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Great Dane
One of the gentle giants of
the dog world, the Great Dane is the embodiment of enormous
power combined with a kindly nature.
History:
Although the name suggests a
Danish origin, the Great Dane is a wholly German breed. The
breed is very ancient, and dates back to pre-Christian times.
The Great Dane's ancestors were originally used for fighting,
and were then developed into a formidable boar hunter. It is
possible that this ancestral breed was brought to Germany by
Phoenician traders, or by the Roman legions. This dog was much
heavier than today's Great Dane and was known as the Alaunt or
Molossus.
These dogs were spread
throughout the world by the Alans, who took their dogs with
them when they invaded Gaul, Italy, and Spain. It is believed
that the slender body shape and agility of today's breed was
brought about by judicious crossings with Greyhounds. The old
British name given to this breed is the German Boarhound,
which reflects its ancestry. A dog closely resembling the
Great Dane appears on coins dating from the first century BC.
Physical
characteristics:
The Great Dane is a
well-formed and elegant dog with no rough edges. This is one
of the tallest breeds in existence today. Height: 28 - 32 in
(71 - 81 cm). Weight: 120 - 150 lb (55 - 68 kg).
The Great Dane's head is flat
and relatively narrow with a broad, very deep muzzle. The
ears, set high on the head, are medium-sized and triangular,
and fold forward to sit close against the head. In the US and
Canada, the ears are usually cropped. The eyes are
medium-sized, set deep into the face, and are dark in color.
The body of the Great Dane is strong, with a deep chest,
well-rounded ribs, and a slightly arched back. The tail is
long and tapering. The legs are neither thin nor bulky but in
proportion to the body, and are powerful and well-muscled.
The coat of the Great Dane is
short and glossy, and comes in the colors brindle, fawn, blue,
black, and harlequin (white with black markings).
Behavior:
The cartoon character Scooby
Doo portrays the Great Dane as a large lovable dog that is not
always as smart as it should be. Real life Great Danes are
certainly intelligent animals. They give the impression of
being slow starters, but this is because it takes a while for
their large frames to catch up with their rapid thoughts.
Great Danes make very effective watch-dogs, but their usually
friendly nature towards people undermines their use as guard
dogs.
Care should be taken that their size does not
scare smaller dogs who can be quite terrified on their first
meeting. A pair of Great Danes playing together is a marvelous
sight to behold. Owners are advised to carefully control
children around their Great Dane, as they can get scared if
they are accidentally knocked over during play. If kept in hot
areas, these large dogs should be provided with plenty of
shade and water, as they overheat very quickly during
exercise. It is wise to pay attention to their feet after
vigorous exercise, as they can be oblivious to small injuries.
A truly magnificent dog
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