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The Great Dane is not a dog for everyone. It's beauty and size is usually it's first attraction. You will find every Dane owner ready to bend your ear singing the praises of his dog. History Drawing of Dane type dogs appear on Egyptian monuments as early as 3000 BC. The Great Dane was developed in Germany and England out of mastiff type dogs and Greyhound stock. The Danes of these two countries had common ancestors but were developed for a long time with little or no interbreeding. The principal purpose of the breed in the early years was to hunt wild boar. When boar got scarce , Great Danes were used to guard the nobleman's estates. As a boarhound, the Dane of yesterday was very different, both in structure and temperament from the Dane of today. Danes in the United States The most active period of improting German bred Danes to the US occurred before WWII The first we hear of Great Danes in the US was in 1857. In the 1886 Westminster KC show, for the first time, these dogs were called Great Danes. In 1889, an American specialty club for GD was formed in Chicago. This was the 4th breed club to become a member of the AKC. The Great Dane Club of America was established in Ny in 1891. Personality and Traits Danes make wonderful family pets for those who want a large affectionate,short haired dog who will offer a measure of protection. They are very bonded to their people and need to be inside dogs and with their family. They do not do well as yard dogs although they do need a fenced area for exercise and play. They need and crave human companionship. Danes require little grooming- brushing once a week, ear cleaning and nail clipping. Danes have a short coat so in colder climates cannot be outside very long in the winter. The Great Dane standard calls for a dog who is "sprited, courageous, always friendly and dependable, and never timid or aggressive." Small abberations in temperament might be tolerated in a smaller breed but are magnified in a dog of this size. A Great Dane should be stable, tractable and trainalble. The breed standard recognizes six colors: fawn, brindle, blue, black, harlequin and mantle. Although dogs which fall outside of these colors cannot be shown, they make wonderfulpets. White harlequins maybe blind and deaf. A Great Dane gets along well with people and other pets. Generally are good with children but can be too big for toddles. He takes punishment and reprimand to heart and can have a stubborn streak. They are very loyal to their families but are adaptable and will adapt to new homes. Growing puppies have special needs. Until they are 2 years old, a Great Dane should not have forced exercise such as jogging with their owner or a bicycle. Small children should never pick up a GD puppy. Some danes will droll excessively especially those with fluttering lips Is a Great Dane right for you A dane will take up more room in the house and will cost more to maintain. A Dane puppy can wreak havoc in the yard or home especially if left alone. Danes need regular and consistant training and socialization. Many GD do no self exercise and may need daily walks or play times. they tend to be couch potatoes especially if they are spayed/neutered and you must guard against obesity. Down sides As in any breed Great Danes have their down sides. First on the list is their shorter life span. Health problems tend to be serious and expensive such as bloat, cardiomyopathy, Wobblers and other orthopeidic problems.Some of these conditions can be prevented with proper nutrition. Althoug most Danes are not destrucitve when they are they can do a lot of damage with those huge mouths. This seems to be more of a problem when DAnes are yard dogs and left alone a lot. So why own a Great Dane Well the love and joy they give more than makes up for the heartache of losing them. I would rather live with a GD for 6 years than any other breed for 20 years. One of the ways Danes demonstrate their love is leaning on you. They love to back up on you and plop their behinds on your lap. They make great wall to wall carpets if you have a bunch like me.Sometimes it is hard to walk across the floor. They are normally fearless guards of the homeplace however as soon as they know that a stranger is ok the leaning game begins. When you buy a Great Dane you buy a very large lap dog. There is nothing as elegant and beautiful as watching your Dane gallop across the yard with his ears erect and head held high. The Great Dane truly is the Apollo of Dogs |
