Great dane

The Great Dane is typically a gentle giant, easygoing and mild-mannered. He needs only moderate exercise, but does need space and shouldn't be cramped into studio apartments and postage-stamp yards. Above all, this sociable breed needs companionship. He doesn't do well when left alone. With his deep, resounding voice, a Great Dane won't fail to announce visitors, but guarding and territorial instincts vary. Some lines and individuals are friendly with everyone, some are sensibly protective, while others are standoffish or skittish. To build their confidence and promote a stable temperament, young Great Danes must be taken out into the world more frequently than most other breeds. Some Great Danes are peaceful with other pets, while others are dominant and pushy. Because he is so huge and can be bossy if undisciplined, obedience training is essential, but Great Danes are also very sensitive and should be trained with cheerful methods. Harshness only confuses them and makes them distrustful. Great Danes drool and slobber and lumber around in a rather bumptious manner. They are not good choices for fastidious housekeepers, or for those with no sense of humor. Young Great Danes (up to three years old) can be boisterous, and unless supervised, will dismay you with the magnitude of their destructiveness. If you want a dog who... • Is a giant mastiff-type, but more elegant in build • Has a sleek, easy-care coat that comes in a variety of colors • Is usually easygoing and mild-man...

• Great Danes were first bred as boar-hunting dogs in the 1800s in Europe. • They are known as the “Apollo of dogs” due to their stately grace. • Like other large breeds, they can be susceptible to health issues. They’re certainly great, but did you know they’re not Danish? Dogs resembling 1. Great Danes are the tallest dogs in the world. A male Great Dane can reach up to 32 inches at the shoulder and weigh a massive 175 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, at up to 30 inches and 140 pounds — and both males and females can tower over many humans when they stand on their hind legs. Despite their size, Great Danes are elegant, and even regal in their gait and disposition. 2. Despite their daunting size, Danes are highly affectionate and social. These pups love love. They need lots of affection and socialization with people and other animals, making them great family pets. Thanks to their sweet, gentle, patient dispositions, Danes are even great with kids — though like all dogs, they should never be left alone with young children, and they’ll need to be taught not to play as rough as they would with a puppy. 3. Daily exercise is a must for this big breed. You won’t need to run a daily marathon with your Great Dane, but they will need activity. Two brisk walks of decent length should do it, though remember that puppies have more energy and should be exercised accordingly. As adults, Great Danes are happy jogging companions, but it’s important to wait until they’re at least tw...

Group: Height: 30 to 34 inches (males); 28 to 32 inches (females) Weight: 120 to 200 pounds (males); 99 to 130 pounds (females) Coat: Short, smooth coat Coat Color: Black, black and white, blue, brindle, fawn, harlequin, merle, silver, solid white, or mantle Life Span: 6 to 8 years Temperament: Calm, gentle, friendly, loving, even-tempered, attentive, proud Hypoallergenic: No Origin: Germany Characteristics of the Great Dane The Great Dane's temperament is true to its "gentle giant" nickname. These dogs are calm and laid-back both at home and in public when trained well, and their loving nature makes them affectionate members of the family. They are patient and get along easily with children, but as such a large breed, they can knock small children over accidentally simply by bumping into them. They are also not suitable to be handled on a leash by young kids. Great Danes are a good choice for multi-pet households, as they usually have friendly personalities with other animals (especially when raised together). Great Danes top the Guinness World Records list for the world's tallest dog. A recent record holder is Zeus at 44 inches tall at the shoulder. In popular culture, the cartoon Scooby-Doo and comic-strip character Marmaduke are both Great Danes. The breed has also been cast as the titular character in the film versions of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles. Colonel R.E. Crompton, Commanding Officer of the 75th Heavy AA Regiment, stationed at Milton...