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Great Dane
Description:The Great Dane is an impressively large yet elegant breed with a muscular and well-built body. While the fawn color does tend to have a dark muzzle and perhaps ears, Danes come in at least 7 different color patterns (brindle, blue, black, black-masked fawn, harlequin, or mantle) and there are several other variations within those. The dog’s rectangular head is long with well defined features and a brave, expressive face. Both the eyes and the ears are medium sized and generally dark in color. At rest the dog's ears droop downwards in a typical relaxed fashion, however they may also be held erect when alert. While no standard ear coloring has been established, many Great Danes' ears are adorned with unique black markings. The Great Dane’s body as a whole looks very firm and is covered by a clean, short coat. The tail begins at a broad base from which it slowly tapers off to a tip that may be ornamented with black markings. Temperament:The Great Dane is famously nicknamed the gentle giant, and is usually very good with pets and children. The breed is intelligent, loyal, kind, and is not aggressive by nature (however it can be aggressive in a defensive situation). Although the Great Dane is not an extreme barker, the breed can still make a good watchdog and may intimidate intruders with its large size and sturdy build. The Great Dane is also characterized by an independent streak that can potentially make training difficult; it is important to demonstrate one’s control and position of dominance, as this will make training the dog much easier. Though it is practically inconceivable for a Great Dane to be aggressive toward a child, the dog's large size and potentially boisterous play can result in accidents - watch your dog closely when it is in the presence of children. Caring for a Great Dane:To support its large size, the Great Dane will need to consume a very large amount of food, and owners should plan accordingly. With regard to exercise, Great Danes do best with at least one long walk a day and could always benefit from more. The Great Dane's need for human contact makes it a poor candidate for outdoor living. The short coat requires little care, and a weekly brushing should keep it looking good. The dog’s toenails should be trimmed about twice a month. Because Great Danes can be stubborn at times, it is strongly recommended that these dogs begin obedience training at a young age. Health issues particular to this breed include gastric torsion, osteosarcoma and heart problems. Less common health problems: canine hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and Wobbler’s syndrome. |
