conditions
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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. |
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Exercise
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The
Great Dane needs plenty of exercise. They
need to be taken on a daily long walk. |
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Life
Expectancy
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The
average is under 10 years, however some
can live to be 12-13 years old. |
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Grooming
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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. |
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Origin
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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, watchdog and carting. |
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