| The Great Dane or German Mastiff is the gentle giant | | | | It is thought that the British Mastiff, the Irish |
| of dog breeds. This giant dog needs an experienced | | | | Wolfhound and possibly the Greyhound all were |
| owner who can cope with a large dog and large | | | | involved in developing the German Mastiff. The |
| demands on the family budget. | | | | original German Mastiffs were very aggressive |
| The Dane is gentle, quiet, dignified, well-mannered, | | | | hunting and guard dogs but many subsequent |
| loyal and affectionate. The breed is wonderfully | | | | generations of selective breeding has resulted in a |
| devoted to its family and it would rather lean against | | | | gentle and affectionate giant dog breed. This German |
| you for a pat, than behave aggressively towards | | | | giant came to America in the late 19th century and |
| anyone. The Great Dane is very good with family | | | | became very popular, ranking 27th out of 154 dog |
| children, but toddlers and small children are subject to | | | | breeds in 2004 AKC registrations. |
| accidental knock down or being whacked with a | | | | Danes are very adaptable and despite their large size, |
| wagging tail and must be supervised very carefully. | | | | they are nimble footed and can easily navigate |
| Because the Dane is so large, it requires extensive | | | | around a large apartment. Danes can adapt to |
| socialization to learn how to behave cautiously around | | | | apartment living and even being left alone during the |
| children and pets. Some male Danes can be dominant, | | | | day as long as they get regular exercise and lots of |
| so obedience training and socialization must be | | | | companionship in the morning and evening. Despite |
| started with puppy school and continued until at least | | | | being very large dogs, they don't need a lot of |
| two years of age. Danes are intelligent and eager to | | | | exercise every day. Two good walks will suffice. Do |
| please, so they can be trained for higher levels of | | | | not over exercise Great Danes when they are young |
| activities and competitions. Additional information on | | | | because their fast growth makes them prone to |
| obedience competitions and other activities for dogs | | | | injuries. The Dane loves to be warm and comfortable |
| can be found in my article on Fun Dog Activities. | | | | and this heavy dog needs a very soft bed or you |
| The Great Dane is probably the tallest of all dog | | | | may find him sleeping on yours. |
| breeds. Male Danes stand at least 32 inches and | | | | Giant breeds, like the Great Dane, have a life |
| females at least 30 inches tall at shoulder height. | | | | expectancy of no longer than 10 years and large |
| Depending on their height male Danes can weigh | | | | male Danes may only live for 7 or 8 years. Danes |
| from 140 to 190 pounds with females weighing from | | | | have many serious inherited health problems including: |
| 100 to 160 pounds. This tall regal dog has a | | | | musculoskeletal disorders such as hip dysplasia, |
| rectangular head set on an elegant neck and the dog | | | | Wobblers syndrome (cervical vertebral instability), and |
| moves with grace and dignity. The Dane's ears can | | | | panosteitis; heart diseases such as cardiomyopathy |
| be natural or cropped and the tail is natural. The | | | | and aortic stenosis; eye disorders such as cataracts, |
| Dane's coat is short, smooth and glossy and only | | | | ectropion, entropion, glaucoma and progressive retinal |
| requires occasional brushing except when shedding. | | | | atrophy; hypothyroidism, cancer and bloat. |
| Colors can be: brindle (golden yellow with black | | | | Information on these inherited diseases and ways to |
| striping); fawn (with black mask); black; black mantled | | | | help control bloat can be found in my article on |
| (black body with white collar and trim); blue; and | | | | Hereditary Diseases in Dogs. Before you buy a Great |
| harlequin (white with ragged black patches). | | | | Dane puppy make sure you ask the breeder for the |
| The early ancestors of the Dane are thought to be | | | | Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) results for |
| the large and courageous war dogs, called Molossians, | | | | hip dysplasia, congenital heart disease and thyroid |
| which were used in ancient Greek and Roman times. | | | | disease and the Canine Eye Registry (CERF) recent |
| When these Molossians spread across Europe, they | | | | ophthalmologists report for both sire and dam. These |
| became the founding stock for many modern dog | | | | results also may be available through the Canine |
| breeds including the British Mastiff. The Germans saw | | | | Health Information Center (CHIC) program which |
| the need to develop a big and courageous dog to | | | | stores results from both OFA and CERF for a |
| hunt the dangerous European wild boars and wolves. | | | | growing number of breeding Great Danes. |