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According to petMD.com the Great Dane is a highly regarded dog.  Its majestic appearance is something to behold.  I have several friends that have Great Dane's and honestly they tend to intimidating to me.  They all have small children and the children are not scared one bit.  This “giant” dogs take care of those children and protect them at all cost.  I hope you enjoy these statistics and facts on our Breed of the Day-Great Dane.

Sometimes referred to as the “Apollo of Dogs,” the Great Dane was developed in Germany for its graceful appearance, large size, and hunting ability — all important attributes to the landed gentry. These same characteristics have made the breed popular today in America, even appearing in popular culture, such as the Hanna-Barbera cartoon character Scooby-Doo, the newspaper comic character Marmaduke, and Astro in the TV show The Jetsons.

Physical Characteristics:  The Great Dane is highly regarded for its majestic appearance and carriage. Along with exuding elegance, its large, square frame gives the dog a powerful gait with easy, long strides. The Great Dane's coat is glossy, short and dense, and comes in various color patterns, including brindle, fawn, blue, black, harlequin, and mantle.

Personality and Temperament:  The Great Dane's massive size and spirited demeanor make it a bit difficult to control, especially for very small children. However, proper training and supervision can reform the Great Dane into a well-mannered family companion. It is also friendly towards other pets and household dogs.

History and Background:  The Great Dane is believed to be a cross between the Greyhound and Molossus, an ancient Greco-Roman war dog breed. It may have first appeared in Germany during the 1300s and used by the residents to capture wild boar and other prey.

Content Source: petmd.com