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What exactly does “dog breed” mean?

A dog breed is a specific and distinguishable breed of domestic dog. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) currently has about 370 different dog breeds listed and thus recognised. The cynological umbrella organisation assigns the dog breeds to different groups and sections based on appearance and temperament. There are 10 FCI groups, including FCI Group 1: Herding Dogs & Cattle Dogs or FCI Group 3: Terriers.

Which dog breed suits me?

Getting to know the different breeds of dogs is crucial for us humans, especially when we want to take in a four-legged friend. Which dog suits me? That is the all-important question when buying a dog. It doesn't always have to be a purebred animal, because even in the case of mixed breeds from the animal shelter, the various breed combinations give us information about whether the dog will grow very large, for example, or possibly has a hunting instinct. Ultimately, however, it is not only the breed and its characteristics that determine the development and behaviour of the four-legged friend, but also the upbringing and socialisation. A dog breed is a specific and distinguishable breed of a domestic dog. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) currently has about 370 different dog breeds listed and thus recognised. The cynological umbrella organisation assigns the dog breeds to different groups and sections based on appearance and temperament. There are 10 FCI groups, including FCI Group 1: Herding Dogs & Cattle Dogs or FCI Group 3: Terriers.

The Great Dane—The lovable giant

Weight: 45 – 90 kg

Shoulder height: 72 – 86 cm

Ø Life expectancy: 6 – 8 years

Colours: yellow, brindle, black and white, black, blue

Classification: FCI Group 2: Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossian - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs

History and origin of the Great Dane

The origin of the Great Dane, unlike the name suggests, is only partly from Germany. The Great Dane is said to have been bred in England as early as the 16th century by crossing the Mastiff with the Irish greyhound, and Great Danes were also depicted on stone tablets in antiquity. Greyhounds and hunting dogs were also crossed on the mainland of Europe in order to hunt bears and wolves optimally for the nobility. The various crossbreeds gave rise to three varieties of the Great Dane: the Great Dane, the English Great Dane and the Danish Great Dane. The Great Dane is derived from the Danish variety and is still called the “Great Dane” in some languages. According to genetic analyses, the ancestors of the Great Dane are greyhounds and Molossians. The first Great Dane Club was founded in Berlin in 1888. It is thus the oldest purebred dog breeding club in Germany. Nowadays, the Great Dane is the mixture of the elegance and speed of the greyhounds and the strength and nonchalance of the Molossians and is kept as a modern protector.

We want to point out that the Great Dane shows common diseases. DKM (heart), gastric torsion, Wobbler syndrome, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, spondylosis and allergies. Furthermore, due to over-breeding and the one-sided selection of breeds based on appearance, some individuals may be aggressive, which then poses severe and sometimes even unsolvable problems for training.

Character and nature of the giant

As big as the Great Dane is, so is its heart. The breed is considered particularly friendly and lovable, and is especially affectionate. However, this sympathy is first limited to their own people and especially children. With unknown or even strange people, however, the Great Dane is anything but aggressive or unfriendly, but for the first time only reserved and reserved. The Great Dane is also ideally suited as a family dog. She loves balanced walks with her humans, during which she can also sniff and greet other dogs, but otherwise makes no great demands. Balanced exercise during walks trains the heart, lungs, circulation, and muscles and increases the Great Dane's life expectancy.

Education of the Great Dane

When it comes to training, the Great Dane is rather beginner-friendly, but rules should be laid down when the dog is a puppy, as is the case with every dog breed. The Great Dane has a mind of its own and sometimes tries to circumvent its master's commands, and the “will to please”, which dogs like the Australian Shepherd possess, is not particularly strong in the big giants. Otherwise, however, the Great Dane can be trained well with loving strictness.

Husbandry of the Great Dane

To keep a Great Dane, as its size suggests, you need a lot of space. So that the Great Dane does not feel cramped, a large flat with ideally access to a garden or a plot of land is necessary. Therefore, the Great Dane should have little to no stairs to climb, as the large quadruped is prone to joint damage. Ideally, the breed should not be left alone by its owners for too long. Proximity to its people is particularly important to the Great Dane.

Fashion Tip for the Great Dane

The Great Dane is a dog of special grace and unique, impressive charisma and elegance. To reflect this elegance at home, we recommend our dog bed The Cloud in size XL. The dog bed is not only particularly robust and durable, but also especially comfortable and, thanks to its high rebound force, prevents the dog from lying down and is therefore ideally suited for the lovable giants.