Great dane

: Friendly, loving and devoted to his owners, specially to the children. Reserved towards strangers. Required is a confident, fearless, easily tractable, docile companion and family dog with high resistance to provocation and without aggression.

As forerunners of the present day Great Dane, one must look at the old ?Bullenbeisser? (Bulldog) as well as the « Hatz-and Saurüden » (Hunting and wild boar hounds), which were midway between the strong Mastiff of English type and the fast, handy Greyhound. The term Dogge was at first understood to mean a large, powerful dog, not of any particular breed. Later, particular names such as Ulmer Dogge , English Dogge, Great Dane, Hatzrüde (Hunting Dog), Saupacker (boarfinder) and Grosse Dogge (Great Dogge), classified these dogs according to colour and size.

In the year 1878 a Committee of seven was formed in Berlin, consisting of active breeders and judges with Dr. Bodinus in the chair, which made the decision to classify all the forenamed varieties as « Deutsche Doggen » (Great Danes). Thus the foundation was laid for the breeding of a separate German breed.

In the year 1880, on the occasion of a show in Berlin, the first standard for the Deutsche Dogge was laid down. This standard has been taken care of since the year 1888 by the ?Deutsche Doggen Club 1888 e.V.? (German Doggen Club, registered Club 1888) and frequently been revised over the years. The present Standard meets the requirements of the F.C.I.

The Great Dane needs daily moderate exercise. Her needs can be met with a good walk or romp. Despite her sturdy appearance, she is not suited to living outdoors and is best suited to dividing her time between indoors and out. Inside, she needs soft bedding and sufficient room to stretch out when sleeping. Some tend to drool. Coat care is minimal.

The Great Dane should have a large sized yard and plenty of exercise room. A very large breed, he requires very long walks regularly. This breed proves to be a good jogging companion and does well running alongside a bike.

Fenced yard, exercise, training and socialization.

Combing and brushing the short coat of this breed regularly is acceptable for this giant breed. Rubber brushing also does well in removing any loose hair. Bathing a Great Dane can be difficult due to his size, but is a relatively clean dog.

This dog is easy to train because it is intelligent and understands very fast. The violence and the restraint musn't be used, but it should be used a calm, gentle and friendly voice, that will make it to execute master wishes. The training must be consequent and must be taught since an early age not to pull in leash. It needs exercise, daily activity to be quiet afterwards.

The fur of this dog doesn't require too much care. A casual brushing and more frequent during the moulting period is enough. It has a fast growth and requires grooming during the growth period. It musn't be physicaly challenged in this peroid for not having problems with the bones development, or with joints and muscles one.

A short-lived breed. Be careful to buy from a conscientious breeder, as some very poor specimens are being sold to the unsuspecting public. Beware of hip dysplasia; buy only from OFA certified stock. Also prone to bloat, tumors, heart disease, and tail in