Great Dane - Great Dane

Great Dane Temperament

The Great Dane is a giant of a dog with a patient and gentle personality. These sweet natured dogs make great family pets, and are attentive and devoted to their owners. The Great Dane is best suited to those with some experience of dog ownership, as they can be stubborn and bossy. Early and extensive socialization is also important to promote a stable, confident manner. The Great Dane is a bold, spirited breed, and his size alone means that he makes an effective watchdog. These dogs do need plenty of attention and devotion from their owners, and are not suited to those with little time to commit to a pet. Training should be consistent and firm, yet positive. The house proud may want to think twice before considering this breed, as they can be very messy and do drool.

Younger Great Danes can be very destructive and boisterous, and will need a good deal of supervision. These giant dogs do need a fair amount of exercise, and plenty of space will be needed because of their sheer size. When not on a leash the Great Dane will need a large, secured, safe area in which to exercise. The Great Dane is good with children when raised with them, but his size could cause a problem if you have very small children. When it comes to other pets, some Great Danes will be accepting but others may see themselves as the dominant one, and supervision may be required. Again, early socialization is important. The reaction of the Great Dane around strangers can also vary, and can depend upon the individual personality of the dog. These dogs are very sensitive, and some can come across as quite aloof. However, with consistent training and extensive, early socialization the Great Dane can make a very loyal and loving - if rather large - pet.
Great Dane Appearance

The Great Dane is a giant of a dog, and is the tallest of the dog breeds. These dogs have a well muscled and athletic build, and an expression of nobility and dignity. The Great Dane has a short, dense, and sleek coat, and the coloring can vary. This includes harlequin, brindle, blue, black, mantle, and fawn. The height of the Great Dane is around 30-34 inches for females and 33-38 inches for males. The weight of these dogs is 100-140 pounds for females and 145-190 pounds for males.
Great Dane Grooming

The grooming requirements for the Great Dane are quite low, and an occasional brushing will help to keep his coat looking good. You may need to brush more regularly when he is shedding more heavily. The Great Dane is a medium shedder, and can shed all year round and more heavily at certain times of the year, so he may not be the best choice for allergy sufferers.
Great Dane Health Problems and Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of the Great Dane is around 6-8 years, which is far shorter than many other dog breeds. There are a number of problems associated with this breed, and this includes deafness, heart problems, bloat, HD, HOD, cataracts, and bone cancer. Care should also be taken in extreme temperatures, as the Great Dane is sensitive to extreme heat or cold. The parents of the Great Dane puppy should have OFA and CERF certificates.
Great Dane History

The Great Dane originates from Germany and was developed as a dog of war, a guard dog, and a hunter of wild boar. The Great Dane was registered with the AKC in 1887.

# AKADeutsche Dogge, German Mastiff
# SizeGiant
# Ease of trainingMedium
# GroomingLow
# SheddingMedium
# Exercise neededDaily walk
# Energy levelLow/Medium
# ProtectionMedium
# Good with childrenYes, if raised with them
# Health clearancesOFA, CERF
# Popularity24/155