Great Dane

Are Great Danes Good Family Dogs?

Yes, Great Danes are good family dogs that can make a great addition to the household.

They love children and are known to be quite patient and gentle with them.

However, because they sometimes underestimate their size, they may be prone to knocking kids over at times, so it is imperative that you monitor your Great Dane around small children at all times.

It is also important to teach your children how to properly interact with dogs. Pulling or scratching can end up causing injury to both parties.

In general, Great Danes are known to get along well with other household pets.

This sometimes varies based on personality and individual temperaments. While some may make it clear that they won’t tolerate another animal in the house, others may look at another pet as a new brother or sister.

Things to Know About Great Danes

1. #1 Thing to Know: They are Not Actually Danish

Great Danes actually originated in Germany, where they were bred for hunting and guarding.

Some were even used for battle. Starting in 1878, a committee in Berlin changed the name for the breed from the “Englische Dogge” to the “Deutsche Dogge.”

In English-speaking countries, the dog was referred to as the “German boarhound.” For a while, German breeders attempted to market the dog as the “German Mastiff.” However, increasing tensions between Germany and other countries lead to the development of the breed’s current name, the “Great Dane”.

Another legend claims that the name came about when French naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon came across the breed in Denmark during the early 1700s. It is said that he called the dog “le Grande Danois,” which translates to Great Dane.

2. They Used to Hunt Boars

Experts believe that the Great Dane was bred from both the Irish Wolfhound and the Old English Mastiff. Thanks to the sheer physical strength and natural bravery given to them by their ancestors, Great Danes were able to successfully take down wild boars. However, these aggressive and deadly Great Danes that were used for hunting in the past are not likely to be seen in Great Danes today. You most likely won’t have to worry about your Great Dane attempting to hunt down any big game nowadays. 

3. Great Danes Were Eventually Bred to be Gentle Giants

As hunting became less popular throughout the years, the Great Dane was slowly bred from being vicious hunting dogs to show dogs. Nowadays, they are known for their relaxed demeanor and love for a life of leisure. As a result, they make great companions for individuals looking to add a new family member to their household.

4. They are Actually Not the Tallest Breed in the World

The tallest breed in the world is actually the Irish Wolfhound. Coming behind it is the Great Dane. That’s not to say that there aren’t Great Danes out there that are comparable to a small horse.

5. It is the Official State Dog of PA

The Great Dane was named the official state dog of Pennsylvania in 1965. Back in the frontier days of Pennsylvania, the breed was used for hunting and working. According to State Representative Sam Rohrer, “When the Speaker of the House called for a voice vote to designate the Great Dane, yips, growls, and barks assaulted his ears from every part of the chamber! With a rap of his gavel, the Speaker confirmed that the “arfs have it” and the “Barking Dog Vote” entered the annals of legislative history. The PA Legislation believed that naming an official state dog would “Recognize the steadfast service and loyal devotion of all dogs in Pennsylvania.”

6. They Have Extremely Short Lifespans

The average lifespan for Great Danes is 6 to 8 years. They are prone to a series of health problems, including hip dysplasia, bloat and dilated cardiomyopathy, which is a genetically inherited heart disease that decreases the heart’s ability to pump blood. As a result, only 17% of Great Danes make it to 10 years of age.

7. Great Danes can Actually be Good Apartment Dogs 

Thanks to their peaceful and gentle personalities, Great Danes are well-suited for apartments. They are not prone to barking or destroying furniture out of boredom. They also don’t require as much exercise as other breeds and are more than happy to lounge on a sofa for most of the day. A quick walk around the neighborhood will be sufficient enough to keep your Great Dane exercised and healthy. However, if you are living in a studio or a cramped apartment, then you might want to think twice before bringing a Great Dane into it. There should at least be sufficient enough room for them to be able to stand or lay down comfortably without blocking up too much space. 

8. Scooby-Doo isn’t the Only Famous Great Dane

While Scooby-Doo is probably the most famous Great Dane, there are a variety of other famous members of this breed. Scrappy-Doo, Scooby-Doo’s scrappy nephew, is also a Great Dane. Marmaduke, a popular Great Dane detective from a comic strip drawn by Brad Anderson, and Astro, from the TV show “The Jetson’s,” are also high-profile figures of the breed. With their fun, goofy personalities, it is no wonder that there are so many famous Great Danes in pop culture.

9. Their Ancestors Were Used to Fight in Wars

Both Northerners and Southerners recruited large bloodhounds to work for them during the Civil War. It is believed that these bloodhounds were a cross between the Cuban Mastiff and the Great Dane. The army and the marines then attempted to use the dogs during World War 2, but none of them passed basic training. An army drill sergeant was even moved to tears of frustration when he couldn’t train a Great Dane to jump over an obstacle. Instead of jumping over it, the Great Dane would run toward it, grab it in its mouth, and bring it back to the sergeant. After that, no one made an effort to train Great Danes into army dogs.

10. They Think They are Lap Dogs

Great Danes always seem to underestimate their immense size. While they may be the size of a small horse, that doesn’t stop them from trying to get close to you. Everyone who has ever owned a Great Dane will likely confirm this statement. If you don’t want them climbing up on you, it is imperative that you train them from an early age to avoid this habit. You especially don’t want them climbing onto and sitting on small children, as that, unsurprisingly, can be incredibly dangerous.

11. They Come in 7 Different Colors

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes 7 different breed colors for the Great Dane.

• Fawn  — a yellow gold base with a black mask
• Brindle — a yellow gold base color brindled with black stripes
• Blue
• Black
• Harlequin — a white base color with irregular black patches
• Mantle — solid black marking that extends over the body and white on the forefront
• Merle — a gray base color with spotting

There are two other colors associated with Great Danes that are not officially recognized by the AKC: fawnequin, which is a fawn-colored version of Harlequin, and white.

12. While Irish Wolfhounds are Statistically Taller than Great Danes, the Tallest Dog in History was Actually a Great Dane

The tallest dog ever recorded in history, Zeus, measured 44 inches at the shoulders. He measured 7-feet tall when standing upright on his hind legs. The Great Dane from Otsego, Michigan won the prestigious title back in 2012. Sadly, he perished in 2014 at only 5-years-old.

13. Great Danes are Quite Graceful

There’s something about Great Danes that makes them appear so elegant and graceful. Maybe it’s the way they carry themselves. Or their long legs and imposing height. Either way, their refined looks and dignified manner are sure to awe anyone lucky enough to come across them. That being said, they aren’t always in control of their body. They do have incredibly long limbs to work with, after all. Therefore, you might catch them tripping over themselves once or twice. 

14. They Love to Sprawl

Every dog needs to relax now and then, and Great Danes are no exception. They love to sprawl themselves out anywhere they see fit, so make sure that you have enough room in your house or yard for your Great Dane to do so. They’re going to need a lot of leg room.

15. Great Danes: the Apollo of Dogs

Great Danes are known as the Apollo of all dogs, both in size and spirit. This, of course, is due to their tall, looming bodies and dignified appearance. Many people say these qualities make them comparable to the Greek God of the sun, Apollo. Their courageous spirit is also noted by many owners and fans.

16. They Grow Really Fast  

At two months old, a Great Dane will be around 13 to 18 inches tall at the shoulders. From that moment on, it will steadily increase in size until it reaches around 30 to 36 inches, depending on whether it is a male or a female. It is important to feed your puppy a well-balanced diet during this time to ensure steady growth. If you feed it too much and it grows too fast, it may develop serious growth disorders as a result.

17. Great Danes are Surprisingly Sensitive 

Often described as “gentle giants,” Great Danes are naturally sensitive creatures. They are known for following their owners from room to room, becoming what is known as a “Velcro Dane.” As a result, they may develop separation anxiety. To prevent this, it is important to socialize your Great Dane properly starting when he is a puppy.