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While size alone makes him unique, the Great Dane's personality is the quality that most find so appealing. The Dane is a "people dog" - a sensitive and affectionate companion. They can be elegant and dignified one moment, and then playful and silly the next.
The Great Dane is one of the most distinguished breeds of giant dogs. Egyptian monuments from about 3000 © contain drawings of dogs supposedly like the Great Dane. The modern breed reached its present state in Germany in the late 19th century. They were originally developed in Germany to hunt wild boar. And although they are no longer used for that purpose, they should still possess the confidence that made them suitable for that work.
Because of their temperament, and the fact that they are generally clean and quiet, they make ideal inside-the-house pets. They do not make good "yard" dogs, because when segregated from human companionship, they can become very unruly and destructive.
Puppy buyers should always be sure to see at least the dam of the litter (and the sire if possible). Puppy temperament is influenced by both heredity (from sire, dam, and other ancestors), and by environment (which is greatly influenced by the dam, and the breeder's rearing practices). Anyone buying a puppy should ensure that the dam does have a temperament that conforms to the breed standard, and that the breeder is raising the puppies properly (in the house as part of the family), and is providing adequate socialization and early training.
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.
STANDARDS:
Males must be at least 76.2 cm (30 in) at the shoulders and females 71.1 cm (28 in), but it is preferable that males be 81.3 cm (32 in) or more and females 76.2 cm or more.
The Dane is powerful and smooth-coated, with a massive rectangular head and a long, curved tail carried low. Cropped ears are optional in the United States and banned in Britain. The Dane's broad range of colors includes brindle, fawn, blue, black, harlequin and mantles.
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