Great
Dane
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 Description:
Referred to as the "Apollo of dogs",
the Great Dane combines such impressive
physical and mental characteristics as to
make it one of the most majestic breeds
known. Pictures in Egyptian tombs, dating
as far back as 3000 BC, depict dogs resembling
the Great Dane; and, Celtic and Germanic
tribes used the early breed types as war
dogs. Authorities state that the breed was
already established in Britain before the
Roman Conquest and that Romans took the
dogs home with them where they were used
as fighting dogs. Refinement and development
of the Great Dane, however, started in Germany
during the Middle Ages, and not in Denmark
as the name might imply. Founding of Great
Dane Clubs in Germany and England took place
in the late 1800s. The breed, when it was
introduced to America in 1877, was markedly
vicious. American breeders were credited
with transforming the Great Dane into a
sweeter, well-mannered breed by the early
1900s. The Great Dane continues to make
a good family protector and pet, and requires
plenty of room and exercise.
Height:
The height for a Great Dane is
32" (81.3cm) for dogs, 30" (76.2cm)
for bitches.
Weight:
The weight for a Great Dane is 100 - 120
lbs (44.6 - 53.6 kg)
Coat
Type: The
Great Dane's coat is short, dense, flat-lying,
and shiny.
Color:
Colors of the Great Dane's
coat include all-black, brindle, fawn, blue,
or harlequin which is a mix of white with
black patches. Very little grooming is required
for this breed.
 Temperament:
Although the Great Danes in Germany
were often bred and used as estate guards
and still maintain a protective instinct,
the breed today is a friendly and even-tempered
one. Great Danes are spirited, fearless,
loyal and dependable. They make superb family
pets.
Health
Problems: Special nutritional
needs must be met during the critical growth
periods of this slow-maturing breed's life.
Be sure to ask the breeder about these requirements.
The Great Dane, because of its deep chest,
is one of the breeds most at risk for gastric
torsion (bloat).
Special
Interest: One
of the original uses of this breed was as
a hunter of large prey. Nobility often gathered
to hunt wild boar, and it is recorded that
in 1592, the Duke of Braunschweig arrived
at the event with a pack of 600 male dogs!
The Great Dane (along with the Irish Wolfhound)
is the tallest of breeds of dogs. In November
2009, a four year old Great Dane from California
named Titan was recognized by Guiness
World Records as the World's Tallest
Dog. Titan was officially measured at 42.25
inches (107.3 cm) from floor to shoulder.
A Great Dane also is in the Guinness
World Records for the largest litter
with 23 pups (in a tie with a Saint Bernard
and an American Foxhound); however the American
Foxhound is considered to hold the record
since all 23 of its pups survived.
Classifications:
AKC: Group 3 - Working Dogs
ANKC: Group 7 - Non Sporting
CKC: Group 3 - Working Dogs
FCI: Group 2 Section 2 Molossoid breeds
KC: Non-Sporting - Working Group
NZKC: Non Sporting
UKC: Guardian
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