A big Dane can acquire to be the size of it of a little horse , but do n’t allow his large , rectangular chief and lean muscle intimidate you . He ’s a gentle giant — a loving , loyal , and marvelous improver to any family . He cohabitates well with children and smaller animate being , with proper superintendence . Because he ’s so gangly , he might circumstantially step on those shorter than him — and feel really sorry about it !
The Great Dane ’s excess - large size imply intellectual nourishment and veterinarian bill can add up , and that often catch owner by surprisal , says Jami - Lyn Derse , DVM , founder ofVeterinary Housecall Carein Libertyville , Ill. " I do n’t mean people realize how big they ’re going to get and how expensive they are , " Derse says .
If you want a calm , loving dog and are fain to put in the money , a Great Dane might be for you .
Appearance
The redundant - great size is , hands down , this stock ’s determine feature . Great Danes ' summit bridge 28 to 32 inches at the shoulder , and their weightiness can fall anywhere between 110 to 175 pounds . The " Apollo of dogs " is also recognizable by his long , narrow , rectangular head , deep - set eyes , and thoughtful grammatical construction . " They ’re very regal , " Derse say . " They ’re strong , and they ’re powerful , and they have a great disposition overall . "
Your go - to mental image of a dandy Dane might be a fawn coating and black snout , but his coating has much more range . stock Great Dane color include dim , black and blank , blue , brindle , fawn , and white .
Depending on his coat pattern , a black and white Great Dane can have a few different gens . The harlequin Great Dane is set by a white coat with irregular black bandage ; the merle Great Dane has a greyish coating with benighted patches ; and the mantle Great Dane has black blanketing his body with intermittent white areas .
American Great Danes , when compared with European Great Danes , incline to have a smaller head and sleeker height , but are otherwise alike .
Temperament
Sociable , friendly , and loving , Great Danes are just delightful . Despite their towering height , they’reterrific family dogsand are typicallygentle around baby , small dog , andcats . If you have modest kids at household , make certain to supervise them around your Dane — after all , he ’s so prominent he might circumstantially abuse on them .
They do n’t get the byname " gentle giants " for nothing : Derse says awell - trainedGreat Dane is so unspoilt with kid , he ’ll usually be able to withstand ear- and tail - pulling young kid might subject them to . " I always think of the Scooby - Doo personality ; they ’re like that , " she pronounce .
Despite their typically calm demeanor , Great Danes were primitively breed to be safety wiener and sometimes that instinct can be tap into . Because of this fostering , as well as the commitment and lovemaking they feel toward their home , Great Danes might be wary around strangers surprising them in their yard or home . As with all dogs , ensure tosocialize your smashing Danefrom an former age so he will be trusting and comfortable with Modern people and situations .
Living Needs
As societal dogs , Great Danes prefer to spend time around humans and other fauna rather than in solitude . A large , fenced - in yardwill countenance them comfortably unfold their lumbering branch as desired . But as long as theyget the exercise they need(we’re talking two or three walks each daytime ) , a big yard is n’t a dealbreaker . " They ’re big , so they ’re going to involve to get out and run a little bit , but they ’re not these dogs that have boundless vim , " Derse say . " I see them on a couch a lot of the time . "
In fact , a Great Dane can gettoomuch of a exercise . The dogs grow so rapidly that , accord to the Great Dane Lovers Association of Western Australia , owners should waitress until their pup is 18 months onetime to take himhikingor jogging to preserve his grow spliff .
Care
Great Danes arebig . And because of their sheer sizing , caring for them can get expensive . They wipe out more food thansmaller dogsand , iftaking medicinal drug , require turgid doses as well . If they need surgical procedure , they also need more anaesthesia , which can rear the price . " When you ’re getting one of these dogs , the price is really something to consider , " Derse says . " They ’re definitely more expensive . "
Their smooth , light coating might be low - maintenancewhen it come to grooming , but Great Daneswill shedoccasionally throughout the yr ( which , given their size , can bea lotof pilus ) . Typically , the most sloughing happens in spring as the weather gets warmer . To help controller shedding , owner should considerbrushing the dog weeklythroughout the yr and daily when seasonal peeling sets in . Baths are neededoccasionally , andnails should be trim on a regular basis . And exacting home inhabitant take note : Yes , Great Danes drool . A lot .
grooming and socializing these hot dog while they ’re young ( and when you ’re with child than them ) is vital . Great Danes enjoy being around people and other brute , and with their eager - to - please nature , they run to respond well to consistentpositive reinforcement training .
Jaroslav Kocian / Getty
Health
Like with mostlarge weenie stock , the Great Dane can be prostrate to a number of health issues . " I always emphasize when I see a Great Dane puppy how tight they ’ll grow , and the diseases they get even when they are younger to middle - aged , " Derse say .
The Great Dane ’s lifespan is comparatively short at , 7 to 10 years . " These larger stock do n’t tend to live as long as some of the smaller breeds , and Great Danes are one of those in particular where I remember people are like , ' Oh I want to have this weenie , it ’s going to live 12 or 14 years ! ' " Derse tell . " And that ’s just not the Great Dane ’s life at all . "
The large risk they face , Derse says , is stomachic dilatation - volvulus ( GDV ) , orbloat , a life - peril condition that fall out when the dog ’s stomach fill with air travel and twirl or toss , pressuring other pipe organ . " you could opine the Great Dane has a immense drum bureau , and their stomach is in there and the stomach has so much way to move around with this deep bureau and deep abdomen , " Derse says . " As they ’re run or playing , that tummy can just flip on itself . "
Jim Craigmyle / Getty
Bloat can be prevented by a surgery called gastropexy , in which the side of the tummy is bind to the abdomen rampart so it ca n’t flip . Derse tells all smashing Dane owners to have the procedure done betimes on . " Because once the venter flip , and there ’s a good possibility it ’s going to , that ’s a life-time - threaten emergency , " she says .
In addition , this stock is more likely to suffer fromheart diseaseandeye experimental condition , autoimmune thyroiditis , hypothyroidism , andhip dysplasia . Great Dane owner should seek advice from their veterinarian about measures they can take to reduce risk and improve their dog ’s health .
History
The " Dane " part of the name can be confusing , but the strain has German , not Danish , origins . In his own homeland , he ’s have-to doe with to as theDeutsche(or German ) dog .
Though bred to be wild boar hounds and sentry duty hound for landed estate and carriages , by the late 1600s German noblemen werebreeding them as pets . Today , they ’re more likely to serve as truehearted companions rather thanhunting in the field .
The American Kennel Club recognized the Great Dane as a breed in 1887 , and it ’s still one of the 20most pop strain in the U.S.
everydoghasastory / Adobe Stock
Fun Facts
European vs American Great Dane : What ’s The Difference?Great Dane K9 .
Before You Buy . Great Dane Lovers Association of Western Australia .
Tallest dog ever ( male person ) . Guinness World Records .
