SIZE:
The AKC OFFICIAL STANDARD FOR THE GREAT DANE states: "The male shall
not be less than 30 inches at the shoulders, but it is
preferable that he be 32 inches or more, providing he is well proportioned
to his height. The female shall not be less than 28 inches at the
shoulders, but it is preferable that she be 30 inches or more, providing
she is well proportioned to her height." It is common for males to stand
about 35 inches at the shoulder, and to weigh about 150 pounds. Females
are commonly about 32 inches tall, and weigh about 120 pounds.
Puppy buyers should remember that "bigger", is not necessarily "better".
COLOR:
There are five colors that are described by the AKC, and permitted
to be shown in the breed ring. They are:
The GREAT DANE CLUB OF AMERICA (parent club for our breed) has established
a Breeders Color Code, which states: "There are only five
recognized colors; all these basically fall into four color strains:
1.FAWN and BRINDLE
2.HARLEQUIN and Harlequin-Bred BLACK
3.BLUE and Blue-Bred BLACK
4.BLACK
Color classifications being well-founded, the Great Dane Club of America,
Inc. considers it an inadvisable practice to mix color strains..." Puppy
buyers who are interested in showing or breeding, should be sure to
purchase a puppy with show potential, who is also one of the five
recognized colors, and who is also pure color bred. Merle are colors
that are often seen in harlequin litters, and while these colors are not
permitted in the conformation ring (in the U.S.), individuals of these
colors can make fine pets, and can also participate in other types of
competition (obedience, tracking, agility, flyball, etc.).
For more information on participatin in conformation or other competitions,
see the
American Kennel Club FAQ.
EARS
Danes are born with ears that (according to the breed standard) should
be "high set, medium in size and of moderate thickness, folded forward
close to the cheek. The top line of the ear should be level with the
skull." Ears may also be cropped. "If cropped, the ear length is in proportion
to the size of the head and the ears are carried uniformly erect."
Ear cropping is an optional cosmetic surgery which enables the ears to
stand.
Aftercare (taping, etc.) is also necessary to ensure that the surgery
will be successful. If you choose to have your puppy's ears cropped, please
contact your breeder, or your local Dane club, for a referral to a
Veterinarian in your area who is proficient at performing this surgery
and
after-care.
GROOMING
The Dane is a short-haired breed, and therefore requires little in
the way of coat care. Most do well with weekly brushing (more often during
periods of heavy shedding), and bathing as needed. The Dane also requires
ear cleaning, dental care, and toenail trimming like any other breed.
LONGEVITY
The Great Dane is unfortunately not a long-lived breed. Their lifespan
is generally 7-10 years. Longevity can be promoted by breeding healthy
individuals (whose ancestors were long-lived), and by practicing good
health management. But, even though the Dane is not long-lived, Dane
lovers would agree that they'd rather have eight years with these dogs
than twenty with another breed.
EXERCISE
Danes need a moderate amount of exercise. A long walk each day seems
to suit most Danes nicely. Of course, Danes can also be trained to
participate in very athletic activities, such as competition obedience,
tracking, agility and flyball.
TRAINING
Because of their size, an un-trained Dane can be a very serious hazard.
Dane puppies should be started in a puppy training and socialization
class at about three months of age. At that stage, they are very impressionable,
and a relatively manageable size. For their own safety, and for
the safety of their owners (and others), all Danes should be taught
not to bite (even in play), and not to jump up on people (unless invited).
They should also learn (at a minimum) the five basic obedience commands:
heel, sit, down, stay, and come. Danes are a very sensitive breed,
and (for the best results) should be taught using motivational/inducive
methods.
How big is a Great Dane really? When is a Dane full grown?
According to the AKC standard the male Great
Dane should not be less than 30 inches at the shoulder and is preferable
that he be 32
inches or more. The female should not be less
than 28 inches and is preferable to be 30 inches or more. From what I have
seen in the
show ring a very correct male of 34 inches
can win but most people like larger dogs (a height of 36 inches is an advertising
point in the
breed magazines). How long it takes a Great
Dane to become full grown depends on the breeding with some pedigree lines
maturing at
about 1 year of age for females and some (many)
not maturing until 3 years for males. Full height is often achieved by
18-24 months and
weight/musculature by 3 years. The "puppyhood"
of a Great Dane usually lasts at least 18 months. They usually settle down
from
frantic puppy activity levels about 9 months
to 1 year and are mentally mature (out of adolescense) between 18 - 28
months.
The size of a Great Dane is a two edged sword.
Being so big certainly allows you to romp with them to your hearts content
and people
think twice (or more) before entering the
house uninvited. However it does take more effort to travel with a Great
Dane and to feed and
care for them. Great Danes are easily trainable
so obedience and control should never be an issue as long as you are willing
to do your
part (a personal observation: obedience classes
are to train the *people* and to socialize the dog not vice versa). It
is up to each person
to assess the benefit vs. work equation for
this breed (as for any breed.) Except for the travelling point Danes are
wonderfully easy to
care for in my opinion. (Some males which
have very full flews (lips) may be prone to slobber. This is individual
dependent and not
necessarily characteristic of the breed.)
How much room does a Dane need?
Where should I keep a Dane?
It is recommended that Great Danes be kept
indoors. This is both because of their short hair coat and their disposition.
Danes can
handle a kennel situation if it is run right
and they receive enough attention but really thrive indoors with the family.
A Dane should
never be left continually outside in the yard
(you will have a sick, neurotic dog). Danes are definately part of the
family. This does not
mean that Danes need constant attention. They
can be left in a fenced yard for a sunny afternoon, will curl up at your
feet at night, or
can be crated at night just as long as they
are with you. Many Danes will sleep in another room, especially if there
are more than one of
them, but of course prefer to be with a member
of the family. (I am sure there are many experiences which will prove exceptions
to these
statements from others but this is my opinion
as to what makes a happy Dane!) By the way the crate size for a male Great
Dane is 28
inches wide by 36 inches tall by 48 inches
long and this is not too big! One other point about this breed is that
some individuals do
drool (like any giant breed). This is usually
only when they are exercising or otherwise overheated.
Are Danes good with children? Are Danes good watchdogs?
Danes are very good with children. I would
caution that you watch Danes and children when they are together just because
a Dane is
so big that even just licking a child may
knock them over (of course some kids think this is great). Danes are also
good watchdogs (even
if they can't tell the difference between
a doorbell on TV and a real one -grin- ). Of course people think twice
before entering a house
where the dog is looking back through the
peephole at them - grin again-. The Danes I have known also seem to be
able to easily
distinguish between those you readily accept
into the house and those you don't. And if you have done your job and trained
them to
leave people alone they are more than happy
to lay down somewhere in the room and leave your guests alone AFTER they
have said
hello! (and provided the person is not a previous
wrestling buddy!).
- GREAT DANE FOUNDATION (Rescue/Education/Referral)
Cathy Mitchell
10055 Belknap Suite #115
Sugar Land, Texas 77478
Phone: (713) 496-5130
Fax: (713) 530-6438