In this article
- ATTRIBUTES
- ABOUT
- PERSONALITY
- WHAT TO EXPECT
- HISTORY
Floppy ears (naturally)
Size
Weight
100-120 lbs.
100-120 lbs.
Height
30 in.
(at withers)
32 in.
Coat
Length
Short
Traits
Low
Low
Drooling
High
Digging
Low
Grooming Needs
Low
Social Needs
High
Great Danes and other giant-breed dogs are susceptible to a condition known as bloat, which involves gas buildup and possible twisting of the stomach.
Great Danes are huge, powerful and elegant dogs. Males can reach 32 inches tall and weigh anywhere from about 100 to 120 pounds, while females may be 30 inches tall and weigh about 100 to 120 pounds (45 to 59 kilograms).
- FORM -
Great Danes are considered gentle giants. They are moderately playful, affectionate and good with children. They will guard their home. Great Danes generally get along with other animals, particularly if raised with them, but some individuals in the breed can be aggressive with dogs they do not know.
Great Danes are considered easy to train, but some Great Dane fanciers say that individuals can be stubborn learners.
Anyone who wants a Great Dane must be willing to accommodate this dog's great size. A Great Dane will eat far larger quantities of food than a small dog, so feeding is going to cost a lot more for a Great Dane than, say, for a tiny Chihuahua.
A Great Dane must have room to move around and exercise, especially when he is young. Anyone wanting to keep a Great Dane in the city must be prepared to take the dog out for long, daily walks.
Great Danes must be obedience trained to assure they are manageable when fully grown.
A condition known as bloat, which involves gas buildup and possible twisting of the stomach, is a real possibility with a giant-breed dog such as the Great Dane. To prevent this potentially life-threatening problem, feed two or three small meals daily instead of one large one, and encourage the dog to rest for at least one hour after eating. Very large dogs also benefit from raised food bowls so they will not have to splay their legs to eat.
The Great Dane, also known as the Apollo of dogs, is a giant breed. The Dane is German in origin, not Danish. The breed is thought to have been around for more than 400 years. Great Danes descend from mastiff-like dogs that were bred by German nobility to protect country estates and hunt wild boar.
In the 18th century, Great Danes were prestigious guardians of estates and carriages. They were also popular with the upper class for sport, as few other dogs could bring down a wild boar.
The Great Danes that were more like those we know today were developed in the 1800s. In 1880, the Germans banned the name Great Dane and called the breed Deutsche Dogge, which means German mastiff however, the breed continues to be called Great Dane in English speaking countries.
These dogs are primarily family pets and, despite their size, have become popular among city dwellers who keep them to help guard against robbers.
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