Getting to Know the Great Dane: A Breed Overview

The great Dane is a huge, powerful, and elegant dog. Males can reach 32 inches long and weigh about 100 to 120 pounds, while females can grow to be 30 inches tall and weigh about 100 to 120 pounds (45 to 59 kilograms).

The Great Dane’s massive head is narrow and flat at the top. Eyebrows are key. Ears fall forward or are cut to stand upright. The neck is long and strong. The body of the Great Dane is long and muscular and the front legs are straight. The tail is medium in length; It is thicker at the base and thinner at the bottom of the hocks.

Great Danes are mild to average shedders. This coat is short and simple. and comes in a variety of colors including brindle or fawn, blue, black, or harlequin with black spots on a white background.

The breed has poor longevity; Great Danes only live for 6-8 years or less.

Great Dane Dog History

Images of dogs that look like Great Danes have been found on Egyptian artifacts dating back to 3000 BC. and in the Babylonian temples that date back to 2000, BC. was built around. There is evidence that similar dogs originated in Tibet, with written reports of such dogs appearing in Chinese literature in 1121 BC.

The breed is believed to have been taken to various parts of the world by the Assyrians, who traded their dogs with the Greeks and Romans. The Greeks and Romans then bred these dogs with other breeds. An ancestor of the English Mastiff was probably involved in the development of the breed, and some believe the Irish Wolfhound or Irish Greyhound may have played a role as well.

The Great Dane was originally called the Boar Hound because the boars were the ones that were bred to hunt them. Their ears were cut off to prevent the pigs from tearing their teeth. In the 16th century, the breed’s name was changed to “English Dogs”.

In the late 1600s, however, many German nobles began to keep the largest and most beautiful of their dogs in their homes, calling them Kammerhunde (Chamber Dogs). These dogs were pampered and wore collars gilded with velvet. Talk about the sweet life.

The name Great Dane originated in the 1700s when a French naturalist traveled to Denmark and saw a version of the Boar Hound that was slimmer and more like a Greyhound in appearance.

He called this dog the Grand Danois, which eventually became the Great Danish Dog with more massive examples of the breed called the Danish Mastiff. The name stuck, even though Denmark did not develop the breed.

Most breed historians credit German breeders for refining the breed into the balanced, elegant dogs we love today. In 1880, breeders and judges met in Berlin and agreed that since the dogs they were breeding were different from the English Mastiff, they would give it their name – Deutsche Dogg (German dog).

He founded the Deutscher Dogen-Club of Germany, and several other European countries took the name. However, the Italians and English-speaking countries did not accept the name. Even today, Italians refer to the breed as Alano, which means Mastiff; And in English-speaking countries, of course, they are called Great Danes.

In the late 1800s, wealthy German breeders continued to refine the breed. He turned his attention to the dog’s temperament, as the Great Dane had an aggressive, ferocious disposition as they were originally bred to hunt wild boars, a particularly ferocious animal. These breeders tried to produce more gentle animals, and – luckily for us today – they succeeded.

We don’t know when the first Great Danes were introduced to America, or where they came from, but the ‘Great Dane Club of America’ was formed in 1889. It was the fourth breed club allowed to join the American Kennel Club.

Great Dane Origins

In the mid-16th century, elites in many countries in Europe imported strong, long-legged dogs from England, descended from a crossbreed between the English Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound. They were dog hybrids in various sizes and phenotypes without any formal breed.

These dogs were called Englische Docke or Englische Locke – later spelled and spelled: Doge – or Englischer Hund in Germany. The name simply meant “English dog”.

Since then, the English word “dog” has been associated with a Molossoid dog in Germany and France. Since the beginning of the 17th century, these dogs were bred by English methods in the courts of independent German nobility.

Dogs were used in the princely states to hunt bears, boar, and deer, their favorite staying in their lord’s bedroom at night. These kammerhunde (chamber dogs) were outfitted with ornate collars and helped protect the sleeping princes from murderers.

When hunting a boar or a bear, the English dog was a catch dog used to catch a bear or boar after other hunting dogs and hold it until the hunter was able to kill it. When hunting customs changed, especially due to the use of firearms, many of the dogs involved disappeared. The Englische Doge became rare and was kept only as a dog of hobby or luxury.

In Austria and Germany the Molossian hound, the Suliet dog, and other imports from Greece were used in the 18th century to enhance the stature of the boar.

Name change

In 1878, a committee was formed in Berlin, which changed the name of the “English Dog” (English Mastiff derivative) to “Deutsche Dog” (German Mastiff), which is the Great Dane. This laid the foundation from which the breed had developed.

During the 19th century, the dog was known in English-speaking countries as the “German Boarhound”. Some German breeders tried to introduce the names “German Dog” and “German Mastiff” on the English market, as they believed the breed should be marketed as a dog of luxury, not a working dog.

in the form of. However, due to increasing tensions between Germany and other countries, the dog was later referred to as the “Great Dane”, after the Grand Danois in Buffon’s Histoire Naturale, Generale et Particular in 1755.

Great Dane Personality

A well-bred Dane is one of the best-natured dogs around. They are gentle, sweet, affectionate pets that love to play and are comfortable with children. They have a great desire to please, which makes them easy to train.

The Great Dane wants to be where the family is. They are very fond of strangers and people, including children, and will happily welcome visitors, as long as they don’t feel you need rescue. Then they can be fiercely protective.

Some Danes wish they were – or really believe they are – lapdogs, and they will keep trying to get there, even as you and your lap mysteriously keep moving.

Good-natured, Great Danes definitely require early socialization – exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences – when they are young. Socialization helps ensure that your Great Dane puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog.

Enrolling them in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors regularly, as well as taking your dog to busy parks, shops that allow dogs, and leisurely walks to meet neighbors will also help them polish their social skills.

Great Dane Temperament

The Great Dane’s massive and imposing presence belies its friendly nature. They are known to receive physical affection from their owners, and the breed is often referred to as the “gentle giant”.

Great Danes are generally well-disposed towards other dogs, other non-pets, and familiar humans. They generally do not exhibit excessive aggression or high prey drive.

The Great Dane is a very gentle and loving animal and with proper care and training is very good around children especially when being raised with them. However, like any dog, if not properly socialized, the Great Dane can become fearful or aggressive towards new stimuli such as strangers and new environments.

Children And Other Pets

A Great Dane loves children and is gentle with them, especially when raised with them from puppyhood. Keep in mind that they have no idea how much older they are compared to younger children, so they can accidentally outnumber children quite easily.

As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always avoid any interaction between dogs and young children, to prevent any biting or pulling of ears or tails from either party. should be monitored. Teach your child not to approach any dog ​​while they are eating or sleeping or trying to take dog food away.

Generally, a Great Dane will get along with other pets in the household, but can sometimes be aggressive with some livestock, or they may not care for other pets. It’s a personal taste: some won’t tolerate another animal in the house, while others will nap with cats and other dogs.

Common Health Concerns for Great Danes

Great Danes are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they are prone to certain health conditions. Not all Danes will get any or all of these diseases, but it is important to be aware of them if you are considering this breed.

Here are some conditions to watch:

Growth Issues: Growing problems can develop in puppies and young adults. These are sometimes associated with an improper diet – often a diet too high in protein, calcium, or supplements.

Hip dysplasia: This is an inherited condition in which the thigh bone does not fit properly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both hind legs, but others do not show outward signs of discomfort.

X-ray screening is the surest way to diagnose the problem. Either way, arthritis can develop as a dog ages. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be .

Bone cancer: Sometimes referred to as osteosarcoma, this is the most common bone tumor found in dogs. It is most commonly seen in middle-aged or elderly dogs, but larger breeds such as the Great Dane tend to develop tumors at a young age.

Osteosarcoma is aggressive bone cancer, usually affecting large and giant breeds. The first sign is lameness, but the dog will need an X-ray to determine if the cause is cancer.

Osteosarcoma is treated aggressively, usually with limb amputation and chemotherapy. With treatment, dogs can live from nine months to two years or more. Fortunately, dogs adapt to life on three legs.

Heart disease: Heart diseases affect the Great Dane; Varieties include dilated cardiomyopathy, mitral valve defect, tricuspid valve dysplasia, subaortic stenosis, patent ductus arteriosus, and persistent right aortic arch. The prognosis and treatment vary depending on the specific disorder and the age and general health of the dog.

Surgical issues are slightly different for Great Danes than for smaller dogs. For any necessary surgeries, find a surgeon who is experienced with giant breed dogs. ask for presurgical blood tests and ask them to include a clotting profile.

Great Dane Grooming

The Great Dane has a short, thick, smooth coat. It sheds normally – in other words, more than you might think – but requires a little grooming. Brush the Dane weekly with a rubber hound mitt or a soft bristle brush to keep the hair and skin healthy.

In the spring and fall, he will have a heavy shed, known as “blowing” the coat, and will need more frequent brushing during that time to get rid of all loose hair.

Bathe the Dane as you wish or when it becomes dirty. With the gentle dog shampoos now available, you can bathe a Dane weekly if you want without damaging his coat.

The rest is basic care. Trim toenails every few weeks. Long nails can get caught on things and break. It is really painful, and it will bleed a lot. Brush your teeth frequently for good dental health. To prevent ear infections, keep the ears dry and clean using a cleaning solution recommended by your vet.

Coat Color And Grooming

There are six common colors of the Great Dane’s smooth, short coat:

• Fawn (a golden hue with a black mask)
• Brindle (fawn and black intermixed all over the body in a tiger-stripe pattern)
• blue (steel blue, which is actually a kind of gray)
• black
• Harlequin (white with irregular dark spots all over the body)
• Mantle (black and white with a solid black blanket over the body)

They shed a lot, but with regular brushing, it is easy to keep their coats in top condition. Use a firm bristle brush and shampoo as needed. Regular brushing keeps your Great Dane’s coat healthy and clean, and it cuts down on the number of baths they need.

As you can imagine, bathing a Great Dane is a daunting task, especially if they are not keen on it. It’s hard to imagine them hiding under the kitchen table while trying to escape from the shower, but it does happen.

Start getting your Dane in the habit of being brushed and examined when they are a puppy. Handle your paws frequently – dogs touch their feet – and look inside their mouths. Create a positive experience full of praise and rewards, and you’ll lay the groundwork for easier veterinary exams and another handling when you’re an adult.

Great Dane Breed Organization

Great Dane Club of America

The Great Dane Fun Facts

• The Great Dane’s height and weight rank them among the largest breeds. Only the Irish Wolfhound is tall, and some Mastiffs can exceed that. Never teach puppies to jump on people.
• This giant breed is apartment-friendly due to its calm, passive nature, but before you take him out on the stairs, think about how you would get him in and out if he became injured or sick. Will not be able to manage them on their own. My.
• The Great Dane’s coat colors include brindle, fawn, blue, black, harlequin (white with black patches), and mantle (black and white with a solid black “blanket” on the body).
• The Great Dane is easy to groom, but he sheds. He also tends to drool, so he gets into the habit of carrying a hand towel to wipe down the saliva.
• Great Danes Have Flatulence, But They Give You Someone To Blame Their Emissions

Great Dane Review

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