The Great Dane’s origins are in Asia. The Great Dane is thought to be the 1800s cross-breed between the Irish Wolfhound or local greyhounds and the English Mastiff. In the 16th century, it became popular for European royalty to import these leggy dogs from England, where they were used as hunting dogs and in the royalty’s bed chambers, guarding them against assassins.
Nickname:
Gentle Giant
Breed Group:
Working
Height:
30-36 inches
Weight:
110-175 lbs
Life Span:
6-10 years
Great Danes come in a variety of colors, including fawn and brindle, black, harlequin, mantle, and blue.
Which Breeds Mix with Great Danes?
Labrada (Labrador + Great Dane)
Great Wolfhound (Great Dane + Irish Wolfhound)
American Bull Dane (American Bulldog + Great Dane)
Boxdane (Boxer +Great Dane)
How Much Do Great Danes Bark?
Great Danes are not “nuisance barkers.” They don’t frequently bark, but when they do, it’s a howl that packs a punch!
Training a Great Dane isn’t difficult, but it is very necessary. Otherwise, this dog will feel free to live up to its moniker as the “world’s largest lapdog.” This is a breed that doesn’t know its strength or size and so must be taught to be physically deferential to its owners
Are Great Danes Good Family Dogs?
Great Danes make a wonderful family companion. They are affectionate and gentle and don’t require as much exercise as you might expect from a giant dog. They (obviously) take up a lot of room, so they’re not ideal for small apartment living, and they do slobber quite a bit, so stock up on towels!
They are also known to be wonderfully sweet with children, especially when socialized with them at a young age.
It is recommended that your child is always supervised when interacting with your dog to keep both the child and dog safe.
Do Great Danes Have a Lot of Health Problems?
Great Danes are generally healthy, though they do have a regrettably short lifespan, usually living around eight years. They are also prone to some diseases like:
· Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. Surgery can be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis.
· Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV): Also known as bloat, it is the number one killer of Great Danes. Bloat is a sudden and life-threatening swelling of the abdomen. The swelling is caused by gas or air building up in the stomach and then twisting (torsion).
· Heart Disorders: The Great Dane is nicknamed the “heartbreak breed” due to its high incidence of congenital heart defects, which are to blame for its short average lifespan. Dilated cardiomyopathy is one of the leading heart issues in Great Danes.
· Others: Slow metabolism and bone cancer also affect the Great Dane.
You can adopt a Great Dane at a much lower cost than buying one from a breeder, and the easiest way to adopt a Great Dane would be through a rescue that specializes in Great Danes. A great place to start would be by starting a breed search on Adopt-a-Pet.com.
