Working Dog Group - Great Dane

Great Dane is a breed of dog that is originally from Asia. The legend about these dogs goes back to the Greek mythology, where these dogs were seen on currencies, and their sketches on Egyptians monuments. Their race was created by the breeding of Wolfhound with English mastiff. Then they were bred again with Greyhounds and this breed came into existence. Though their name has the word 'Dane' they are not Danish. This breed also inspired the creation of the famous and highly popular cartoon character 'Scooby-Doo.'

This is a breed that is intimidating to many people because of its size. They have a square shaped body, and the females are longer than males. These dogs are tall and can grow up to a minimum height of 30-34 inches and females can grow up to 28-32 inches. Weighing a whopping 120 to 200 pounds on an average, these dogs are not meant to be kept in apartments.

They should be subjected to training and discipline right from the puppyhood as this breed does not remain in the puppy stage for a long time. They are known to have gentle disposition that have rightfully earned them a nickname - Gentle Giant. But their genes are those of a dog that is fierce. Thus, when they have a feeling of being threatened, the usually quiet breed can attack humans and canines of other breeds.

The Great Dane is a breed that is loyal and trustworthy. They are very tolerant with children and also are known to be social dogs, with their need to be around people. They are also known to be affectionate in nature and hence love to display their affection by jumping on people. As a master, it is necessary to train these dogs in their puppyhood against jumping on people. They should also be taught to obey you in any case. An aggressive and ill-behaved Great Dane can pose to be a threat to many people, displaying the poor leadership skills of its owner.

They prove to be great watchdogs and can scare people with their bark. Though they do not bark incessantly, they are prone to do so when they sense danger or intruders. They are prone to bloating, heart diseases, tumors. With a small lifespan, these dogs should be kept in the right ambiance to keep them healthy throughout their life time. These dogs require a lot of exercise, though jogging is not advised until the dog grows up to a year old.

It is also necessary to keep them active as they are prone to bloating. This breed will happily live in apartments if they are given sufficient exercise; but they will be the happiest with a house that has a large yard. They grow even after they are one year old. Hence it is necessary to minimize their activity. They are also prone to joint problems, bone problems and slow metabolism, owing to its size.

These dogs come in six colors; fawn, black, blue, harlequin, mantle and brindle. The occurrence of the color fawnquin is also sometimes seen in this breed. They have a coat of hair that is usually short and smooth. As giving a bath to this dog is a chore no less tedious than moving mountains, it is necessary to keep them well groomed and clean on a regular basis.

Great Danes are great companions and watchdogs.