| Wild boars used to roam in the wilds of Europe many | | | | the dog is a two year old. Puppies of course can be |
| centuries ago. In those days the titled land-owners | | | | more rambunctious than adults so there is a period of |
| cherished the large dog known as the "Boar Hound" | | | | time when the youngster can do good deal of |
| which had the courage, the agility, the speed and the | | | | damage to the household in the absence of |
| strength to hunt these beasts and bring them down. It | | | | supervision. Early training is a must since by the time |
| is believed that the magnificent dog that we know of | | | | they are six months old they could weigh nearly 60 |
| today as the Great Dane is descended from the | | | | pounds and be quite a handful if not taught basic |
| original "Boar Hound". One can readily see that the | | | | manners in the house. Their excessive height allows |
| Great Dane would have the ability to perform this task | | | | them to check out counter tops nicely by the age of |
| admirably. They have the length of leg for the speed, | | | | six months. |
| the chest and lungs for the endurance and great | | | | Danes come in nearly every color, even Harlequin |
| strength of jaw. | | | | (white with black spots). The most beautiful of the |
| It is a mystery why this dog is called the Great Dane | | | | Danes are perhaps the Blues, which can range from a |
| since there is no actual tie in history that relegates this | | | | light gray to a steel-blue coloring. However, Dane |
| dog to the country of Denmark as its origin. It was | | | | lovers will profess that they all are a delight to own, |
| known early as the "Deutchse Dogge" in Germany | | | | regardless of color. The head of the Great Dane |
| and is believed to have been developed in that | | | | appears quite regal in nature, the jowls should not be |
| country. They were prized by the land-owners not | | | | loose and there should be no hint of drooling. The jaw |
| only for their abilities as a dog for the hunt, but their | | | | is rather square in appearance and the muzzle should |
| beauty and passive tranquility as dogs which could | | | | be as long as the backskull. The look of the dog should |
| reside in the manor and be a part of the household. | | | | be clean and when moving he should balance well and |
| They are indeed quite nicely attuned to being a dog | | | | be "light on the feet". A good Dane will move with such |
| that lies quietly in front of the fireplace, while at the | | | | grace that one could not imagine that in reality he |
| same time being a fearless and active hunting dog of | | | | weighs more than 140 pounds! A male Dane should be |
| great stamina and power. They also do well at the job | | | | 32 inches at the shoulder and a female 30 inches. |
| of guard dog while at the same time being a gentle | | | | Less than 28 inches is a disqualification in the A.K.C. |
| family pet, allowing children to climb on them and tug on | | | | show ring. |
| them without a hint of aggression. For the most part, | | | | Probably the most important aspect of the Great |
| the Great Dane is quite happy to just lie around the | | | | Dane should be the temperament, which must be one |
| household and sleep. Owners need to be aware that | | | | of dependability and never aggressive. Aggression in |
| to keep this giant dog in good health, they should give it | | | | such a large breed could have disastrous |
| plenty of exercise, it will not choose to do so on its | | | | consequences and breeders of today should be |
| own! | | | | commended that they have made a great effort to |
| Great Danes, like most of the giant breeds, take a long | | | | maintain the gentle nature of this dog. |
| time to mature, and the puppy years last at least until | | | | |