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The Great Dane, Danish Hound, Danish Gallant, Deutsche Dogge, Boarhound, Grand Danois or German Mastiff 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 "Apollo of all breeds." Great Danes are considered one of the tallest dog breeds along with the Irish Wolfhound. More recently, Great Danes have been in the Guinness World Records for tallest dog. The Great Dane was named the state dog of Pennsylvania in 1965.
Although, since 2004, the holder of the world record for tallest dog is a 42-inch (110 cm) tall Great Dane, the Irish Wolfhound is the breed that tends to be tallest, though it is lighter in weight.
History
Historians claim that there are drawings of dogs that resemble the breed on Egyptian monuments from roughly 3000 B.C. It is also reported that the Great Dane was developed from mastiff-like dogs taken to Germany by the Alans. The Bullenbeisser may be its direct ancestor, composing about the 40% of its make-up.
According to Barbara Stein, "The breed originated in Germany, probably from a cross between the English mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound." However, other sources maintain that the breed originated in Denmark and still others report the question as controversial and unsettled. In 1749 Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon used the name ”le Grand Danois,” (translated by William Smellie (encyclopedist) as ”Great Dane”). Up until that time the hound was referred to in England as ”Danish dog.”
According to Jacob Nicolay Wilse the Danes called the dog ”large hound,” a terminology continued well in to the 20th Century.
In Germany in 1780 the hound is referred to as ”Grosser Dänischer Jagd Hund” (English: Large Danish Hunting Hound). At the first dog exhibition, held in Hamburg 14-20 July 1863, eight dogs were called ”Dänische Dogge” and seven ”Ulmer Doggen.”
The origin of the name Great Dane is curious. The breed can be traced back to Germany, not Denmark as often thought because of the Anglo-Saxon name. The reason why in Anglo Saxon and French speaking countries refer to the German Mastiff still as Great Dane are political reasons of historical issues especially during the unification of Germany by Prussia and Bismarck. The breed had many names in the Holy Roman Empire, depending on its origin. The oldest trackable breeders were in the states of Württemberg and Hesse. All regions had their favourite colour of coat. This led to the confusion during the first breeder exhibition in Germany in 1863, when breeders from all over the country signed in dogs of the same breed under different breed names. When it was decided during the German Dog Exhibition in Hamburg Altona that there should be a united name for this old German breed it was decisive that this dog would be called "Deutsche Dogge" (German Mastiff) at a time when Germany united and Prussia became a European Power in defeating France. Britain or France would not call a dog "Great German". The precursors of today's Great Dane are the old "Bullenbeisser" as well as the so-called "Hatz- and Sauhunde" (hounds), which are a cross between the strong Mastiff of the English type and a fast and nimble Greyhound. At first, big and strong dogs that did not necessarily belong to a certain breed were considered as Danes. Later on, names like Ulmer Dane, English Dane, Danish Dane, "Saupacker" (wild boar hunt) and big Dane described the different sizes and colors of this type.
In 1878 a committee of seven, consisting of committed breeders and judges with the chairman Dr Bodinus, decided in Berlin to unite all varieties of the above-mentioned types under the term "Deutsche Dogge" (German Dane, ie Great Dane). Through this the foundation for the first German dog breed has been laid. In 1880, on the occasion of a dog show in Berlin, a standard for the Great Dane was determined for the first time. Since 1888, the "Deutsche Doggen Club 1888 e.V." is in charge of this standards and repeatedly modified it since. Today's edition fulfills the demands of the F.C.I.
Description
Appearance
In the United States, the breed standard for the Great Dane is described on the American Kennel Club website. "The Great Dane combines, in its regal appearance, dignity, strength and elegance with grand size and a well-formed body. One of the largest working breeds, it never appears clumsy."
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 30 inches (76 cm) at the shoulders, but it is preferable that he be 32 inches (81 cm) or more, providing he is well proportioned to his height. The female shall not be less than 28 inches (71 cm) at the shoulders, but it is preferable that she be 30 inches (76 cm), providing she is well proportioned to her height. Danes under minimum height must be disqualified. There used to be a minimum weight requirement, but the current standard does not call for this. They are also known for their long and narrow head.
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 107 centimetres (42 in) at the withers. Gibson lost one of his front legs to cancer in 2009. It is not in the best interest of the breed to attempt to achieve the "tallest" dog. Breeding for height can sacrifice structure and conformation and produce unhealthy dogs.
Coat colors
There are six show-acceptable coat colors for Great Danes:
• Fawn: The color is yellow gold with a black mask. Black should appear on the eye rims and eyebrows, and may appear on the ears.
• Brindle: The color is fawn and black in a chevron stripe pattern. Often also they are referred to as having a tiger-stripe pattern.
• Blue: The color is a pure steel blue. White markings at the chest and toes are not desirable and considered faults.
• Black: The color is a glossy black. White markings at the chest and toes are not desirable and considered faults.
• Harlequin: The base color is 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 grey patches (this grey is consistent with a Merle marking) or a white base with single black hairs showing through, which tend to give a salt and pepper or dirty effect.
• Mantle (in some countries referred to as Bostons due to the similar coloration and pattern as a Boston Terrier): The color is 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.
Other colors occur occasionally but are not acceptable for conformation showing, and they are not pursued by breeders who intend to breed show dogs. These colors include white, fawnequin, merle, merlequin, fawn mantle, and others. Some breeders may attempt to charge more for puppies of these "rare" colors. However, the breeding of white and merle Danes is particularly controversial, as these colors may be associated with genes that produce deafness.
In the past, when Great Danes were commonly used to hunt boars, cropping of the ears was performed to make injuries to the dogs' ears less likely during hunts. Now that Danes are primarily companion animals, cropping is sometimes still done for traditional and cosmetic reasons. Today, the practice is somewhat common in the United States and much less common in Europe. In some European countries such as the UK, Denmark, Germany, parts of Australia, and in New Zealand, the practice is banned, or controlled to only be performed by veterinary surgeons.
Temperament
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 and humans. As with all dogs, they should be supervised around young children. Great Danes can be protective and make good guard dogs. Some Great Danes — as with any breed — can have dominance issues, can be aggressive with other dogs, or chase small animals; however, this is not typical.
Exercise
Because Great Danes have a fairly slow metabolism they need daily exercise the same as any other dog, and a fair amount of it.
A common misconception is that they are slow and docile and don't need walking; this is incorrect and in most cases Great Danes are full of energy and need regular walking. The Great Dane was bred to hunt wild boar and guard the manor. They are robust, alert and agile when needed to be.
Health
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 formally known as Gastric volvulus) is a critical condition that can affect Great Danes and results rapidly in death if not quickly addressed. Drinking large amounts of fluid in a short period of time can provoke Bloating in Great Danes, as well as other larger breeds of dogs. It is a commonly recommended practice for Great Danes to have their stomachs tacked (Gastropexy) to the right abdominal wall 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 risk. Refraining from exercise or activity immediately before and after meals may also reduce risk, although this has not been validated with research.
Another problem common to the breed is 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.
Great Danes generally live 8–10 years, but with responsible breeding and improved nutrition they can live to be 12-14.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and many congenital heart diseases are also commonly found in the Great Dane. Which often leads to its nick name of the Heart break breed, in conjunction with its shorter lifespan.
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, deaf, or both.
Great Danes in culture
• Scooby-Doo, a Hanna-Barbera character. Designer Iwao Takamoto based this famous animal character on a Great Dane based on sketches given by a Hanna-Barbera employee who bred this dog, although Scooby's tail is longer than a real Great Dane's and actually bears a closer resemblance to a cat's tail. In one episode of the original series, when asked what breed of dog he is, one of the characters replies that he's part-terrier and "part-terrified".
• Brad Anderson's newspaper comic character Marmaduke.
• Brutus from Disney's version of The Ugly Dachshund, who is a Great Dane raised by a Dachshund.
• Chester, Alan's dog is a harlequin Great Dane in Two and a Half Men.
• The school mascot for the University at Albany is the Great Dane. The Big Purple Growl, the annual basketball event held in early February gets the name from their mascot.
• The music video for Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" features a Harlequin Great Dane.
• So far most of singer Lady GaGa's music videos feature two trademark Harlequin Great Danes
• In the movie Seven Pounds, starring Will Smith. Emily Posa (Rosario Dawson) has a pet Great Dane named Duke.
• On the show 30 Rock in episode eight of season one, Liz has to put up with a Great Dane living in her apartment that belongs to a cousin of her then live-in boyfriend Dennis.
• In the movie The Patriot, the two dogs that Mel Gibson's character "steals" from the English general are Great Danes and were supposedly given to the general by the king.
• In the anime/manga Ginga Densetsu Weed, there are two Harlequin Great Dane brothers named Hougen and Genba.
Although, since 2004, the holder of the world record for tallest dog is a 42-inch (110 cm) tall Great Dane, the Irish Wolfhound is the breed that tends to be tallest, though it is lighter in weight.
History
Historians claim that there are drawings of dogs that resemble the breed on Egyptian monuments from roughly 3000 B.C. It is also reported that the Great Dane was developed from mastiff-like dogs taken to Germany by the Alans. The Bullenbeisser may be its direct ancestor, composing about the 40% of its make-up.
According to Barbara Stein, "The breed originated in Germany, probably from a cross between the English mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound." However, other sources maintain that the breed originated in Denmark and still others report the question as controversial and unsettled. In 1749 Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon used the name ”le Grand Danois,” (translated by William Smellie (encyclopedist) as ”Great Dane”). Up until that time the hound was referred to in England as ”Danish dog.”
According to Jacob Nicolay Wilse the Danes called the dog ”large hound,” a terminology continued well in to the 20th Century.
In Germany in 1780 the hound is referred to as ”Grosser Dänischer Jagd Hund” (English: Large Danish Hunting Hound). At the first dog exhibition, held in Hamburg 14-20 July 1863, eight dogs were called ”Dänische Dogge” and seven ”Ulmer Doggen.”
The origin of the name Great Dane is curious. The breed can be traced back to Germany, not Denmark as often thought because of the Anglo-Saxon name. The reason why in Anglo Saxon and French speaking countries refer to the German Mastiff still as Great Dane are political reasons of historical issues especially during the unification of Germany by Prussia and Bismarck. The breed had many names in the Holy Roman Empire, depending on its origin. The oldest trackable breeders were in the states of Württemberg and Hesse. All regions had their favourite colour of coat. This led to the confusion during the first breeder exhibition in Germany in 1863, when breeders from all over the country signed in dogs of the same breed under different breed names. When it was decided during the German Dog Exhibition in Hamburg Altona that there should be a united name for this old German breed it was decisive that this dog would be called "Deutsche Dogge" (German Mastiff) at a time when Germany united and Prussia became a European Power in defeating France. Britain or France would not call a dog "Great German". The precursors of today's Great Dane are the old "Bullenbeisser" as well as the so-called "Hatz- and Sauhunde" (hounds), which are a cross between the strong Mastiff of the English type and a fast and nimble Greyhound. At first, big and strong dogs that did not necessarily belong to a certain breed were considered as Danes. Later on, names like Ulmer Dane, English Dane, Danish Dane, "Saupacker" (wild boar hunt) and big Dane described the different sizes and colors of this type.
In 1878 a committee of seven, consisting of committed breeders and judges with the chairman Dr Bodinus, decided in Berlin to unite all varieties of the above-mentioned types under the term "Deutsche Dogge" (German Dane, ie Great Dane). Through this the foundation for the first German dog breed has been laid. In 1880, on the occasion of a dog show in Berlin, a standard for the Great Dane was determined for the first time. Since 1888, the "Deutsche Doggen Club 1888 e.V." is in charge of this standards and repeatedly modified it since. Today's edition fulfills the demands of the F.C.I.
Description
Appearance
In the United States, the breed standard for the Great Dane is described on the American Kennel Club website. "The Great Dane combines, in its regal appearance, dignity, strength and elegance with grand size and a well-formed body. One of the largest working breeds, it never appears clumsy."
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 30 inches (76 cm) at the shoulders, but it is preferable that he be 32 inches (81 cm) or more, providing he is well proportioned to his height. The female shall not be less than 28 inches (71 cm) at the shoulders, but it is preferable that she be 30 inches (76 cm), providing she is well proportioned to her height. Danes under minimum height must be disqualified. There used to be a minimum weight requirement, but the current standard does not call for this. They are also known for their long and narrow head.
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 107 centimetres (42 in) at the withers. Gibson lost one of his front legs to cancer in 2009. It is not in the best interest of the breed to attempt to achieve the "tallest" dog. Breeding for height can sacrifice structure and conformation and produce unhealthy dogs.
Coat colors
There are six show-acceptable coat colors for Great Danes:
• Fawn: The color is yellow gold with a black mask. Black should appear on the eye rims and eyebrows, and may appear on the ears.
• Brindle: The color is fawn and black in a chevron stripe pattern. Often also they are referred to as having a tiger-stripe pattern.
• Blue: The color is a pure steel blue. White markings at the chest and toes are not desirable and considered faults.
• Black: The color is a glossy black. White markings at the chest and toes are not desirable and considered faults.
• Harlequin: The base color is 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 grey patches (this grey is consistent with a Merle marking) or a white base with single black hairs showing through, which tend to give a salt and pepper or dirty effect.
• Mantle (in some countries referred to as Bostons due to the similar coloration and pattern as a Boston Terrier): The color is 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.
Other colors occur occasionally but are not acceptable for conformation showing, and they are not pursued by breeders who intend to breed show dogs. These colors include white, fawnequin, merle, merlequin, fawn mantle, and others. Some breeders may attempt to charge more for puppies of these "rare" colors. However, the breeding of white and merle Danes is particularly controversial, as these colors may be associated with genes that produce deafness.
In the past, when Great Danes were commonly used to hunt boars, cropping of the ears was performed to make injuries to the dogs' ears less likely during hunts. Now that Danes are primarily companion animals, cropping is sometimes still done for traditional and cosmetic reasons. Today, the practice is somewhat common in the United States and much less common in Europe. In some European countries such as the UK, Denmark, Germany, parts of Australia, and in New Zealand, the practice is banned, or controlled to only be performed by veterinary surgeons.
Temperament
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 and humans. As with all dogs, they should be supervised around young children. Great Danes can be protective and make good guard dogs. Some Great Danes — as with any breed — can have dominance issues, can be aggressive with other dogs, or chase small animals; however, this is not typical.
Exercise
Because Great Danes have a fairly slow metabolism they need daily exercise the same as any other dog, and a fair amount of it.
A common misconception is that they are slow and docile and don't need walking; this is incorrect and in most cases Great Danes are full of energy and need regular walking. The Great Dane was bred to hunt wild boar and guard the manor. They are robust, alert and agile when needed to be.
Health
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 formally known as Gastric volvulus) is a critical condition that can affect Great Danes and results rapidly in death if not quickly addressed. Drinking large amounts of fluid in a short period of time can provoke Bloating in Great Danes, as well as other larger breeds of dogs. It is a commonly recommended practice for Great Danes to have their stomachs tacked (Gastropexy) to the right abdominal wall 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 risk. Refraining from exercise or activity immediately before and after meals may also reduce risk, although this has not been validated with research.
Another problem common to the breed is 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.
Great Danes generally live 8–10 years, but with responsible breeding and improved nutrition they can live to be 12-14.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and many congenital heart diseases are also commonly found in the Great Dane. Which often leads to its nick name of the Heart break breed, in conjunction with its shorter lifespan.
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, deaf, or both.
Great Danes in culture
• Scooby-Doo, a Hanna-Barbera character. Designer Iwao Takamoto based this famous animal character on a Great Dane based on sketches given by a Hanna-Barbera employee who bred this dog, although Scooby's tail is longer than a real Great Dane's and actually bears a closer resemblance to a cat's tail. In one episode of the original series, when asked what breed of dog he is, one of the characters replies that he's part-terrier and "part-terrified".
• Brad Anderson's newspaper comic character Marmaduke.
• Brutus from Disney's version of The Ugly Dachshund, who is a Great Dane raised by a Dachshund.
• Chester, Alan's dog is a harlequin Great Dane in Two and a Half Men.
• The school mascot for the University at Albany is the Great Dane. The Big Purple Growl, the annual basketball event held in early February gets the name from their mascot.
• The music video for Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" features a Harlequin Great Dane.
• So far most of singer Lady GaGa's music videos feature two trademark Harlequin Great Danes
• In the movie Seven Pounds, starring Will Smith. Emily Posa (Rosario Dawson) has a pet Great Dane named Duke.
• On the show 30 Rock in episode eight of season one, Liz has to put up with a Great Dane living in her apartment that belongs to a cousin of her then live-in boyfriend Dennis.
• In the movie The Patriot, the two dogs that Mel Gibson's character "steals" from the English general are Great Danes and were supposedly given to the general by the king.
• In the anime/manga Ginga Densetsu Weed, there are two Harlequin Great Dane brothers named Hougen and Genba.
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