GREAT DANE

Temperament: Friendly, Patient, Dependable

AKC Breed Popularity: Ranks 16 of 197

Height: 30-32 inches (male), 28-30 inches (female)

Weight: 140-175 pounds (male), 110-140 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 7-10 years

Group: Working Group

ABOUT THE GREAT DANE

A Great Dane is truly a great dog breed–large and noble, commonly referred to as a gentle giant or as the “Apollo of dogs.” Apollo is the Greek god of the sun, the brightest fixture in the sky. Great Danes have been around for a long time, and depictions of Dane-like dogs on artifacts date back thousands of years.

Their size can present problems. Eyeballing a dog who weighs as much as you makes some folks nervous. Their tail can knock over a lot of things, particularly in a small space. And given the opportunity, they’re an impressive counter surfer. Luckily, they aren’t rambunctious or highly energetic.

The Great Dane was developed from Mastiff-type dogs, but they’re more refined than other descendants of this ancient breed.

PERSONALITY

A well-bred Dane is one of the best-natured dogs around. They’re gentle, sweet, affectionate pets who love to play and are relaxed with children. They have a great desire to please, which makes them easy to train.

The Great Dane wants to be where the family is. They like people a lot, including strangers and children, and will welcome visitors happily, unless they think you need defending. Then they can be fiercely protective.

NUTRITION

Feed the Great Dane a high-quality dog food appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Give table scraps sparingly, if at all, especially avoiding cooked bones and foods with high fat content. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Owners must be aware that the number-one killer of the breed is bloat, where the stomach distends and twists. The causes of bloat aren’t fully understood, but experts agree that multiple small meals per day and preventing vigorous exercise around mealtimes can help reduce the chances of it happening.

HEALTH

Great Danes are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they’re prone to certain health conditions.

Development Issues

Hip Dysplasia

Gastric Torsion

Bone Cancer

Heart Disease

CARE

Great Danes may seem sedate, but they require daily exercise appropriate to their age. A brisk walk two or three times a day can be enough. They can make good companions on jogs or hikes, but you must wait until the dog is 2 years old to avoid damage to growing joints. Because of the risk of bloat, avoid rigorous exercise around mealtimes. Danes tend to follow their nose wherever a scent takes them, so they should always be kept on a leash and only allowed loose in areas secured with a tall fence. Many Great Danes enjoy participating in agility, obedience, tracking events, weight pulls, and sports such as flyball.

GROOMING

For most of the year the Great Dane’s short, smooth coat doesn’t shed much, but given the size of the dog, this can still amount to a fair bit of hair. Weekly brushing with a medium-bristle brush, a rubber grooming mitt or tool, or a hound glove will help keep shedding to a minimum. During shedding season once or twice a year, however, hair loss will be more profuse, with a daily brushing ideal. Great Danes need a bath only occasionally, unless they get into something messy. As with all breeds, the Great Dane’s nails should be trimmed regularly, because overly long nails can cause the dog pain as well as problems walking and running.

Source: dogtime, akc, vetstreet.