| Training | |
| Sensitivity to strangers | |
| Affection for family | |
| Suitable for first-time owners | |
| Ease of grooming | |
| Energy level |
Contents
It is one of the largest dogs in the world. It is elegant and really affectionate. One of the main characteristics of the Great Dane is that it can weigh more than 220 lb.
It was in Berlin, in 1880, when the first Great Dane came on the scene during a dog show in which there were thousands of specimens. This breed is also known as the German Mastiff or Deutsche Dogge. This breed was protected by the Deutschen Doggen Club 1888 eV, which was founded in 1888. The Great Dane clearly comes from Germany.
Great Danes emerge from Bulldogs, English Mastiffs, and Irish Greyhounds. A colorful fact is that there was no real standard before the second half of the 19th century, but many different breeds whose differences were not so obvious.
That is why a group of breeders decided to catalogue under an umbrella term, a group of dogs from Germany’s sourthwestern area.
But is this breed named Great Dane? Despite “Dane” in its name, the breed was developed in Germany as a boar hunter. According to scholars, first specimens arrived in Europe in the 4th century together with the Shiite warriors called Alans. Later, special names such as “English Dogge“, “Ulmer Dogge“, “Danish Bulldog” and “Great Bulldog” were used, defining different types of dogs according to their coat color and size.
The Great Dane was and still is one of the most important hunting dogs: It does not hunt for just any animal, but wild boars, deer, and bears!
Great Dane: General Physical Characteristics
The Great Dane is a particular molosser as its ancestors are the English mastiffs and greyhounds. The male Great Dane is 43 inches (109 cm) tall and weighs 240 lb (110 kg). Females are 37 inches (95 cm) tall and weigh 220 lb (100 kg).
It has a significant body size. Great Danes have impressive bone structure, more than other molossers. But if we compare them with other molossers, Great Danes are taller and, therefore, less robust.
Its head is broad and rectangular. Its lips are pronounced and hang gracefully as well as its ears, which should not be cropped if the breed’s true style is to be maintained.
It has a nice muzzle, and despite its “immense” body size, the Great Dane is a very elegant dog.
Great Dane: Coat Colors And Patterns
The coat comes in different colors and patterns:
- Harlequin Great Dane: Its body is pure white, with black splotches all over.
- Blue Great Dane: Its body is pure steel blue, with white markings on the chest and feet.
- White Great Dane: Its body is white and it may have a few merle markings.
- Fawn Great Dane: The coat color varies from a yellowish color to intense light gold.
- Merle Great Dane: Merles are much like harlequins, except they have a darker base coat.
- Black Great Dane: Its body is pure black and some white spots may be present.
- Platten Great Dane: Its body coat is white, but its head is black, partially or completely.
- Brindle Great Dane: It has a fawn-colored base with regular black stripes, clearly drawn, parallel to the ribs.
Great Dane: Temperament
The Great Dane is extremely faithful and sensitive. They are really attached to humans: They always seek to be close to their family. As they are aware of their size, they are careful not to cause damage to things or people they know.
Due to its friendly temperament, many believe that the Great Dane can live in small apartments despite its size. And although it is true, it must be accustomed to it from an early age.
The Great Dane is very attached to children, but they should always be watched over when playing with kids as they could unintentionally hurt them due to its large size.
The Great Dane rarely barks for no reason. Rarely does the Great Dane bark for no reason. It does so only in case it senses danger nearby or strangers trying to enter its territory. It may also bark when it believes that someone may harm those it considers to be in its custody.
Great Dane: Health
Like most large dogs, the Great Dane is very delicate from a health point of view. We must keep it in shape and in order to do so, it must be fed in a proper and balanced way. It should live in protected and healthy environments.
The Great Dane is not a dog for sedentary people as it is playful and it needs to play and walk. Great Danes should be trained from puppyhood, as they are restless which may cause some problems in the future.
Great Dane: Breeding
This breed is not for all people… And we mean it. It is worth clarifying that not everything depends on good training and that this breed presents some problems when it comes to control.
50% is good training and 50% is its temperament, which is often shaped during the first months of life and in the selection of the stallion.
Great Dane: Life Expectancy
Unfortunately, a Great Dane’s life expectancy is not one of the longest, but if the indications mentioned above are taken into account, this cute dog can be in good health for up to 12 years.
In fact, as is often the case with larger breeds, life expectancy is expressed with a statistical error. So, what is the average? Not to “scare” people who are looking for a puppy of this dog breed, but the Great Dane’s average lifespan is 9 years.
Great Dane: Feeding
You are probably wondering what this giant must eat. It is important to distribute the food portions throughout the day carefully: a Great Dane puppy that is not yet three months old needs to eat four times a day. There are also many specific foods made especially for this breed.
As it grows, food portions will become 3 and then 2 per day. If you opt for domestic food, remember that the best option is always meat as it has a lot of protein. Fish is also good, but make sure it is boneless first. Eggs and vegetables are also excellent options, too. You may accompany it with rice so that your dog can eat them eagerly.
Great Dane: Puppies and Price
As you can understand, the price of a Great Dane puppy will not be low: including pedigree and all the necessary documentation, the cost of a dog that comes from good studs will be around 1200 dollars, about 1100 English pounds.
You should always choose certified establishments. You should also know all the information of the puppy, like its genealogy and possible hereditary diseases.
Great Dane: Breeders and Puppies For Sale
In this section, you will find the best-registered breeders in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, India, Ireland, Scotland and South Africa; to whom you can ask all the information you are looking for. It is essential that you buy from a reliable breeder so that you can be sure that your puppy has been:
- Bred for good health and temperament;
- Well-selected (this means that its parents were chosen without genetic diseases);
- Properly socialized, so that it is neither too fearful nor too aggressive;
- Vaccinated and well-groomed.
In addition, if you adopt a puppy, a reliable breeder will give you a veterinary certificate, which states if the puppy has been dewormed and if it is completely healthy.
You can always ask for the pedigree, which is essential: it allows you to check the dog’s breed’s purity. An animal with a pedigree has certain characteristics of its breed that differentiate it from the rest.
Now that we have clarified all the most important aspects, you can go in search of your new 4-legged friend, who is surely waiting for you.
You may be interested in reading another article related to other dog breeds such as:
- Pug
- Doberman Pinscher
- Pekingese
- Siberian Husky
- Rough Collie
- Bull Terrier
- German Shepherd Dog
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Saint Bernard
- Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff)
