About Danes

Danes are considered a “giant” breed of dog, yet they are as gentle as they are large. Danes are also known as “gentle giants” of the dog world. They are also called “velcro dogs” since they always want to be with their people and often have a need to be in physical contact. When you stand, they will lean on you or sit on your feet. When you sit, they will climb into your lap (yes, really)! It’s always fun to see someone sitting in a chair with a Dane perched on its person and yet its front feet are still on the floor.

 

Danes are true couch potatoes and don’t need nearly as much space as you might think. Yes, they do take up a lot of space when they lie on the floor, your couch or your bed. Otherwise, they aren’t that active. A nice brisk walk twice a day will usually suffice. Occasionally they get an attack of the “zoomies” where they tear around like mad for a few minutes and then head back to the couch.

 

Because of their size, obedience training is a MUST. If you have a 150-pound dog that you can’t control, you are in for problems. Danes are relatively easy to train. We recommend that you attend local obedience training classes with your dog. Be sure you choose one that does NOT use forceful methods. Danes are sensitive and want to please their people. One advantage of attending obedience classes, besides the obvious, is that your dog learns to behave in a situation with strange dogs and people in a place outside of your home. This makes it easier to take your Dane places and make him pleasant to be with.

Great Danes are known as a “giant breed” since they can be over 36″ at the shoulder and over 200 pounds although the average is about 130 pounds. They also stand about 6′ tall when on their hind feet. Keep in mind that a dog of this size can reach just about anything you can. Leaving food on your kitchen countertop or on the table may be an invitation for a snack. If you’re not used to a dog of this size, some special considerations must be made.

As with any breed of dog, Danes can be prone to specific health problems. Some may get arthritis or heart problems. Hip dysplasia can also be a problem with giant breeds. The average life-span of a Dane is 9-11 years.

Danes need a high-quality food with a controlled amount of protein.  They also need to have their food and water bowls on an elevated platform. Approximately 18″ is the norm.

You may also want to think about long-term care for your dog in case he outlives you. Consider setting up a trust fund for your pet. You may also want to plan for emergency situations such as evacuation due to hurricanes or other disasters.

Overall, Great Danes make wonderful and loyal companions. Adopt one and see for yourself! How could you say “no” to that face?

 

Description	The Great Dane is a giant, powerful dog. Square in body, but females may be slightly longer than tall. The long head is rectangular in shape. The muzzle is deep, with a pronounced stop. The nose is black, blue/black on blue Danes or black spotted on the harlequins. The dark, deep-set eyes are medium in size. The medium sized ears are set high and either cropped or left natural. If left in their natural state they are folded forward hanging close to the cheek. When cropped they stand erect and are large in proportion to the rest of the head. Note: cropping ears is illegal in most parts of Europe. The well arched neck is set-high, firm and muscular. The front legs are perfectly straight. The feet are round with dark toenails. The tail is set high, thicker at the base and tapering to a point. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The coat is short and thick. Colors come in brindle, fawn, black, blue, mantle harlequin and sometimes merle. Although not a recognized color, chocolate does occur in a recessive gene. Merle is a common result of harlequin breeding, but it is not a recognized color.
Temperament	The Great Dane has a good disposition, often called a “gentle giant”. Charming and affectionate, they are playful and patient with children. They love everyone and need to be around people. The Great Dane does not bark much and only becomes aggressive when the circumstances require it. They are reliable, trustworthy and dependable. Courageous and loyal, they are good watchdogs. The Great Dane does not stay little for long and consistent training and rules should start right from puppyhood. This giant dog should be taught not to jump or lean on people. The objective in training this dog is to achieve a pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined. You and all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. That is the only way your relationship can be a success. Dogs who know their place below humans in the pack order will be good with children. If you are not a firm, confident, consistent pack leader who knows how to correct the dog when he is showing signs of aggression, the dog can be dog-aggressive. Owners who know how to properly handle their dogs will not have this issue.
Height & Weight	Height: Dogs 30-34 inches (76-86 cm.)Bitches 28-32 inches (71-81 cm.)Weight: Dogs 120-200 pounds (54-90 kg.)Bitches 100-130 pounds (45-59 kg.)Dogs of even larger size are more prized.
Health Problems	Prone to hip dysplasia, bloat, heart disease, tumors and tail injuries. Jogging is not recommended until the dog is at least one year old, but walking is necessary. Not a long lived breed.
Living Condition	The Great Dane will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. It is relatively inactive indoors and does best with at least a large yard.
Exercise	The Great Dane needs plenty of exercise. They need to be taken on a daily long walk.
Life Expectancy	The average is under 10 years, however some can live to be 12-13 years old.
Grooming	The smooth short-haired coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush and dry shampoo when necessary. Bathing this giant is a major chore, so it pays to avoid the need by daily grooming. The nails must be kept trimmed. This breed is an average shedder.
Origin	The Great Dane is a very old breed, known as the “Apollo of all dogs.”. Dogs resembling the Great Dane have appeared on Greek money dating back to 36 B.C. There are also drawling’s of these dogs on Egyptian monuments from roughly 3000 B.C. The earliest writings of dogs that sounded like Great Danes were in Chinese literature dating back to 1121 B.C. In 407 A.D. German Gaul and part of Italy and Spain were invaded by an Asiatic people (the Alans) who brought with them powerful mastiff-like dogs. They were admired for their ability to bring down bear and wild boar. The dogs were thought to have been Wolfhound mixed with the old English Mastiff. With selective breeding the Greyhound was added in to create the Great Dane. Besides being used as a hunter, they were also used as estate guard dogs. Despite the fact that they are called Danes in English, they have nothing to do with Denmark. The Great Dane was recognized in 1887. Some of the Great Dane’s talents are tracking, watchdog and carting.
Group	Mastiff, AKC Working
Recognition	CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CCR, APRI, ACR, DRA, NAPR

 

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