This unique breed, the Great
Dane, stands apart from most other dogs because of
its size. This dog is considered a “gentle giant”. A
well-bred Great Dane moves with power and confidence
fitting its size. With its long neck and straight
front legs, the Great Dane is an impressive but
gentle dog, displaying affection and a playful
temperament when raised in the correct atmosphere.
Great Danes can be excellent watchdogs, loyal to the
family and protective of the home. This breed does
not bark excessively and will be slightly aggressive
when the situation calls for it. With a history that
goes back thousands of years, the Great Dane comes
from the crossing of ancient mastiff-like dogs and
Irish Greyhounds. The name is misleading in that the
dogs have no real connection to Denmark.
Temperament
The size of this large breed belies its friendly
temperament. Although the Great Dane is energetic,
showing spirit when properly bred and raised, the
dog is actually very dependable, intelligent, and
faithful. This dog makes a great watchdog, primarily
due to its incredible size. However, the Great Dane
usually only barks and looks impressive while not
being vicious.
Loyalty is one word that comes to mind when
experienced owners are asked about their Great
Danes. This breed tends to be protective and close
to the family and its home. Great Danes are quite
good with children when bred and raised properly.
However, it is best to teach the dog to be careful
around smaller children and older people, simply
because of risk of being knocked down due to the
dog’s size.
If you are considering a Great Dane as a family pet,
be prepared for the strength and rambunctious nature
of this breed. These characteristics can be a
problem inside and with those who are surprised by
the size and playfulness of the Great Dane. The
result is the dog being abandoned and returned to
the source because the family cannot handle the
dog’s size and strength.
Size and Color
Generally, a Great Dane is as long as it is tall.
For instance, the male typically stands around 36
inches at the shoulder while weighing up to 175
pounds. The female of the breed is usually two or
three inches shorter and weighing up to 140 pounds.
The Great Dane appears to have a strong bone
structure and a long neck, in addition to straight
front legs.
The Great Dane comes in several colors and mixes of
colors, including fawn with a black mask, brindle,
which is tan with black stripes, black, steel blue,
white with black patches, also known as harlequin,
and mantle, with a black head and body and white in
several places.
Feeding and Grooming Requirements
Practical experience has shown that this giant dog
should receive the proper amount of protein in the
diet, with the amount kept lower after the dog has
finished growing. In fact, many veterinarians and
top breeders try to keep the protein level at 25% or
slightly less at all times during the dog’s life.
There is some evidence that high levels of protein
lead to joint disorders, such as hip dysplasia. It
is always best to consult with your breeder and
veterinarian to establish a good balanced diet for
your Great Dane.
Large dogs should be fed multiple times during the
day, which helps avoid problems coming from
consuming a large amount at one time. When this
occurs, the dog might experience bloat or stomach
twisting due to the dog gulping down large
quantities of food and/or water. Sufficient exercise
before eating is recommended, as is waiting an hour
or two after eating.
Grooming this shorthaired breed is relatively easy.
Combing and brushing occasionally, and dry shampoo
are all you need. For the nails, these should be
kept trimmed. Finally, we do recommend daily
grooming to avoid the struggle that comes with
bathing such a large dog.
Exercise Needs
The Great Dane should be exercised daily, with long
walks being ideal. If you plan to keep your Great
Dane in a smaller house or apartment, you should
also plan to give the pet plenty of time outside to
walk in the park. Remember, due to the massive size,
it is imperative to keep this particular breed under
control at all times.
The Great Dane can be somewhat difficult to train
than other breeds. Therefore, it is best to purchase
from a breeder, one that has taken the time to
socialize the puppies so they are comfortable with
people and other dogs. Sometimes, adults can be
aggressive toward towards other dogs, so during
exercise time, provide closely supervised.
