For the Love of a Dane
July 7th 2008 01:13
Zeus is an 8 month old, black Great Dane in my dogs’ day care centre and truthfully, if I didn’t love my guys so much and it wasn’t illegal, I would steal him. He is at that wonderful age where everything is still new and his curiosity seems endless, his mind can’t control his long legs yet and his feet are too big to help things. Sitting down is not advised as it invariably results in a giant, boney, heart-shaped bottom plonking down on your head, back, shoulders or whichever body part looks the most comfortable.
Zeus is a gentle giant with personality to burn and is a wonderful example of the mighty Great Dane.
Originating from the Mastiff line, the Great Dane is properly called the German Mastiff. Despite its Danish name it was bred in Germany and it’s believed the breed’s bloodline includes that of the Wolfhound and the English Mastiff. Bred to hunt wild boar, pull heavy loads, guard castles and participate in battle, the dog lived up to its promise as a super canine. Large and courageous, the Great Dane deserves its name, the English translation of the breed’s French name grand Danious or big Dane.
Large dogs resembling the Great Dane dog were illustrated in art forms in Egypt, China, Rome and Greece as far back as 3000 BC. The breed as we recognise it today is a result of its introduction to Germany some 400 years ago. Besides being respected for their strength and hunting process, the aristocracy of the time began to favour the dogs keeping them in houses and estates, later showing them in late 1800s.
The Great Dane is a giant breed being one of the largest breeds around. Despite their imposing size they are often referred to as a “gentle giant” and ironically have made it on to many a list of Top 5 Inner City Pets.
Typically the Great Dane is smart, strong, very loyal and protective of their humans. They generally take well to training with someone who is assertive, confident and positive. By virtue of their size, if a Great Dane doesn’t want to walk or stay it is somewhat difficult to make them. Training should begin straight away with positive reinforcement and loads of affection.
Danish Design
Although in the Mastiff family, the Great Dane is not as heavy set as its Neopolitan or French cousins. Well proportioned, the Dane has a tall, powerful, well-muscled body square in appearance. The front legs are straight and muscular while the hindquarters are strong and broad.
The Dane’s face is long and rectangular in shape with deep set eyes and large ears. The proportions give the breed a somewhat dopey appearance but there is nothing silly about the intelligence that is evident in their eyes.
The tail is of medium length is set high and is broad at the base, tapering consistently to the end. The arched neck is long and muscular and flows smoothly into the back.
The Great Danes have smooth short coats in various colours.
• Fawn: Yellow gold with a black mask eyes rims and eyebrows. Black may also appear on the ears and the tip of the tail
• Black: Jet black all over
• Brindle: Black and fawn covered in a tiger-like pattern, chevron stripes
• Blue: Similar to the Weimarana, the coat is a blue grey colour
• Harlequin: A truly striking combination of black patches on white. The Great Dane is the only dog breed that shows this particular coat colour pattern.
• Mantle: Black coat and mask on white
All coat varieties are spectacular in their own way. Good quality food and regular brushing with a curry or rubber brush will ensure the Dane’s low maintenance coat is kept in glossy condition.
Big on Health
Like most large breeds, Great Danes have a slow metabolism. This means that they tend to have less energy than smaller breeds and require less food per kilogram of body weight. This does not in any way mean the Great Dane doesn’t require a lot of food. A 70 kilogram dog is a 70 kilogram dog. The Dane requires a good quality diet especially formulated for giant or large breeds. This is particularly important during the first 18 months of their lives when their skeletal structure is developing to support the dog’s ample body weight. Potential owners need to be aware that dog’s of this size require the best quality food to support the dog’s slow growth.
Being a breed with a larger chest to shoulder span ratio, the Dane may also be susceptible to bloat. The same can be said for Dobermans, Red Setters and Dachshunds so this should no way deter new owners; it is simply something to be aware of.
Hip Dysplasia is also something to be aware of, as too is Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) and other congenital heart defects. Qualified breeders are well versed in all aspects of Great Dane health and breed with healthy parents to ensure healthy pups.
The Great Dane is a truly special dog. Large, oafish, intelligent and playful, the breed is a hybrid of personality quirks that will entertain and endear them to any owner with the confidence and resources to care for a giant breed.
Zeus is a gentle giant with personality to burn and is a wonderful example of the mighty Great Dane.
Originating from the Mastiff line, the Great Dane is properly called the German Mastiff. Despite its Danish name it was bred in Germany and it’s believed the breed’s bloodline includes that of the Wolfhound and the English Mastiff. Bred to hunt wild boar, pull heavy loads, guard castles and participate in battle, the dog lived up to its promise as a super canine. Large and courageous, the Great Dane deserves its name, the English translation of the breed’s French name grand Danious or big Dane.
Large dogs resembling the Great Dane dog were illustrated in art forms in Egypt, China, Rome and Greece as far back as 3000 BC. The breed as we recognise it today is a result of its introduction to Germany some 400 years ago. Besides being respected for their strength and hunting process, the aristocracy of the time began to favour the dogs keeping them in houses and estates, later showing them in late 1800s.
The Great Dane is a giant breed being one of the largest breeds around. Despite their imposing size they are often referred to as a “gentle giant” and ironically have made it on to many a list of Top 5 Inner City Pets.
Typically the Great Dane is smart, strong, very loyal and protective of their humans. They generally take well to training with someone who is assertive, confident and positive. By virtue of their size, if a Great Dane doesn’t want to walk or stay it is somewhat difficult to make them. Training should begin straight away with positive reinforcement and loads of affection.
Danish Design
Although in the Mastiff family, the Great Dane is not as heavy set as its Neopolitan or French cousins. Well proportioned, the Dane has a tall, powerful, well-muscled body square in appearance. The front legs are straight and muscular while the hindquarters are strong and broad.
The Dane’s face is long and rectangular in shape with deep set eyes and large ears. The proportions give the breed a somewhat dopey appearance but there is nothing silly about the intelligence that is evident in their eyes.
The tail is of medium length is set high and is broad at the base, tapering consistently to the end. The arched neck is long and muscular and flows smoothly into the back.
The Great Danes have smooth short coats in various colours.
• Fawn: Yellow gold with a black mask eyes rims and eyebrows. Black may also appear on the ears and the tip of the tail
• Black: Jet black all over
• Brindle: Black and fawn covered in a tiger-like pattern, chevron stripes
• Blue: Similar to the Weimarana, the coat is a blue grey colour
• Harlequin: A truly striking combination of black patches on white. The Great Dane is the only dog breed that shows this particular coat colour pattern.
• Mantle: Black coat and mask on white
All coat varieties are spectacular in their own way. Good quality food and regular brushing with a curry or rubber brush will ensure the Dane’s low maintenance coat is kept in glossy condition.
Big on Health
Like most large breeds, Great Danes have a slow metabolism. This means that they tend to have less energy than smaller breeds and require less food per kilogram of body weight. This does not in any way mean the Great Dane doesn’t require a lot of food. A 70 kilogram dog is a 70 kilogram dog. The Dane requires a good quality diet especially formulated for giant or large breeds. This is particularly important during the first 18 months of their lives when their skeletal structure is developing to support the dog’s ample body weight. Potential owners need to be aware that dog’s of this size require the best quality food to support the dog’s slow growth.
Being a breed with a larger chest to shoulder span ratio, the Dane may also be susceptible to bloat. The same can be said for Dobermans, Red Setters and Dachshunds so this should no way deter new owners; it is simply something to be aware of.
Hip Dysplasia is also something to be aware of, as too is Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) and other congenital heart defects. Qualified breeders are well versed in all aspects of Great Dane health and breed with healthy parents to ensure healthy pups.
The Great Dane is a truly special dog. Large, oafish, intelligent and playful, the breed is a hybrid of personality quirks that will entertain and endear them to any owner with the confidence and resources to care for a giant breed.
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