Great Dane Dog Breed
Introduction To The Great Dane Breed:
A “gentle giant,” the Great Dane is nothing short of royalty. Sometimes referred to as the “king of dogs,” this extremely large dog breed is known for being strong yet elegant, with a friendly, energetic personality. The Great Dane dog breed has such a striking presence in the show ring, it has won its way into the hearts of thousands of families. When looking for a cute Great Dane Puppy for sale, the dog breed directory will put you in touch many well known Great Dane Dog and Puppy Breeders. Cute Puppies For Sale’s comprehensive dog breed directory has beautiful Great Dane puppies for sale.
Great Dane Breed Temperament:
In spite of its great size and strength the Great Dane is by nature a sweet and friendly dog that loves children and gets along well with other animals. The Great Dane’s large and imposing appearance belies its friendly nature. Great Danes do not let their big size affect their interactions with other dogs, other non-canine pets and humans. Some Great Dane individuals may chase or attack small animals, but this is rare of the breed and with proper training this unwanted behavior can easily be discouraged.
Great Dane Breed Appearance:
The Great Dane dog breed combines, in its regal appearance, dignity, power and elegance with great size and a strong, well-formed, smooth muscled body. It is one of the giant working breeds, but is unique in that its general conformation must be so well balanced that it never appears clumsy, and shall move with a long reach and powerful drive. As described by an AKC Certified Great Dane Dog Breeder, “A Great Dane must be spirited, courageous, never timid; always friendly and dependable.” This physical and mental combination gives the characteristics with which the Great Dane is identified, and provides the majestic look possessed by no other breed. It is particularly true of the Great Dane breed that there is an impression of great masculinity in dogs, as compared to an impression of femininity in bitches. Lack of true Dane breed type, as defined in this standard, is a serious fault and canines not fitting this standard will not considered candidates to pass on the Great Dane gene.
The male should appear more massive throughout than the bitch, with a much larger frame and denser bone structure. In the ratio between length and height, the Great Dane should be square. In bitches, a somewhat longer body is permissible, providing she is well proportioned to her height. Coarseness or lack of substance are an equally undesirable trait of the Great Dane. The AKC standard states that the male shall not be less than 30 inches at the shoulders, but it is preferred that he be 32 inches or more, providing he is well proportioned to his height. The female’s minimum height should be no shorter than 28 inches at the shoulders, and is preferred that she be 30 inches or more, providing she is well proportioned to her height. Danes under minimum height are immediately disqualified from being able to win best in show. Cute Puppies For Sale’s comprehensive dog breed directory has beautiful Great Dane puppies for sale.
Great Dane Breed Origin and History:
Historians claim that there are drawings of dogs that resemble the Great Dane on Egyptian monuments from roughly 3000 B.C. The earliest written description of a dog resembling the breed can be found in Chinese literature of 1121 B.C. The origins of the Great Dane as we know it today can be traced to the Irish Wolfhound with mixture of old English Mastiff. The breed was originally developed by the Germans to hunt boar, a ferocious animal. When the Great Dane’s most common use for hunting was no longer required, the breed changed to being more of a companion and estate guard dog.
Great Dane Breed Mortality:
Like most large breed dogs, the Great Dane dog breed has a fairly slow metabolism. This means that the Great Dane eats less than small breeds. Great Danes have some health problems that are common to large breeds, including gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) (a painful distending and twisting of the stomach). This is a critical condition that can affect Great Danes and other deep-chested breeds like the Labrador Retriever, that may cause death if Great Dane is not taken to the family veterinarian. Drinking large amounts of fluid in a short period of time can provoke GDV in Great Danes. It is a commonly recommended practice for Great Danes to have their stomachs tacked (Gastropexy) to the right abdominal wall if the dog or its relatives have a history of GDV, though some veterinary surgeons will not do the preventative operation if the actual sickness has not taken place. There are several differences of opinion from accredited Great Dane dog breeders that say an elevated food dish may help prevent GDV by regulating the amount of air that is inhaled while eating, although another study suggests that by doing that to the food dishes it may increase the risk. When considering owning a Great Dane Dog, consult with your local veterinarian and use our dog breeder guide to choose a breeder that is aware of these types of illness common in the breed. Refraining from exercise or activity immediately before and after meals may also reduce risk, although this has not been proven. Signs that GDV may have occurred include, but are not limited to, visible distension (enlargement of the abdomen) and repeated retching that resembles repetitive non-productive attempts to vomit. GDV is a condition that is distinct from another condition referred to as bloat; though, bloat may precede the development of GDV. GDV is a surgical emergency; immediate veterinary care should be sought if your dog demonstrates signs of this condition.
Another problem common to the breed is hip dysplasia. This is a very common trait amongst large breed dogs. A simple x-ray of the parents can certify whether their hips are healthy and can serve as a guideline for whether the animals should be bred and are likely to have healthy pups. Wobbler disease can also be a problem in this breed, it is a gradually progressive disease and usually first appears in dogs under 2 years. It is thought to be inherited, and though there is treatment, prognosis of a full recovery is not a guarantee.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and many congenital heart diseases are also commonly found in the Great Dane, leading to its nickname of the Heartbreak breed, in conjunction with its shorter lifespan. Breed clubs health surveys in the UK and US put the average life span of Great Danes at 6.5 to 7 years. Great Danes also suffer from several genetic disorders that are specific to the breed. For example, if a Great Dane lacks color (is white) near its eyes or ears then that organ does not develop and usually the dog will be either blind, deaf, or both.
Great Dane Breed Summary:
Let your fingers and eyes do the talking. We provide a person with no knowledge of Great Danes, the resources needed to make an educated decision of making the Great Dane dog breed part of his or her household. Great Dane’s make the cutest puppies, and most beautiful elegant adult dogs. Refer to our dog breed directory so your Great Dane doesn’t have to wait any longer to have you for its owner.