Great Dane FAQS

FAQS About Great Danes

| Brief History

The Great Dane was developed in Germany to hunt wild boars. The earliest written dog description resembling this breed is found in Chinese literature around 1121 B.C.

Great Dane, in the English language, is a translation of an old French designation, grand Danois, meaning "big Danish." But this was only one of half a dozen names which had been used for this breed over the centuries.

In 1891 the Great Dane Club of Germany adopted a precise standard, or official description of the ideal specimen.

| Breed Standards

General Appearance
The Great Dane combines, in its regal appearance, dignity, strength and elegance with great size and a powerful, well-formed, smoothly muscled body. It is one of the working class breeds.

Size, Proportion, Substance

The male should appear more massive throughout than the bitch, withlarger frame and heavier bone. Adult show dogs characteristics: The male shall not be less than 30 inches at the shoulders, but it is preferable that he be 32 inches or more, providing he is well proportioned to his height. The female shall not be less than 28 inches at the shoulders, but it is preferable that she be 30 inches or more, providing she is well proportioned to her height. Danes under minimum height are disqualified.

Color, Markings and Patterns at Danewoods

Harlequin --Base color shall be pure white with black torn patches irregularly and well distributed over the entire body; a pure white neck is preferred. The black patches should never be large enough to give the appearance of a blanket, nor so small as to give a stippled or dappled effect. Eligible, but less desirable, are a few small gray patches, or a white base with single black hairs showing through, which tend to give a salt and pepper or dirty effect.

Mantle --The color shall be black and white with a solid black blanket extending over the body; black skull with white muzzle; white blaze is optional; whole white collar is preferred; a white chest; white on part or whole of forelegs and hind legs; white tipped black tail. A small white marking in the blanket is acceptable for show, as is a break in the white collar.

Temperament

The Great Dane must be spirited, courageous, always friendly and dependable, and never timid or aggressive.