| AKC Group: | Working |
| A.K.A.: | German Mastiff, Deutsche Dogge |
| Functions: | Companion |
| Year of Origin: | 1300s |
| Country of Origin: | Germany |
| Life Span (yr): | 6 - 8 |
| Colors: | Brindle, Blue, Mantle, Black, Fawn, Harlequin |
| Height (Inch): | 28 - 34 |
| Weight (lb): | 100 - 120 |
| Size: | Very Large |
| Hair Length: | Very Short |
| Energy: |  |
| Playfulness: | |
| Ease of Training: | |
| Exercise Needed: | |
| Self Protection: |  |
| Grooming: |  |
| Shedding: | |
| Watch Dog: | |
| Living Area: | |
Appearance:
The Great Dane is best known for his grand size. He is dignified and stately. With his size comes amazing power through his well-defined muscles and grace. His head is long and rectangular in shape. His eyes are very expressive and are not exceptionally large. They are usually dark, but they can be lighter in color for those dogs with a lighter colored coat. His ears are located on top of his head and are mid-sized. They fold towards the front of his head, and can be cropped. The nose of the Great Dane is usually black, but it can also have a bluish tinge or even spots.
Temperament:
The Great Dane is friendly and loyal. He has a strong spirit and is very loving. He is good with children and can be very gentle. However, with toddlers, he may accidentally knock them over, without meaning to cause harm. The Great Dane can also be good around other household pets, especially if he is trained, socialized, or introduced to them as a young puppy. Even though he is a large dog, the Great Dane should live inside the house – he loves to be with his family and would be saddened if he could not be with them a majority of his day.
Health:
The Great Dane is prone to a number of lethal health conditions, breaking the hearts of his owners each time he falls ill. For starters, Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus, a condition where his stomach bloats and twists, is the primary cause of death for Great Danes. They are also susceptible to heart disease, specifically cardiomyopathy and a few congenital heart defects. Cancer also strikes many Great Danes, including lymphoma and bone cancer. More common issues are also problematic for the Great Dane: hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, entropion, and cataracts to name just a few. Of those, hyperthyroidism is the least concerning, and can be alleviated with medication. Hip dysplasia can cause him to be unable to walk or stand due to severe arthritis in his joints.
Maintenance:
The Great Dane luckily does not need much grooming, even given his large size. Since his coat is short, he only needs to be brushed and bathed when necessary. However, if he is brushed frequently, it will keep down the amount of loose fur. His nails should be trimmed whenever they need it, as well. He enjoys going for a walk every day – a great way to get some exercise. However, he is very calm inside the house and probably prefers to be inside, especially since he is sensitive to cold weather and gets chilled very easily. He has been known to jump over short fences, so if he is left unattended in a fenced in area, the fence must be fairly tall.