American Kennel Club
Great Danes are set to take center stage with the theatrical release of "Marmaduke." The Twentieth Century Fox movie follows the story of "Marmaduke," an accident-prone gentle giant whose family moves him from a small Kansas town to the big city of Los Angeles. Those who see this fun film may think about owning a dog like Marmaduke. But is a Great Dane the right breed for your lifestyle?
A Look Back
Historians claim that there are drawings of dogs that resemble the Great Dane on Egyptian monuments from roughly 3000 B.C. The earliest written description of a dog resembling the breed can be found in Chinese literature of 1121 B.C. The origins of the Great Dane as we know it today can be traced to the Irish Wolfhound with mixture of old English Mastiff.
Is a Great Dane the right breed for your family?
Great Danes have gentle and loving dispositions, making them excellent family companions, but as with all dogs, they should be supervised around young children. They are calm and well-behaved when in the house. Because they are so large, they require a great deal of space and exercise, as well as plenty of food. Great Danes are quick learners, and they need obedience training because they are strong enough to pull their owners behind them. They come in a variety of colors - brindle, fawn, blue, black, harlequin, and mantle. Their short coats require minimal grooming.
Fun facts about the Great Dane
A member of the Working Group, the Great Dane is the 21st most popular breed in the United States, according to the 2009 American Kennel Club registration statistics. Although Dane means Danish, the dog was developed in Germany to hunt boar, a ferocious animal. When no longer used for hunting, the breed changed to one of a companion and estate guard dog.
Thinking about buying a Great Dane?
Additional information for those considering getting a Great Dane - including things you should know before buying, help finding a breeder, or a list of training clubs in your area - can be found on the AKC website at : http://www.akc.org/puppybuyerinfo/.