This is the fourth article in a series I am writing about working dogs. The subject of this article is the Great Dane. Interestingly, the name has nothing to do with where the breed was developed. The dog is not from Denmark but rather from Germany. It has been in existence for over 400 years and was used in Germany to hunt wild boars. An interesting feature about Great Danes is its ears. These originally were floppy, but were cropped because the dog was used for hunting.
Cropped ears made it easier for the dog to chase and capture wild boars. It has many different coat colors which include Fawn, Brindle, Blue, and Black.
The Great Dane is probably the largest of dog breeds. But being of such a great size belies its gentle nature. These dogs make wonderful pets for the family, particularly if they are raised from pups. They are also very good around children. With strangers, however, this dog can be very intimidating. It does have a menacing bark which will frighten a would-be intruder.
The Great Dane has a lifespan of only 6-8 years. This has earned the breed the nickname of "the heartbreak breed." There are several health problems associated with this breed, as are common to other breeds of large dogs. These problems include gastric, hip, and cardiac difficulties. One particular type of Great Dane is the merle, which causes harlequin coloring. Only one gene is necessary for this type of coloring. If two of these genes are present, however, many health problems appear. These include blindness, deafness, and other serious ocular issues.
Daily exercise is very important for Great Danes. This is especially necessary for young puppies. Daily walks are good for these dogs, but care must be taken not to do too much exercise. Puppies grow quickly. Great Danes are much larger than other dogs and care must be taken to be aware of potential bone or joint problems that may develop. This dog also consumes less food per pound than smaller breeds.
Great Danes are really very gentle in temperament, in spite of their large size. They generally get along with other dogs and other types of animals. They are known as gentle giants. They make wonderful pets. Although they are a very large breed, they are generally good-natured dogs. These animals are able to return love and make a wonderful addition to any family.
Bob Solley
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