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Great Danes are perhaps the most regal of all dogs. This breed has a dignified stature and docile temperament that bring a sense of majesty to their countenance. Great Danes are not only desirable because of their pleasing appearance, but also because of their loyal temperament. A Great Dane can truly be one of the most enjoyable dogs to own.
The breed Great Dane is a very ancient one. Depictions of Great Danes and dogs very similar are present in drawings in the tombs of Beni-Hassan. These tombs date as far back as 2200 BC. There are also representations of Great Danes on ancient coins and paintings. Great Danes were also used in German and Celtic tribes as war dogs. In Germany during the Middle Ages, Great Danes were popular to use as hunting dogs and guardians. Great Danes were not brought to the United States until the mid-1800s, where they won the admiration of historic Americans like William “Buffalo Bill” Cody.
The Great Dane is known as the king of dogs because of its enormous size. Great Danes average a height of 28-32 inches and weigh an average of 100-120 pounds, although there have been Great Danes that were much larger. Males are generally larger than females. Great Danes have short, smooth coats that come in a variety of colors, including brindle, black, and white with black spots. It has become common over the years for the ears of most Great Danes to be cropped, but it is now becoming more acceptable to let their ears remain natural, even among show dogs.
The general temperament of Great Danes is gentle and loving. They are usually very calm and affectionate. This breed gets along well with small children and animals. Their loyal nature makes them wary of strangers at first, but they will quickly warm up to close family friends. Although Great Danes are natural guardians, they usually do not have a problem with excessive barking.
Because of their large size, it is important to remember the special needs of Great Danes. Although most Great Danes will be happy living in a small apartment, all adult Great Danes need regular, vigorous exercise. In an ideal setting, a Great Dane should have the opportunity to run free in a large field on a daily basis. It should also be kept in mind that the size of Great Danes also affects their appetite. This breed is known for needing to ingest large amounts of nutritious food every day. Their growth and eating habits should be monitored closely when they are puppies to ensure proper growth levels. Growing at a rate that is too slow or too fast can result in health problems later in a Great Dane’s life.
If you are interested in becoming the owner of a Great Dane, be sure you shop around for a reputable breeder that specializes in breeding Great Danes. There are also specialized rescue facilities that can help you adopt a Great Dane. Always be sure to do extensive research on how to care for Great Danes before deciding to own one. These unique canines require special care and a lot of attention.
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