The Great Dane: temperament, price, health, and breeders

The origin of the breed was long debated, because the Great Dane is indeed of German origin, even if it was very widespread in Denmark, hence its other name of Grand Dane. It is said to descend from medieval hunting dogs for boar and bull, with ancestors often linked to the Tibetan Mastiff and the old Bullenbeisser. Modern breeding of the Great Dane began in Berlin in 1878 and the first standard was established in 1880 before being taken up and adjusted by the FCI.

The Great Dane is a giant dog with an imposing yet harmonious appearance, often nicknamed the Apollo of the canine kind. Its body fits into an approximate square, with a long and finely chiselled head, a rectangular muzzle, ears set high and naturally drooping, as well as a tail set high that tapers toward the tip. Its coat is very short, smooth and glossy, and can be blue, black, harlequin, fawn or brindle.

Powerful in appearance, the Great Dane is nevertheless a very affectionate companion, attached to its family and generally calm at home. Alert without being aggressive, it combines a strong deterrent presence with a gentle and protective temperament. It is generally good with children and sociable with strangers, while remaining more reserved with other animals.

One often imagines that a dog of this size needs an immense space, whereas the Great Dane adapts quite well to indoor life if it benefits from a stable environment and regular outings. It likes the company of its loved ones, tolerates a neglectful lifestyle poorly and needs sustained attention, especially during its growth. Its bark and its stature make it a natural guardian, even if it is not quarrelsome by nature.

The Great Dane needs early, consistent and controlled training because of its physical power. It must learn very young to walk without pulling and to respect clear rules, because an adult of this size becomes difficult to manage without good foundations. Even if it is not the most obedient, it is a receptive dog that understands well what is expected of it when the training is constant and calm.

The Great Dane requires an already significant acquisition budget, to which are added high maintenance costs due to its size, its diet and its health monitoring. The overall cost must be anticipated before any adoption.

The Great Dane requires careful monitoring, particularly during its first three years, because its growth is very rapid and its bone structure remains sensitive. Its large size puts more strain on its joints and requires properly adjusting exercise, diet and veterinary follow-up.

The diet of the Great Dane plays a major role in its bone development and quality of life. Its very rapid growth requires a complete, well-balanced ration that is regularly adjusted to avoid deficiencies as well as excessive intake.

The Great Dane is often nicknamed the Apollo of the canine race because of its noble and harmonious silhouette. It is also known by several names, including Danish, Deutsche Dogge, Grand Danois and Great Dane, but the French reference name remains Dogue Allemand.