Description

The Great Dane is a giant breed of dog that is both regal and powerful in appearance. They have oven been considered the Apollo of dogs due to their size, strength and proud carriage. They are solidly build and very athletic although calm and reserved in their behavior. The Great Dane is often called the German Mastiff and even thought they are called a Dane, the breed was actually developed in Germany. The Great Dane is often used as companion dog, cart dog, packing dog and a watchdog.

The head of the Great Dane is very noble in appearance and is carried very high on the neck and shoulders. The head is broad and well developed with a pronounced stop and a large, rectangular shaped muzzle. The jaws are well developed and pronounced and the nose is very noticeable and black. The eyes are well set, lively and very intelligent in appearance. They can vary from lighter brown colors in tan and blue coat colors. The ears are either left long and natural and fold over, or are cropped to stand upright. Typically ear cropping is only done in the United States and very rarely in other countries. Overall the head is very refined and chiseled in appearance and while the lips are slightly pendulous they are not extremely loose. The Great Dane can be a drooling dog although in some lines this is not a concern.

The neck of the Great Dane is long and well muscled, arched and placed high on the shoulders. The neck tapers slightly to the throat and flows into well developed withers as well as a deep, wide and broad chest. The rib cage is well developed and solid, with a noticeable tucking up at the abdomen. The front legs are straight, well boned and very muscular while not appearing heavy or too small. The brisket extends well down to the elbows and should be proportionate to the overall length of the body.

The back of the Great Dane slopes slightly from the withers to a rounded rump. The tail is long and tapers from a thick base through to a point at the tip. The tail is carried close to the hind legs and curls upwards at the hock. The read legs are well formed and the feet and legs are straight when viewed from the back. When viewed from the side they have a slightly crouching appearance that enhances the look of strength and ability.

The feet of the Great Dane are round and compact with thick pads. They are well arched with strong nails. The Great Dane moves with an easy flowing stride that is capable of covering great distances with minimal effort. The back should remain level when the dog is in motion and there should be no noticeable rolling or shifting of the weight of the dog through any gaits. The coat is very sleek and short with a natural shine. The Great Dane can have several colorations including Harlequin (white with black irregular patches), solid black, solid white, mantle (black blanket with white markings), fawn with black points and solid blue. Merle is often seen in Harlequin Dane crossings but is not a recognized color.

Coat Description

The Great Dane has a short, dense and fine coat that is very close to the body. There is no long hair or feathering on the body and the uniformly short coat is very easy to care for. The coat of the Great Dane has a natural deep sheen in all color variations.

History

A dog very similar in appearance to the Great Dane has been found on Greek coins dating back to the year 36 B.C. They were considered the dogs of royalty and were very highly prized and regarded. These dogs were brought into what is now Europe and were heavier, larger and less refined that what we now know as the Great Dane.

The modern Great Dane was first developed in Germany, likely as a cross between Mastiffs brought by the Asiatic people and Irish Wolfhounds. They were originally bred as dogs of war and for hunting large game. The Great Danes were valued for their strength, obedience and ability to work independently. In the fourteenth century the Germans began to actively use the Great Dane as dogs to hunt wild hogs. The Great Dane became popular with English hunters and was originally known as the German Boarhound.

The German Boarhound at some point in time became known as the Great Dane, although there is little information on why the name change occurred or why they were connected to Denmark instead of Germany. In the year 1880 the German government officially decreed that the Great Dane should only be called the Deutsche Dogge within the country.

In more recent times the Great Dane is typically used as a carting dog as well as a companion. They can also be an excellent show dog and watchdog.

Temperament

The Great Dane is a very calm and gentle tempered dog that is loyal to its family and will be strong protector even though they are not normally an aggressive breed. The Great Dane is a good dog with children although he or she will sometimes not understand its large size and must be taught not to jump up or lean against people as it can easily knock someone over.

The Great Dane can be a terrific companion dog if properly socialized and worked with from a young age. The Great Dane needs to have lots of time with other dogs and males especially should be well socialized. Occasionally male Great Danes that are not neutered will become dog aggressive, especially if females in season are present. It is recommended that Great Danes be neutered or spayed if not in breeding programs. It is a great idea to raise Great Dane puppies with cats and other pets if they are to be kept in houses with other animals.

The Great Dane is a rather reserved dog with strangers when mature but will also be very playful with the family well into their adult years. They are moderately active and will require training to help them learn how to behave in a variety of situations. Training the Great Dane may be somewhat challenging but they do respond well to their owners. They may be somewhat aloof with strangers and will take a while to get to know new people, at which time they will welcome them into the house and the family.

The Great Dane is a natural watchdog and its large size and imposing stare will usually result in strangers leaving the area immediately. They can, however, become aggressive if they feel that the family is being threatened although this is not common or a natural tendency of the breed.