great dane dog

The Great Dane is one of the largest, most elegant, and attractive dogs. The breed standard accepted by the International Federation of Pathologists (FCI) describes him as an "Apollo of dog breeds", his well-proportioned body and gestation in perfect harmony.

Whether you are considering adopting a large dog or if you have just done so and need information about the breed to offer the best quality of life to your furry companion, at DOG57 we tell you all about this large dog, its origin, physical characteristics, care, and potential health problems. 

What breeds make up a Great Dane? 

The oldest known ancestors of this breed are the Bullen Beisser (an extinct German breed) and German hounds used to hunt wild boars. Crosses between these dogs gave rise to different types of bulldogs, from which the Great Dane was created in 1878. 

The strange thing about the name of this breed is that it refers to Denmark, when in fact the breed was created in Germany from Dachshunds. It is not known why this dog is called the Great Dane, but it is also more appropriately known as the German mastiff, German mastiff, and German mastiff. 

Although not many can own such a large dog, the fame of the breed is enormous and almost everyone can recognize one of them. This fame is largely a result of the popularity of two Great Danes from the cartoons: Scooby-Doo and Marmaduke. 

What is special about the Great Dane? 

This is a very large, strong, elegant dog with an aristocratic influence. Despite its large size and imposing shape, it is a handsome and well-proportioned dog.

 The Great Dane's head is long and thin, but not pointed. Nasal frontal depression (stopping) is well defined. The nose should be black, except for the clown and blue dogs. In those with a clown color, a partially pigmented or flesh-colored nose is accepted. In the case of depression, the nose is anthracite (diluted black). The muzzle is deep and elongated. The eyes are medium in size, almond-shaped, and have a lively and intelligent expression. The dark color is preferred, but it can be lighter on blue and clown dogs. In clown-colored dogs, both eyes can be a different color. Ears - They are a set high, drooping, and medium in size. Traditionally they were cut down to give the dog "greater elegance", but fortunately this cruel habit falls into disuse and is even punished in many countries. The FCI breed standard does not require ear clipping. 

 The length of the body is almost equal to the height at the withers, especially in males, so the shape of the body is square. The back is short and the loin is slightly arched. The chest is deep and wide, while the wings are set back. The tail is long and high. The height at wilting is as follows: 

In males, it is not less than 80 cm.

In females, it is not less than 72 cm. 

The Great Dane's coat is short, dense, shiny, smooth, and flat. It can be fake, gray, clown, black or blue. 

Is Great Dane aggressive? 

The Great Dane's sheer size can give a false impression of his temperament and character. In general, these dogs are very friendly and affectionate with their dogs, although they can be reserved with strangers. They are not typically aggressive, but it is important to make them social dogs due to their tendency to be reserved with strangers. Properly socialized, they are dogs that get along well with people, other dogs, and even other pets. In this case, they are especially good friends with children, although they are small dogs that can be clumsy for young children. 

Many believe that it is difficult to train a Great Dane. This idea stems from traditional dog training methods. Great Danes are very sensitive to abuse and do not respond well to conventional training. However, through positive training (click training, rewards, etc.) amazing results can be achieved. 

These dogs need frequent companionship. They are not usually destructive, but they can become when left on their own for too long or if you are bored. They can also be destructive due to their large size, especially when they are puppies and teens, but they are not very active indoors. 

Is a Great Dane easy to take care of? 

Great Dane hair care is simple. Brushing is usually enough to remove dead hair. A bath is only necessary when the dog is dirty, and due to its size, it is always advisable to go to a kennel. 

These dogs need moderate exercise and are more active outdoors than indoors. Although they are very large dogs, they do not adapt well to living outside or in the garden. And it is better if they are allowed to live inside the house and in the nucleus of the family and to go out to exercise. 

Because of their relatively calm temperament, they can adapt to living in apartments, but their size can cause problems in very small homes, as they can break decorations without realizing it. On the other hand, also due to its size, before adopting a Great Dane, it is necessary to bear in mind that feeding costs can be quite high. 

How do I keep my Great Dane healthy? 

Unfortunately, this is one of the dog breeds prone to various canine diseases. Among the most common diseases of the Great Dane are the following: 

Great Danes, like many large dogs, have a rather slow metabolism. This results in less energy and lower food consumption per pound of dog food in small breeds. Great Danes suffer from health problems that are common in large breeds, including gastroduodenal volvulus (GDV). The average life span of a Great Dane ranges from six to eight years. Like many other large breeds, Great Danes are at a particular risk of developing hip dysplasia. 

gastric torsion

cardiomyopathy

thigh muscle abnormalities

Cervical and caudal spondylotic myelopathy or wobbly syndrome

waterfalls

Elbow dysplasia

Osteosarcoma

To prevent the development of the above conditions or the timely detection of symptoms, annual checkups of your dog will be necessary, as well as keeping the vaccination and deworming schedule up to date. Go to your vet whenever you suspect or notice any strange behavior in your great dog.