Life expectancy: 8 – 10 years, however some can live to be 12-13 years old.

Origin: Germany

Temperament:  Friendly, Devoted, Reserved, Confident, Gentle, Loving

Height: Males 30 - 34 inches (76 - 86 cm) Females 28 - 32 inches (71 - 81 cm)

Weight: Males 120 - 200+ pounds (54 - 90 kg) Females 100 - 130 pounds (45 - 59 kg)

Colors: Black, Brindle, Fawn, Harlequin, Mantle, Blue, Merle

 

HISTORY / ORIGIN:

The Great Dane is a very old breed, known as the "Apollo of all dogs." Dogs resembling the Great Dane have appeared on Greek money dating back to 36 B.C. There are also drawings of these dogs on Egyptian monuments from roughly 3000 B.C. The earliest writings of dogs that sounded like Great Danes were in Chinese literature dating back to 1121 B.C. 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. They were admired for their ability to bring down bear and wild boar. The dogs were thought to have been Wolfhounds mixed with old English Mastiffs. With selective breeding the Greyhound was added in to create the Great Dane. Besides being used as a hunter, they were also used as estate guard dogs. The Great Dane was recognized in 1887. Some of the Great Dane's talents are tracking, watchdog and carting.

*There are some key differences between American and European Great Danes. Both Danes are descended from Mastiffs; however, today European Danes are described to be larger and more Mastiff-looking than American Great Danes due to their Greyhound DNA. European Danes are said to have originated in Europe, whereas American Danes are native to the United States. However, many seem to think that European Great Danes were transferred to America, where they were also bred.

The similarities and variances in physical appearance between the two are minor yet noteworthy. As an example, the American Dane’s head is smaller and more rectangular in shape, with a thinner muzzle and fewer prominent lips. European Danes are defined by their larger, squarer skulls, blunter noses, and drooping lips. Let’s explore their differences further. 

*American vs European Great Dane: What's the Difference? - AZ Animals (a-z-animals.com)

 

DESCRIPTION:

The Great Dane is a giant, powerful dog. Square in body, but females may be slightly longer than tall. The long head is rectangular in shape. The muzzle is deep, with a pronounced stop. The nose is black, blue/black on blue Danes or black spotted on the harlequins. The dark, deep-set eyes are medium in size. The medium sized ears are set high and either cropped or left natural. If left in their natural state they are folded forward, hanging close to the cheek. When cropped they stand erect and are large in proportion to the rest of the head. Note: cropping ears is illegal in most parts of Europe. The well arched neck is set high, firm and muscular. The front legs are perfectly straight. The feet are round with dark toenails. The tail is set high, thicker at the base and tapering to a point. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The coat is short and thick. Colors come in brindle, fawn, black, blue, mantle, harlequin and sometimes merle. Although not a recognized color, chocolate does occur in a recessive gene. Merle is a common result of harlequin breeding, but it is not a recognized color.

 

Euro vs American Physical Appearance:

(According to JoelWalton.com)

European Great Danes tend to be larger and more muscular than their American counterparts. They also have a more prominent jaw and a thicker neck. American Great Danes, on the other hand, tend to have a more streamlined appearance and a more slender build. 

 

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Great Dane Club of America (GDCA), the American Great Dane typically stands between 28 and 32 inches (71-81 cm) tall at the shoulder and weighs between 125 and 140 pounds. In contrast, the European Great Dane, which is typically larger and heavier than the American Great Dane, stands between 30 and 34 inches (76-86 cm) tall at the shoulder and weighs between 180 and 240 pounds.

 

TEMPERAMENT: 

The Great Dane has a good disposition, often called a "gentle giant." Charming 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. It is reliable, trustworthy and dependable. Courageous and loyal, it is a good watchdog. The Great Dane does not stay little for long and consistent training and rules should start right from puppyhood. This giant dog should be taught not to jump or lean on people. The objective in training this dog is to achieve pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in its 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. Owners who know how to properly handle their dogs will not have this issue.

 

The two different breeds have been bred to have a calm, gentle, and loving temperament. However, they are not the same.

American Great Dane dogs are known to be more serious than European Great Dane dogs. They have a quiet demeanor and can be reserved around strangers. The American Great Dane dog is also known to be easygoing and friendly with new people, whereas the European Great Dane is more aloof and reserved with unfamiliar people.

European Great Dane dogs tend to act out in anger when they feel threatened by strangers or other animals on their property. This behavior can make them aggressive toward humans if they feel threatened in any way.

 

HEALTH PROBLEMS:

Prone to hip dysplasia, bloat, heart disease and tail injuries. Prone to mast cell tumors. Jogging is not recommended until the dog is at least one year old, but walking is necessary. Not a long-lived breed.