History
The
ancestors of the Great Dane include British mastiffs and
possibly wolfhounds, brought to Europe, first by the
Romans and later by German aristocrats seeking to
improve their hunting dogs. Despite its name, the Great
Dane is a German breed. During the 15th and 16th
centuries, German forests were filled with game, and
hunting wild boar with dogs was a favorite pastime of
German nobility. Each lord kept large numbers of
boarhounds, which they carefully bred to improve their
size, power, and endurance. When game in the forests
began to dwindle, the large breeding kennels disappeared
but the Great Dane continued to be a favorite with
German aristocrats. Great Danes were exhibited at the
first German Dog show in 1863, and the first Danes were
imported into the United States not long thereafter. In
this country, Great Danes are popular family companions
for people who admire their regal appearance and
affectionate personalities. The Great Dane was
recognized by United Kennel Club in 1923.
General
Appearance
The Great Dane combines, in its
regal appearance, dignity, strength and elegance with
great size and a powerful, well-formed, smoothly muscled
body. It is one of the giant working breeds, but is
unique in that its general conformation must be so well
balanced that it never appears clumsy, and shall move
with a long reach and powerful drive. It is known as the
Apollo of dogs. A Great Dane must be spirited,
courageous, never timid; always friendly and dependable.
This physical and mental combination is the
characteristic which gives the Great Dane the majesty
possessed by no other breed. It is particularly true of
this breed that there is an impression of great
masculinity in males, as compared to an impression of
femininity in females. The male should appear more
massive throughout than the female, with larger frame
and heavier bone. In the ratio between length and height,
the Great Dane should be square. In females, a somewhat
longer body is permissible, providing she is well
proportioned to her height. Coarseness or lack of
substance are equally undesirable. The male shall not be
less than 80 cm at the shoulders, but it is preferable
that he be more, providing he is well proportioned to
his height. The female shall not be less than 72 cm ar
the shoulders, but it is preferable that she be more,
providing she is well proportioned to her height.
The Great Dane has a
long narrow head with an accentuated frontal stop. Its
neck is long and muscular, and front legs perfectly
straight. It has muscular tighs and round feet with
short, dark nails. The Great Dane's tail is medium
length, reaching to the point of the hock. Its eyes are
round and usually dark, with the lively intelligent
expression. The hair is short, thick and shiny. The
official colours are: fawn, brindle, black, harlequin
and blue.
Fawn - The color shall be yellow gold with a
black mask. Black should appear on the eye rims and
eyebrows, and may appear on the ears and tail tip.
The deep yellow gold must always be given the
preference. White markings at the chest and toes,
black-fronted dirty colored fawns are not desirable.
Brindle - The base color shall be yellow gold
and always brindled with strong black cross stripes
in a chevron pattern. A black mask is preferred.
Black should appear on the eye rims and eyebrows,
and may appear on the ears and tail tip. The more
intensive the base color and the more distinct and
even the brindling, the more preferred will be the
color. Too much or too little brindling are equally
undesirable. White markings at the chest and toes,
black-fronted, dirty col- ored brindles are not
desirable.
Black - The color shall be a glossy black.
White markings at the chest and toes are not
desirable. Mantle - The color shall be black
and white with a solid black blanket extending over
the body; black skull with white muzzle; white blaze
is optional; whole white collar preferred; a white
chest; white on part or whole of forelegs and hind
legs; white tipped black tail. A small white marking
in the black blanket is acceptable, as is a break in
the white collar.
Harlequin - Base color shall be pure white
with black torn patches irregularly and well
distributed over the entire body; a pure white neck
is preferred. The black patches should never be
large enough to give the appearance of a blanket,
nor so small as to give a stippled or dappled effect.
Eligible, but less desirable, are a few small gray
patches, or a white base with single black hairs
showing through, which tend to give a salt and
pepper or dirty effect. Any variance in color or
markings described above shall be faulted to the
extent of the deviation. Any Great Dane which does
not fall within the above color classifications must
be disqualified.
Blue - The color shall be a pure steel blue.
White markings at the chest and toes are not
desirable.
Temperament
The Great Dane is a
gentle giant. Dignified, kind, sweet and affectionate,
it is playful and patient with children. It loves
everyone and need to be around people. The Great Dane
doesn't bark much. A steady dog, responsible and
dependable, brave and loyal. Because of his giant size,
the Great Dane should be thoroughly obedience trainend
when young so it will be manageable when fully grown.
Health
The Great Dane puppies
are growing very fast. It is very important to feed the
Great Dane puppy with a high quality dog food and follow
the instructions of the experienced breeder to avoid
bone diseases. It is not recommended that the owner jog
with a Great Dane until the dog is at least one year old.
Owners may also want to take note that exercise after
meals is not recommended since Great Danes are prone to
bloat. Another way to decrease the chances of bloat is
to feed these dogs in several small meals from a raised
dish. Other health concerns the Great Danes may face
include hip dysplasia, genetic heart problems, tumors,
and tail injuries. The average life expectancy of a
Great Dane is usually less than 10 years.
