Dog Breeds - Great Dane

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Great Danes are one of the tallest dog breeds in the world! Don’t let their size fool you though; most Great Danes are extremely gentle, which is why they are often referred to as ‘gentle giants’. They are also popularly known as “the Apollo of Dogs”. Though some Great Dane’s have aggression issues, most are good with other breeds, pets, and strangers. Drawings that resemble this breed have been discovered on Egyptian monuments, which suggest that they are descendents of an ancient breed.

It is believed that the Great Dane is a mix of two of the world’s largest dog breeds; the Irish Wolfhound and the English Mastiff. First known as ‘Boar Hounds’, then by Kammerhunde (meaning Chamber Dogs) by the German, it is not certain where the name Great Dane came from. Though the name suggests that they are from Denmark, this breed most likely originated from Germany. German authorities decided in 1880 that this breed should be called “Deutsche Dogge”, but the name “Great Dane” has stuck everywhere else in the world.

To help ensure that a Great Dane does not display aggressive behavior, they must be well socialized from a young age. Although training can prove difficult, it is extremely important for owners to teach their Great Dane’s to be respectful towards humans. They must be taught that leaning or jumping on people is unacceptable. Great Danes must be trained thoroughly at a young age. Be careful not to use harsh training as they find it hurtful, confusing, and trust may be lost. Their giant size makes an untrained, un-socialized Great Dane a nightmare to try to control once full grown, which is another reason why early training is essential.

Great Danes are a very friendly breed that crave humane interaction and need companionship to be happy. Their giant stance gives them a threatening appearance to strangers, which makes them an ideal watchdog. Unfortunately this grand breed is short-lived, living usually only an average of 8 years. They are also prone to many serious health problems such as hip dysplasia, cancer and heart disease. Owners should take this into consideration when adopting this breed.