One of the giants in the world of dog breeds is the Great Dane. The only dog that is taller on average is the Irish Wolfhound. For all of its majestic size though the Great Dane is a very gentle dog. This is an elegantly strong animal with plenty of energy and a friendly demeanor.

History of the Breed

There is historical evidence that similar dogs to the Great Danes were around in Egypt in 3000 B.C. This evidence is in drawings located on monuments in Egypt. The earliest recording in writing about this type of dog is from 1121 B.C. The English Mastiff was crossbred with an Irish Wolfhound and the Great Dane was born.

The Germans developed this breed in the beginning to hunt the boar, which is a fierce beast. At that time the dog's name was Boar Hound. During the 1800s the dog remained a popular hunting dog. Then the nobility and other dog lovers of the day began to have the Great Danes on their properties. Toward the later part of the 1800s the Great Dane started doing dog shows along with still being a hunting dog.

After this surge in popularity the breed started being refined and standardized. The AKC registered the Great Dane finally in 1887 and placed it in the "Working Dog Group." After it was not used as a hunting dog any longer it became a guard dog or a pet. This breed is still popular in spite of its size being trying on owners at times.

Temperament of the Breed

This breed is a gentle laid-back dog with protective instincts. It is not usually that aggressive of a dog. In spite of its huge size it is great to have around kids. The dog will need to be trained though not to jump up on children or adults, because the can literally make someone fall over.

It can be a good companion dog if socialized from an early age. The Great Dane can shy away a bit from strangers as they get older. They do need a certain amount of activity. This dog should also be obedience trained so that it knows how to act in a variety of situations. Due to their great size they make great watchdogs, and don't always have to get aggressive to chase people off. If they are up to no good the person may leave at the sight of the dog.

Health Issues this Breed Could Face

Below are some health issues that the Great Dane could be faced with.