German dog

Great Danes - proud, handsome statues, who never remain without attention of others. Appearing on the street, they attract admiring glances, but they do not cause fear. And indeed, dogs with impressive size, however, do not have a malicious character, which makes them attractive for maintenance. What is known about these extraordinary animals?

The origin of the breed

The ancestors of the German dogs once lived not in the territory of European countries, but in the east - in Tibet and served the aboriginal peoples as shepherds. Many modern breeds have come from them, including the Asian Shepherd Dog and the Tibetan Great Dane, which were later used to breed German dogs.

From Central Asia, dogs entered the territory of India, China and Mesopotamia. In ancient states they were depicted on the walls of architectural buildings and houses. There is historical evidence that in those days these giants were used not only for hunting and cattle grazing, but also as fighting dogs. And this indicates that at that time these dogs had a rather vicious and ferocious disposition.

In the first century of our era, the dogs were real fighters who participated in the military campaigns of the Romans, Greeks, Scythians and Germanic tribes. It so happened that there were more of these dogs in Germany than in other countries. At that time, Danish Great Danes were distinguished from various types of dogs, and subsequently they were taken as the basis for deriving German dogs. They had a more elegant than a mastiff constitution, dry and graceful. Danish dogs were used as guard dogs and for baiting wild animals.

When at home to this breed cooled, the main gene pool of Danish dogs was in Germany. German breeders appreciated the quality of dogs and began work on improving the breed. Selection work was carried out by crossing Danish treaties with dog-shaped dogs living in the southern lands of Germany.

As a result, Ulm dogs appeared, named after the city of Ulm, whose breeders made a huge contribution to improving the breed. But even in the northern part of the state, dogs of this breed were actively bred; therefore, two varieties of dog-shaped dogs participated in the exhibition - Ulm dog and “improved” dog dog.

Later, the breeders decided to join forces and create one of two types of dogs - a Great Dane. It was very symbolic, because at that time the German Empire was proclaimed, and specialists from the north and south began to work together to bring out a beautiful dog. In the 79th year of the 19th century, the Great Danes received the status of a national German breed.

However, the foundation of the Berlin breed club occurred only in 1888, and the adoption of a single standard two years later. According to him, the dog must have become a beautiful horse, be strong, huge and elegant. It is worth noting that such a description also applies to modern representatives of the breed.

Today, the German dogs can be found on the territory of various countries, including Russia. Despite their gigantic size, they are excellent companions, as their mind, gentle temper and devotion have no limits.

Breed description Great Dane

The dog of this breed is large, harmoniously folded, proportional, has an expressive head and a noble posture. The minimum height of males should be 80 cm, females - 72 cm.

According to the standard, Great Danes have such distinctive characteristics:

• The head of the Great Dane is large, the shape is characterized by pronounced angles and parallel lines, with well-defined eyebrows. The forehead is high, flat, the transition from it to the face is clearly marked. Nose is moderately broad, colored with black pigment. The muzzle has an impressive volume and depth. Upper lip saggy, dark. The jaw apparatus is powerful, with white large teeth that form a scissors-like bite.
• The eyes are medium in size, with a dark brown iris and tight eyelids. The look is expressive, smart. In dogs with blue wool and marble, the standard allows the eye color to be slightly lighter. The latter may have heterochromia, although this is undesirable.
• Since 1993, the standard has been amended and the previously mandatory procedure for ear cupping has been abolished. In modern dogs, the ears are medium in size, with a high fit, hang down and have a slight bevel in the front. Zalomy are a disadvantage. In countries where the arrest of ears is not prohibited, this operation is carried out based on the size and shape of the pet's head.
• The dog's neck is long, with a dry, developed musculature, the neck and withers are well pronounced, especially in males. The back is extended, there is a smooth transition to the short convex lumbar region. Dogs croup, with powerful muscles, a little sloping.
• The tail is set high, thickish at the base and tapering towards the tip. Along the length it reaches the tarsus (it is also called the hock) joint. When the dog is calm, the tail hangs down, while moving or when the pet is excited, the tail is kept at the level of the back.
• Thorax is oval, differs with a decent width and depth, ribs are voluminous. The area of ​​the abdomen and groin create a smooth line with a beautiful smooth curve.
• Limbs (both rear and front) are parallel to each other. Possess muscular shoulders. They end with short, arched, rounded paws, fingers form a tight lump. A Great Dane moves easily, freely, springy, while its limbs move in a straight line, without wobbling.

The skin is characterized by elasticity and tight fit to the body, does not form folds and does not hang down. Due to the fact that dogs do not have sweat glands, the smell of dog meat, characteristic of other breeds, is absent. The coat is very short, glossy, has no undercoat.

We advise you to read about Bordeaux or Argentine Great Dane .

German dog colors

Recognized standard are several types of colors:

• Fawn - the primary color can be tones from light yellow (light golden) to a rich shade, called "red gold", in this case it is desirable that the dog has a black mask.
• Tiger - colors from a palette of yellow shades - from light to thick, with a red shimmer can be the background. The stripes are arranged vertically, black, with clear contours, preferably their uniform distribution and the formation of a pattern that is similar to the color of a tiger. A black mask is welcome.
• With marble color - white appears as the main color, there are scattered spots on the body, having various shapes, the contours may be uneven. The desired color for spots is black, although gray and brown shades are also acceptable.
• With black wool - coat monochromatic, with gloss, without grayish, yellowish shades. This group also includes individuals with a “coat” color - dogs with black hair have white markings on different parts of the body. This color creates the illusion, as if a white dog was covered with a raincoat.
• Blue - dogs of a light gray color, wool should not have a yellowish or other shade.

German dog training

It will seem strange to many that on the sites for dog training it is extremely rare to meet the owner of a Great Dane with a pet. Yes, these dogs have natural intelligence, but this does not exempt them from training and socialization. The owner of a puppy of this breed must take into account that an uncontrollable giant strong dog will create more significant problems than a poorly bred Yorkshire terrier.

If the puppy turned out to be an inexperienced dog breeder, then you should visit the lessons of professional training , and the presence of the owner is also necessary. This will allow you to find the right approach to your pet, and the dog will learn to listen to the owner. When training will take a lot of patience, under the ban are any manifestations of cruelty. Physical methods can lead to the dog being too shy or showing aggression.

It is possible to influence the Great Dane with a voice, as pedigreed representatives react very sensitively to intonation changes. A Great Dane puppy can begin to train from 2 months. First of all, the baby must learn a set of mandatory commands and it happens quite quickly. A few days are enough for a pet to understand what is required of him, and he will diligently carry out everything, trying to please the owner. After that, you can proceed to more complex teams. It is important to use different methods of encouragement - treats, praise and approving views can stimulate a pet to learn.

Beautiful breed: Cane Corso .

The nature and characteristics of German dogs

Dogs of this breed are very large, tender and loyal. Their patience can only envy. Due to good nature, they are recommended as pets for the family. They are very loyal to their owners and the best leisure for them is to stay with family members. Dogs do not like loneliness, they need someone to be at home from the household.

But experts warn that the Great Danes are able to show stubbornness and self-will, therefore they need a master with leadership qualities. In order for the dog to be balanced and self-confident, it must be socialized as soon as possible. Great Danes need to do, give them a sufficient amount of time. And this should be taken into account when acquiring a puppy. In addition, dogs have increased salivation, and they abundantly molt.

Young dogs of this breed are noisy and can spoil, so you should watch them constantly. Dogs need regular physical exertion. You need to let your pet run without a leash, and this will require a secure area. The Great Dane will get along well with the younger members of the family, but if there are very young children in the house, problems may arise due to the large size.

With regards to other pets, the attitude towards them mastiff is not predictable. They can perfectly coexist with other pets, but sometimes dogs take a dominant position. In this case, timely socialization of the dog is required. Dogs can relate to strangers with indifference, and can show a certain kind of feelings.

German dogs can make excellent guards, although they do not bark very often. The main weapon against intruders are large dimensions and power, even the look of a giant can cause fear. Generally speaking, the Great Dane is devoid of aggression and does not seek dominance, but needs training. In addition, it is important that the pet learns who is in charge at home.

Care of the Great Dane

Dogs live on average 8 years, but proper care can increase this period by 4-5 years. Since the dogs do not have undercoat, they are kept in a private house or apartment, taking into account their need for a spacious room. The coat is short and does not require special care. You can wipe it 3-4 times a month with a damp cloth, removing dirt, dust, and that will be enough. It is recommended to wash your pet or use dry shampoos only with heavy dirt.

Claws are cut hairs rather rarely, as in most cases they grind off naturally. Eyes should be examined regularly, and the existing discharge should be removed with a cotton swab, which should be moistened with chamomile broth, furatsilinom solution.

If a pet has uncropped ears, then it is necessary to inspect and clean them with special means. Stopping ears to dogs at the age of 7 months. Dogs do not like fast running, but long walking tours will benefit the pet.

How and what to feed the Great Dane

There are two options for feeding the German dogs - natural food or ready-made production rations. Choosing ready-made food, you should purchase professional products of premium and super premium class . For such dogs requires food for large and giant breeds. With natural feeding, the basis of the diet is meat of low-fat varieties (it is pre-scalded with boiling water) and boiled offal.

You can give sea fish, boiled and boneless, poultry meat 2-3 times a week. The pet menu also includes dairy products, vegetables (except potatoes and legumes), cereals (except corn, pearl barley and millet groats).

Great Dane Video

The cost of a puppy German Great Dane

A puppy of this breed without documents from random breeders can be purchased for an average of 12,000-16,000 rubles. But in this case there are no guarantees about pure breed and mental stability of the pet. All necessary qualities are possessed by puppies, which are sold by professional breeders, but, naturally, their cost is much higher and varies from 40,000 to 60,000 rubles.

Great Danes are not only attractive, beautiful and handsome dogs, but also a great responsibility. This must be remembered when choosing as a pet such a giant.

See also: German Shepherd .

Kennels of the Great Dane