Bred down from various lines of huge dogs, the Great Dane was once heralded for his hunting ferocity, but for the last 150 years he has been bred to be a gentle (and somewhat goofy) giant.
Great Danes make fantastic pets, granted they have the space to romp outside and to lounge about and move around freely inside. Their even-tempered and calm nature means they are suitable for young families and they get along well with other pets.
Descriptions of huge Dane-like dogs are depicted in Chinese literature from earlier than 1000 B.C. What we do know of the Great Dane’s history is that he is descended from the large English mastiff X Irish wolfhound-type dogs from England, which were imported into the rest of Europe for hunting and protection in the mid-1500s. At the beginning of the 17th century, German and Danish nobles bred their dogs for hunting and companionship, keeping the biggest and best of them in their bedrooms (‘chambers’). These dogs were known as kammerhunde, or chamber dogs, but when they didn’t occupy the royal bedrooms, they were out hunting wild boar, bears and deer with their noble owners. The dogs had to be big and strong enough to hold the hunt in place before the hunters arrived to kill it.
The introduction of firearms into hunting meant there was less of a need for so-called catch dogs, so these huge mastiff-type dogs began to disappear. It was only in rare circumstances that they were they kept on as hobby dogs or luxury companions.
Up until the late 19th century, these huge German dogs were known as English dogge (because of their origins), but their name was changed to Deutsche dogge – or German mastiff. In his book of natural history, French naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon names this large dog grand danois. He had travelled to Denmark and encountered this huge ‘Danish mastiff’, but the standard for today’s Great Dane was developed and registered in Germany. The German breeders focused on refining the Great Dane’s temperament – from that of a once ferocious hunting mastiff/hound cross to the gentle giant he is today.
Even-tempered, calm, affectionate and playful, the Great Dane embodies a big (giant) puppy who wants in on the family action. He is eager to please, which makes for easy training, although his large size means he needs a firm leader and very consistent rules.
The Great Dane loves people, so he might not see intruders or strangers as a threat, but if he perceives a threat towards his family, he can become very protective.
While the Great Dane might seem like the perfect dog, he still needs socialisation and training to bring out his full potential.
Typical of giant dogs, the Great Dane has a faster metabolism than medium and large dogs, so he needs to eat more to get his fill and have enough energy. One of the greatest health risks to the breed is gastric dilatation volvulus, or bloat, in which the stomach twists (called ‘torsion’) and cuts off blood supply. It is life threatening and requires immediate medical attention as it has been fatal to many Great Danes. After eating a meal, Danes should be rested for around an hour before they exercise, which can lower the risk of bloat.
Other conditions that Great Danes are susceptible to include:
The Great Dane is surprisingly mellow, but as with any dog, he needs daily exercise to keep healthy. A Great Dane puppy needs around 90 minutes of play and walking each day, while an adult needs at least 30 to 60 minutes. A nice long walk on the leash or active playtime in a big yard with a high fence will keep the Great Dane in good shape. Puppies shouldn’t be exercised too vigorously or jogged in order to protect their rapidly growing bones. He should be at least 18 months old before becoming a ‘running buddy’.
As with all dogs, the Great Dane puppy should be socialised early and consistently to teach him good manners with other pets and people. He should be exposed to lots of different people, animals and situations. An unsocialised Great Dane may become fearful around new people and situations, and behave aggressively if he feels threatened.
As if the Great Dane couldn’t be any easier as a dog, his coat is short and smooth and can be easily groomed with a grooming glove or short-bristled brush. He does shed quite a bit, especially during his two shedding seasons per year. Since there is so much of him, it can seem like too much shedding, but a daily once-over with the brush or glove will take care of most of the shed hair and keep his coat in great condition. He only needs the occasional bath, which, because of his size, should be done outside on a sunny day.
Brush the Great Dane’s teeth regularly and keep his nails clipped short (you shouldn’t be able to hear them clicking on the floor). His ears should be checked regularly for any irritation or odour, which is an indication of ear infection.
| Size | Giant |
|---|---|
| Type | Working group |
| Average adult weight | 70 kg |
| Average adult height | 80 cm |
| Average life span | 8 years |
| Breed family | |
| Area of origin | Germany |
