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| Great Dane | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Alternative names | ||
| Deutsche Dogge ("German Mastiff") Grand Danois (in French) | ||
| Country of origin | ||
| Germany (also attributed to Denmark at various historical periods) | ||
| Common nicknames | ||
| Dane Gentle Giant | ||
| Classification and breed standards | ||
| FCI: | Group 2 Section 2 #235 | Stds |
| AKC: | Working | Stds |
| CKC: | Stds | |
| KC (UK): | Working | Stds |
| NZKC: | Nonsporting | Stds |
| UKC: | Guardian Dogs | Stds |
The Great Dane is a breed of domestic dog (canis lupus familiaris) known for its giant size and gentle personality. The breed is commonly referred to as the "Gentle giant" and the "Apollo of all breeds". Great Danes are considered the tallest dog breed along with the Irish Wolfhound. However, more recently have great danes been in the Guinness World Records for tallest dog. The Great Dane is the state dog of Pennsylvania.
Contents |
This Dane is fawn mantle, a non-standard color
| Great Dane appearance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build: | Giant and powerful, yet elegant and noble | |
| Weight: | Dogs: 54-90 kg. (120-200 lbs.); Bitches: 45-68 kg. (100-150 lbs.) | |
| Height: | 30-40 inches (76-86 cm.) | |
| Coat: | Short, thick, shiny, close-fitting hair | |
| Color: | Fawn, brindle, black, blue and mantle harlequin (merle not recognized) | |
| Head: | Long and narrow, with an accentuated frontal stop and a rather large nasal canal, rectangular, distinguished, expressive, finely chiseled | |
| Teeth: | Strong, well-developed, with scissors bite | |
| Eyes: | Medium size, deep set, round and usually dark, with a lively intelligent expression | |
| Ears: | Cropped rather long, pointed, and carried erect, or left natural | |
| Tail: | Medium-length, reaching to the point of the hock | |
| Limbs: | Front legs are perfectly straight | |
| Feet: | Round and compact | |
| Life span: | Median ~10 years | |
Height and weight requirements for show dogs vary from one kennel club\'s standards to another, but generally the minimum weight falls between 100 to 120 lb (46 to 54 kg) and the minimum height must be between 28 and 32 inches (71 to 81 cm) at the withers. Most standards do not specify a maximum height or weight. However, a male great dane may weigh up to 200 lbs (91 kg)[1]. In August 2004, a Great Dane named "Gibson" from Grass Valley, California was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world\'s tallest dog, measuring 42.2 inches at the withers. http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/natural_world/fantastic_pets/tallest_dog_living.aspx
blue puppy
There are six show-acceptable coat colors for Great Danes:
Great danes of several coat types, from L to R: harlequin, black, brindle, blue and fawn
Other colors occur occasionally but are not acceptable in the show ring. Because they are not valid for show dogs, they are not pursued by breeders. These colors include white, fawnequin, merle, merlequin, fawn mantle, and others. These are sometimes advertised as "rare" colors to unsuspecting buyers. Any coat that includes "mouse grey" is disqualified from show.
Cropping of the ears is common in the United States and much less common in Europe. Indeed, in some European countries such as the UK, Denmark, Germany, in parts of Australia, and in New Zealand, the practice is banned, or controlled such that it may only be performed by veterinary surgeons for health reasons. Ear cropping for looks only was never done in England. The original purpose of Ear Cropping was to cut the ears so that wolves and wild boar (often the objective of great dane hunts) would not be able to grab ahold of the ear. Now, however, it is used to obtain a more regal or majestic look in showdogs. The original ear cropping can be seen on the pictures above.
The Great Dane\'s large and imposing appearance belies its friendly nature; the breed is often referred to as a gentle giant. Great Danes are generally well-disposed toward other dogs, other non-canine pets, wild animals, and humans (including strangers and children). Some Great Danes have dominance issues, are aggressive with other dogs of the same sex, or chase small animals; however, this is quite rare.
Mantle harlequin
Great Danes, like most giant dogs, have a fairly slow metabolism. This results in less energy and less food consumption per pound of dog than in small breeds. Great Danes have some health problems that are common to large breeds. Bloat (a painful distending and twisting of the stomach (Gastric volvulus)) is a critical condition that can affect Great Danes and results rapidly in death if not quickly addressed. It is a commonly recommended practice for Great Danes to have their stomachs tacked (Gastroplexy) to the interior rib lining during routine surgery such as spaying or neutering if the dog or its relatives have a history of bloat, though some veterinary surgeons will not do the operation if the actual sickness has not occurred. Elevated food dishes are often believed to help prevent bloat by regulating the amount of air that is inhaled while eating, although one study suggests that they may increase the riskhttp://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/clbr.htm. Refraining from exercise or activity immediately before and after meals may also reduce risk. They can live between 8-16 years (rarely 16 years of age).
Another problem common to the breed is in the hips (hip dysplasia). Typically an x-ray of the parents can certify whether their hips are healthy and can serve as a guideline for whether the animals should be bred and are likely to have healthy pups.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and many congenital heart diseases are also commonly found in the Great Dane.
Also, some Danes may develop yeast infections, when not fed all needed nutritional requirements. The yeast infection may also lead to minor recurring staph infection(s).
Great Danes also suffer from several genetic disorders that are specific to the breed. For example, if a Great Dane lacks color (is white) near its eyes or ears then that organ does not develop and usually the dog will be either blind or deaf. Many pure white Danes are deaf.
Some sources state that dogs similar to Great Danes were known in Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.Great Dane - URL retrieved August 29, 2006The Great Dane - URL retrieved August 29, 2006 Various sources report that the Great Dane was developed from the medieval boarhound, and of the Mastiff and Irish wolfhound lines.Great Dane at Kaynine Online - URL retrieved August 29, 2006 It is also reported that the Great Dane was developed from mastiff-like dogs taken to Germany by the Alans.Great Dane - URL retrieved August 29, 2006 The breed may be about 400 years old. The Bullenbeisser may be its direct ancestor composing about the 40% of its make-up.
Great Danes Gislev church, Denmark 1500-25
In 1749 Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon began publishing his large thesis on evolution called ”Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière”. His uses the large hound as an example of evolution (Book 4) and since he cannot find it anywhere in France or in Germania he seeks it in its home turf Denmark. It is he who for the first time coins the name ”le Grand Danois”. In the English translation of his work by William Smellie (encyclopedist) the same word becomes ”Great Dane”. Up until that time the hound was referred to in England as ”Danish dog” (see "Canine Madness”, 1762).
The Great Dane Raro, Denmark 1655
We know from a thesis by the Dane Jacob Nicolay Wilse titled ”Fuldstændig beskrivelse af stapelstaden Fridericia – efter pålidelige underretninger og egne undersøgninger.” (page 176) and published in 1767 that the Danes called the dog ”large hound”, a terminology continued well in to the 20th Century.
The Great Dane Sultan, Denmark 1699
In Germany in 1780 the hound is referred to as ”Grosse Dänische Yagd Hund” or ”Large Danish Hunting Hound” (see Edward C. Ash : Practical Dog Book, 1931, ”The Great Dane").
The first dog exhibition was held in Hamburg 14-20 July 1863. 8 dogs were called ”Dänische Dogge” and 7 ”Ulmer Doggen”.
The records of FCI from this meeting shows that all documentation was published in Bulletin Officiel de la Société Canine de Monaco, August 1937.
At some point, either during or immediately after World War II, the country of origin of the hound is changed from the original Denmark to Germany. FCI would appear to no longer have the records that would be able to explain why that might be.
Le Grand Danois
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