The Great Dane, Danish Hound, or German Mastiff, is a breed of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) known for its giant size and gentle personality. The breed is commonly referred to as the "Gentle giant" and the "Apollo of all breeds. Great Danes are considered one of the tallest dog breeds along with the Irish Wolfhound. More recently, Great Danes have been in the Guinness World Records for tallest dog. The Great Dane was named the state dog of Pennsylvania in 1965.
In the United States, the breed standard for the Great Dane is described on the American Kennel Club website. The male should appear more massive throughout than the female, with larger frame and heavier bone. In the ratio between length and height, the Great Dane should be square. In females, a somewhat longer body is permissible, providing she is well proportioned to her height. Coarseness or lack of substance are equally undesirable. The male shall not be less than 30 inches (75 cm) at the shoulders, but it is preferable that he be 32 inches or more (>80 cm), providing he is well proportioned to his height. The female shall not be less than 28 inches (70 cm) at the shoulders, but it is preferable that she be 30 inches or more (>75 cm), providing she is well proportioned to her height. Danes under minimum height must be disqualified. Males must weigh a minimum of 120 lbs (54.5 kg).
In August 2004, a Great Dane named "Gibson" from Grass Valley, California was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's tallest dog, measuring 107 cm (42.2 in) at the withers. It is not in the best interest of the breed to attempt to achieve the "tallest" dog. Breeding for height will sacrifice structure and confirmation in the Great Dane and produce dogs that are unsound.
Other colors occur occasionally but are not acceptable for conformation showing, and they are not pursued by breeders. These colors include white, fawnequin, merle, merlequin, fawn mantle, and others. These are sometimes advertised as "rare" colors to unsuspecting buyers.
Cropping of the ears is common in the United States and much less common in Europe. In some European countries such as the UK, Denmark, Germany, parts of Australia, and in New Zealand, the practice is banned, or controlled in such that it may only be performedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/button_image.png by veterinary surgeons for health reasons. The original purpose of Ear Cropping was to cut the ears so that wolves and wild boar (often the objective of great dane hunts) would not be able to grab a hold of the ear. Now, however, it is used to obtain a more regal or majestic look in showdogs. The original ear cropping can be seen in the pictures below.
Just like any dog a Great Dane needs exercise, and often they demand quite a lot of it.
A common misconception is that they are all slow and docile and don't need walking, this is incorrect and in most cases Great Danes are full of energy and need regular walking.
Regular walking and physical exercise is required as well as 'mental exercise' in order to keep a Great Dane content and happy, Great Danes need exercise for their mental well being as well as to keep them healthy and stop them from getting overweight.
Most often Danes require two walks a day, one off-lead if possible.
Another problem common to the breed is hip dysplasia. Typically an x-ray of the parents can certify whether their hips are healthy and can serve as a guideline for whether the animals should be bred and are likely to have healthy pups.
Great Danes generally live 8-10 years, but with responsible breeding and improved nutrition they can live to be 12-14.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and many congenital heart diseases are also commonly found in the Great Dane.
Great Danes also suffer from several genetic disorders that are specific to the breed. For example, if a Great Dane lacks color (is white) near its eyes or ears then that organ does not develop and usually the dog will be either blind or deaf.
The Great Dane Owners forum is a great place to meet other Great Dane Owners and swap health and breed information. Many members have experience with the main Great Dane Health problems, experience with Dane behaviour as well as many experienced owners involved in Rescue The Great Dane Owners Forum
Sadly many Great Danes End up in Rescue each year for various reasons, often people simply find that as the dog grows up and gets bigger they can't handle it any more and then hand it to a rescue center.
Sometimes dogs are neglected by people, sometimes they are abandoned or starved, It can often be hard for normal rescues to find homes for these dogs because of their size or behaviour.
Fortunately there are experienced rescue groups dedicated to finding homes for these dogs.
The Great Dane Rescue and re-homing center is based in Wiltshire and re-home Great Danes throughout the UK, visit their website The Great Dane Rescue and re-homing center
You can find more Information about the UK Great Dane Rescue organisations here Great Danes Online
According to Barbara Stein, "The breed originated in Germany, probably from a cross between the English mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound." However, other sources maintain that the breed originated in Denmark, and still others report the question as controversial and unsettled. 
In 1749 Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon used the name ”le Grand Danois,” (translated by William Smellie (encyclopedist) as ”Great Dane”). Up until that time the hound was referred to in England as ”Danish dog.”
According to Jacob Nicolay Wilse the Danes called the dog ”large hound,” a terminology continued well in to the 20th Century.
In Germany in 1780 the hound is referred to as ”Grosse Dänische Yagd Hund” (Large Danish Hunting Hound). At the first dog exhibition, held in Hamburg 14-20 July 1863, eight dogs were called ”Dänische Dogge” and seven ”Ulmer Doggen.”
The Great Dane, Danish Hound, or German Mastiff, is a breed of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) known for its giant size and gentle personality. The breed is commonly referred to as the "Gentle giant" and the "Apollo of all breeds. Great Danes are considered one of the tallest dog breeds along with the Irish Wolfhound. More recently, Great Danes have been in the Guinness World Records for tallest dog. The Great Dane was named the state dog of Pennsylvania in 1965.
In the United States, the breed standard for the Great Dane is described on the American Kennel Club website. The male should appear more massive throughout than the female, with larger frame and heavier bone. In the ratio between length and height, the Great Dane should be square. In females, a somewhat longer body is permissible, providing she is well proportioned to her height. Coarseness or lack of substance are equally undesirable. The male shall not be less than 30 inches (75 cm) at the shoulders, but it is preferable that he be 32 inches or more (>80 cm), providing he is well proportioned to his height. The female shall not be less than 28 inches (70 cm) at the shoulders, but it is preferable that she be 30 inches or more (>75 cm), providing she is well proportioned to her height. Danes under minimum height must be disqualified. Males must weigh a minimum of 120 lbs (54.5 kg).
In August 2004, a Great Dane named "Gibson" from Grass Valley, California was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's tallest dog, measuring 107 cm (42.2 in) at the withers. It is not in the best interest of the breed to attempt to achieve the "tallest" dog. Breeding for height will sacrifice structure and confirmation in the Great Dane and produce dogs that are unsound.
Other colors occur occasionally but are not acceptable for conformation showing, and they are not pursued by breeders. These colors include white, fawnequin, merle, merlequin, fawn mantle, and others. These are sometimes advertised as "rare" colors to unsuspecting buyers.
Cropping of the ears is common in the United States and much less common in Europe. In some European countries such as the UK, Denmark, Germany, parts of Australia, and in New Zealand, the practice is banned, or controlled in such that it may only be performedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/button_image.png by veterinary surgeons for health reasons. The original purpose of Ear Cropping was to cut the ears so that wolves and wild boar (often the objective of great dane hunts) would not be able to grab a hold of the ear. Now, however, it is used to obtain a more regal or majestic look in showdogs. The original ear cropping can be seen in the pictures below.
Just like any dog a Great Dane needs exercise, and often they demand quite a lot of it.
A common misconception is that they are all slow and docile and don't need walking, this is incorrect and in most cases Great Danes are full of energy and need regular walking.
Regular walking and physical exercise is required as well as 'mental exercise' in order to keep a Great Dane content and happy, Great Danes need exercise for their mental well being as well as to keep them healthy and stop them from getting overweight.
Most often Danes require two walks a day, one off-lead if possible.
Another problem common to the breed is hip dysplasia. Typically an x-ray of the parents can certify whether their hips are healthy and can serve as a guideline for whether the animals should be bred and are likely to have healthy pups.
Great Danes generally live 8-10 years, but with responsible breeding and improved nutrition they can live to be 12-14.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and many congenital heart diseases are also commonly found in the Great Dane.
Great Danes also suffer from several genetic disorders that are specific to the breed. For example, if a Great Dane lacks color (is white) near its eyes or ears then that organ does not develop and usually the dog will be either blind or deaf.
The Great Dane Owners forum is a great place to meet other Great Dane Owners and swap health and breed information. Many members have experience with the main Great Dane Health problems, experience with Dane behaviour as well as many experienced owners involved in Rescue The Great Dane Owners Forum
Sadly many Great Danes End up in Rescue each year for various reasons, often people simply find that as the dog grows up and gets bigger they can't handle it any more and then hand it to a rescue center.
Sometimes dogs are neglected by people, sometimes they are abandoned or starved, It can often be hard for normal rescues to find homes for these dogs because of their size or behaviour.
Fortunately there are experienced rescue groups dedicated to finding homes for these dogs.
The Great Dane Rescue and re-homing center is based in Wiltshire and re-home Great Danes throughout the UK, visit their website The Great Dane Rescue and re-homing center
You can find more Information about the UK Great Dane Rescue organisations here Great Danes Online
According to Barbara Stein, "The breed originated in Germany, probably from a cross between the English mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound." However, other sources maintain that the breed originated in Denmark, and still others report the question as controversial and unsettled. In 1749 Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon used the name ”le Grand Danois,” (translated by William Smellie (encyclopedist) as ”Great Dane”). Up until that time the hound was referred to in England as ”Danish dog.”
According to Jacob Nicolay Wilse the Danes called the dog ”large hound,” a terminology continued well in to the 20th Century.
In Germany in 1780 the hound is referred to as ”Grosse Dänische Yagd Hund” (Large Danish Hunting Hound). At the first dog exhibition, held in Hamburg 14-20 July 1863, eight dogs were called ”Dänische Dogge” and seven ”Ulmer Doggen.”
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