Friendliness | Friendly to people, cats, and children | Grooming | Low maintenance | Energy | Moderate, 30 minute walk | Trainability | Mildly stubborn, food-motivated | The name Dane is misleading, as the Great Dane was first bred in Germany and is that countys national dog. Originally bred for boar hunting and fighting, most Great Danes today serve as family companions and watch dogs. The Great Danes thunderous bark is enough to make anyone think twice about entering the dogs home. Fortunately, most Great Danes merely bark as a warning and very rarely bite. Often called The Apollo of Dogs, the Great Dane is a beautiful dog with an imposing stature and mild nature. The Great Dane is truly a gentle giant, and is tolerant of children and other animals, making it an excellent family dog. Although never malicious, young Great Danes can hurt small children during rough play, so those with toddlers may want to consider adopting an older, more mild-tempered dog. The Great Dane has a short, coarse coat that is easy to care for. A thorough brushing three times a week is all that is needed to keep a Great Danes coat healthy. A Great Danes nails should be trimmed monthly. Great Danes rarely require bathing. Colors accepted for Great Danes show dogs include brindle, fawn, blue, black, or harlequin, with frequent variations and combinations of these colors occurring in non-show dogs. The Great Dane is best suited to indoor life with its family. Truly a couch potato, most Great Danes are happy to spend the majority of the day snoozing on the sofa or a comfy dog bed. Once outside, the Great Dane is content to run and play, sometimes with unexpected energy. A 30 minute walk along with a few minutes of hard running in the yard is sufficient to meet a Great Danes daily exercise needs. Great Danes are muscular but graceful. The large size of the Great Dane makes it a challenge to train; prior experience with large breeds is recommended before adopting a Great Dane puppy. The Great Dane tends to have a sluggish temperament when it comes to training. The use of treats is a great help in motivating a Great Dane to cooperate. As with other large breeds, Great Dane puppies need special care and nutrition in order to develop properly. Over feeding a Great Dane puppy can lead to serious bone problems, so the first two years of a Great Dane puppys life should be monitored closely by a veterinarian. Sadly, the Great Dane is a short-lived breed with a maximum life expectancy of 10 years, with most dogs living only 8 years. Common health problems in Great Danes include heart disease, bone cancer, and hip and elbow problems. A hip and elbow certification is strongly recommended when purchasing or rescuing a Great Dane.
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