The Great Dane is a breed of dog known for its large size and gentle personality. The breed is commonly referred to as the “Gentle Giant”.
History: Dogs resembling the Great Dane have been seen in drawings in Egyptian tombs dating back to 2200 BC. They were shorter of leg and resembled mastiffs in body type. It was in Germany that the breed was further developed into the dog that we recognize today. It is thought that the original mastiff type was crossed with a greyhound to give the agile, slender dog that is known as a Great Dane. They were first used as bull baiters and in 1592 they were being used by the nobility for hunting wild boar.
Appearance: 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. The eyes should be of medium size and dark. The ears should be triangular, high set and fold down. The tail should be set high and smoothly into the croup, but not quite level with the back, a continuation of the spine. The coat should be short and dense. There are six show-acceptable coat colors for Great Danes: fawn, brindle, blue, black, harlequin and mantle.
Size: 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)
Temperament: The Great Dane is a gentle giant. Dignified, kind, sweet and affectionate, it is playful and patient with children. The Great Dane is an intelligent and affectionate dog. Brave and loyal, it is a good watchdog.  They can become very close and loyal to the family and close family friends that are frequent visitors. They are quick to alert the family of any strangers approaching their territory, as they are excellent guard dogs, although they do not bark very much. They should be socialized and training started at an early age.
Health: Great Danes, like most giant dogs, have a fairly slow metabolism. 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.
Life expectancy: The average is under 10 years, however some can live to be 12-13 years old.
Grooming: The coat of the Great Dane is short and dense. They can be groomed using a rubber-grooming mitt, which will remove the loose and dead hairs. Bathing a Great Dane can be difficult due to his size, but is a relatively clean dog. The nails must be kept trimmed. This breed is an average shedder.
Puppy price: $ 350.00 - $ 2.500.00