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Great Dane Puppies for Sale
Great Dane
(Deutsche
Dogge) (German Mastiff)
Rayna at 18 months
Photo Courtesy of Camelot Kennels
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Pronunciation |
Great Dane |
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Description |
The Great Dane is a giant dog that combines
nobility with robustness and power with elegance. It has a long narrow head with
an accentuated frontal stop and a rather large nasal canal. Its neck is long and
muscular and its front legs are perfectly straight. It has muscular thighs and
round feet with short, dark nails. The Great Dane's tail is medium-length,
reaching to the point of the hock. Its eyes are round and usually dark - with a
lively intelligent expression. Its ears are either cropped rather long, pointed,
and carried erect, or left natural. Its well developed white teeth must close in
a scissors bite. All Danes have short, thick, shiny, close-fitting hair. The
color of the coat indicates the variety. fawn, brindle, black, blue, mantle
harlequin and sometimes Merle. However
Merle is a common result of harlequin breeding, but it is not a recognized
color. Black coats and dark eyes,
while blue Danes may have lighter eyes. |
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Temperament |
The Great Dane is a gentle giant. Dignified, kind,
sweet and affectionate, it is playful and patient with children. It loves
everyone and needs to be around people. The Great Dane does not bark much and
only becomes aggressive when the circumstances require it. A steady dog,
responsible and dependable. Brave and loyal, it is a good watchdog. Because of
his giant size, the Great Dane should be thoroughly obedience trained when young
so it will be manageable when fully grown. Teach this giant dog not to lean
against people, especially children. The objective in training this
dog is to achieve a pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates
under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined. You and all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. That is the only way your relationship can be a success. Dogs who know their place below humans in the pack order will be good with children. If you are not a firm, confident, consistent pack leader who knows how to correct the dog when he is showing signs of aggression, the dog can be dog-aggressive,
especially with same sex dogs. |
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Height, Weight |
Height: Dogs 30-34 inches (76-86 cm.) Bitches 28-32
inches (71-81 cm.) Weight: Dogs
120-200 pounds (54-90 kg.) Bitches 100-130 pounds (45-59 kg.)
Dogs of even larger size are more prized. |
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Health Problems |
Not a long 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 injuries. Do not jog with
this dog until it is at least one year old. |
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Living Conditions |
The Great Dane will do okay in an apartment if it
is sufficiently exercised. It is relatively inactive indoors and does best with
at least a large yard. |
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Exercise |
The Great Dane needs plenty of exercise.
They need to be taken on a daily
long walk. |
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Life Expectancy |
The average is under 10 years, however some can
live to be 12-13 years old. |
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Grooming |
The smooth short-haired coat is easy to groom.
Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush and dry shampoo when necessary. Bathing
this giant is a major chore, so it pays to avoid the need by daily grooming. The
nails must be kept trimmed. This breed is an average shedder. |
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Origin |
Incised on some Greek money dating back to 36 B.C.
is the image of a dog very similar to the Great Dane of today. The Great Dane is
known as the "Apollo of all dogs." In 407 A.D. German Gaul and
part of Italy and Spain were invaded by an Asiatic people (the Alans) who
brought with them powerful mastiff-like dogs. In Germany especially, where these
magnificent animals capable of overcoming bears and wild boars were much
admired, a process of selective breeding was begun. The dogs were crossed with
Irish Greyhounds, and the issue was the beautiful, large, thin, agile dog known
today as the Great Dane. Despite the fact that they are called Danes in English,
these dogs have nothing to do with Denmark. Some of the Great Dane's talents are
tracking, watchdog and carting. |
| Group |
Mastiff, AKC Working |
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Recognition |
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC,
CCR, APRI, ACR |
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CKC = Continental
Kennel Club
FCI = Fédération
Cynologique Internationale
AKC = American
Kennel Club
UKC = United Kennel
Club
KCGB = Kennel
Club of Great Britain
CKC = Canadian
Kennel Club
ANKC = Australian
National Kennel Club
NKC = National
Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand
Kennel Club
CCR = Canadian
Canine Registry
APRI = American Pet Registry
Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry |
"Merlin is a 14 month old Blue Great Dane. Some of his likes are ice cubes, chasing tennis balls and chasing me or being chased while I am on a 4 wheeler. He also loves peanut butter in his kong. We live on almost 5 acres and he loves running beside the 4 wheeler. His tempermant is great. Loves my two boys (8 and 9) and likes being around people and other dogs. We try to keep him socialized so he does not lose his love of people. He barks when someone approaches the house but stops as soon as he sees it is ok. I do watch Cesar and try to follow a number of his methods. Another method I adhere to is NILIF. Nothing in life is free. Merlin does not have any toy/food/location aggression. I can place his food down and he sits and waits for a release command so he can eat. I can removed his food while he is eating as well and he does not show any signs of aggression at all. He is a very well mannnered dog."
Great Dane Posters and Prints!
"Ryan" is an 7 month old
beautifully marked Brindle male possessing that "watch me" attitude
great champions are made of. Photo Courtesy of Camelot Kennels
Elvis, the 2 1/2 years old
Great Dane, born Dec. 1 -99 at Grande Negros, Sweden. He is a real big beauty, weight 200 lb (92kg), height 36 inches (93cm)
Great Dane weighing in at almost 200 pounds (90 kg.)
Great Dane Pictures 1
Great Dane Pictures 2
Great Dane Pictures 3
Great Dane Pictures 4
Great Dane Pictures 5
Great Dane Pictures 6
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