According to the Guinness Book of World Great Danes are the largest and the second tallest dogs in the world. They originated from Germany and are commonly known as ‘gentle giants. The Great Dane descends from hunting dogs known from the Middle Ages. Bred originally for hunting, these dogs are better suited to live life as lovers.
They weigh an average of female: 45–59 kg, Male: 54–90 kg, have a height of Female: 71–81 cm, Male: 76–86 cm, and have a lifespan of 8-10 years. The common coat colours in Great Danes are Black, Brindle, Fawn, Mantle, Harlequin, Blue. Temperament: Friendly, Devoted, Confident, Reserved, Loving, Gentle. They do well with children, other dogs and cats.
These dogs love people and do not do well as guard dogs, they would rather cuddle with their family. Their calm and gentle energy make them suitable apartment dogs, especially when compared to anxious or active breeds. These dogs do not have high exercise requirements, while puppyhood hyperactivity and playfulness may be a challenge in an apartment, a well-socialized and well-trained Dane will be perfectly content to have one good walk a day for his exercise.
Great Danes tend to possess protective natures towards their families; hence it is essential to train young pups to not jump onto people and that nipping or any act of aggression is not allowed. These dogs do not show barking tendencies, their bark is deep and loud.
Their coat is to care for, they do not shed a lot and enjoy being groomed. These dogs eat large meals and multiple, well-balanced meals especially when they are developing and growing. Care needs to be taken to not over feed these dogs and to meet all nutrient requirements.
The Great Dane is prone to a condition known as “Gastric Dilation-Volvulus,” where the stomach twists on itself, trapping air inside. This is as grave an emergency as you’ll ever face with your dog, and immediate surgery is the only thing that can save his life. They also commonly suffer from cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart becomes enlarged. Some of the other health issues these gentle giants suffer from are hip dysplasia, hypertrophic osteodystrophy and arthritis. Cancer is another leading cause of death in Great Danes, particularly lymphoma and bone cancer. They are also prone to a number of other skeletal, vision and neurological problems, both major and minor. Thus, these dogs tend to need intensive care and management and regular health check-ups.
,
