The Great Dane, or German Mastiff, is one of the largest dog breeds in the world. Despite its imposing appearance and distinctive jowls, Great Danes are known to be very friendly, calm and affectionate dogs. They often underestimate their own weight when cuddling with their humans.
A full-grown Mastiff can easily weigh 90kg or more. With a height at the withers of at least 80cm for males and 72cm for females, the high weight is not surprising. Nevertheless, the German Mastiff is not cumbersome. On the contrary, its proud overall appearance radiates immense power and elegance.
According to the breed standard of the FCI, due to its harmonious appearance, well-proportioned lines and expressive head, it is referred to as the “Apollo among dogs”. It appears to the observer as a “noble statue” and was considered extremely valuable by princes in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Colours
German Mastiffs come in three distinct colour types, which must not be mixed in breeding:
Yellow and Brindle
Yellow Mastiffs have a light golden yellow to rich yellow coat. Brindle Mastiffs have clear black stripes running evenly towards the ribs on their yellow base colour. A black muzzle is standard for both yellow and brindle varieties. However, white markings on the fur are undesirable.
Black and Spotted
The fur of black Mastiffs is jet black. White markings on the paws and chest are allowed. Special forms of this colour type are the “coated tiger” and “Spotted dogs”. In the ‘coated tiger’, the black covers the body like a coat. Under this “coat”, the muzzle, neck (all around), chest, belly, legs and tip of the tail appear in white.
‘Spotted dogs’ have large black patches on their otherwise white bodies. Spotted or tigered Mastiffs have a white base colour with uneven, torn jet-black spots well distributed over the entire body. These so-called ‘Tiger Dog’ (also Harlequin or Diamond Mastiffs) are not purebred and are therefore difficult to breed. Only approx. 10 percent of the puppies have the desired distribution of black spots.
Blue
Blue Mastiffs have a pure steel blue colour. White markings are only found on the chest and paws.
In addition to these three colour types, there are also the so-called “Grey Tigers” and “White Tigers”, which are not desired according to the standard. Grey Tigers have a grey base colour with black spots. Although grey is an appreciated colour in many other dog breeds, such as hunting dogs, Grey Tigers cannot receive the highest ratings for Mastiffs at dog shows.
The breeding of white Mastiffs (White Tigers) has been banned in some countries due to concerns about the welfare of the animals. Spotted dogs can carry the so-called Merl Factor. When two spotted animals are paired, their offspring could be purebred for the Merle factor. Affected puppies suffer from blindness and partial deafness.
White markings on the paws and chest can be found in Great Danes, being called “coated tiger” and “Spotted dogs”
Character: The Great Dane is a Gentle Giant
According to the FCI breed standard, the Great Dane is described as “affectionate and devoted to its owners”. The gentle giants among the breeds do not like to be alone and prefer to always be near their humans. Their reserved nature and ease of handling make them a very pleasant companion in almost all situations. Despite their human-centric character, Mastiffs are not submissive and often surprise their owners with their own cleverness.
However, due to their size, Mastiffs often face societal rejection. “Is that a dog or a pony?” – It is not uncommon for Great Dane owners to report “silly comments” from other passers-by when walking their dog, and smaller dog owners often switch sides of the street for fear that this “colossus” might harm their little one.
If you find yourself in such a situation: stay calm! Naturally, German Mastiffs appear intimidating because of their size, but once you get to know one, its friendly, good-natured and intelligent character quickly wins people over. You will certainly hear many nice and enthusiastic reactions to your Mastiff.
In some situations, the fact that a Mastiff commands respect due to its size can be very positive. Great Danes are also popular as guard dogs. The attentive dogs are initially cautious towards strangers, although they rarely bark or threaten. It is usually not necessary; what intruder would willingly face a standoff with a Great Dane?
Despite their size, Mastiffs have a very high stimulus threshold and do not show aggressive behaviour. They are known to be very compatible with people and other animals.
Popular Family Dog
Thanks to their extraordinarily friendly and calm nature, the Great Dane is very popular as a family dog today. Even in families with children, the large dog is well manageable. They love to play and cuddle with children – it’s just their weight that can sometimes get in the way.
Nutrition: Sufficient Food is Essential
The size of the Great Dane plays an important role in its diet. Since it is a very large breed, it is important to ensure that an adequate amount of food is provided. Besides size, other factors such as health condition or activity level will also influence your dog’s food requirements. Generally, a balanced, meat-rich diet should be ensured. Always provide your four-legged friend with sufficient fresh drinking water.
Obesity should definitely be avoided. This can be easily checked by feeling the ribs. If they are still easily felt, your Great Dane is not overweight. This prevents excessive strain on the musculoskeletal system, particularly in growing dogs, and avoids skeletal deformities. If your Great Dane is overweight, it should be put on a diet. There is special low-calorie dietetic food that satiates faster but still contains all the essential vitamins and minerals your furry friend needs.
There are several feeding methods suitable for a species-appropriate diet. In our zooplus shop, you will find special food for Great Danes tailored to their needs. Besides feeding with wet and dry food, there is also Biologically Appropriate Raw Feeding (BARF). However, professional knowledge is required for this so that your dog receives exactly the amount of food it needs. Otherwise, dangerous deficiencies can occur. If you have any doubts, it’s best to consult a breeder or a trusted veterinarian.
Breeding and Health
The “Great Dane Club 1888” based in Berlin still sets the standard for breeding the Great Dane, adopted and published by the FCI. Today’s breeding primarily focuses on a calm temperament and human-friendliness. The Mastiff owes its gentle nature to its popularity as a family dog, despite its size. Some owners choose Mastiffs specifically for their size as prestige dogs.
Despite their popularity, Mastiff breeders often face breed-specific diseases. Due to their size, the dogs are prone to hip dysplasia (HD), gastric torsion, bone cancer and heart muscle diseases (short DCM).
Lifespan of the Great Dane
28% of Great Danes die before their fifth birthday. Moreover, few members of the breed reach the age of ten years. Breeding mistakes can exacerbate the animals’ susceptibility to diseases. For example, breeding for pronounced jowls frequently leads to conjunctivitis. The average lifespan of a Great Dane is 6 to 7 years.
Of course, Great Danes can also reach ages of 14 or even 15 years. Increasing the average lifespan of the Great Dane to 8 to 9 years is quite realistic. However, it is necessary to finally incorporate basic genetic principles into breeding practices.
Keeping and Training the Great Dane
Thanks to careful breeding focusing on the health of the dogs rather than their size, the risk of disease can thankfully be reduced.
Movement and diet also play a significant role. To stay healthy and fit for as long as possible, the Mastiff’s tendons and muscles must be well trained. A long walk each day, where the Mastiff can ideally once in a while run free without a lead, and engaging with suitable dog toys is a must for this active dog.
Avoid Stairs
Large dogs should avoid climbing stairs. Additionally, young dogs should refrain from long trips, wild games or climbing stairs. A ground-floor, spacious house with a garden is therefore recommended for keeping this breed.
For questions regarding appropriate feeding, it’s best to consult the breeder or a vet. It should be clear that such a large dog requires more of everything: more space, more exercise and more food.
Due to their ease of handling and loyalty to humans, Great Danes are generally very uncomplicated. They are thus well-suited as family and companion dogs. They are even suitable as therapy dogs due to their kind-hearted nature.
Owners Must Set Boundaries
Like all dogs, the Mastiff needs loving but consistent training so its positive nature can flourish. Due to its size, it needs people by its side who can set boundaries and whose strength it can rely on.
To be happy, a Mastiff needs close contact with its humans. And the fact that such an affectionate dog, which is prone to drooling, will occasionally drool on your jeans is simply part of living with a Great Dane.
The History of the Great Dane
In the late 19th century, cynologists believed they had found the ancestors of the Great Dane in ancient dog types. The Assyrians, for example, had large, blunt-nosed and short-haired fighting dogs over 4,000 years ago, whose depictions resembled the appearance of today’s Mastiff breed. Also, in present-day Denmark, skeletons of very large, Mastiff-like hunting dogs from 5000 B.C. to 1000 A.D. have been found.
However, a relationship between the Great Dane and these ancient ancestors is now highly disputed. The assumed relationship with the Tibetan Mastiff (Do Khyi), one of the oldest Eastern dog breeds, has also been disproved by DNA tests.
Provenance from the 16th Century
It is only from the 16th century that records reliably trace the Mastiff’s origin. The records show that particularly large and elegant dogs from England and Ireland were introduced to Germany, originating from crossings between Mastiffs and the large Irish Wolfhound. Although the animals varied greatly in appearance, they all shared exceptional size.
Impressive Companion Dogs at the Court
In Germany, the targeted breeding of the so-called “English Docken” began in the 17th century. The elegant large dogs, used for hunting bears, wild boar and other formidable animals, soon became popular as impressive companion dogs at court.
The breed was divided into chamber dogs, body dogs and English Mastiffs. The most beautiful and strongest dogs were honoured with a gilded collar and were allowed to stay in the prince’s bedchamber, where they had a large bedding area with bear furs. Along with the body dogs, which at least in terms of beauty were inferior to the chamber dogs and therefore only received a silver collar, their primary role was to protect the prince’s court from intruders.
Because both chamber and body dogs lived in the familial household of the royal court, their breeding placed great importance on obedience and manageability. During hunts, however, animals with higher breeding value were spared.
Also Valuable in Hunting
Nevertheless, all remaining English Mastiffs, which did not make it to chamber or body dogs and were kept in the stables, were still so valuable that they were not recklessly used for hunting.
Once game was sighted, these Mastiffs were released on the wild boar or bears to grab and hold them with a skilled bite until hunters could kill them with a stabbing weapon. The dogs were even equipped with thickly padded fabric armour to ensure they wouldn’t get injured during this manoeuvre.
Luxury Dog and Status Symbol
When hunting dogs became more superfluous due to the increased use of firearms and many former breeds disappeared from the scene, the Great Dane continued to be a luxury dog and status symbol, particularly in the Württemberg region.
By the mid-19th century, the breed, now referred to as Ulmer Mastiff, became increasingly popular. Otto von Bismarck is among the most well-known owners of Great Danes. The first Chancellor of the German Empire kept the large dogs for over 60 years, earning them the nickname “Reichshund” (Imperial Dog).
As Great Danes now predominantly lived in private households, their breeding increasingly emphasised good character, balance and obedience. Various types of Mastiffs, which slightly differed in colour or size, developed in different regions and were known as Ulmer Mastiff, Danish Mastiff, English Mastiff, Great Mastiff.
Unified Name “Great Dane”
When these various breed representatives were shown at a dog show in 1876, the judges suggested the breeders agree on the unified name “Great Dane”.
The name was not without controversy, as other countries also claimed the breed’s origin. To this day, the breed is still referred to as “Great Dane” in English. Nonetheless, the German breeders prevailed and founded the first breed registry association ever, the “Great Dane Club”, in 1888.
The Great Dane is a very large, elegant dog closely bonded to its family. The giant four-legged friends love to cuddle, are fond of children and make great family dogs.
Character:
friendly, social, gentle, lively
Height at Withers:
Males: at least 80cm Females: at least 72cm
Weight:
45-90kg
Fur:
short, smooth and shiny, fur colour white-black spotted, black, blue, yellow or yellow brindle
Coat Care:
low maintenance, sheds little, regular brushing
Exercise:
high need for exercise, activities such as games of fetch or as a companion while cycling and jogging
Beginner Dog:
no
Barking:
barks little, deep voice
Life Expectancy:
approx. 6-9 years
Typical Diseases:
gastric torsion, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), bone cancer
Price:
from approx. £900
FCI Group:
Group 2: Pinscher and Schnauzer – Molossoids – Swiss Mountain Dogs Section 2: Molossoids
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