Great Dane

Breed: Great Dane I Size: Large I Average lifespan: 8+ years I Temperament: Loyal, sensitive, and affectionate I Coat: Short I Origin: Iran.

The Great Dane always leaves an impression; whether it be because of their impressive size, or because of their gentle demeanor and tender eyes. While their size is their most flagrant attribute, connoisseurs praise their sociable character, profound kindness, and boundless loyalty. However, people do not become Great Dane dog parents by accident. This is a very sensitive dog breed. Therefore, you’ll have to shower this big-hearted hound with kindness and love to reassure them.

The origins of the Great Dane

Not German or Danish

The origin of this large dog is an adventure and epic made of up many episodes. It is a breed that is the result of numerous crosses. The Great Dane is a descendant of the hunting dogs that accompanied the “Alains” tribe, nomadic people from Iran, whose horsemen earned a fine reputation as hunters, based in part on their packs of powerful dogs. These people spread out through Europe between the 4th and 6th century, and it was during this period that crosses to create a powerful and fast hunting dog started.

A daring cross between a mastiff and a greyhound

The immediate ancestors of this breed are the Bullenbeiser and greyhound: stocky and powerful for boar hunting, but with the speed of a greyhound. The evolution to the mastiff we know today was a long one. The word dogue originally meant a large, stocky dog of indeterminate breed, and was soon attributed to the breed of dog that accompanied Chancellor Bismarck.

Over a century of German nationality

A group of breeders attributed the German nationality to this breed, which was also very present in Denmark, in 1878. The first standard of the breed was written in 1880 and the first exposition of the Great Dane took place in Hamburg in 1963.

The character of the Great Dane

The Great Dane is a kind-hearted dog that needs precise and gentle training during the acclimatization process. However, once they feel reassured, they will know how to be the perfect companions for children. They will be protective without being aggressive. Great Danes are loyal dogs that do not run away a lot, which is appreciated, especially because of the size of this dog.

A big loyal heart

This dog is very affectionate and is able to integrate easily into a home. Their size gives them an unmistakable presence, but most of all, they stand out thanks to their sensitivity and their tenderness. They would be the perfect companion for children, taking on the role of a guard dog without needing to come to aggressiveness. They also know how to withdraw into their own corner and never be too intrusive. Once reassured, your Great Dane will be able to blend into your home and feel even more at home there than outside.

Great sensitivity and health to keep an eye on

Their sensitivity should not be taken lightly. They can become scared if their education is too brutal. Everything should be done with parsimony training a Great Dane. The main downside is related to the fact that they can be stubborn. In fact, their curiosity and love for playtime can sometimes lead them astray from the rules of life.

They grow slowly when it comes to their psychological growth. But from a physical point of view, they mature very quickly. Their training takes a long time. They mature very late, meaning that you’re basically dealing with a puppy for a long time. This is a detail that is sometimes overlooked because of their size. They are also dogs that drool a lot, and given the size of their mouth, it’s easy to imagine the amount of drool that will have to be cleaned up.

Training with gentleness

The Great Dane is very attentive to your emotions and an excess amount of anger will quickly destabilize them. Training must follow the pace of this breed, as they grow quickly but remains immature longer than the average dog. So it is better to be patient and have a lot of time. The Great Dane does not like solitude and puppy Great Dane are sensitive when it comes to their food (which represents a real portion of the budget) and their physical exercise. Everything is a question of good amount and the help of associations or a vet is a good match for the Great Dane.

The physical characteristics of the Great Dane

General

Without question, the Great Dane is one of the largest and most remarkable of all dogs. It combines unusual size with great elegance. It’s an unequivocally handsome dog, inspiring confidence and respect. With their bulging muscles and haughty carriage, they exude nobility in both demeanor and look.

Head

This dog has a large head, with a large and imposing nose that is surrounded by hanging lips. Their jaw is large and powerful. The ears are hanging and are no forbidden to be trimmed to a point (at least this is the case in France). The eyes are rather small, but surrounded by bulges that translate the emotions of this dog well. The coat is rough, shiny, and their head is held quite high, which amplifies even more the impression of grandeur that they give off.

Body

The power of this breed is here. With a height at the withers of almost 90 cm, the body of the Great Dane expresses perfection and power. It is a body that is well-balanced between the front and the back. And the protruding chest and thigh muscles create an aesthetically pleasing harmony. The length of the limbs amplifies the slenderness of the trunk, and it’s rare to see a Great Dane with a prominent belly.

Coat, color, and grooming

The colors of the Great Dane

The colors of the Great Dane are still made up of rough and short coat, it is the only standard accepted for this breed.

The standards accept 5 main colors:

• fawn
• brindle
• black
• blue
• white and black

Some exceptions are nevertheless accepted. Like the coat in English and American standards, and gray variegated with black, but this color is not yet standardized.

Grooming the Great Dane

He appreciates being pampered and petted, so brushing sessions should not be neglected. It’s an important bond for the Great Dane, and this ritual will always be welcome.

They need to be brushed regularly as well as kept an eye on and have monthly check-ups. A particular attention needs to be given to the state of their skin should also be part of their sessions. It is also important to keep a close eye on their ears that should be cleaned regularly. The Dogue’s hearing system is very sensitive to ear infections.

Their eyes should be cleaned weekly. And their claws should be trimmed as soon as the dog shows a change in their walk.

The Great Dane asks for frequent grooming sessions, which is necessary for them to feel reassured.

Did you know?

The famous detective dog Scooby Doo is a Great Dane. It is however not the only presence of this breed in a popular works. It also features in manga (Ginga Densetsu Weed), film (Le Guépard) and even literature (Le Gardien de son cœur).