Great Dane - breed description and dog character

Stately and proud handsome men, as they are not called, German Great Danes. It is difficult not to notice dogs of this breed because of their special appearance. It is interesting that people admire them, but are not afraid. Due to its impressive size and good nature, every year more and more fans appear in the dogs. They are not evil in relation to people, and therefore can easily get along in a large family with a restless child. Today we consider everything that affects the breed.

Historical summary

If you raise the historical summary, the German Great Dane had ancestors who preferably lived throughout Europe. In eastern countries, they were used as effective and obedient shepherds. An interesting feature is the fact that the ancestors of the Great Dane are the origins of many modern breeds. Including Tibetan Great Dane and Asian Shepherd.

At first the breed lived supposedly in the central part of Asia, but later migrated to China, India, Mesopotamia. These dogs were knocked out on the walls of buildings of ancient states as a symbol of strength, grandeur and free spirit.

According to some reports, which either refute or confirm, it was the Great Dane that were used as dogs in battle. In addition, of course, they successfully went hunting and grazing cattle. All these features were previously determined by the "savagery" of the dogs, that is, they were vicious and guard. Modern individuals are calm, they are raised as family members.

Great Danes were bred in Europe and became the basis for the German breed. By coincidence, it happened that due to the rapid resettlement in Germany there were more dogs than in other states. Partly for this reason, the breed got a "German" dog.

Later Danish Great Danes began to recede into the past. Breeders seriously thought about improving the German breed. They began to cross Danish relatives with other pets, similar to the dogs that lived south.

As a result of the work of breeders, the Ulm Great Dane appeared first, which got its name from the city of Ulm. Then they were crossed with Danish and decided to form one breed - Great Dane. Breeders have long sought a "perfect" dog, suitable as a pet, a guard, a hunter, a copy for the exhibition and at the same time a friend. Finally, they did it.

The breed received national status in early 1880. At first, no one perceived it, so the breeders fought for a long time and first organized a club in late 1889. The generally accepted standards were adopted even later, after 2 years.

According to the status of the dog, they had to adopt all the signs of a proud horse, that is, be large, powerful, wayward, strong and submissive to the owner. Also a prerequisite was a shiny coat. It is important to mention that to this day German Great Dane are.

Today, dogs are not uncommon, every year they find themselves more fans. Love for the breed is due to its mild disposition, loyalty to the owner, concern for small children, intelligence and malleability for education.

Breed features

Moreover, the external characteristics vary depending on the gender of the dog. Males are more voluminous, more powerful, higher.The female sex, on the contrary, is down-to-earth, a kind of extended.

The body weight of the pet does not matter much, there are no rigid boundaries. Bitches sometimes reach 55 kg. with an error of 5 kg. Dogs can reach 90 kg. However, growth is important, in females this indicator ranges from 72–84 cm, in males - from 80 to 90 cm.

Without fail, breeders must monitor the growth of animals so that overstated indicators are not transmitted to the next offspring after puppies are born. Otherwise, labor will be difficult, the bitch may simply not be able to cope.

It is interesting that the Great Dane entered the Guinness Book, which reached 118 cm in height along the withers. However, due to such unusual sizes, the dog did not live more than 5 years.

External specifications by standards

There are fundamental characteristics that can be attributed to the standard features of the breed. We will study them in turn.

1. Head. Large, proportional when viewed from different angles, has clear contours. A flat and high forehead flows into the nose, expressed clearly and widely. The capacity of the skull is not in doubt; the tubercle on the back of the head is well developed. The chin is rectangular. If you look down on the dog’s nose, you can see that it does not taper to the base. When viewed from the front, the head appears flattened in the cheek area. Lips look smooth and neat. The eyes are expressive, the eyelids do not stand out on them, the cheekbones are clearly visible, the cheeks are small. The lip is slightly pushed in front, but this makes the dog nicer. Some pigmentation on the front of the muzzle is possible.
2. Eyes. Placed close to each other, not bulged, have an average size, set straight. Due to the almond-shaped incision, it is easy to determine the quality of the pet, the eyes should not squint down or up. Looking at the individual from the side, you can catch an interested, deep and intelligent look. The iris is preferably brownish, in individuals of the marble type a different shade of eyes or their brightening is allowed. By breed standards, it is unacceptable that the eyes have a yellowish or faded hue.
3. Nose. Wide nostrils, oblong nose, regular in shape and large in size. The lobe may differ in black dots, but it all depends on the color. If an individual is famous for its bluish hair, pigmentation in the nose is more likely to be shale. If a thoroughbred representative of a marble color, then the pigment is flesh-colored.
4. The ears. Everyone remembers German Great Danes as dogs that boast big and drooping ears. According to standard characteristics, it is not recommended to subject ears to stopping, especially if the individual will be exposed in the future. Due to the powerful base, the ears are raised when the pet is interested in something.
5. Teeth. Naturally, such large animals cannot but have a strong bite and sharp teeth. The teeth close in the correct bite, the upper jaw does not rise above the lower, and vice versa. The tongue is hidden behind the teeth, the incisors slightly cover the lips.
6. Body. Males from females differ in a square body format; females can have a rectangular type. Dogs always have a long neck, slightly tilted forward. Usually, breeders follow the standards and do not allow the appearance of a suspension (folds of skin) in the scruff area. Large format dogs, as they are also called, are famous for their large sternum, which has an oval oblong shape. The ribs are slightly pulled back, the chest reaches the elbows at the lowest point. Developed breasts make the dogs even more stately, powerful. The neck is narrow at first, then widens towards the withers. The back is straight, but some inclination closer to the croup is allowed. The loin sticks out a little. Groin tight, moderate. By standards, there should be a clear transition from the abdomen to the chest.
7. Tail. The croup smoothly passes into a straight tail, there are no sharp tears. The tail is powerful in the area of ​​its base, closer to the end naturally tapers.When the pet is excited and playful, the tail is placed higher, bent by a saber, but nothing more. Inadmissible characteristics include the presence of nodes, highly rounded parts and creases.
8. Limbs. Muscle dry, as professionals say. That is, the muscles are clearly expressed, the limbs of athletic complexity, even. Due to the development of the shoulders and forearms, the dog is quite stable, runs fast. Her elbows are strictly back, not directed inward. If you visually assess the adult, you can see the wide wrists of the front paws. The hind legs have much more muscle, the hips are slightly lengthened. Pigmentation is desirable on the claws, brushes are collected in a lump, fingers are slightly bent.

Great Dane color

Only a few color variations of the breed are officially recognized:

1. Field. Often, the basic tones are shades from light golden (yellow) to a more saturated color. Owners of such pets call the color in question “red gold”. Also, the Great Dane, with this coat color, should ideally have a black mask.
2. Brindle. As a background, in most cases, a palette of a yellowish tint appears. Also, the color can be from light to more dense with a reddish tint. It should be noted that while the stripes are arranged vertically. They are black in color and have a fairly clear outline. In a thoroughbred dog, the stripes will be evenly distributed with approximately the same pattern. This breed is somewhat reminiscent of a tiger in color. A black mask is also welcome.
3. Marble. Often, the main fill (color) is exactly white. In this case, spots will be scattered on the body of the animal. They can have a different shape or pattern. In this case, the contours also do not have clear lines. It is important to note that the spots should be black. As breeders say, brown or grayish shades are also welcome.
4. The black. This coat color will be plain with a glossy sheen. In this case, you should not see a yellowish or grayish tint. To the same color can be attributed animals with black hair and white spots in the form of marks throughout the body. Due to this feature, you may feel as if a white pet was dressed in a black cloak.
5. Blue. This coat color of the animal has a conditional name, in fact, the dogs are of a beautiful light gray color. It is worth noting that in this case you should not see yellow or any other shade.

Breed character

1. Dogs of this breed are impressive in size. At the same time, despite their size, the pets are very loyal and quite gentle. As for the patience of the breed, any other dogs can only envy such dignity.
2. Based on these features, breeders strongly recommend having such a dog if you have a large family and have children. Great Dane can be attributed to one of the most faithful breeds. Such dogs simply adore spending all their free time with their owners.
3. It is worth noting a little subtlety, because of increased devotion and love of attention, dogs can not stand loneliness. A pet must have someone present at home. Breeders also warn that pets are wayward and rather stubborn.
4. That is why the owner of such a dog must show leadership qualities. You must show the animal superiority over him. In order for the pet to be confident enough and balanced, it is recommended to introduce it to relatives from a young age.
5. This breed of dogs requires increased attention and constant training. Dogs often need to be dealt with. Therefore, before starting a dog, think about whether you have enough time.
6. Also an important fact is the fact that the presented breed strongly sheds hair and increased salivation. Do not lose sight of the dog, because young individuals are particularly active. Therefore, do not be surprised at the dirty tricks. Also, the dog needs to be given proper physical activity.
7. In a safe area, the animal should be released without a leash. The dog should frolic in plenty. Dogs get along well with all family members and young children. The only thing that needs to be noted is a large-sized breed, so it can knock down or crush a baby. Watch this carefully.
8. If you plan to have other pets after the dog, the dog’s reaction is quite difficult to predict. Often, the breed presented is quite friendly and gets along well with other animals. In rare cases, the breed presented may show a dominant position.
9. If this happens, the Great Dane must be socialized in a timely manner. As for strangers, such dogs often treat them with indifference. In some cases, the pet may show its mixed feelings. Such dogs can make an excellent watchman. The only negative is their rare barking.
10. Not every attacker decides to go against such a powerful "machine." After all, the dimensions of the dog are really amazing. For many people, one species of this breed can cause genuine fear. If you go deeper, it should be noted that dogs are far from aggression and very rarely tend to dominate. However, it is necessary to train the dogs. It is also important to show the pet who is in charge.

Breed Care Rules

1. Life statistics are not very rosy, German dogs are able to live on average up to 9 years. If you provide the dog with proper care, the period can be extended up to 4 years. It is worth noting that the dogs do not have undercoats, therefore it is recommended to keep them exclusively in a spacious apartment or house. Dogs need free space.
2. Wool does not need frequent care, as it is quite short. Wipe the dog 3 times a month to remove dead hair and keratinized particles. As for washing the animal, it is recommended to organize the procedure only with severe contamination.
3. Dogs do not need frequent clipping. Inspect your eyes systematically, remove the discharge with a swab. Cotton wool should be moistened in a chamomile-based broth. With uncropped ears, they should be regularly inspected and cleaned. It is not recommended to run with a dog.

Today you have learned everything that affects the breed of Great Dane. When choosing puppies, it is worth looking at the parents in advance in order to have a clear idea of ​​how the kids will grow up in the future. Particular attention is paid to bite, paw setting, size and weight of the pet. The nature of the breed is also equally important if you intend to keep the animal in the same apartment with the children.

Video: dog breed German Great Dane