Great Dane

Great Danes as their names suggest are well known for their size. These dogs are considered giant dogs. Over time they have come to be known by several different names Danish Gallant, Apollo and boarhound are just a few of their names. This dog is of European origin. They were first seen in Germany. These dogs were bred as domestic animals. Then Great Dane has held world records for being the tallest living dog. Although there is one other breed of dog that is taller: the Irish wolfhound. The Great Dane has an overall appearance of being a very regal dog. This dog can command attention with its sheer size.

The Great Danes have certain elegance in its movements. This dog will never look clumsy no matter what they do. They always have a dignified front with handsome features. This breed is the epitome of strength and size. They are very strong dogs with a muscular build. The Great Dane has a beautifully formed body with visibly muscular limbs. This dog has a large head but in proportion to their body. Their ears have a naturally floppy element to them. The ears are triangular in shape and can be cropped if wanted. They have a deep well seated chest with a nicely arched body. The tail of a Great Dane is very strong and when the dog is happy or excited the tail can very well be compared to a continuous whipping. The ears and tail of this dog were traditionally docked before; however it is banned to do so now.

The male Great Dane ideally stands at 76 cm tall and should weigh no less than 54 kgs. The females should stand at 71cms and weigh at least 45 kg. In the show ring the size of a Great Dane holds a lot of importance; if the dog is undersized they will be disqualified. Great Danes are a short haired breed of dog. Their coats are not very smooth to touch but short cropped look suites this breed of dog. The coat of this dog is seen in six different shades. All these colors are acceptable by judges in a show ring. The colors are brindle, black, fawn, blue, mantle and harlequin. Danes are also seen in merle and white, but are not always bred because they are known to have a problem with deafness.

Though large in size, the Great Dane is among the friendliest breeds of dogs. These dogs are giant in size and at heart. They will scare people with their size but not temperament. They are often called the Gentle giant. This breed will do well with other pets and humans. They require a good amount of exercise but care should be taken not to over exercise the puppies. Due to their size, Great Danes are at a risk of joint diseases and hip dysplasia. They have a life expectancy of 8-10 years but with right care they can live up to 14 years.