Great Dane

A Harlequin Great Dane
Other names	Grand Danois (Old German: "Great Dane" the modern French is Dogue Allemand ("German Mastiff"). Deutsche Dogge ("German Mastiff") Dänischer Hund ("Danish Hound")[1]
Nicknames	Dane Gentle Giant
Country of origin	Germany
Traits
Classification & standards FCI Group 2 Section 2 #235 standard AKC Working standard CKC standard KC (UK) Working standard NZKC Nonsporting standard UKC Guardian Dogs standard

Great Dane, Apollo, Danish Gallant, Deutsche Dogge, Boarhound, Grand Danois or German Mastiff is a breed of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) known for its giant size.^[2] The breed is commonly referred to as the "Apollo of all breeds."^[3] The Great Dane is one of the world's tallest dog breeds, with only the Irish Wolfhound being taller on average. The last Great Dane to hold the world record as tallest living dog was Gibson, who was 3½ feet (107 cm) tall at the withers and 7 feet 1 inch (215.9 cm) on his hind legs^[4].

[edit] Description

[edit] Appearance

As described by the American Kennel Club, "The Great Dane combines, in its regal appearance, dignity, strength and elegance with grand size and a well-formed body. One of the largest working breeds, it never appears ugly."^[5]

The Great Dane is a short haired breed with a strong galloping figure^[6]. In the ratio between length and height, the Great Dane should be square. The male dog should not be less than 30 inches (76 cm) at the shoulders, a female 28 inches (71 cm). Danes under minimum height are disqualified.^[5]

From year to year, the tallest living dog is typically a Great Dane. Currently, the tallest living dog (2009) is a harlequin Great Dane named Titan, standing 42.25 inches at the shoulder. The tallest dog on record (according Guinness World Records) was a brindle Great Dane named Shamgret Danzas, who stood 42.5" at the shoulder.

The minimum weight for a Great Dane over eighteen months is 120 pounds (54 kg) for males, 100 pounds (45 kg) for females^[6][7]. Unusually, the American Kennel Club dropped the minimum weight requirement from its standard.^[8] The male should appear more massive throughout than the female, with a larger frame and heavier bone.^[5]

Great Danes have naturally floppy, triangular ears. In the past, when Great Danes were commonly used to hunt boars, cropping of the ears was performed to make injuries to the dogs' ears less likely during hunts. Now that Danes are primarily companion animals, cropping is sometimes still done for traditional and cosmetic reasons. Today, the practice is somewhat 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 to only be performed by veterinary surgeons.

[edit] Coat colors

Blue puppy

There are six show-acceptable coat colors for Great Danes:^[5]

• Fawn: The color is yellow gold with a black mask. Black should appear on the eye rims and eyebrows, and may appear on the ears.
• Brindle: The color is fawn and black in a chevron stripe pattern. Often also they are referred to as having a tiger-stripe pattern.
• Blue: The color is a pure steel blue. White markings at the chest and toes are not desirable and considered faults.
• Black: The color is a glossy black. White markings at the chest and toes are not desirable and considered faults.
• Harlequin: The base color is pure white with black torn patches irregularly and well distributed over the entire body; a pure white neck is preferred. The black patches should never be large enough to give the appearance of a blanket, nor so small as to give a stippled or dappled effect. Eligible, but less desirable, are a few small grey patches (this grey is consistent with a Merle marking) or a white base with single black hairs showing through, which tend to give a salt and pepper or dirty effect. (Have the same link to deafness and blindness as Merle and white danes.)
• Mantle (in some countries referred to as Bostons due to the similar coloration and pattern as a Boston Terrier): The color is black and white with a solid black blanket extending over the body; black skull with white muzzle; white blaze is optional; whole white collar preferred; a white chest; white on part or whole of forelegs and hind legs; white tipped black tail. A small white marking in the black blanket is acceptable, as is a break in the white collar.

Great Danes of several coat types, from left to right: harlequin, black, brindle, blue and fawn

Other colors occur occasionally but are not acceptable for conformation showing, and they are not pursued by breeders who intend to breed show dogs. These colors include white, fawnequin, merle, merlequin, fawn mantle, and others. Some breeders may attempt to charge more for puppies of these "rare" colors. However, the breeding of white and merle Danes is particularly controversial, as these colors may be associated with genes that produce deafness. Although they cannot be shown, white or merle Danes can usually still be registered as pedigree dogs.

[edit] Temperament

The Great Dane's large and imposing appearance belies its friendly nature; the breed is often referred to as a gentle giant.^[5] Great Danes are generally well-disposed toward other dogs, other non-canine pets and humans. Some individuals may chase or attack small animals, but this is not typical of the breed.^[9]

[edit] Exercise

An example of a Merle Great Dane, A.K.C. recognized but not a show dog. Great Danes Running Great Danes Running

Like most dogs, Great Danes require daily walks to remain healthy. However it is important not to over exercise this breed, particularly when young. Great Dane puppies grow very large, very fast, which puts them at risk of joint and bone problems. Because of a puppy's natural energy, Dane owners often take steps to minimize activity while the dog is still growing.^[10][11]

[edit] Health

Great Danes, like most giant dogs, have a fairly slow metabolism. This results in less energy and less food consumption per pound of dog than in small breeds. Great Danes have some health problems that are common to large breeds, including gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) (a painful distending and twisting of the stomach). This is a critical condition that can affect Great Danes and other deep-chested breeds, and which may cause death if not quickly addressed. Drinking large amounts of fluid in a short period of time can provoke GDV in Great Danes, as well as other larger breeds of dogs. It is a commonly recommended practice for Great Danes to have their stomachs tacked (Gastropexy) to the right abdominal wall. if the dog or its relatives have a history of GDV, though some veterinary surgeons will not do the operation if the actual sickness has not occurred. Elevated food dishes are often believed to help prevent GDV by regulating the amount of air that is inhaled while eating, although one study suggests that they may increase the risk.^[12] Refraining from exercise or activity immediately before and after meals may also reduce risk, although this has not been validated with research. Signs that GDV may have occurred include, but are not limited to, visible distension (enlargement of the abdomen) and repeated retching that resembles repetitive non-productive attempts to vomit. GDV is a condition that is distinct from another condition referred to as bloat; though, bloat may precede the development of GDV. GDV is a surgical emergency; immediate veterinary evaluation should be sought if a dog demonstrates signs of this condition.

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, leading to its nickname of the Heartbreak breed, in conjunction with its shorter lifespan. 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, deaf, or both.^[13]

[edit] History

Historians claim that there are drawings of dogs that resemble the breed on Egyptian monuments from roughly 3000 B.C. It is also reported that the Great Dane was developed from mastiff-like dogs taken to Germany by the Alans.^[14] The Bullenbeisser may be its direct ancestor, composing about the 40% of its make-up.^{[citation needed]}

Great Danes Gislev church, Denmark 1500-25

According to Barbara Stein, "The breed originated in Germany, probably from a cross between the English mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound." ^[15] However, other sources maintain that the breed originated in Denmark^{[unreliable source?][16]} and still others report the question as controversial and unsettled.^[17] In 1749 Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon ^[18] 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.”^[19]

According to Jacob Nicolay Wilse the Danes called the dog ”large hound,” a terminology continued well in to the 20th century.^[20]

Whether the Great Dane is of German or Danish origin will be impossible to decide. The German/Danish border has changed constantly during wars. But it is well known that huge dog skeletons are found in chieftain Viking graves in (inland) Denmark (+ Norway as well as Sweden) and are mentioned as the keeper of Hells Gate in the Nordic Mythology. Whether these skeletons are actually Great Danes or an other type of dog of impressive and extra ordinary large stature for example the Irish Wolf Hounds (from Dublin where the Vikings often traded), is hard to say, but it sure is interesting that the dog until recently was known as a specific Danish dog in all of the old 'Viking Colonies' from Ireland, Scotland, Russia, England, France and through out Scandinavia from Iceland, Greenland, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The claim of the Great Dane’s origin as being a German dog is often seen in relation with a hostile German national politic towards its smaller neighbour Denmark. As a fine example to this we see Bismarck who loved the 'Great Danes' but hated the Danish nation. To him the majestic dog certainly was of German origin even though many other European countries disagreed. It should be stressed though, that the Germans in newer time have made a fine piece of work in making the breed more clean and homogenic and hereby they could finally claim the breed to be a German creation. Ein Deutsche Dogge or a Grand Danois is the end of the day a matter of taste. As late as in the 1780 Germany the hound is referred to as ”Grosser Dänischer Jagdhund” (English: Large Danish Hunting Hound).^[21] And also at the first dog exhibition, held in Hamburg 14-20 July 1863,^{[citation needed]} eight dogs were called ”Dänische Dogge” and seven ”Ulmer Doggen.”^[22]

The Great Dane Raro, Denmark 1655

The Great Dane Sultan, Denmark 1699

The origin of the name Great Dane is curious. The breed can be traced back to Germany, not Denmark. The reason why Anglo Saxon and French speaking countries refer to a "great Dane" rather than "German Mastiff" may be for historical political reasons, during the unification of Germany by Prussia and Bismarck. The breed had many names in the Holy Roman Empire, depending on its origin. The oldest trackable breeders were in the states of Württemberg and Hesse. All regions had their favourite colour of coat. This led to the confusion during the first breeder exhibition in Germany in 1863, when breeders from all over the country signed in dogs of the same breed under different breed names. The German Dog Exhibition in Hamburg Altona decided there ought to be a united name for the old German breed and chose "Deutsche Dogge" (German Mastiff). However Britain or France would not call a dog "Great German", because unified Prussia presented a threat to France.

The precursors of today's Great Dane are the old "Bullenbeisser" (bull biter) as well as the so-called "Hatz- und Sauhunde" (coursing and boar hounds), which are a cross between the strong Mastiff of the English type and a fast and nimble Greyhound. At first, big and strong dogs that did not necessarily belong to a certain breed were considered as Danes. Later on, names like Ulmer Dane, English Dane, Danish Dane, "Saupacker" (boar seizer) and big Dane described the different sizes and colors of this type.

In 1878 a committee of seven, consisting of committed breeders and judges with the chairman Dr Bodinus, decided in Berlin to unite all varieties of the above-mentioned types under the term "Deutsche Dogge" (German Mastiff). Through this the foundation for the first German dog breed has been laid. In 1880, on the occasion of a dog show in Berlin, a standard for the Great Dane was determined for the first time. Since 1888, the "Deutsche Doggen Club 1888 e.V." is in charge of this standards and repeatedly modified since. Today's edition fulfills the demands of the F.C.I.

[edit] Great Danes in culture

Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (October 2009)

Le Grand Danois

• In August 2004, a Harlequin Great Dane named Gibson, a therapy dog from Grass Valley, California was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's tallest dog, measuring 107 centimetres (42 in) at the withers, standing 7 feet, 1 inch (216 cm) on his hind legs, and weighing 180 pounds.^[4] Gibson was quite famous during his lifetime. He lost one of his front legs to bone cancer in 2009.^[23] Despite chemotherapy, the dog's cancer returned and spread to his lungs and spine. His owner, Sandy Hall, had him euthanized on August 7, 2009.

• The Great Dane was named the state dog of Pennsylvania in 1965.^[24]

• Scooby-Doo, a Hanna-Barbera character. Designer Iwao Takamoto based this famous animal character on a Great Dane based on sketches given by a Hanna-Barbera employee who bred this dog, although Scooby's tail is longer than a real Great Danes and bears a resemblance to a cat's tail.^[25][26]

• Scrappy-Doo, nephew of Scooby Doo, is a Great Dane.

• In British television sitcom Only Fools and Horses, characters Boycie and Marlene have a Great Dane named Duke. He is first seen in episode "Sleeping Dogs Lie" when the owners ask Del Boy and Rodney Trotter to babysit the dog. Although unaware that it was a Great Dane and mislead by Boycie by saying it was a puppy.

• Brutus in The Ugly Dachshund, a Great Dane raised by a Dachshund mother.

A female blue Great Dane

• In the movie, The Patriot, Mel Gibson's character steals his adversary's dogs, two Great Danes.

• Marmaduke is a newspaper comic strip drawn by Brad Anderson from 1954 to the present day. The strip was created by Anderson, with help from Phil Leeming (1955-1962) and later Dorothy Leeming (1963-1969). The strip revolves around the Winslow family and their Great Dane, Marmaduke.

• American pop singer Lady Gaga has a pair of harlequin Great Danes that appear in several of her music videos. They have become a trademark symbol for her videos. Her latest music video for her single "Bad Romance" only features one of the Great Danes, as the other one passed away shortly before shooting began for the video.

• In Ginga Legend Weed, villainous brothers Hougen and Genba are harlequin Great Danes. Ben and his son Ken, from Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin and Weed respectively, are fawn Great Danes. Danes appear frequently in other works by Yoshihiro Takahashi.

• In one episode of Miranda, Miranda and Stevie buy dogs to impress a man. Miranda, who is over six foot tall, buys a Chihuahua and Stevie, about five foot in height, gets a Great Dane.

• In the DC Animated Universe, Batman has a dog called Ace the Bat-Hound, who is portrayed as a Great Dane mix in the animated show Batman Beyond. Ace served as a guard/companion dog to old Bruce Wayne.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Great Dane

• AKC Great Dane Breed Standard
• Breed Information Resource
• The Great Dane Owners Forum and Information Resource