The easygoing Great Dane, the mighty "Apollo of Dogs," is a total joy to live with, but owning a dog of such imposing size, weight, and strength is a commitment not to be entered into lightly. This breed is indeed great, but not a Dane. As tall as 32 inches at the shoulder, Danes tower over most other dogs and when standing on their hind legs, they are taller than most people. These powerful giants are the picture of elegance and balance, with the smooth and easy stride of born noblemen. The coat comes in different colors and patterns, perhaps the best-known being the black-and-white patchwork pattern known as "harlequin." Despite their sweet nature, Danes are alert home guardians. Just the sight of these gentle giants is usually enough to make intruders think twice. But those foolish enough to mistake the breed's friendliness for softness will meet a powerful foe of true courage and spirit. Patient with kids, Danes are people pleasers who make friends easily.
Temperment - According to the American Kennel Club
- Extremely Affectionate with Family - Lovey Dovey
- Above Average Playfulness Level
- Moderately Good with Young Children
- Moderately Good with Other Dogs
- Very Vigilant as Watchdog/Protective Nature
- Moderately Open to Strangers
- Above Average Adaptabilty
ModerateBarking Level- I would rank this Above Average
- Luna loves to bark!
- Moderate Trainability Level
Grooming - According to the American Kennel Club
ModerateShedding Level- I would rank this Above Average
- Luna's coat is short, but it sheds a lot
- Low Coat Grooming Frequency
- Above Average Drooling Level
- We got lucky on this one! Luna does not drool very much, except when she drinks H2O.
Health Concerns - According to the American Kennel Club
- Bloat or Gastric Dilation-Volvulus (GDV)
- Number-one killer of Danes
- Stomach flips over on itself and can result in death in a matter of hours
- Luna had this 2 years ago and required emergency surgery
- Eye Disease
- Luna did require eye surgery on one of her eyes when she was a pup
- Cardiac Disease
- Hypothyroidism/Autoimmune Thyroiditis
- Hip Dysplasia
Top 10 Dog Breeds
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the top 10 dog breeds in the United States in 2022 are
listed below. Unfortunately, my favorite - Great Danes, did not make the cut. They came in at number 19.
See the list below. Place a check next to your favorite. If yours isn't listed, add it to the comment
box.