Great Dane

Often referred to as the "Gentle Giant", the Great Dane is actually a giant dog with a gentle and loving personality. This "Apollo of Dogs" is thought to have originated from Germany where it was bred and trained to hunt wild boar. This Breed is the tallest of all dogs. Most males reach almost 30 inches and females grow up to 25-28 inches in height. They look majestic with a moderately deep chest, a rectangular head and an aristocratic neck. Well-balanced and well proportioned, the Great Dane is actually a picture of dignity and majestic grace. Most of the species are fawn colored or jet-black.

Being an average shedder, this dog breed has a short, thick and glossy coat. To keep the coat smooth, it must be brushed daily with a firm bristle brush. The nails should be frequently trimmed, and if the ears are not cropped, they must be cleaned well using moist cotton. Being such a big dog, the Great Danes need plenty of exercise. The dogs should get at least one very long everyday.

Males will weigh 130-200 pounds when they reach maturity while bitches will weigh 100-135 pounds. While they are puppies, these dogs must be fed frequently and must have a protein rich diet. After reaching full growth, they should be kept on a low-level protein diet. Fixed feeding schedules are good for the dogs. Most adult dogs will feed only twice a day.

10 years is the average life expectancy of this breed. Some dogs live up to 12 years. Hip dysplasia is a common disorder in this dog. The dogs are also prone to tumors, heart disease and bloats. Hence they should be exercised only after 2 hours of feeding.

Initially, professional training is recommended for these huge dogs. Ongoing Great Dane training can be fun because these dogs love people and their main aim is to please. Sit, stay, bed, heel, come etc needs to be taught at a very early age. This dog can become aggressive if not trained properly, and gentle training works best. Obedience training should be done when the pup is young.

This breed of dog is steady, dependable, loyal and because of their extreme bravery they make great watchdogs. These dogs usually don't bark or become aggressive unless circumstances dictate otherwise. Great Danes are good with children and overall they make great family pets.