Some dogs can still be found in Germany pacing the grounds of estates and mansions. Germans take great pride in their Danes which are locally referred to as “German Mastiff”, or “Deutsche Dogge”. Although classified by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a working breed dog, todays Great Dane is primarily a companion animal.
Interestingly, the name “Grand Danois” was given by French naturalist Comte de Buffon during his travels in Denmark. French were also calling it Dogue Allemand, or “German Mastiff.” Although the Danish made no contribution to the breeds development, for some reason the name stuck.
This muscular dog was developed primarily in England and Germany by combining speed of the Greyhound, with the muscle and strength of the English Mastiff. Many canine historians further link the Irish Wolfhound to early breed lineage as depicted by ancient Great Dane history. See related articles at our “Great Dane Breed Introduction” main page for additional info on ancient Great Dane history.
As portrayed by Great Dane history, the Dane of old is certainly not the affectionate companion of today, yet it still maintains some physical traits and instincts of its ancestors. Great Dane history from the 14th century forward reveals that the early Dane was a courageous powerful hunter, capable of great speeds and swift attack.
Europes Wild Boar were the most powerful, savage, and well-armed of the Continents big game. To tackle this animal, the Germans needed a dog that was fast, agile, strong, and super tough. That is exactly what they created with the early Dane, a super Boar Hound.
Don’t be fooled by the breed’s large size and assume this dog has an intimidating personality to match. Great Danes are, in fact, loyal and kind with happy personalities and they desire to always be near their people. Great Danes prefer to keep you in their line of sight, and you can forget about eating alone or cooking a meal by yourself ever again!
Great Danes can sometimes come off as shy, aloof or reserved, but they aren’t naturally aggressive dogs. Socializing your Great Dane puppy at an early age will help them become more comfortable around new people and other dogs. They have a deep, powerful bark that can be intimidating to visitors, but this is a case where the bark is really worse than the bite.
Greyhound dogs are best for first-time pet parents with or without kids and babies and homes with a large yard where these track stars can run around. They get along with other dogs, but they are not a good fit for homes with cats, as they have a deep instinct to chase.
This dog breed has spurts of energy they need to get rid of (off-leash) throughout the day, but once their energy is depleted, they’re quiet and calm. Unless you’re a rabbit or a squirrel, they are a pretty chill breed who will lie at your feet when you’re relaxing at home. Sure, they like to play, and it’s great to engage your Greyhound with toys and fun, but you won’t need to throw a ball down a hallway for hours on end like the always-on Border Collie, for example.
Because Greyhounds are sighthounds (dogs who hunt by sight instead of by scent), they were bred to pursue game independently of their human hunting buddies. That means they have a rather independent streak, so proper training and early socialization will help them be well-mannered members of the family. That instinct to chase also means they don’t mix well with cats, but they generally do well with other dogs.
Greyhound Overview
Greyhounds are known for being even-tempered and calm. Although they are built for speed, they enjoy curling up on the couch and relaxing. They are affectionate with their family and good with other dogs, and they generally tolerate young children.
Though they can be independent, Greyhounds enjoy being around their loved ones. They do not enjoy being separated for prolonged periods, so if you plan on getting a Greyhound, you will want to ensure you can meet its social needs.
They are tolerant yet wary of strangers. While they are alert, they are not especially vigilant watchdogs. They are moderately playful and full of vibrant energy, so playing outside with a Greyhound is a must.
Greyhounds love to relax around the house, but their exercise needs still need to be addressed. Greyhounds require regular activity, including scheduled times when they can sprint freely. During this free-running time, it is highly advised that you keep your Greyhound in an enclosed area, as its prey drive may become activated and cause the Greyhound to chase small animals.
Although Greyhounds are renowned runners, they are not built for long-distance jogs. They have sensitive joints and a higher risk for overheating, so exercise for a Greyhound is best utilized with brief sessions rather than prolonged periods of activity.
Greyhounds are highly adaptable and can learn new tasks relatively quickly; however, they can be somewhat independent. This breed was developed to make decisions without human intervention so that they could hunt game on their own accord. This can make training them frustrating for those who are not already experienced with Greyhounds.
When training a Greyhound, short lessons are best to keep it entertained. Greyhounds are known to become bored quickly. Likewise, they need to be handled gently, as they have a sensitive disposition and do not respond well to harsh criticism.
The best way to train a Greyhound is to focus on doing tasks with the dog rather than expecting the tasks to be done alone. Greyhounds enjoy interacting with their humans, so they will be much more invested in learning if that is the case.
Greyhounds live approximately 10–13 years. Although this breed is generally healthy, there are some issues that they may be at higher risk of suffering from.
Arthritis is an issue that Greyhounds can develop over time, along with hip problems and other joint issues. If you notice that your dog is reluctant to move or appears to have difficulty climbing, jumping, or walking, there is a chance that arthritis or another joint issue is the cause.
There is also the possibility of heart and eye problems, though these can be harder to spot. If you ever suspect anything is amiss with your dog’s health and well-being, consult your vet immediately.