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Standard Great Dane Characteristics

About the Great Dane

The Great Dane, also known as the German Mastiff and Deutsche Dogge, is a German dog who was used in the Middle Ages as a war dog and large mammal hunter. They were called the “Apollo” of dogs because of their ability to overtake such strong animals.

The Great Dane Temperment and Intelligence

Today Great Danes are used mainly as companion dogs because of their loving and gentle ways. They are exceptional dogs to have with children and families. They are still used as guard dogs though it is not as prevalent of a use as that of the companion dog. Great Danes are stately, gentle, elegant, and affectionate dogs that exuberate strength and power. They are always friendly and reliable, yet spirited and brave. They love to be around people and are excellent with children. They tend to be wonderful watchdogs and don’t bark unless they need to alert someone. Training may be demanding so it is best to start early with this breed.

Great Dane Characteristics

Great Danes have a chiseled looking head with deep set, dark, medium sized eyes. Their ears are set high and fold forward. They usually have black noses except when they are Blue in which case their nose is blue-black or spotted on the Harlequin. They have thick lips, short dense coat and a long tapering tail. They come in a variety of colors including brindle, fawn, blue, black, harlequin and mantle. Brindle Danes have a yellow gold base color with brindle stripes throughout and usually have a black mask. Fawn Danes also have a yellow gold base with a black mask but the yellow gold color should stand out the most. Blue Danes look steel blue while the Black Danes look shiny black. Harlequin Danes need to have a white base with patches of black throughout the dog’s body. Mantle Danes are black and white with a solid black blanket over the body and a white muzzle. On average, males are about 120 to 200 pounds and 30-34 inches tall. Females are about 100-130 pounds and 28-32 inches tall.

Great Dane Health Concerns

Great Danes do not generally live very long lives as they a plagued with health problems more so than other breeds. They have a huge problem with dysplasia, arthritis, tumors, bloat, heart disease, and tail injuries.

Choosing a Great Dane

Great Danes can flourish in an apartment if they are sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors but do need plenty of daily exercise.

Reviews:

What are Great Danes Like?

Many people will ask this and other questions so some of our members have contributed to help those interested, understand what it's like to live with this breed. See the below accounts:

Great Dane Personal Account - By Stella

My Great Dane truly reflects the term gentle giant, and it is one of the things I most love about him. He is slow in everything he does, from eating to anger, but if you raise his temper, and mess with those he loves, watch out. He is formidable in anger and yet toddlers can safely play at his feet.

There are many people impressed with the grace, size and regal bearing of the great dane, but owners should beware, they are not the dog for everyone. The one characteristic that is a must for dane owners is a sense of humor.

If a clean, drool free house and clothing is a must, look elsewhere. If the disappearance of the unattended Sunday roast from the counter is earth shattering and the occasional bloody nose or broken toes from large dog exuberance is daunting, look elsewhere.
If, however, unconditional love, devotion and charm in an extra large package is your bag, welcome to the Great Dane fold. You will never be sorry.

- Stella

Great Dane Personal Account - By Angela

What to say about the Great Dane? They're big dogs. However, only strangers truly know how enormous they are, as they will seem normal to their family (All the other dogs in existence are just incredibly tiny) and the dogs themselves are completely oblivious to their size.

I was talking with a friend last night about dogs I liked but would never have, and why I love my Dane baby. I'm a lazy person who has sporadic bursts of intense activity. ie: I usually sit at the computer all day and randomly I'll want to go for a run or something. Danes are the perfect dog for this, because they CAN be active, but they don't HAVE to be.

Living with a Dane is interesting to be sure. They think that they're people and need to be treated as such. They're always involved in what you're doing, you'd think you couldn't trip over a dog the size of a dinette table but you do. Over and over again.

Seeing Danes in rescue is heart breaking to me as almost all of them are in there simply for being themselves. People drop them off citing "He got too big" (You got a GREAT DANE! What'd you think would happen?), or "She's too clingy" (Danes are people oriented dogs, any half hearted research would tell you this). Wanna know what life is like with a Dane? Take your most embarrassing moment. Multiply it by ten. You'll go through something like this every week or so. If you are obsessed with decorum, don't get a Dane. If you are driven by owning rare and exotic things (And keeping them intact), don't get a Dane. If your home would be featured on Better Homes and Gardens (And you don't have to clean obsessively for 3 weeks straight prior to the shoot), if any of your furniture, carpets or fixtures are white, don't get a Dane. If your reason behind wanting this animal is solely their grace, nobility and dignity, you'll be very disappointed, so don't get a Dane.

Sanity is my world, and I'm his. As crazy as it sounds, it's the most humbling experience to know that this massive beast's entire life is devoted to you. I guess something I read once really stuck with me and sums up the whole Dane thing. "Other dogs love you but a Dane is IN love with you."

- Angela

Resources

Discuss Great Dane in the Big Paw Forums/Message Boards

See pictures of Great Dane by real owners in the Big Paw Forums

More Information on the Great Dane Breed: