Great Dane dog - A giant dog breed.

The Great Dane or Deutsche Dogge (German Mastiff) was developed in Germany not Denmark.  It is a very old breed which has been a distinct type for probably more than 400 years.  The German nobility wanted a super dog to protect their country estates and hunt the very dangerous, savage, and swift wild boar.  In 1880 the Germans banned the name "Great Dane" in favor of "Deutsche Dogge" but English speaking people have always ignored this name.

Early Great Danes were a bad tempered lot.  It was the Americans who have been credited with changing the Great Dane into the dependable, even-tempered breed it is today.  They are very popular family pets and watchdogs, intelligent, spirited, courageous, always friendly, never timid or agressive.  They come in several colors, Brindle, Fawn, Blue, Black and the Harlequin Great Dane.  They tend to bond with the entire family, and are rated excellent with children.

There can be some serious problems with elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia in this breed, so it is wise to choose your Great Dane puppy from a breeder who tests for this. Feeding your Great Dane puppy the proper food for big boned breeds is also very important. There are other important health problems with the Great Dane, such as, cardiomyopathy and the deadly gastric torsion, which is all too common in deep chested breeds. Good eating habits, followed by a good rest before any strenuous exercise or play is a necessity to avoid gastric torsion. Great Dane breeders should be testing their breed stock for heart, elbows, hips, eyes and blood before breeding.