A superb companion and guard dog, this elegant breed of great size is strongly identified with Germany and was once renowned throughout Europe for its prowess as a wild boar hunter.
Background Notes
Traceable back some four hundred years as a distinct breed, it is known in its native
Germany as the
Deutsche dogge. Probably a mixture of
ancient breeds, its suggested lineage has included the
Tibetan mastiff,
Old English mastiff, and
greyhound. Although originally a savage boar hound, today it is a
lovable gentle giant, very popular internationally because of its great size, strong looks, noble,
dignified appearance, and reputation as an affectionate companion and
loyal guard dog.
Key Characteristics
Well boned and muscled, the
Great Dane is among the tallest of dog breeds. It has a rather
square body when viewed from the side; a
deep chest; a
big,
long,
deep head with a clearly
defined stop; round
black eyes that are as
piercing as those of an eagle; drop ears that naturally bend forward, but more often are cropped erect; and a very long uniformly tapering tail, hanging down. The coat is short, thick, smooth, and shiny, and colors range from fawn and a yellow-gold brindle, both with a black mask, to a pure blue steel, entirely black, or even harlequin.
This is definitely a dog for the
suburbs, not city living, and one that requires special handling by people who know dogs very well. Even though this breed is
massive, it loves children and proves to be a very gentle playmate and
loyal guardian for them. On the other hand, this breed tends to be a bit distrustful of other dogs. When properly trained, this breed makes a better companion and guard dog than almost any other.
Care and Exercise
Only brief, daily brushing is need to maintain its short glossy coat, and its nails need not be cut if worn down by exercise. Adult dogs require
considerably fast,
strenuous daily exercise, such as
galloping alongside a
bicycle or
motorcycle. Puppies under ten months old should never be given long, or strenuous exercise, as their bones are still forming, and overexercise could cause abnormalities to develop. Rather, a
puppy should be given plenty of free space to
exercise on its own. As this dog is a
ravenous eater,
food and exercise must be carefully balanced.
Puppies and Training
Usually, there are five to twelve puppies in a
litter. If their ears are to be
cropped, this should be done at about eight weeks of age. Very early
obedience training is a must, although it instinctively has a strong sense of
responsibility.