Discover The Great Dane Dog
It is one of the largest dog breeds that exists. And, although it may be a bit scary to see him, his sweetness and his companionship make him the perfect breed for houses with children. In this article we tell you all about the Great Dane, the “Apollo” of pets because of its proportionate body.
Great Dane history
This breed is considered an ancestor of the current German Mastiff and other wild boar hunting dogs. The Great Dane looks like English Mastiffs and Sighthounds.
In 1878, a commission of breeders from Berlin began to bring together the characteristics of the “dogge” (bulldogs) to form an independent German breed known as “Deutsche Doggen” (German bulldogs).
Two years later, at an exhibition in that same city, the standards for the fledgling breed are set. Although today the Great Dane is a “gentle giant”, in its beginnings it was rather an aggressive hunter and fighter, much feared for its temperament and its combative nature.
With the passage of time and the successive litters, he became a friendly, pleasant and affectionate dog. And then he became famous thanks to the animated series “Scooby Doo.”
Physical characteristics of the Great Dane
With its great height (on its two hind legs it can reach 2.10 meters), the Great Dane can intimidate us at first glance. Their fur is thick and the colors can be fawn, brindle, harlequin (white with black spots), black or blue.
Males are between 80 and 90 cm tall at the withers and weigh between 75 and 100 kg. Females are between 70 and 85 cm and weigh between 50 and 90 kg. They have a “square” structure and their skull is in perfect harmony in relation to the body.
The muzzle is rectangular of dark color, the big eyes and the lowered ears. The tail is high and wide with a certain curvature and its movements are agile, harmonious and elastic. Unlike many good-sized dogs, the Great Dane does not walk roughly or awkwardly.
Great Dane personality and temperament
One of the largest dogs in the world can confuse us at first glance. When we see its size, we can think that it is a dangerous and aggressive breed. However, when we make contact, we realize that he is very docile and friendly.
He is known as the “gentle giant”, since he is not only good with people (especially children), but also with other pets. With proper socialization and training, he will behave very well from puppyhood. On the contrary, he can be fearful or even aggressive in new surroundings or with people he does not know.
The Great Dane is recommended for families with children because they will have a guaranteed babysitter. The largest lap dog in the world is all love and happiness. You should know that they need frequent company, therefore it is not recommended if they will be left alone for many hours a day (they can destroy what they see in their path).
Another issue to take into account is the space required for a dog of its size. A house with a garden or park is the best place for this pet. In this way you can play, exercise and walk “at ease” without problems.
As for its care, it is quite simple: a weekly brushing to remove dead hair. For bath time it is only recommended if the animal has gotten too dirty. Because of its size, it is better to take it to a dog groomer. Do not forget that the budget for food is quite high.
The bad news is that they are a breed predisposed to various conditions, such as gastric torsion, cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, cataracts, Wobbler syndrome, elbow dysplasia and osteosarcoma. To prevent and treat these diseases in time, the annual check-up with the veterinarian is essential.
For everything else, we recommend that families adopt a Great Dane from puppyhood and ensure good socialization. Training is simple because it is an intelligent and capable dog. Moderate exercise and daily walks are advisable to better manage the animal’s energy.
