One of the giants of the world of dog breeds is the Great Dane. The only dog that is taller on average is the Irish Wolfhound. Despite its majestic size, the Great Dane is a very gentle dog. This is an elegantly strong animal with a lot of energy and a friendly demeanor.
Breed History
There is historical evidence that dogs similar to Great Danes existed in Egypt in 3000 BC. This evidence is found in drawings located on monuments in Egypt. The first written recording of this type of dog is from 1121 BC. C. The English Mastiff was crossed with an Irish Wolfhound and the Great Dane was born.
The Germans developed this breed at first to hunt the wild boar, which is a ferocious beast. At that time the dog’s name was Boar Hound. During the 1800s, the dog remained a popular hunting dog. Later, the nobility and other dog lovers of the time began to have the Great Danes on their property. Towards the latter part of the 19th century, the Great Dane began to do dog shows in addition to being a hunting dog.
After this rise in popularity, the breed began to be refined and standardized. The AKC finally registered the Great Dane in 1887 and placed him in the “Working Dog Group”. After it stopped being used as a hunting dog, it became a guard dog or pet. This breed remains popular even though its size sometimes tests owners.
Breed temperament
This breed is a gentle, laid-back dog with protective instincts. It is not usually such an aggressive dog. Despite its enormous size, it is great to have around children. The dog will need to be trained not to jump on children or adults, because it can literally cause someone to fall.
It can be a good companion dog if it is socialized from an early age. The Great Dane can get away from strangers a bit as they get older. They need a certain amount of activity. This dog must also be obedience trained so that it knows how to act in a variety of situations. Due to their large size, they make excellent watchdogs and don’t always have to be aggressive to scare people away. If they are not doing any good, the person can leave when they see the dog.
Health problems this breed could face
Here are some health problems the Great Dane might face.
• Skin allergies
• Gastric torsion
• Cardiomyopathy
• Skin tumors
• CVI
• Canine hip dysplasia
• von Willebrands disease
Grooming requirements for the breed
This Great Dane breed should be given a basic grooming routine. Brushing the coat with a bristle brush is all you need. If the owner wants to add shine to the coat, they can rub it with a soft cloth to bring out the shine.
This breed sheds something, but not much. The wet bath is not recommended, rather use the dry shampoo at least at home. If you need the dog to bathe in water, take the dog to a groomer who can take care of bathing the larger dogs more easily. The dog’s nails must be cut to the proper length.