Amanda Teixeira
One of the largest dog breeds in the world: Read everything about the keeping, training, care, and purchase of the Great Dane here.
Great Danes are extremely popular pedigree dogs among dog lovers. Here you will find the most important information about the Great Dane.
Size: large
Weight: 50-85kg
Coat length: short
Coat colors: yellow, brindle, spotted, black, blue
country of origin: Germany
Origin of the Great Dane
The Great Dane was a loyal hunting companion around 500 years ago. One of their most important tasks was to flush out wild boars and drive them to the hunters. An easy game for the large but at the same time light mastiff.
In order to obtain a dog as strong and lean as the Great Dane, the heavy mastiffs were crossed with greyhounds – presumably, the Irish wolfhounds, which were also huge.
But the Great Dane was not only used for hunting: In the friendly dog, people also found a reliable guard, protector, and, above all, life companion.
The appearance of the Great Dane
The Great Dane is a real eye-catcher: its enormous size and noble charisma give the dog unbelievable elegance. An adult Great Dane can weigh up to 90 kilos. Males reach a height at the withers of about 80 centimeters, bitches about 72 centimeters.
But these canine giants are by no means cumbersome. Great Danes have long, slender legs. This gives them a particularly proud appearance.
Coat and colors of the Great Dane
The Great Dane has a short, silky soft coat that shines. This giant dog comes in many different colors: yellow, brindle, spotted, black, and blue.
The temperament of the Great Dane
Confident and tolerant – that’s what really sets the Great Dane apart. Due to her high stimulus threshold, she is not easily disturbed. The friendly and loving dog prefers to be with its people at all times. Strangers, on the other hand, tend to be ignored by the well-behaved Great Dane – even if they are rude to them. But the gentle giant is by no means intimidating.
Great Danes are ideal family dogs. They are very affectionate and especially loving playmates for children. But be careful: the Great Dane is sometimes unable to assess its own weight and strength. Even when playing with smaller dogs, it can happen that the mastiff is surprised when the puppy squeaks under it. The young Great Dane must first learn how to deal with weaker peers.
Training the Great Dane
If you want to raise a Great Dane, you need a stubborn head that is just as stubborn as the dog. Because the Great Dane is large and heavy, there is no place for power games in training. The best way to conquer the gentle giant is to reward good behavior with treats and, most importantly, attention.
Invest a lot of time and patience in training your Great Dane. It is important that the Great Dane learns the following things as early as possible:
- walk on a loose leash
- stay alone
- quickly following the request to refrain from certain behavior
However, the Great Dane already has a lot in the cradle. She learns the following almost by herself:
- stay close to their people
- come on call and ignore passing joggers, cyclists, or children
- cleanliness and manners in the apartment
However, due to their size, Great Danes are not suitable for beginners: the risk of something bad happening is too great if the dog has not been trained and socialized properly. But there are many other breeds that are suitable for novice dogs.
Husbandry and care of the Great Dane
The first major challenge for future Great Dane owners is the right diet for the dog. Many breeders act with foresight and give the new family a well-thought-out feeding plan for the Great Dane. Feeding is particularly challenging for puppies – they need nutrition that is adapted to their growth. Nutritional advice from the vet is also advisable for Great Dane owners.
It is also important that the Great Dane puppies exercise moderately. The enormous growth puts a strain on the dog’s body. In order to protect joints and avoid long-term health effects, the following things are absolutely taboo in the first year of life:
- climb stairs
- hard surface (like pavement)
- big jumps
- constant getting up and lying down in the apartment
The outlet must also be designed for mastiffs. This breed is very active and likes to exercise: Great Danes like to run about five kilometers a day, but more is possible. It is important that the Great Dane can let off steam again and again without a leash.
In order to protect the joints, the Great Dane should only walk, not jump around.
Make sure your mastiff has its own bed. She needs to be able to fully stretch out her gigantic body on it. This is the only way for the Great Dane to feel comfortable with you. If you have thought of everything for your Great Dane, the giant dog will remain healthy and can be a loyal and gentle companion for up to eight or even ten years.
Is a Great Dane right for me?
Before you decide to get a Great Dane, you should carefully consider whether you can raise the financial means to care for this huge breed. On the other hand, you must see yourself able to consistently and lovingly raise such a confident giant.
If you can offer a Great Dane a loving and species-appropriate home, you should contact a reputable breeder. The purchase price for a puppy of this breed is at least $1200.
But also dare to go to the local animal shelter: you might meet a Great Dane there. Or possibly another dog that will win your heart.