Posted by Administrator on February 20th, 2006 — Posted in Great Dane Origins
The Great Dane, also known as the Deutsche Dogge, is a huge dog whose power is one of the most important features it possesses. It has straight legs and a long neck. Its head is in a special form that has a narrow shape, which makes this intelligent animal dramatically striking. With its dark and round eyes, it has the capability to control its environment even in the darkest moments of the night. The great dane’s ears can be seen in two entirely different states, naturally long and floppy, or cropped. Cropping, although unnecessary, can be performed by a veterinarian in the first six months of your puppy’s life.
A Great dane may have a coat in very different colours, namely, black, blue, fawn and brindle, which are rarely found in the ancestors of the dog family. In addition, blue danes can have lighter eyes which contribute to the dog’s speciality. Its height and weight can change according to the type and age of the dog. For instance, a full grown male dog is 30-34 inches in height where an adult female is at most 32 inches tall. There are also taller dogs but they can be considered as the members of the minority.
Having discussed the physical aspects of great dane, we can now turn our attention to psychological features. First, the great dane is kind and playful, especially towards children. This dog has been known to be a great protector. Perhaps this is why so many people use great danes as watchdogs. Not only is the dane alert, but it’s size frightens potential intruders and anyone wishing to do harm.
Your great dane does not require any ‘out of the ordinary’ special maintenance. But you should pay close attention to your dane’s diet. A proper routine diet is essential to your pets overall physical and mental health. Why is this dog’s diet so important? The great dane is prone to heart disease, tail problems, and bloat. It’s short life, which averages approximately eight years, can be cut short by any of these medical problems–which are often related to poor dietary habits. Regular veterinarian check-ups are recommended, to decrease the chances of any serious illness.
The great dane is generally a happy dog. It can be content snuggling, playing, walking, or receiving mental stimulation. This is a very intelligent breed of dog that thrives on challenges and rewards. If you start training your great dane as a puppy, you not only have a well-trained pet; you’ll have an obedient and loving companion for years to come.
Article by Gale Renz.
Gale Renz is a great dane lover and professional qualified Great Dane Breeder and owner / founder of Dynamite Danes. You may publish this article only if you do not modify it in any way.
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Posted by Administrator on February 17th, 2006 — Posted in Great Dane Origins
by Gale Renz
One of the giant breed of dogs, the Great Danes, is going to be fully discussed in this article. Among the major topics, there are the general descriptions of the great dane. First, we must examine the size of this dog, as well as its attitude towards people.
Great danes are tall dogs even though they are not very heavy. Their popularity and beautiful physique have gained them the title of the “Apollo of Dogs.” Danes are loving, friendly, and affectionate when treated accordingly.
According to AKC standards, male danes are not less than 32 inches and are usually 34 inches tall. The average Dane is close to three feet tall in height. Duration of development of your great dane’s body largely depends on his or her gender. To illustrate, a male can complete his development in three full years where females can be adults in a year or less. Puppyhood usually lasts for 18 months and over the course of these first 18-28 months, an owner will witness their great dane mature mentally and physically.
Diet and proper exercise are very important to your great dane’s health. Your great dane’s daily diet should be consistent, and the amount of food should be measured according to their age and weight. It’s important for your great dane to maintain a healthy weight. An underweight great dane can be vulnerable to sickness and disease, whereas an overweight dane increases its chance of bloating and heart disease.
Because great danes are such large dogs, they need plenty of room to run and play. Throughout puppy hood, this breed of dog needs exercise and mental stimulation. Taking walks, playing fetch, and rewarding a dane’s positive behavior are all essential tasks to developing a strong healthy bond with your pet.
The relationship between great danes and children is one of the most powerful connections that can occur between any type of human and animal. Like children, great danes are very trusting and curious. It’s important to teach children how to handle your great dane. Fortunately, these dogs have a wonderful temperament and do not become feisty unless provoked.
With proper care, a healthy great dane’s lifespan is approximately eight years of age. Nevertheless, many great danes continue to life a full life of ten to twelve years. These loving companions become additional members of our families and we should cherish every day they share with us.
Article by Gale Renz.
Gale Renz is a great dane lover and professional qualified Great Dane Breeder and owner / founder of Dynamite Danes. You may publish this article only if you do modify it in any way.
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Posted by Administrator on November 7th, 2005 — Posted in Great Dane Origins
Great Dane Complete Profile
by Dooziedog.com
Key Facts:
Size: Giant Height: Dogs minimum: 76 cm (30 in) Bitches minimum: 71 cm (28 in) Weight: Dogs minimum: 54 kg (120 lb). Bitches minimum: 46 kg (100 lb) Life Span: 10 years Grooming: Simple Exercise: Medium Feeding: Demanding Temperament: Dignified & kind Country of Origin: Germany AKC Group: Working Other Names: German Mastiff, Deutsche Dogge
Physical Characteristics:
General Appearance: Giant, calm and graceful. Colour: Blue, black, fawn, brindle or harlequin (white with torn black splashes). Coat: Glossy, short and thick. Tail: Set high, tapering and carried in a straight line level with the back. Ears: Medium size, triangular, set high and folded forward. The ears may be cropped within some countries. Body: The body is deep and broad with well sprung ribs. The back is short and firm with a full croup. The shoulders are long and sloping and the belly is arched.
Temperament: Intelligent, affectionate and gentle. These dogs are often referred to as ‘gentle giants’ and make excellent family companions. They get on well with people of all ages and other household pets. Great Danes are people orientated, sensitive, intuitive and slow to anger. They thrive on human company and make good watchdogs. These dogs do need training from a young age, as they grow into large dogs very quickly and need to learn not to pull on a lead.
Grooming: Little attention is needed for the Great Danes coat. Using a rubber brush to remove dead and loose hairs during moulting is sufficient. These dogs need a soft bed to avoid pressure marks.
Exercise: These strong dogs need plenty of exercise and open spaces where they can run and play freely. Running alongside a cycle is a good way for them to get exercise, so long as they don’t go running ahead. It is important that they are no over-exercised during the growth period.
Feeding: Great Danes have a demanding appetite. They are a fast-growing breed and need careful attention with their nutrition while going through the growth stage.
History: Their name came from the French word ‘grand Danois’ which means ‘big Danish’ and it is unknown why the British adopted this name when the breed originated in Germany. It is believed that the Great Danes mastiff family originated in Asia as far back as 3000 BC, as there were Egyptian drawings of ‘tiger dogs’ similar to the Great Dane. This breed became well established when Greece and Rome were the main powers of western civilization. They were later known in central Europe as the German Mastiff or the Boarhound.
Additional Comments:
It is said that someone can easily break into a house that is watched over by a Great Dane, but that they can never get out. Like other Mastiff type dogs the Great Dane is very tolerant of pain and therefore injuries or illnesses can be overlooked for long periods of time.
About the Author
This article provided courtesy of http://www.dooziedog.com/dog_breeds/great_dane/
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Posted by Administrator on November 7th, 2005 — Posted in Great Dane Origins
Great Danes - Their Origin And Temperament
by Richard Cussons
The origin of Great Danes, like that of many other varieties of dogs, is so obscure that all researches have only resulted in speculative theories, but the undoubted antiquity of this dog is proved by the fact that representatives of a breed sufficiently similar to be considered his ancestors are found on some of the oldest Egyptian monuments.
A few years ago a controversy arose on the breed’s proper designation, when the Germans claimed for it the title “Deutsche Dogge.” Germany had several varieties of big dogs, such as the Hatzrude, Saufanger, Ulmer Dogge, and Rottweiler Metzgerhund; but contemporaneously with these there existed, as in other countries in Europe, another very big breed, but much nobler and more thoroughbred, known as Great Danes.
When after the war of 1870 national feeling was pulsating very strongly in the veins of reunited Germany, the German cynologists were on the lookout for a national dog, and for that purpose the Great Dane was re-christened “Deutsche Dogge,” and elected as the champion of German Dogdom. For a long time all these breeds had, no doubt, been indiscriminately crossed.
The Great Dane was introduced into this country spasmodically some thirty-five years ago, when he was commonly referred to as the Boarhound, or the German Mastiff, and for a time the breed had to undergo a probationary period in the “Foreign Class” at dog shows, but it soon gained in public favour, and in the early ‘eighties a Great Dane Club was formed, and the breed has since become one of the most popular of the larger dogs.
The Kennel Club has classed Great Danes amongst the Non-Sporting dogs, probably because with us he cannot find a quarry worthy of his mettle; but, for all that, he has the instincts and qualifications of a sporting dog, and he has proved himself particularly valuable for hunting big game in hot climates, which he stands very well.
Respecting the temperament of the Great Dane and his suitability as a companion writers have gone to extremes in praise and condemnation. In his favour it must be said that in natural intelligence he is surpassed by very few other dogs. He has a most imposing figure, and does not, like some other big breeds, slobber from his mouth, which is a particularly unpleasant peculiarity when a dog is kept in the house. On the other hand, it must be admitted that with almost the strength of a tiger he combines the excitability of a terrier, and no doubt a badly trained Great Dane is a very dangerous animal.
It is not sufficient to teach him in the haphazard way which might be successful in getting a small dog under control, but even as a companion he ought to be trained systematically, and, considering his marked intelligence, this is not difficult of accomplishment.
About the Author
Richard Cussons is a dog lover with a passion for helping people with their dogs. Discover more about Great Dane training and care at All About Puppies and Dogs.
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