Great Dane Dogs
Where Did These Incredible Great Dane Dogs Come From?
Great Dane dogs are a close runner up to the Irish Wolfhound for tallest dogs in the world, and in fact, one Great Dane holds the current world record for height. Though the debate seems to rage on and on as to the origin of these fine, pleasant, and formidable canines, there are a few facts that have never been disputed. They are brave, amiable, kind, enormous, and downright beautiful creatures, and anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing one will swear by their gentle disposition and often comical demeanor. Great Dane dogs come in a variety of coat colors, the blue being the most luxurious by preference, but the length of the coat is always fine, short, and sleek.
Great Dane dogs are named for the region from whence they came nearly 400 years ago, though there are Egyptian depictions of large dogs, whose resemblances to the Dane are striking, which date back to over 3000 years ago. In Germany, circa 1600 AD, Great Dane dogs were called boarhounds, and chasing down these large, often vicious creatures is just what they were bred to do. When the packs would return from or be called off of a hunt, their masters were to spend hours attempting to stop the pain and profuse bleeding of their prized hound’s ears. Scuffling with the tusked wild boar was no small matter, and the dog’s long, floppy ears were often ripped to shreds. The cropping of the ears that we see today, though much more fashionable, actually began as a utilitarian and humane effort to keep the Great Dane dogs from excessive suffering.
It is said most often that Great Dane dogs are the product of a bloodline cross between the Irish Wolfhound and the massive Mastiff, though this has been debated for some time as well, due to the ancient documentation of the mysterious Dane-like dogs during the BC era. Nobody seems to argue over the usefulness and loyalty of these wonderfully robust dogs, however, and the role that they have played during the richest and most trying times in history.
Great Dane dogs are a very popular breed in America today, though breeding needs to be done carefully in order to avoid certain predominant health problems that may arise. The average life span for this breed is only about 8 years, which causes us to consider the heartbreaking event of a lost pet quite a bit sooner than with most other breeds. Most Dane lovers will agree that it is definitely worth the trouble to own and love one. On another positive note, the cropping of the ears is falling out of style, and this hound is so fetching with his natural ears down.