Great Dane breed guide

As tall as 32 inches at the shoulder, Great Danes tower over most dogs and over most people on their hind legs. These powerful giants show elegance and balance with the smooth, easy stride of born noblemen.

Despite a sweet nature, Great Danes are alert home guardians. AKC says the sight of these gentle giants is usually enough to deter an intruder.

Great Danes live 7 to 10 years. Bloat or gastric dilatation-volvulus, is the number-one killer of Great Danes, so owners should learn the signs.

Many breeders and owners consider a prophylactic gastropexy, a preventative tack surgery, to help prevent the more serious aspects of GDV and eye and cardiac diseases, hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis also affect the breed.

For most of the year the short, smooth coat does not shed much, but given the size of the dog that can still be a fair bit of hair. Weekly brushing with a medium-bristle brush, rubber mitt or hound glove keeps shedding down.

Great Danes may seem sedate but need daily exercise appropriate to their age and a brisk walk two or three times a day may be enough. They make good jogging and hiking companions only after age 2, to avoid damage to growing joints and rigorous exercise should be avoided around mealtimes because of the risk of bloat.

Nobody is quite sure how or why the Great Dane, a German breed, came to be tied to Denmark and in Germany it is called the Deutsche Dog or German dog. German nobles used Great Danes to hunt ferocious wild boars.

Later Great Danes became famous as protectors of home and loved ones, a job AKC says they are still happy to perform.