Happy Tails Books

Great Danes

"Lost Souls: Found! Inspiring Stories About Great Danes"

When we first brought Bella home from the rescue, our 10-year-old English bulldog, Tonka, did not appreciate her enthusiasm to become instant best buddies. Bella’s quieter approach the second time we introduced them went well, and though Tonka remained the boss, they reached an agreement. Tonka quickly learned that Bella had many talents; for example, she could shield him from the rain when he used the bathroom. His strategy was to wait until Bella did her business and then quickly run down the stairs and stand under her to pee. “Bella Umbrella” tolerantly waited, checking between her front legs to make sure she was covering him completely. She’s his perfect “big” little sister. Debbie, Scott, Kaitlyn, and Ben McIntyre

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About Great Danes:

• Chinese literature describes Great Danes in 1121 B.C.
• Origins traced back to the Irish Wolfhound and Old English Mastiff
• Tall with smooth muscles
• Usually 28-34 inches tall and 100-200 lbs.

Why People Love Great Danes:

• Short coat makes for easy grooming
• Generally gentle and loving
• Good watch dogs because of their loyalty
• Relatively calm indoors but would prefer a big yard
• Usually don't bark very much
• Playful and patient with children
• Friendly to strangers

Why Great Danes Can Be Challenging:

• Get very large quickly
• Must be trained not to jump or lean on people
• Prone to hip dysplasia, bloat, tumors, tail injuries, and heart disease
• The average Great Dane eats about six cups of food per day

Other Facts and Tips About Great Danes:

• Referred to as the "Apollo of all breeds"
• Available in fawn, brindle, harlequin (white with black spots), blue, black, and mantle (aka "Boston" because the coloring looks similar to Boston Terrier markings)
• Also known as the Deutsche Dogge or German Mastiff
• Short life expectancy (less than 10 years, though some live to be 13)
• The litter size is usually 5-12 puppies.
• AKC group: Working Group

Find Great Dane rescue groups where you can adopt a Great Dane here!

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