The Great Dane is one of the largest, most elegant and charismatic dogs. The breed standard accepted by the International Cynological Federation (FCI) describes it as "the Apollo of canine breeds", and its well-proportioned body and bearing are in perfect harmony.
Whether you are thinking of adopting a Great Dane or if you have just done so and you need information about the breed in order to offer your furry companion the best quality of life, on our site we tell you everything about this large dog, its origin, physical characteristics, care and possible he alth problems.
Origin of the Great Dane
The oldest known ancestors of this breed are the bullenbeisser (extinct German breed) and the German hounds used to hunt wild boar. Crosses between these dogs gave rise to different types of mastiffs, from which the current Great Dane was created in 1878.
The curious thing about the name of this breed is that it refers to Denmark, when in fact the breed was created in Germany from german dogs. It is not known why this dog is called the Great Dane, but it is also more appropriately known as the German Mastiff, German Mastiff, and German Alan.
Although not many can have such a large dog, the fame of the breed is enormous and practically everyone can recognize one. This fame is largely a result of the popularity of two cartoon Great Danes: Scooby-Do and Marmaduke.
Great Dane Physical Characteristics
This is a very large dog, powerful, elegant and aristocratic in appearance. Despite his large size and imposing figure, he is a well-proportioned and handsome dog.
The Great Dane's head is long and thin, but not pointed. The naso-frontal depression (stop) is well defined. The nose must be black, except in harlequin and blue dogs. In those of harlequin color, partially pigmented or flesh-colored nose is accepted. In the blues the nose is anthracite (dilute black). The snout is deep and rectangular. The eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped and have a lively and intelligent expression. Dark are preferred, but can be lighter on blue and harlequin dogs. In harlequin colored dogs, both eyes can be a different shade. The ears are set high, droopy and medium in size. Traditionally they were cut to give the dog "greater elegance", but fortunately this cruel custom is falling into disuse and is even penalized in many countries. The FCI breed standard does not require ear cropping.
The length of the body is almost equal to the height at the withers, especially in males, so the profile of the body is square. The back is short and the loin is slightly arched. The chest is deep and broad, while the flanks are retracted at the back. The tail is long and set high. The height at the withers is as follows:
- In males it is at least 80 centimeters.
- In females it is at least 72 centimeters.
The Great Dane's coat is short, bushy, shiny, smooth and flat. It can be fawn, brindle, harlequin, black, or blue.
Great Dane Character
The great size of the Great Dane can give the wrong impression about its temperament and character. In general, these dogs are very friendly and affectionate with their own, although they can be reserved with strangers. They are not usually aggressive, but it is important to socialize them as puppies due to their tendency to be reserved with strangers. Properly socialized, they are dogs that get along well with people, other dogs, and even other pets. In this case, they are particularly good friends with children, although while they are young dogs they can be clumsy for smaller children.
Many think that it is difficult to train a Great Dane. This idea stems from traditional dog training methods. Great Danes are very sensitive to abuse and do not respond well to traditional training. However, with positive training (clicker training, rewards, etc.) spectacular results can be achieved.
These dogs need frequent company. They are not usually destructive, but they can become so when they are left alone for a long time or if they get bored. They can also be destructive due to their large size, especially when they are puppies and adolescents, but they are not very active inside the home.
Great Dane Care
Great Dane coat care is simple. Occasional brushing is usually enough to remove dead hair. The bath is only necessary when the dog gets dirty and, due to its size, it is always advisable to go to the dog groomer.
These dogs need moderate exercise and are much more active outdoors than indoors. Although they are very large dogs, they do not adapt well to living outside, in the garden. It is better if they are allowed to live inside the home, in the family nucleus, and go outside to exercise.
Because of their relatively calm temperament they can adapt to living in apartments and flats, but their size can cause problems in very small houses, since they can break decorations without realizing it. On the other hand, and also due to its size, before adopting a Great Dane it is necessary to consider that the feeding costs can be very high.
Great Dane He alth
Unfortunately, this is one of the dog breeds that is predisposed to various canine pathologies. Among the common diseases in the Great Dane are the following:
- Gastric torsion
- Hip dysplasia
- Cardiomyopathy
- Caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy or Wobbler syndrome
- Waterfalls
- Elbow dysplasia
- Osteosarcoma
To prevent the development of the above conditions or detect symptoms early, it is essential that you perform annual check-ups on your dog, as well as keep the vaccination and deworming schedule up to date. Go to your vet whenever you have questions or notice any strange behavior in your Great Dane.
