Great Dane

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2007)
Great Dane

A harlequin Great Dane
Other names Grand Danois (Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish).
Deutsche Dogge ("German Mastiff")
Dänisches Hund ("Danish Dog")[1]
Country of origin Denmark/Germany (disputed)
Nicknames Dane
Gentle Giant
Traits

It has been suggested that this page be semi-protected to help prevent vandalism. Please visit the discussion page to voice your opinion. (May 2008)

The Great Dane is a breed of domestic dog (Latin: canis lupus familiaris) known for its giant size and gentle personality. The breed is commonly referred to as the "Gentle giant" and the "Apollo of all breeds" and is also called a German Mastiff.[2] Great Danes are considered the tallest dog breed along with the Irish Wolfhound. More recently, Great Danes have been in the Guinness World Records for tallest dog. The Great Dane was named the state dog of Pennsylvania in 1965.[3]

Contents

[edit] Description

[edit] Appearance

This Dane is fawn mantle, a non-standard color
This Dane is fawn mantle, a non-standard color

Breed standards for height and weight vary from one kennel club to another, but generally the minimum weight falls between 100 to 120 lb (46 to 54 kg) and the minimum height must be between 28 and 32 inches (71 to 81 cm) at the withers. Most standards do not specify a maximum height or weight. However, a male great dane may weigh up to 200 lbs (91 kg).[4] In August 2004, a Great Dane named "Gibson" from Grass Valley, California was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's tallest dog, measuring 42.2 inches at the withers[5].

[edit] Coat colors

blue puppy
blue puppy

There are six show-acceptable coat colors for Great Danes:[6]

  • Fawn: The color is yellow gold with a blue mask. Black should appear on the eye rims and eyebrows, and may appear on the ears and tail tip.
  • Brindle: The color is fawn and black in a chevron stripe pattern. Often also referred to as a tiger-stripe pattern.
  • Blue: The color is a pure steel blue. White markings at the chest and toes are not desirable.
  • Black: The color is a glossy black. White markings at the chest and toes are not desirable.
  • 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.
  • Mantle (in some countries referred to as Bostons due to the similar coloration & 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 L to R: harlequin, black, brindle, blue and fawn
Great danes of several coat types, from L to R: harlequin, black, brindle, blue and fawn

Other colors occur occasionally but are not acceptable for conformation showing, and they are not pursued by breeders. These colors include white, fawnequin, merle, merlequin, fawn mantle, and others. These are sometimes advertised as "rare" colors to unsuspecting buyers. Any coat that includes "mouse grey" is disqualified from show.

Cropping of the ears is common in the United States and much less common in Europe. In some European countries such as the UK, Denmark, Germany, in parts of Australia, and in New Zealand, the practice is banned, or controlled such that it may only be performed by veterinary surgeons for health reasons. The original purpose of Ear Cropping was to cut the ears so that wolves and wild boar (often the objective of great dane hunts) would not be able to grab a hold of the ear. Now, however, it is used to obtain a more regal or majestic look in showdogs. The original ear cropping can be seen on the pictures above.

[edit] Temperament

The Great Dane's large and imposing appearance belies its friendly nature; the breed is often referred to as a gentle giant. Great Danes are generally well-disposed toward other dogs, other non-canine pets, wild animals, and humans (including strangers and children). Some Great Danes--as with dogs of any breed--may have dominance issues, may be aggressive with other dogs of the same sex, or chase small animals; however, this is quite rare.[7]

[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. Bloat (a painful distending and twisting of the stomach formally known as Gastric volvulus) is a critical condition that can affect Great Danes and results rapidly in death if not quickly addressed. It is a commonly recommended practice for Great Danes to have their stomachs tacked (Gastropexy) to the right abdominal wall during routine surgery such as spaying or neutering if the dog or its relatives have a history of bloat, 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 bloat by regulating the amount of air that is inhaled while eating, although one study suggests that they may increase the risk[8]. Refraining from exercise or activity immediately before and after meals may also reduce risk.

Another problem common to the breed is the hips (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 rarely live past 10 years of age.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and many congenital heart diseases are also commonly found in the Great Dane.

Also, some Danes may develop yeast infections, when not fed all needed nutritional requirements. The yeast infection may also lead to minor recurring staph infection(s).

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 or deaf. Many pure white Danes are deaf.[9]

[edit] History

A female blue Great Dane
A female blue Great Dane

Some sources state that dogs similar to Great Danes were known in Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.[10][11] Various sources report that the Great Dane was developed from the medieval boarhound, and of the Mastiff and Irish wolfhound lines.[10][12] It is also reported that the Great Dane was developed from mastiff-like dogs taken to Germany by the Alans.[13] The breed may be about 400 years old.[11] The Bullenbeisser may be its direct ancestor, composing about the 40% of its make-up.[citation needed]

Great Danes Gislev church, Denmark 1500-25
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." [14]; however, other sources maintain that the breed originated in Denmark,[1] and still others report the question as controversial and unsettled.[2]In 1749 Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon [15] 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” [16]

The Great Dane Raro, Denmark 1655
The Great Dane Raro, Denmark 1655

According to Jacob Nicolay Wilse[17] the Danes called the dog ”large hound,” a terminology continued well in to the 20th Century.[citation needed]

The Great Dane Sultan, Denmark 1699
The Great Dane Sultan, Denmark 1699

In Germany in 1780 the hound is referred to as ”Grosse Dänische Yagd Hund” (English: Large Danish Hunting Hound) [18] At the first dog exhibition, held in Hamburg 14-20 July 1863,[citation needed] eight dogs were called ”Dänische Dogge” and seven ”Ulmer Doggen.”[19]

Le Grand Danois
Le Grand Danois

[edit] Danes in popular culture

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Es war ein reizender Abend," short story by Erich Kästner.
  2. ^ Great Dane, The Online Dog Encyclopedia, www.dogsindepth.com
  3. ^ State Symbols USA, www.statesymbolsusa.org
  4. ^ Great Dane Dog Breed Information, Big Dog Encyclopedia, www.bigpawsonly.com
  5. ^ Tallest Dog Living. Guinness World Records (2004-08-31). Retrieved on 2008-05-21.
  6. ^ Great Dane Breed Standard. American Kennel Club (1999). Retrieved on 2008-05-20.
  7. ^ Great Dane: A Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog, Kennel Club Book, 2003, ISBN 159378273X
  8. ^ Epidemiology
  9. ^ "Great Dane rescue a labor of love", by Tamara Phillips, March 23, 2008, Daytona Beach News-Journal.
  10. ^ a b Great Dane - URL retrieved August 29, 2006
  11. ^ a b The Great Dane - URL retrieved August 29, 2006
  12. ^ Great Dane at Kaynine Online - URL retrieved August 29, 2006
  13. ^ Great Dane - URL retrieved August 29, 2006
  14. ^ Colliers Encyclopedia, 1993, sv Great Dane
  15. ^ ”Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière”
  16. ^ "Canine Madness,” 1762).
  17. ^ ”Fuldstændig beskrivelse af stapelstaden Fridericia – efter pålidelige underretninger og egne undersøgninger.” 1767, p176
  18. ^ Edward C. Ash : Practical Dog Book, 1931, ”The Great Dane")
  19. ^ Bulletin Officiel de la Société Canine de Monaco, August 1937
  20. ^ "Iwao Takamoto, 81, the Animation Artist Who Created Scooby-Doo, Dies", by Susan Stewart, January 10, 2007, The New York Times
  21. ^ "Iwao Takamoto, cartoonist who created Scooby-Doo, dies at 81", The Associated Press, January 9, 2007, The Canadian Broadcast Corporation News
  22. ^ AB Just Nuisance, RN - Simon's Town, South Africa - The Perfect Holiday

Dwight Uptgrow's internet movie: Lead the way

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: