Breed Highlight: Great Dane

The Great Dane is large and noble breed, commonly referred to as a gentle giant or as the “Apollo of dogs.” This breed certainly holds stature in the dog world. For all of his size, a Great Dane is a sweet and affectionate pet. Great Danes love to play and are gentle with children. Therefore, we will discuss this breed to help you determine if it is the best fit for you and your family.

The Great Dane

Vital Stats of Great Danes

The following are vital stats of Great Danes:

• Dog breed group: Working
• Height: 28 to 32 inches or more at the shoulder
• Weight: 110 to 190 pounds
• Lifespan: 7 to 10 years

Physical Characteristics of Great Danes

The Great Dane is highly regarded for its majestic appearance and carriage. Along with exuding elegance, this breed’s large, square frame gives it a powerful gait with easy, long strides.

His coat is glossy, short and dense. In addition, the coat comes in a variety of color patterns, including the following:

• brindle
• fawn
• blue
• black
• harlequin
• matle

Care for Great Danes

Coat care for the Great Dane is minimal. However, this breed does require regular exercise. You can accomplish this with a lengthy walk or a fast-paced game.

While this breed looks sturdy, the dog cannot live outdoors. Instead, it is better with an equal schedule of indoor and outdoor activities. When indoors, give this dog plenty of space and a soft bed for sleeping.

Health of Great Danes

The Great Dane may suffer from minor health issues such as the following:

• Wobbler’s syndrom
• hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD)
• hypothryoidism
• canine hip dysplasia (CHD)
• osteochondritis

In addition, this breed can suffer from the following major health conditions:

• osteoarcoma
• cardiomyopathy
• gastric torsion

History of Great Danes

While you might think the Great Dane originated in Denmark, this is not the case. This breed actually originates in Germany, where he is known as the Deutsche Dogge. Likely breeds in his background include the following:

• Irish Wolfhould – height
• Mastiff – heft
• Greyhound – sleek physique

This breed was designed to hunt boar. At the time, he was as ferocious as his tusked adversary. Later, this breed was common as an estate guardian.

In 1876 the Great Dane was named the national dog of Germany. However, this breed came to be appreciated in other countries as well, including the U.S. Today, the Great Dane ranks 17^th among the breeds registered by the American Kennel Club, up from 28^th in 2000.

 

For more information on the Great Dane or other dog breeds, don’t hesitate to contact us here at All Pets Veterinary Medical Center with the link below!