Great Dane
Description of the Danish/Great Dane
The Great Dane or Great Dane is one of the largest dog breeds. Their physique is powerful and elegant. Great Danes have an imposing, muscular body with a springy gait. They have a flat skull with a long, square muzzle. Their eyes are almond shaped and dark with a lively intelligent expression. The tail is not too long, tapering to a point. His neck is long and muscular and his front legs are perfectly straight. His well-developed white teeth should close in a scissor bite.
They have set high, hanging ears.
The Great Dane has a short, smooth coat.
There are three color variations:
- Yellow or yellow brindle with black mask
- Blue and black from blue (this variety is called “harlequin” and is the only one that allows blue eyes and a partial flesh colored nose)
- Black and white with black spots
These colors are recognized by the Great Dane Club. However, the gray tiger is also recognized nowadays, just not yet at an exhibition.
The Great Dane is a giant dog that combines elegance with robustness and strength.
Character and temperament of the Danish / Great Dane
The Great Dane is a gentle giant. Dignified, kind, sweet and affectionate, playful and patient with children. It loves everyone and likes to be around people. The Great Dane does not bark much and only becomes aggressive when the circumstances require it. A reliable dog. It is a brave and good watchdog.
The Great Dane grows up from a puppy to an extremely large dog in a short period of time. You should therefore teach the dog at a very early age not to pull on the leash. Thorough obedience training is not an unnecessary luxury, otherwise they will become unmanageable during a walk. Teach this giant dog to lean against people and especially children.
He is lively, friendly, shrewd, affectionate, good with other animals, but reserved with strangers. Some individuals are dog-aggressive, especially with same-sex dogs. It is good to let them grow up with other dogs.
This breed is not easy to train. Raise him consistently with great understanding and in a harmonious environment. Great Danes are very sensitive to the intonation of your voice and often a friendly request is enough to let the dog do what you want.
Whether or not you are the right owner for a Great Dane depends on the dimensions of your home and garden.
Height and weight of the Danish/Great Dane
Height: Male: 76-86 cm, Female: 71-81 cm
Weight: Male: 54-90 kg, Female: 45-59 kg
Living conditions of the Danish/Great Dane
Regular exercise is required. However, the Great Dane will adapt to your house and garden dimensions, if given ample opportunity to exercise! It’s pretty inactive inside.
Life Expectancy of the Great Dane/Great Dane
10 to 12 years
Care of the Danish / Great Dane
The coat is easy to care for. Comb with a boar bristle brush, rubber glove or fine-toothed comb. Only when really necessary a bath with shampoo. Wash your Great Dane as little as possible. Do go over the coat with a damp cloth. Check the organs and ears regularly and clean them. Trim the nails if necessary.
Origin of the Danish/Great Dane
As far back as 4000 years ago, the Assyrians had large fighting dogs. They are considered ancestors of the Great Dane, the English Bulldog , the Mastiff and the Dogue de Bordeaux. We can only suspect that they descend from the Tibetan dog, which shows great similarities.
On ancient Greek coins dating from 36 BC. we find the image of a dog very similar to today’s Great Dane. They were also called the Apollo of dogs.
The Great Dane is descended from the alauns, the large powerful mastiffs of the Alans (an Iranian people) that were raised during the Great Migration of 407 AD. arrived in Europe.
At the court of the monarchs in Germany, these beautiful animals were admired for killing and carrying the shot wild boars, bears and deer during the hunt. For their own protection, these dogs wore ‘protective clothing’ made of thick cloths. They were cropped to protect the ears.
The dogs were crossed with Irish Greyhounds (Greyhound), and the result was the beautiful, large, thin, agile dog we know today as the Great Dane.
When the herds stopped, the Great Dane became an enthusiast dog. Despite being called ‘Great Dane’ in English, these dogs have nothing to do with Denmark. In 1863 and 1869 the ‘different’ breeds were compared and it was noted that they all belonged to the same breed of dog. The Great Dane was first exhibited in Berlin in 1878 and the ‘Great Dane Club’ was founded in 1888.