Great Dane - Definition and Overview

Great Dane
Fawn coat color
Alternative names
Deutsche Dogge German Mastiff Grand Danois
Country of origin
Germany
Classification
FCI: Group 2 Section 2 AKC: Working ANKC: Group7 (Nonsporting) CKC: Group 3 (Working) KC(UK): Working NZKC: Nonsporting UKC: Guardian Dogs
Breed standards (external links)
FCI (http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:r-lyPKk6XHAJ:www.fci.be/uploaded_files/235gb2002_en.doc+site:www.fci.be+%22235+/++09.+08.+2002++%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8), AKC (http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/grdane.cfm), ANKC (http://www.ankc.aust.com/grtdane.html), CKC (http://www.gdcc.ca/standard.html) KC(UK) (http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/discoverdogs/working/w853.htm), NZKC (http://www.nzkc.org.nz/br736.html), UKC (http://www.ukcdogs.com/breeds/guardiandogs/greatdane.std.shtml)

The Great Dane is a breed of dog known for its large size (giant) and gentle personality. The breed is commonly referred to as the "Gentle Giant". Typically they are smart, strong dogs who are protective and loyal to their owners. They take to training well and are fairly low maintenance compared to many other breeds.

Originally bred for hunting large game (deer and so on), these dogs are now kept as pets and for show. 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.

Appearance

There are six show-acceptable coat colors for Great Danes.

Fawn: Light tan coat, possibly with a black mask.

Brindle: Deep brown and black in a chevron stripe pattern. Often also referred to as a tiger-stripe pattern.

Blue: Deep grey with a bluish tinge. Reminiscent of Weimaraners.

Black: Pure jet black.

Harlequin: Torn black patches on white. The Great Dane is the only dog breed that shows this particular coat color pattern. (Dalmatians have round black spots.)

Mantle: Black coat and mask on white. Looks like the markings on Boston Terriers.

Other colors occur occasionally but are not acceptable in the show ring. Because they are not valid for show dogs, 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.

Puppy with mantle coat

Health

Great Danes have some health problems that are common to large breeds. Bloat (a painful distending and twisting of the stomach) is the primary cause of death in Great Danes. It is a commonly recommended practice for Great Danes to have their stomachs tacked to the body wall during routine surgery such as spay/neuter. Another problem common to the breed is in the hips (hip dysplasia). Typically an x-ray of the parents can certify whether their hips are healthy and whether they are likely to have healthy pups.

Great Danes also suffer from several genetic disorders that are specific to the breed. For example if a Great Dane lacks color (not white) near its eyes or ears then that organ does not develop and the dog will be either blind or deaf.

The brindle coat can be lightly brindled, as here, or with more distinctive stripes.

Great Danes in the Arts

• Brad Anderson's newspaper comic character Marmaduke is a Great Dane, as is Hanna-Barbera's Scooby-Doo.

External links

• Great Dane Club of America (http://www.gdca.org/)
• Great Dane Rescue (http://www.greatdanerescueinc.com/)
• DMOZ entry for Great Dane (http://dmoz.org/Recreation/Pets/Dogs/Breeds/Molosser_Group/Great_Dane/)
• Ginnies Great Dane Links (http://www.ginnie.com/greatdanes.htm)