Great Dane

Great Dane

One of the gentle giants of the dog world, the Great Dane is the embodiment of enormous power combined with a kindly nature.

History:

Although the name suggests a Danish origin, the Great Dane is a wholly German breed. The breed is very ancient, and dates back to pre-Christian times. The Great Dane's ancestors were originally used for fighting, and were then developed into a formidable boar hunter. It is possible that this ancestral breed was brought to Germany by Phoenician traders, or by the Roman legions. This dog was much heavier than today's Great Dane and was known as the Alaunt or Molossus.

These dogs were spread throughout the world by the Alans, who took their dogs with them when they invaded Gaul, Italy, and Spain. It is believed that the slender body shape and agility of today's breed was brought about by judicious crossings with Greyhounds. The old British name given to this breed is the German Boarhound, which reflects its ancestry. A dog closely resembling the Great Dane appears on coins dating from the first century BC.

Physical characteristics:

The Great Dane is a well-formed and elegant dog with no rough edges. This is one of the tallest breeds in existence today. Height: 28 - 32 in (71 - 81 cm). Weight: 120 - 150 lb (55 - 68 kg).

The Great Dane's head is flat and relatively narrow with a broad, very deep muzzle. The ears, set high on the head, are medium-sized and triangular, and fold forward to sit close against the head. In the US and Canada, the ears are usually cropped. The eyes are medium-sized, set deep into the face, and are dark in color. The body of the Great Dane is strong, with a deep chest, well-rounded ribs, and a slightly arched back. The tail is long and tapering. The legs are neither thin nor bulky but in proportion to the body, and are powerful and well-muscled.

The coat of the Great Dane is short and glossy, and comes in the colors brindle, fawn, blue, black, and harlequin (white with black markings).

Behavior:

The cartoon character Scooby Doo portrays the Great Dane as a large lovable dog that is not always as smart as it should be. Real life Great Danes are certainly intelligent animals. They give the impression of being slow starters, but this is because it takes a while for their large frames to catch up with their rapid thoughts. Great Danes make very effective watch-dogs, but their usually friendly nature towards people undermines their use as guard dogs.

Care should be taken that their size does not scare smaller dogs who can be quite terrified on their first meeting. A pair of Great Danes playing together is a marvelous sight to behold. Owners are advised to carefully control children around their Great Dane, as they can get scared if they are accidentally knocked over during play. If kept in hot areas, these large dogs should be provided with plenty of shade and water, as they overheat very quickly during exercise. It is wise to pay attention to their feet after vigorous exercise, as they can be oblivious to small injuries. A truly magnificent dog