Great Danes are straight off recognisable , and these authoritative , statuesque canine have the heart of easy giants . Their enormous size and minacious bark contradict their gentle nature . Come find out more about these wonderful , saving - sized eyetooth companion .
History and Origin
Drawings of Great Dane - like cad have been discovered on Egyptian antiquities date back to 3000 B.C. , as well as in Babylonian temples date stamp from around 2000 B.C. The antecedent of the advanced strain originated in Germany .
This strain ’s name might run you to think these cad are a Danish breed , but they are not . Danes follow their origins back to Asia , although the stock as it stands today includes the influence of other breed , such as Mastiffs and Irish Greyhounds . Great Danes were originally recognize as Boar Hounds because they were raised to chase boar . To keep wild boar tusks from injuring their ears , they had them cropped .
In the late 1600s , many German lords began keeping the largest and most attractive of their dogs in their homes , dub Kammerhunde ( Chamber Dogs ) . These cad were pampered and fatigue velvet - lined , gilded collars .
When a Gallic naturalist travel to Denmark in the 1700s , he saw a stochastic variable of the Boar Hound , who was leaner and more like a Greyhound in face . With the larger representatives of the breed known as Danish Mastiffs , the naturalist identify this dog Grand Danois , which finally became Great Danish Dog . Despite the fact that Denmark did not develop the breed , the name stuck , eventually land the name Great Dane .
In 1889 , theGreat Dane Club of Americawas found . This was the quaternary breed club recognized by theAmerican Kennel Club ( AKC ) .
Breed Characteristics
This is a noble - looking breed who should make a very dignified first feeling . However , once you get to have intercourse them , Danes can also be great clowns .
General Appearance
Size is always the most spectacular feature of the breed . Male generally place upright about 34 column inch magniloquent at the shoulder and weigh in around 140 to 175 pounds ( though exceptionally large Danes can weigh up to 200 pounds ) , while females are slightly smaller . Regardless of sex , the magnanimous the animal , the more they are prized .
Coat color admit :
The Dane ’s ears are a subject of some debate . Left in their natural country , the ear are moderately magnanimous and hang down . In the United States , the ears are typically cropped and taped to encourage them to abide upright .
Temperament
Danes make amazing fellow traveler if you have the way for them . These frankfurter are generally quite serene unless circumstances require otherwise , and the stock is well - sleep with for being skilful with tyke .
These dogs are definitely mass lovers and need human society rather than kennel life . you could expect a Dane to be very loyal and loving with all members of your household , but a bit more reserve with strangers until they become well acquainted . The Dane ’s exceptionally cryptical bark and grand size is usually quite sufficient to characterise individual as watch dogs .
Training
Due to their not bad size , Danes should receiveobedience trainingearly on before they achieve full growth . This is not a breed you require jumping on you or crawling in your lick . Danes should be learn to remain on the ground and to practice great guardianship when interacting with children who otherwise might be overmaster by their sheer sizing . This is a must for every Great Dane , no matter how well - meaning they may be .
Exercise Requirements
Surprisingly , these gravid dogs do not ask a great deal of example to keep them physically and mentally fit . A in effect daily walk should be more than enough to serve their needs . However , because Great Danes grow so cursorily , it is crucial not to exercise your bounder too strenuously . During exploitation , their bone and ligament are moderately more vulnerable to injury , peculiarly if they over - exert themselves .
Even if a particular pup is free from the various wellness condition the breed is susceptible to , most Danes go through some developmental problems during their rapid growth period that can cause temporary lameness , so do n’t make immediate plans to go jog with your pet until they have gone through their full growth bike .
It takes a very dedicated owner to endure these ups and downs with their animals , and unless you have the required loose time , this period can be very onerous . Once your pawl is an grownup , about 30 minutes of non - taxing exercise per day is recommended .
Health
Great Danes may be one of the largest dog breeds , but they are certainly not one of the most long - lived . Danes as a breed front a phone number of wellness issues :
Lifespan
The highly large sizing of these gentle giants can be very taxing on their heart . The average Great Dane life expectancy is roughly 7 years , although some individual do subsist longer with optimal tutelage .
Grooming
As you might expect , bathing a Dane is a major case . as luck would have it , their short coat does not typically demand more than infrequent bath . day-after-day grooming is important to extend your pet ’s coat experimental condition between bath . The coat is very light and smooth , so a immediate casual brush should slay most dirt and idle hair . gratefully , Danes are light shedders .
get touching your pup ’s paw early on , to assure they are used to having their paws address . If their nail are in honest pattern , trim them back once a workweek or so to keep them in effective shape . If their nails have n’t been trimmed back in a while , commence by clipping a low amount off twice a week , until you are close to the quick , consider charge not to dispatch it . Because Danes are not one of the more active breeds that course fatigue down their own nail , you involve to perform this project at home , or take your hot dog to reputable groomer to have this done .
Purchasing or Adopting a Great Dane
If you ’re looking for a Great Dane puppy , a good position to start is theGreat Dane Club of America . They have a breeder directory uncommitted as well as helpful tips on how to find responsible stock breeder with quality dogs . TheAKC Marketplacealso has a breeder search . Expect to pay around $ 600 to $ 1,000 , although higher - end show wienerwurst from champion lines can cost as much as $ 3,000 .
Rescue Organizations
If you would prefer a rescue frank , and are n’t particular about their old age , you could explore the directories onPetFinderandSave - a - Rescue . you’re able to also touch these stock - specific Great Dane saving :
Should You Adopt a Great Dane Puppy?
The beauty and tendency of Danes makes them very attractive pets , but they are definitely not a stock to buy on a whim .
Acquiring a keen Dane should be a very thoughtful decisiveness . Take your prison term to research the stock and look for stock breeder who are mindful of the health problem these dog face up and work to move out affected dogs from their breeding program . You will most likely make a very enceinte investment in your Dane , so it ’s well deserving doing your homework first to hopefully fend off heartbreak later .
