History and Origins
– Dogs imported from England to Europe in the 16th century
– Bred in German courts for hunting bear, boar, and deer
– Used as chamber dogs to protect sleeping princes
– Decline in popularity due to changing hunting customs
– Molossian hound and other imports used to increase stature in Austria and Germany
– Dogs descended from English Mastiffs and Irish Wolfhounds
– Referred to as Englische Docke, Englische Tocke, Dogge, or Englischer Hund
– Bred independently in German courts since the 17th century
– Used for hunting and as luxury dogs
– Crossbreeding with Greek imports in the 18th century
– In 1878, the name Englische Dogge changed to Deutsche Dogge
– Known as German boarhound in English-speaking countries
– Attempt to market as luxury dog rather than working dog
– Referred to as Great Dane due to French translation
– Known as Deutsche Dogge in Germany, French name used in Scandinavia
Description and Physical Characteristics
– Extremely large domestic dog of mastiff-sighthound type
– Regal appearance, strength, and elegance
– Square-shaped with well-balanced conformation
– Tallest living dog recorded, with previous record holders including Gibson, Titan, and George
– Minimum weight requirement for males and females
– Show-acceptable coat colors include fawn, brindle, black, harlequin, mantle, blue, and blue brindle
– Descriptions of each coat color and markings
– Grey merle color previously a fault but now accepted under FCI
– Other colors occasionally occur but not acceptable for conformation showing
– Breeders do not pursue these other colors
Temperament and Health
– Great Danes have an outgoing and friendly nature
– They seek physical affection from their owners or non-owners they know well
– The breed is often referred to as a gentle giant
– Great Danes are generally well disposed towards other dogs, non-canine pets, and familiar humans
– They do not exhibit extreme aggressiveness or a high prey drive
– Great Danes have a fast metabolism, resulting in more energy and food consumption per pound compared to small breeds
– They are prone to bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus), which is the greatest killer of Great Danes
– A rest period of 40 minutes to one hour after meals is recommended to avoid bloat
– The average lifespan of Great Danes is 6 years, with some reaching 14 years
– They are susceptible to dilated cardiomyopathy, congenital heart diseases, wobbler disease, and hip dysplasia
Cultural Significance and Famous Great Danes
– The character Scooby-Doo was based on a Great Dane
– A Great Dane named Rinka was involved in the Thorpe affair
– Great Danes were named the state dog of Pennsylvania in 1965
– The University of Iowa had Great Danes as mascots before the Hawkeye was chosen
– The University at Albany is nicknamed the Great Danes, with the Great Dane as its mascot
Additional Resources and References
– Animals portal
– Germany portal
– Dogs portal
– List of dog breeds
– Reichshund (term used in Germany for Bismarck’s Great Danes and the entire breed)
– Becker, Frederick (1905). ‘The Great Dane: Embodying a Full Exposition of the History, Breeding Principles, Education, and Present State of the Breed’
– Great Dane Dog Breed Information. American Kennel Club. Retrieved 16 April 2022
– Top 11 heaviest dog breeds
– Ludwig Beckmann (1895). ‘Geschichte und Beschreibung der Rassen des Hundes’, Volume 1, p. 6 (in German)
– The German standard term for dog is ‘Hund’; the term ‘Dogge’ is only used for dogs of the mastiff type
– External links to Wikimedia Commons for media related to Great Danes
– The American Kennel Club provides information on the breed’s standard and dog breed information
– The Kennel Club in the UK is a resource for dog owners and those working with dogs
– The Guinness World Records has recognized Great Danes for their size and height
– Various books and publications, such as The Complete Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds and Great Dane: A Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog, offer valuable information on the breed.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Dane