1749—French Naturalist Comte de Buffon begins publishing his Historie Naturalle. In the book he describes seeing a large, sleek Boarhound while visiting Denmark. He refers to it as “a Great Danish dog.”
1857—A printed record shows that a “Great Dane” dog is shipped from the United States to England.
1880—Breeders and judges in Berlin agree that a new breed is substantially different from the English Mastiffs and names it Deutsch Dogge (German Dog).
1887—The breed is recognized by the American Kennel Club, though it is initially called the German Mastiff.
1889—The Great Dane Club of America is formed, and becomes only the fourth breed club to become affiliated with the American Kennel Club (which had, itself, formed only five years previously).
1917—A lightly marked Brindle Great Dane called Keystone Teddy is a silent film star, possibly the first canine superstar.
1937—Just Nuisance, a Fawn Great Dane, is born and later becomes the first dog to be enlisted in the Royal Navy.
1954—Marmaduke, the Great Dane star of his own comic strip, debuts in newspapers across the country.
1965—The Great Dane is designated the official state dog of Pennsylvania.
1969—Scooby-Doo, an animated Great Dane, debuts on TV.
1980—CH Sterling’s Blue Lupine becomes the first uncropped (naturaleared) Blue AKC Champion Great Dane.
1999—The color Mantle is officially accepted by the AKC. That same year, CH Harlwood Dark Horse becomes the first Mantle AKC Champion Great Dane.
2004—Gibson, a Harlequin Great Dane, is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s “tallest living dog” at 42.2 inches. This begins a string of Great Danes holding the title. (For more See Chapter 10 “The Great Dane Standard.”)
2006—Multi-titled Sterling Lazy Days Chntly Lace becomes the first Great Dane to earn the title of AKC Obedience Trial Champion.
10 Questions People Ask About Great Danes
What are the “colors” of the Great Dane? The colors found in Great Danes are basically formed from black, tan, and white. These three basics can be combined to just about any variation. However, there are six standard color styles taken from show conformation guidelines. They are Black, Blue (actually gray), Fawn (golden brown), Brindle (black and brown), Harlequin (white with black patches and occasional merle patches), and Mantle (black with specific white areas). They can also come in just about every other mixture—but such colors would not be conformation show dog colors.
How much does a Great Dane weigh? A full-grown Great Dane male typically weighs between 130 and 175 pounds. A full-grown Great Dane bitch typically weighs 100–140 pounds. (Males usually are taller and heavier than females.) Based on the dog’s bone structure and build, it could weigh more or less.
Is the Great Dane from Denmark? The Great Dane is mostly a mix of English and German breeding. The name comes from a famed naturalist of the 1700s. While on a trip to Denmark, he saw the large breed and described it as a “great Danish dog.” Despite attempts from Germany and England to attach their own names, the “Great Dane” comment stuck, and by 1900 it was the established name.
Why were the ears cropped? Since Great Danes were bred as boarhounds, their ears were cut very short and close to their skulls to prevent them from becoming handles that boars could latch onto and tear. Today it is basically a cosmetic effect.
Is that a Dalmatian? Although most people are familiar with what a fawn Great Dane looks like, a Harlequin often puzzles them. Harlequins may be white with black markings like a Dalmatian, but that coloring is the only similarity. Unlike a Dalmatian, which has spots, a Harlequin has irregularly shaped patches with jagged, torn-looking edges. Plus, an adult Great Dane is much taller and heavier.
How big is a Great Dane when born? Despite their giant adult size, Great Dane puppies often weigh between 1 and 2 pounds at birth.
Do Great Danes need a lot of space? Great Danes may love to run, but they often love to lie around. Because of his easygoing style, and couch pup-tato desires, many consider Great Danes to be one of the best dogs for apartments.
Can my child ride a Great Dane? Though he may be as big as a pony, he is not one. His structure is not built to carry weight. However, Great Danes can be trained to pull a cart, and actually did pull milk carts in some European countries.
Are Great Danes the tallest breed of dogs? Even though the last few Guinness Book of World Record holders for tallest dog have been Great Danes, the Great Dane is not normally the tallest dog. The AKC standard for a male Great Dane is no less than 30 inches (with 32 inches or more being preferred), with the average-sized male around 34–36 inches tall. Bitches are generally shorter. Great Danes, and dogs in general, are like people—size can vary greatly.
How long do Great Danes live? On average, Great Danes live around eight years. Some have lived into double digits, but one should not expect it. However, their short life span is in reverse proportion to the huge amount of love they give.
Chapter Two
The Mind of theGreat Dane
The size of a Great Dane is equal to the size of his heart, and of the love and companionship he can offer. Whether bounding along a beach, trotting by your side in a show, enjoying a toy, or curled up next to you on a couch or bed, there is nothing like a Great Dane.
Who Is a Great Dane?
Great Dane personalities can vary as widely as humans’. They can be a clown, a lover, an adventurer, a thinker, a show-off, a brat, or a blend of all the above. But beneath all these variations is still the original Great Dane, bred for hunting and protection. In some ways, you can divide the Great Dane world into two views—those who still hold to the ways of the hunt and show a noticeable prey drive, and those who have moved on and are happy being loved pets.
The Great Dane will find his size a blessing and a curse. He will enjoy the advantages of his size when wanting to obtain things
