Great Dane
Working Group

Height at Shoulders
Females 28-30 in, Males 30-32 in
Weight
Females 110-140 lbs, Males 140-174 lbs
Life Expectancy
7-10 yrs
History
The Great Dane deceivingly did not originate in Denmark, but rather Germany. During the 16th century, wild boar hunting was a popular sport, and nobles across Europe were importing hunting dogs from England. These dogs were likely a cross between Irish Wolfhounds and English Mastiffs. During the 17th century, German nobles with breeding these dogs in great numbers, refining them into the modern Great Dane. The breed was exclusively owned by nobles and wealthy folk, and could often be seen with gilded collars with fringe and velvet. The name "Great Dane" did come from Denmark, as a man named Buffon saw the dogs and believed they were just large Greyhounds. He was confident that it was the Danish climate that had caused the dogs to be so large, earning the breed their name.
Breed Characteristics
While not all Great Danes share the exact same personality and temperament, there are certain generalizations that can be made about the breed. In addition to genetics, a dog’s environment, training, socialization, and many other factors all contribute to their personality and behavior.
Intelligence
Affection Towards Family
Friendliness Towards Strangers
Friendliness Towards Other Dogs
Exercise Needs
★★★☆☆
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Energy Level
Sensitivity
Noise Level
Prey Drive
Shedding
★★★★★
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Intelligence
★★★☆☆
Affection Towards Family
★★★★★
Friendliness Towards Strangers
★★★★★
Friendliness Towards Other Dogs
★★★★★
Exercise Needs
★★★★★
Energy Level
★★★★★
Sensitivity
★★★★★
Noise Level
★★★★☆
Prey Drive
★★★☆☆
Shedding
★★★★★
Common Traits
Friendly, sweet, and playful
Have a loud, booming bark and are naturally protective, making them good watchdogs and guard dogs
Known to "counter surf", or steal food off the counter
Many Great Danes think that they are lapdogs well into adulthood
People-oriented, eager-to-please, affectionate, and tend to demand lots of attention
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