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 giant working breeds.
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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.
So now, do you want to own a Great Dane?
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