GREAT DANE DOG BREED

Description:

The Great Dane (also known as the German Mastiff), which is often referred to as a gentle giant, is really very sweet, gentle, and playful. Because of its colossal size, this breed should not be left alone with children without supervision. But, in general, the Great Dane is well-mannered by nature. As a rule, German Mastiffs are used as watchdogs or bodyguards, and they brilliantly cope with these duties. The Great Dane was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1887.

Height: 28-34 inches  Weight: 100-200 pounds  Lifespan: 6-10 years

Characteristics:

The Great Dane is a very demanding dog, which can always be relied upon. This makes this dog a perfect family companion. In order to avoid possible behavior problems and even aggression towards adults and children, dogs of this breed must be subjected to appropriate, intensive socialization at very young age. Comparable Breed: Boxer and Mastiff.

Character:

The impressive size of this dog breed makes it look very intimidating, but in fact, this is a very gentle and loving animal. The Great Dane does well with other dog breeds and he shows no aggressiveness towards them, especially if socialized properly. German Mastiffs are very cheerful and devoted dogs.

Coat / Care:

The Great Dane has a short, thick and shiny coat. German Mastiffs come in a variety of colors, including brindle, black, mantle, fawn, pure steel blue and multicolored. Since this is a fairly clean breed, it does not require special care. Hence, it is enough to regularly brush your dog with a stiff brush. To minimize the hair loss, you can also use a special rubber glove.

Health Problems:

Great Danes may be prone to certain health issues, like Hip Dysplasia, Eye Disease and Autoimmune Thyroiditis. Still, the majority of these dogs are healthy. The Great Dane has a life expectancy of 6 to 10 years.

Weight / Height

The male Great Dane dog breed’s height is around 30 – 34 inches and weighs around 120 and 200 pounds. Female Great Dane dogs can reach a size from 28 – 32 inches and weighs between 100 and 130 pounds. Male dogs are generally larger than females.

Training:

The Great Dane will respond best to gentle teaching methods, However, the coach must be firm and dominant. German Mastiffs are relatively easy to train and care for, as long as they’re subjected to education at puppyhood.

Activity:

German Mastiff adapt easily to a small living space but must have daily exercise. Danes enjoy long walks. If left alone for long period of time, the Great Dane gets easily bored and destructive.

Photo credit: Erin Campbell Smith/Flickr; Jon Hurd/Flickr; carl & tracy gossett/Flickr