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GREAT DANES
The Great Dane is a "King" among dogs, often
called the "Apollo or the Gentle giant". Through its size,
power, and beauty, it exhibits a proud, self-confident, royal bearing.
Great Danes are devoted and gentle, in spite of their
enormous size and strength, and almost human in their ability to size
up a situation and more than human in sensing danger to the ones they
love and protect.
HISTORY
Often called the Apollo of dogs, the Great Dane can trace its paw
prints as far back as time of the Egyptians. Drawings of dogs resembling
Great Danes were found on Egyptian monuments dating from 3000 B.C.
Artifacts found in Babylonian temples built about 2000 B.C. include
a relief-plate showing Assyrian men walking huge, Dane-like dogs on
stout leashes. The dogs depicted have the same massive body and long,
powerful legs as today's Great Dane.
It is agreed that this breed has been known by more names than any
other breed. Early hunting dogs were known as Bullenbeissers or Boar
Hounds. Through the 1800's the names given to these dogs changed quite
often e.g. Ulmer Doggen, Tiger Dogge, Saupacker, Hatzruden, Danish
Doggen, Grand Danois and the German Mastiff. All of these came and
went until 1880 when the name Deutsche Dogge became official and was
adopted as the National dog of Germany.
The French natural scientist, Comte de Buffon gave the breed the name
it's known by today. While traveling in Denmark, he saw a slimmer
variety of the boarhound, which shared more similarities with the
greyhound. Buffon remarked that the Danish climate had caused the
greyhound to become a Grand Danois or Great Dane.
Some believe that all Dane-type dogs originated in the
highlands of Tibet, as there is great similarity between the Tibetan
Mastiffs that lived at the base of the Himalayas and the Dane like
dogs of the Assyrians. This belief gained credibility when it was
discovered that the earliest written report of dogs strongly similar
in type to the Great Dane appeared in Chinese literature in 1121 B.C.
The dogs became popular with the Greeks and Romans who
endeavored to further their breeding so they could be used as hunting
and war animals. At about the same time, similar dogs were known to
have existed in Russia and Germany and it is likely that they were
later mixed with the dogs that became spread across the world by the
original Assyrian traders.
In Germany, where these magnificent animals, capable
of overcoming bears and wild boars, were much admired, a process of
selective breeding began. At that time, ears were cropped to prevent
the boar's long, sharp tusks from shredding the Dane's ear during
the hunt. The biggest and most handsome dogs were kept inside the
homes of their noblemen masters and were called Kammerhunde, meaning
chamber dogs. These pampered pets wore gilded collars trimmed with
fringe and padded with velvet.
History of the Great Dane in Australia
The first Great Danes exhibited in Australia, Hector and Dido (Blues,
which were imported by Mr. Dougal in 1890] were shown in Melbourne.
Mr. Hald then imported four Harlequins in 1890 which were taken to
NSW.
Mr. De Beer imported a fawn Bitch in 1892 and mated her with a son
of Mr. Dougal's dog, this union produced 15 puppies.
In Victoria we have been very fortunate to have had so many long term
dedicated Dane breeders, who have produced many of the well known
Danes of today. Most of the winners in the early days were fawns as
it was the predominate colour of the day. In recent times breeders
have been more diligent in breeding the other five recognized colours.
The Great Dane Club of Victoria Inc proudly held its first Championship
show in 1946.
Is a Great Dane the dog for you?
Anyone considering a Great Dane needs to be willing to make a commitment
to provide a suitable environment and proper training to ensure the
Great Dane becomes a healthy and well-behaved member of the family.
Often people make hasty decisions and are ill prepared to deal with
the size, occasional rambunctious and sometimes rowdy behavior of
an adolescent Great Dane. Reputable breeders responsibly educate new
owners so when a puppy goes to its new home, the experience is usually
a positive one for both the puppy and the owner.
While the Great Dane is usually quite inactive indoors,
it needs lots of room to lie down, play, and stretch out, and it still
needs exercise. Do you have the room and the time to devote to this
dog?
Whilst the dog is low maintenance, it is very dependant on spending
a lot of time with its owner. There is also a great responsibility
involved in feeding a young Dane appropriately for correct growth.
Socialization to both people, the environment and other animals, with
training from a young pup through to adolescence, is of great importance.
Training
Dane puppies should begin puppy training and socialization classes
as soon as they are bought home. This is usually the age that they
are very impressionable and of a relatively manageable size. For their
own safety, and for the safety of their owners, all Danes should be
taught to be calm, not to bite (even in play), and not to jump up
on people.
Exercise
The Great Dane can easily become a couch potato, however, they benefit
from Daily walks and there is nothing more beautiful than a finely
tuned Great Dane in full gallop. Young Dogs grow very rapidly and,
to prevent injury, require supervised moderate exercise.
Exercise too close to mealtimes [both before and after] is not recommended
Environment
The household considering a Dane should have a secure enclosure and
preferably a large fenced yard. Most Danes are not jumpers, so a 1.8m
fence is sufficient.
Some growing puppies are highly destructive to landscaping, so if
a carefully manicured garden is a priority for you, perhaps you should
think hard buying a Great Dane!
Grooming
The smooth shorthaired coat is easy to groom, although because of
his size, bathing this giant dog can be a major chore. The nails must
be kept trimmed.
This breed is an average shedder.
Health Problems
Great Danes have an average lifespan of 7-10 years although dogs can
live up to 15 years.
Be careful to buy from a conscientious breeder.
Puppies and young adults can develop certain growing or bone problems
that are frequently associated with improper nutrition, [diet too
high in protein, calcium or supplements] or improper exercise.
Always do your research into the pedigree of your prospective Dane
pup looking into the bloodlines for longevity, good health and good
temperament.
Temperament
The Great Dane is a gentle giant and has been characterised by many
dog fanciers as the best natured of all breeds. Dignified, kind, sweet
and affectionate, possessing a peaceful disposition, they are homebodies
and love their human family above all else.
The Great Dane does not bark much, is a steady dog, responsible and
dependable, brave and loyal, and an excellent watchdog with its large
size sufficient to scare off most intruders.
They do not tolerate extreme weather, and require a warm place in
the winter and a cool spot in the summertime. Living exclusively outdoors
will break a Great Dane's spirit. The only place a Dane is really
happy is beside his human family.
Training
Training and practice are the best ways to refine this breed's natural
intelligence and willingness to please.
Because of its giant size, the Great Dane should be obedience trained
from when a young puppy so that it will be manageable when fully grown.
Correct, early training and socialization is very important. Puppy
classes are highly recommended, but training needs to be continued
throughout their lives.
Inside the house, a crate, properly used, provides a safe secure place
for the dog and, in the early months, will also assist in housetraining
and prevent major destruction from a chewing adolescent. Like all
puppies, Young Danes should not be allowed free run of the house.
Often the greatest challenge in working with the Great
Dane is one of finding a motivator interesting enough to the dog,
to enable the desired response to be achieved.
The Great Dane is not lazy or lacking in stamina as much as easily
bored. The best results will be achieved from working with a fresh,
enthusiastic dog, thus training sessions need to be of short duration
but frequent in number.
Many Danes have earned the respect of numerous judges, achieving multiple
awards in Confirmation, Obedience, Tracking, Endurance Jumping and
Agility.
Danes are often found participating in the community as Pet therapy
and Assistance dogs.
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, but is unique in that its general
conformation must be so well balanced that it never appears clumsy,
and moves with a long reach and powerful drive.
A Great Dane must be spirited, courageous, friendly and dependable.
This physical and mental combination is the characteristic that gives
the Great Dane the majesty possessed by no other breed.
It is particularly true of this breed that there is an impression
of great masculinity in dogs, as compared to an impression of femininity
in bitches.
Acceptable Colours according to the breed standard are Fawn, Brindle,
Harlequin, Black, Blue and Mantle
Diet
Although the Dane is one of the giant breeds, it does not eat one
out of house and home. The mature Dane eats no more than any large
dog. A Dane's diet is extremely important and it is vital that it
gets the correct amount of nutrients.
Take the advice of your Breeder regarding Diet and before feeding
any supplements to your dog. Try to find a Veterinarian who is experienced
with Giant Breed Dogs, again, your breeder will be able to help with
this.
The Great Dane club of Victoria will be holding its
annual Open and Championship on Saturday 1st November 2008 at RSG
Ascot Vale
For more information on our club and our breed please visit our website
www.greatdaneclubvic.org
Secretary: Kirsten Flynn Phone (03) 5368 1472
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