HISTORY
Great danes are one of the oldest breeds still around. As early as 3000 bc, carvings of dogs on Egyptian tombs look just like the great dane. There is evidence of a dane type dog used for hunting and to fight bears and bulls. However the great dane as we know it today was developed in Europe during the 1800's and declared the national breed of Germany in 1876. As a boarhound the dane of yesterday was very differnt both in stucture and tempermant from the dane we all know today. When know longer used for hunting the breed changed to a companion and estate guard dog. The great dane became the offical state dog of Pennsylvania in 1965.
STANDARD, SIZE, & TEMPERMENT
Great danes are the second tallest dog in the world. Great danes have been known to reach up to 240lbs and 42in. tall at their shoulders. Although it has been known for them to reach that size generally they average between 30 to 36 in at their shoulders and 110 up to 170lbs (so when people tell you there dane weighs 250lbs you can bet that its not true). But with such size and power they are a very gentle, well adapted to live around people, small childern and other animals. They make wounderful family pets. They have a very NON-aggresive temperment. Although they are generlly well behaved, puppies will be puppies and when your 6 month old pup weighs 70 lbs and decides to run full blast threw the house you better look out! I strongly reccommend they have a lot of time spent with them or even put in obedience classes to control unwanted behavior. Danes are a laid back breed but its just noticed a lot more when they do get a little hyper because of there size.
A simple walk threw town will defintly get some attention, when I go anywhere with my danes I have a crowd gatherd around me asking a mountain of questions, (what is IT,how big is IT, how much does IT eat) but like my dane I love the attention. The typical dane will enjoy a lot of affection and attention. He will probly lean on all of his admirers which means only one thing he likes you. Once again I do stress this is a giant breed dog he will be more than twice the size of a large Lab or German Shepard so early socialization is very important.
The AKC standard for the breed states they should have a regal apperance, dignity, strength, and elegance with great size and a poweful well-formed smoothly muscled body. The head should be distinguished, expressive, finley chiseled, especially below the eyes. The male should have a larger more masculine looking appreance were the female should be more delicate. The ears should be high set and folded forward close to the cheek. If they are cropped the ear length should be portioned correctly with the head and fully erect. The neck should be firm high set, well arched, long and muscular. The forequaters viewed from the side shall be strong and muscular. The hindquarters must be strong and musclar as well. The hock joints should be perfectly straight. The rear feet should be round and compact with well-arched toes. The coat shall be short, thick and clean with a smooth glossy appreance.
DANE COLORATION
There are only 6 colors approved by the GDCA which include:
BLUE
HARLEQUIN
BLACK
MANTLE
FAWN
BRINDLE
There are many other markings and colors of the great dane they are just not considered to be show colors your dane could be merle (which is a reconized color just can't be shown), white, mis-marked, white markings, or even chocolate. The solid blues and blacks are a fairly rare find these days and are very expensive. Any color is perfectly fine for a pet dane but you must have one of the colors above as well as a perfect confirmation and some other qulifications to be able to show your dane.