10 Rare Facts about Great Danes
- Origin in Germany: Great Danes, despite their name, actually originated in Germany. They were initially bred as hunting dogs to hunt wild boars and large game.
- Record-Holding Height: The Great Dane holds the record for the tallest dog ever recorded. The tallest Great Dane ever measured stood at an astonishing 44 inches at the shoulder.
- Gentle Giants: Despite their imposing size, Great Danes are often referred to as "gentle giants." They are known for their friendly and affectionate nature, making them excellent family pets.
- Blue and Black Tongues: Some Great Danes have blue-black tongues, a trait more commonly associated with Chow Chows. This unusual feature is seen in a small percentage of the breed.
- Short Lifespan: Unfortunately, Great Danes tend to have a relatively short lifespan compared to smaller dog breeds. On average, they live around 7 to 10 years.
- Unique Coat Colors: While some people may associate Great Danes primarily with the traditional black coat, they come in various colors, including blue, fawn, brindle, and harlequin (white with irregular black patches).
- World War I Mascot: During World War I, Great Danes were used as mascots by the Germans and were often featured in propaganda posters. Their image was associated with bravery and loyalty.
- Lean Sleepers: Great Danes are known for sleeping in peculiar positions, often referred to as "frog-dog" or "superman" positions, where they stretch out with their legs extended behind them.
- Marvelous Appetites: Due to their large size, Great Danes have voracious appetites. They are capable of eating significant amounts of food, so it's important to monitor their diet carefully to prevent obesity.
- Friendly with Cats: Despite their hunting origins, Great Danes are generally good with cats and can get along well with feline companions when properly socialized.
Rarer Fun Fact about Great Danes
One of the rarer facts about Great Danes that few people may know is their connection to a famous cartoon character. The beloved cartoon character Scooby-Doo, from the animated series "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!" and various spin-offs, is actually based on a Great Dane. Scooby-Doo's creators, Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, were inspired by the breed's size and appearance when designing the character. This connection between the iconic fictional character and the Great Dane breed is a fun and relatively obscure fact for many people.
More Fun Facts
Facts are statements that are held to be accurate and often contrasted with opinions and beliefs. Our unusual and interesting facts about Great Danes, trivia, and information about pets, including some useful statistics, will fascinate everyone, from kids and children to adults. Interesting Facts about Great Danes are as follows: Fact 1 - Description and Definition of Great Danes: This breed of dog is one of the giant dogs in the world - the tallest was 7 ft 1 in (215.9cm) on his hind legs. Great Danes are powerful muscular dogs with floppy, triangular ears Great Danes Temperament: Friendly - a gentle giant Great Danes are considered suitable as a family pet but require robust handling due to their sizeFact 2 - Origin of the breed: Great Danes originated in Germany, not Denmark as the name suggests, and were initially bred as hunting dogs. Their quarry was large game such as wild boarFact 3 - Size: The weight of Great Danes ranges from 100 - 200 poundsFact 4 - Size: The height OF Great Danes ranges from 28 - 32 inches, up to the shoulderFact 5 - Alternative Names of Great Danes and Nicknames: German Mastiff or Danish HoundFact 6 - Coat and colors of Great Danes: The coat is usually short, sleek, and dense and comes in a range of colors, including brindle, Harlequin, fawn, blue, black, or harlequinFact 7 - Life of Great Danes: the life expectancy of this breed of dog is between 7 - 10 yearsFact 8 - The names of dog breeds are separated into different dog types, which are referred to as Dog Groups. The name of the dog group for Great Danes is the Working dog breedFact 9 - After the first year of life, dogs are considered to be adults - they are equivalent to 16 human years! After two years, they are equivalent to a 24-year-old After three years, they are equal to a 30-year-old Every year after, add five human years to determine the equivalent age of the dogFact 10 - Choosing Great Danes as pets! The following considerations should be taken into account when choosing this particular breed of dog as a pet: How much will it cost to feed and train the dog? How much time will it take to groom the dog? How much time will it take to exercise the dog daily? Are Great Danes suitable for children? How much will it cost for vet bills, pet or dog health insurance, medication, and vaccinations?Fact 11 - Every breed of dog is susceptible to specific health problems and illnesses. Great Danes are prone to health problems and illnesses such as: - "Wobbler Syndrome" is a disease of the spinal column of the neck - Hip and Elbow Dysplasia (abnormal development of joints referred to as CHD - Canine Hip and Elbow Dysplasia) - Gastric Torsion - CataractsFact 12 - Great Danes were originally bred to help with various jobs and tasks such as: - Hunting - Herding or Droving - Pulling or hauling vehicles - Water and mountain rescuesFact 13 - Breeding, Great Danes for appearance, was only introduced in the 19th CenturyFact 14 - It is estimated that 85% of dogs visit a vet in a yearFact 15 - The average cost of owning a medium-sized dog, over ten years, is estimated at over $13,000! This provides a good idea of how much it costs to raise Great Danes
Great Danes fall within the category of giant breeds, with their remarkable height and weight. Only the Irish Wolfhound surpasses them in height, and a few Mastiffs may outweigh them. It's essential to teach puppies not to jump on people.
Despite their giant stature, Great Danes can adapt to apartment living due to their calm and inactive nature. However, if you plan to move them into a multi-story residence with stairs, consider how you would assist them in case of injury or illness when they may struggle with stairs.
Great Danes are relatively easy to groom, but they do shed. Additionally, Euro-Great Danes tend to drool, so it's advisable to carry a hand towel to manage drool.
It's worth noting that Great Danes can be flatulent, providing you with a convenient scapegoat for any emissions.
Despite their giant stature, Great Danes can adapt to apartment living due to their calm and inactive nature. However, if you plan to move them into a multi-story residence with stairs, consider how you would assist them in case of injury or illness when they may struggle with stairs.
Great Danes are relatively easy to groom, but they do shed. Additionally, Euro-Great Danes tend to drool, so it's advisable to carry a hand towel to manage drool.
It's worth noting that Great Danes can be flatulent, providing you with a convenient scapegoat for any emissions.