Great Dane
(German Mastiff, Deutsche Dogge, German Boarhound, Ulmer Mastiff, Danish Dog, Alano, Grand Danois)
The Great Dane is a giant, strong dog of a German breed, also known as the Apollo of Dogs, in reference to its majectic and elegant stature.
Probably of German origin, the ancestors of the German Mastiff or Great Dane were the ancient Bullenbeisser (bull-biter), which in turn descended from the Saupacker (boar-hunter). These dogs were heavier, less stream-lined dogs, bred for ferocity rather than looks. The Great Dane has been selectively bred for docility and was very popular in Germany during the 1800s. Otto von Bismarck, a fervent admirer of these dogs, crossed Molossers of Bavaria with the dogs of the North to produce the Dane we know today.
Despite its name, the breed is not of Danish origin, but German. In many other languages the breed is indeed known as German Mastiff: Dogue allemand in French, Deutsche Dogge (in German), Dogo Aleman in Spanish.
It was the French naturalist Count Buffon (1707-1788) who first described the breed "Grand Danois", in his Histoire Naturelle. However, it is not sure whether he actually coined the name. Some sources believe that the term "danois" comes from the Old French word "danoisé" (spotted).
There are also references to a 'Petit Danois', a similar dog, but smaller in size, considered by some to be the ancestor of the Dalmatian. However, the illustrations in Buffon's work of the Grand and Petit Danois do not show spotted dogs.
Interesting is that Buffon considered the Great Dane, the Hound, the Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound as varieties of one and the same breed that evolved under different climatic conditions. His theory was that the (French) mastiff (matin) produced a stockier variety, the Great Dane, under the influence of the colder climate of the North.
In England, the breed club was founded in 1885. The Great Dane Club of America was formed in 1889.
Unlike most other molosser breeds, the Great Dane has no loose skin in the neck region. The chest is very deep and V-shaped.
Great Danes are bred in five colors : black, harlequin ( black and white), fawn, brindled and blue. Special types of harlequin colors are the grey-tiger (grey with black patches) and the mantel-tiger (where the black part appears like a coat over the back part of the body, head and neck, leaving the feet, throat and head partly white).
Despite their impressive and robust appearance, Great Danes are no outdoor dogs. They are sweet and loyal dogs who love being around their human family. They get along well with other dogs, and even with cats.
Multi-coloured tigers and grey-tigers are considered incorrect and are not admitted in the show ring. Traditionally, the Great Dane's ears were cropped.
The breed holds the record for the tallest dog in the world with Gibson, a Great Dane living in Sacramento, California, which has a shoulder height of 42.6 inches. However, as a breed, the Great Dane is not the tallest dog breed among canines. On average the Irish Wolfhound is slightly taller with 32 to 34 inches (80-86cm).
Whether the Grand Danois described by Buffon is actually the direct ancestor of the modern Great Dane remains unclear. In the early 1900 some authors, like Bylandt in his treaty 'Dogs of all Nations', still considered the Deutsche Dogge and Great Dane (Danske Hund) as being two different breeds. Although the German breed club recognized the Deutsche Dogge as soon as 1877, it was only recognized under that name by the FCI in 1937. The breed owes much to the German breeders, and the first breed club in Germany. They contributed much to the development of the breed and wrote down the first breed standard. However, the first dogs imported to England were of Danish stock, hence probably the reason why they are still known today as 'Great Danes' in the English-speaking world.
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Grand Danois, according to Buffon
Petit Danois, according to Buffon
Great Dane Head study
Ike vom Adebar
Great Danes of different colors
Photo: Deutsche Doggen vom Adebar
Ike and Karthago vom Adebar
Further Reading:
- BECKER Frederick, The Great Dane - Embodying a Full Exposition of the History, Breeding Principles, Education, and... (1933)
- BUFFON (Georges Louis Leclerc , Comte de), Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière, avec la Description du Cabinet du Roi. Tome Cinquième. Le Chien avec ses variétés (published from 1749 to 1788)
- BYLANDT (Comte Henri de), Les Races de chiens. Leurs points, description, types, qualités, aptitudes et défauts (ca.1900)
- Danois ou Dogue allemand ? ('Great Dane or Deutsche Dogge', in French)
- Gibsondog.com: the world's tallest dog
Great Dane:
A Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog (Kennel Club Dog Breed Series) (Hardcover)
by S. William Haas
More information:
The Great Dane:
Embodying a Full Exposition of the History, Breeding Principles , Education, and Present State of the Breed
(A Vintage Dog Books Breed Classic)
by Frederick Becker
A reprint of a book frist published in 1933 covering all aspects of the Great Dane: history of the breed, buying, breeding, feeding and showing. photographs of champion Great Danes of the day, a full descriptive write-up of each dog and their pedigrees.
More information:
