The Great Dane is one of the largest dog breeds and one of the most lovable! These big dogs have a history that some might not be aware of but is very important for understanding the breed. So, for everyone out there who is looking into getting one of these adorable giants, here is some information that you should know.
About the Breed
According to AKC website, Great Danes can grow up to 32 inches tall (at the shoulder) and weigh in around 175 pounds, depending on their gender (Reference 1). That is a big dog! The Great Dane, contrary to what its name implies, were developed mainly in Germany (Reference 2). However, interestingly enough, many people think these dogs got their start in ancient Egypt! Many Egyptian drawings seem to depict dogs that appear to resemble the Great Dane (Reference 2). While it is not clear how they went from those Egyptian paintings to their modern counterpart, many believe that they were developed through breeding Irish Gray Hounds with Mastiffs that came from the Asiatic invaders of Europe in the 5th century (Reference 2). These dogs were developed in Europe and Germany to be strong and fast boar hunters (Reference 3). However, it was German nobles who bred these dogs into the taller, thinner dogs we know today (Reference 3). In the 1600’s, the German nobles kept these magnificent giants as both boar hunters and guardians of their wealthy chambers (Reference 3). In the 1800’s these dogs continued to change, gradually looking more and more like the Great Danes we have today, and in 1876 they were referred to as “Deutsche Dogge” or “German Dog” (rather than Great Danes) and were given the title of Germany’s national dog (Reference 3). However, their current Danish name was made popular by a “French naturalist Comte de Buffon” who referred to them as The Great Danish Dogs (Reference 3). Today, now known simply as the Great Dane, they have been bred more for companion purposes and are known as a regal and calm breed (Reference 3) with some even referring to this breed as a gentile giant.
Breed Behaviors
The Great Dane, as mentioned previously, is now known as a gentile giant. This large dog breed is very affectionate and has a strong desire to be with its family as much as possible (Reference 4). Though great Danes can come across as “lazy” they can be quite full of energy when they are young and, cue to their large size, can knock people and children over in their displays of enthusiasm. Some behaviors that are common in most dogs that Great Danes also exhibit are digging, chewing, jumping, and barking (Reference 4). Though these are all common in many breeds, and are considered normal dog behaviors, I would caution Great Dane owners to work with their Dane on spending time apart from people. Any dog who is attached at the hip to its people can develop separation anxiety, making these common dog behaviors much more destructive as they start being used as stress outlets. Another common dog behavior that is a little different when performed by a Great Dane, is sitting in people’s laps. Many dog breeds and dog individuals have a fun and adorable tendency to plop itself right on top of its owner when it would like to spend time with them. This is not uncommon, however, and due to the Great Dane’s large size, this display of affection can come across as very invasive and hard to deal with. Please be aware that your Great Dane is not trying to dominate you, but rather simply wants to be with you, just like other dogs. One behavior that I would like to point out to you here that might not be as common in all breeds but is often common in dogs who are natural protectors, like the Great Dane. Great Danes can sometimes growl and bark out of the blue when they become aware of someone or something on the property. These dogs are still very good at protecting their well-loved family members and combining that with their often calm and quiet personality, their deep warning bark can catch people off guard.
Breed Health
One downside of the Great Dane is that is tends to have many health problems that limit its lifespan. While there are many health risks that I encourage you to read about in the article, “Great Dane Life Span & Health Issues” by the AKC (link in references list), there is one health risk in particular that I want to mention in this blog post. That health problem is called “bloat”. Bloat is when the dog’s stomach fills with air, blocking blood flow to the back end of the body and eventually sending the dog into shock (Reference 5). This health risk is an emergency grade health risk and can lead to death. As a result, I highly encourage you to look into this problem and contact your vet before you get your Great Dane to discuss possible ways to maintain your dog’s health in the long run. I also highly encourage you to read the Reference 5 article and the AKC article mentioned previously where you can find out more on this topic and other health issues that the Great Dane tends to face. I encourage you to read these articles and more before you pick a breeder from which to get your Great Dane puppy.
Training A Great Dane
When training all dogs, there are some basic things that need to be done, such as training foundation skills, working on obedience behaviors, and introducing them to handling for vets and groomers. As you start training your Great Dane in these areas and more, here are some tips to keep in mind that can help you specifically as a Great Dane Owner:
1. Socialization is key! Because Great Danes are natural protectors, it is important to teach your Great Dane that guests are not a bad thing. Though it is okay, and even a good thing in my mind, to allow your Great Dane to “announce” that someone new is on the property, make sure that they know that your friends, family, and the mailman are friend, not foe.
2. Socializing your Great Dane to small animals is also a must. For any large dog breed it is important that all sizes of dogs, including small dogs, are introduced to your Great Dane throughout its life. If your adult Great Dane has never seen a Chihuahua in its life, it just might mistake it as a toy and accidently cause harm or a great deal of stress to the smaller dog. Make sure to teach your Great Dane how to politely greet other dogs and give them the space they desire to adjust to their new giant friend.
3. Because Great Danes are so big and can be so excitable and full of energy, especially when they are young, it is important that they are always monitored when around children. This goes for all dogs of all ages. However, though Great Danes are usually great with children, they can accidentally nock over children without even realizing it, especially when both the dog and child are still young and learning how their body works and moves.
4. Make sure to work on leash skills from the time your Great Dane is a puppy. Great Danes are big dogs, and it does not take much for them to pull their handler off their feet if the handler does not know what they are doing. Both the dog and person should be trained how to use the leash and what to do in the event that the dog tries to go after a small animal, leaf, or anything that might trigger play or the prey drive. Though it is tempting, please refrain from using a prong collar on your Great Dane. Instead of using prong collars, please contact a positive reinforcement trainer from day one so that they can help you pick out tools that will not hurt your dog, so they can help you and your dog learn how to use those tools properly and safely, and so they can help teach your dog to walk nicely on leash.
5. Make sure to work with your Great Dane and your trainer to teach your dog a reliable recall. Great Danes still possess some of their hunting background and are considered a working dog breed. This means that they still may want to exercise their prey drive from time to time. Though they are often more inclined to simply lay about in the living room, a reliable recall is still extremely important!
6. As with all dog breeds, please make sure that your Great Dane has ample outlets for its natural behaviors such as biting, chewing, and digging. It can be helpful to have a digging location in your yard where you can bury “treasures” for your Great Dane to unearth to encourage it to dig in its own space, rather than your garden.
7. Please discuss your Great Dane’s diet and health with a vet before deciding on what food to feed your dog and what treats to use during training (please click the Reference 5 link to read about some options that might help protect your Great Dane from bloat). However, feeding meals to your Great Dane in a calm, low energy level training session might help your Great Dane eat slower (eating slower is listed in Reference 5 as a potential way to protect against bloat). However, I am not a veterinary professional, so please talk to your vet about feeding meals this way before trying it with your Great Dane.
Closing Thoughts
Great Danes are a great breed of dog! They are even famously good with children and are often used as mobility assistance dogs for people and children with mobility disorders (Reference 3). If you are looking for large breed who is affectionate, lovable, sweet, and protective, the Great Dane might just be fore you! Always make sure to socialize your Great Dane well and throughout its life, especially during the first two years and make sure to get a trainer to help you from day one! If you are about to get a Great Dane puppy and want to learn what you need to do and what you need to teach your puppy, click here to check out the H.A.T.S. online course The Ultimate New Puppy Course!
References
Reference 1 - Great Dane Dog Breed Information (akc.org)
Reference 2 - History of Great Dane is a fascinating story of breed development (about-great-danes.com)
Reference 5 - Bloat (or GDV) in Dogs — What It Is and How it's Treated – American Kennel Club (akc.org)
Other good source on Great Dane heath issues, please read - Great Dane Life Span & Health Issues – American Kennel Club (akc.org)
Great Danes are such a cool breed!!