Privacy Policy Alani Luce Tranquilla
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the Great Dane
The Great Dane... is a big dog!
The Great Dane is a big dog, in every sense. Its size, to be clear, is that of a Shetland pony, but with the elastic build of a gazelle. Its weight is that of a human being: between 70 and 90 kg for males and between 50 and 65 kg for females. The physical appearance of the Great Dane and its size make it one of the most attractive dogs ever, and it is no coincidence that it is called the “Apollo of dog breeds,” for its majestic bearing, the harmony of its lines and proportions, and its movement, both agile and vigorous at the same time. The Great Dane expresses the right balance between elegance and power, substance and distinction, derived from the cross between ancient molossers and sighthounds from which it descends. From the molossers, it inherited its powerful bone structure, rectangular head, and abundant skin. From the sighthounds, it took its height, the grace of its movement, and the distinction of its bearing. It is truly difficult to find a dog enthusiast who is not fascinated by the statuesque beauty and expression of a Great Dane, found in the color varieties in which it is currently bred: fawn, brindle, black, harlequin, and blue. Originally used as a hunting dog for large game, the Great Dane, since the beginning of the Middle Ages, has also had the role of guardian in the home, unlike other hunting and property guard dogs, which were generally relegated outside the home. So centuries have passed in which Great Danes have lived day and night alongside their owners, sharing meals and watching over their sleep. Millions of days and nights during which the breed’s initial vocation has also changed, and Great Danes have developed and internalized, at a phylogenetic level, their own special sociability towards people. The Great Dane has thus consolidated, over time, what it is today: an extraordinary companion dog with whom you never feel alone or insecure, a “companion, guard, and protection dog” as its official standard defines it. In short, the Great Dane has such an appreciable inclination towards humans that it forever captures the heart of anyone lucky enough to have one as a life companion, making it almost impossible to switch breeds.
Character: the true treasure of the Great Dane
An instinctively good and protective nature, a great need for contact and the natural pleasure of being together with the human family that welcomes him, quickness and ease of learning are the characteristics with which a well-bred and socialized Great Dane puppy "presents itself to the world." Even in character, this dog embodies the best of both the molosser and the sighthound: instinctively good, calm, protective, and with a high reaction threshold like the best molossers, but at the same time extremely attached to his family, reserved with strangers, and possessing great athletic abilities like the best sighthounds. He needs to live with the family and cannot be kept isolated in a garden. In fact, he is not a territorial dog suited to guarding property; his role as a guardian is mainly expressed by protecting the members of his "mixed pack," both canine and animal. He is a gentle, patient, and reliable dog, with a very high tolerance for provocation, low aggressiveness, and a great capacity for reflection and discernment. However, if he finds reasons to take action, his strength can be devastating. He is a faithful companion with a strong personality and great adaptability, who always needs to be in contact with humans. It is through the pleasure of being with his human family that he develops his particular intelligence, capable of complex reasoning, and for this reason he seeks real physical contact with his owner, follows him everywhere, and is willing to make any sacrifice just to stay close. Despite his size, at home, although he needs a bed suitable for his size... he actually does not take up much space. Aware of his dimensions, he is able to move in small spaces with surprising delicacy. Those who choose to share their life with a Great Dane can be sure they have said goodbye to loneliness and must appreciate, in everyday life, his absolute way of loving. This means, apart from obviously letting him live in the house with full dignity as a family member, being willing to do activities together with him, from walks, to games, to vacations, having the ability to always feel like two minds facing the world together.
The difficulties to be aware of
The Great Dane, overall, is an easy dog to manage, due to its reliable nature, obedience, and willingness to learn, but at the same time it is a demanding dog. When raising a Great Dane puppy, you must keep in mind the size it will reach as an adult, not allowing it from the start to do things that you might not appreciate later from a 90 kg giant with immense strength. Great Danes are intelligent, determined, and stubborn, and they always know how to come up with ways to get what they think they deserve. They are dogs to ask for cooperation from, not obedience; they respond to requests only because of the trust and love they have for their family, not out of submission. Therefore, the human companion of a Great Dane must be able to earn, in addition to the affection that the dog will naturally have for him, the role of educational and regulatory guide, through just, firm, and consistent behavior. Dealing with its size does not just mean reserving suitable spaces for it, including the car, but also being willing to bear the costs for food, accessories, and veterinary care, all of which are “increased” in proportion to its weight. The physical growth of Great Dane puppies is particularly demanding, because it is frighteningly fast: it is therefore essential to feed them in the most appropriate way and to avoid any stress on the growing cartilage to ensure the best development. The main health risk for Great Danes (having taken care, through good breeding selection, to avoid as much as possible the genetic inheritance of other diseases) is represented by the gastric dilation-volvulus syndrome. Deaths from stomach torsion among members of the breed are very numerous, so it is highly advisable to have the Great Dane undergo stomach fixation surgery at a young age, the so-called preventive gastropexy. Finally, it is right to remember that the Great Dane, like all larger breeds, is not long-lived, but this, in my view, is not a good reason to deprive oneself of the chance to fully enjoy the irreplaceable company of this gentle giant.
Privacy Policy Alani Luce Tranquilla
This site uses cookies to improve users' browsing experience and to collect information about the use of the site itself.
Legal notice - Legal notice - Mentions légales