The Great Dane is one of the giant dogs but also one of the most gentle. Originally bred to hunt wild boars and is similar to the mastiff type of breed.
They are sweet, affectionate, noble and sensitive dogs. If you are looking for a big dog who is gentle with the family, you have lots of room and time. This could be the perfect breed for you.
A lot of large dogs don’t need a lot of exercise and the Great Dane is no different. A daily walk and plenty of playtimes are enough. They are giant dogs, so they wouldn’t really be suitable for an apartment and would be happier with a garden to run around in.
Great danes love to be with you and the family. They are fantastic with children. You might need to watch them around youngsters, due to their size. They stay puppy-like until they are around three years old. They will run around with older kids all day in the garden and are described as gentle giants. They do not cope well with being left alone and are prone to suffering from separation anxiety. They are not dogs for people who work full time.
They are gentle dogs, but they have a big deep bark, and the size would put most burglars off. They wouldn’t think twice about protecting their family. Some can be a little wary of strangers. Ensuring this breed is socialised correctly to combat any problems is essential.
They are peaceful living and generally run around and play with other dogs. Cats and other small animals brought up in the house should also be OK. Small animals and neighbourhood cats outside the home will likely still be chased.
Great Dane’s are reasonably intelligent, eager to please and to train. These are large and powerful dogs, you will need to establish yourself as the top dog early on, and then you will have a lovely well-trained companion for life. Try to keep training both exciting and fun and avoid being harsh with them. Identifying their motivation reward early will get you the best results, and it is usually food.
Great Dane’s hair is low maintenance, it’s short, and they shed quite a lot all year round, and they tend to shed worse during autumn and spring as they change their coats. Weekly brushing will be enough to keep it under control. It could just be because of their size. The shedding appears worse! These guys drool a lot; you will always need a towel handy.
Great Dane Stats
The origin of the Great Dane has always been a controversial subject. Most of the credit is given to Germany, as they were basically responsible for the Great Dane as we know it today. History has proven that Dane-type dogs existed in Russia, Poland and middle Germany. In the middle ages, large packs of wild boar roamed the European forests, and it is well known that the Royalty of the day formed groups of these large dogs similar to Great Danes and they became known as Boar Hounds due to their capability of pulling the boar to ground.
- Weight -41kg –46kg
- Size – 71cm – 76cm
- They live for 7-10 years