German Mastiff: Dog Breed Information, Facts and Pictures

Lifespan: 8 – 10 years
Origin: Germany
Height: Female: 71–81 cm, Male: 76–86 cm
Colors: Black, Brindle, Fawn, Harlequin, Blue, Mantle
Temperament: Friendly, Devoted, Reserved, Gentle, Confident, Loving
Weight: Female: 45–59 kg, Male: 54–90 kg

Great Danes are characterized by their good-natured and affectionate nature. They develop a strong bond with their family and are also open to children. They always try to read the body language of their master and to please him. With their sensitive nature and a high learning ability, they fit harmoniously into their environment, but for the same reason they are not suitable for kennel keeping. The sensitive animals also suffer particularly from a temporary separation from their master or their family. Great Danes are characterized by a balanced nature. 

In contact with strangers, Great Danes are sometimes reserved and distrustful. They are generally fearless and confident, without showing any aggressive behavior, and defend their masters without fear in an emergency. Great Danes have a high threshold and are easy to lead. In the pack, however, they show a dominant position and strive to build a clear hierarchy.

With her loving and good natured nature, the Great Dane is an ideal family dog, which is also very affectionate to children. She also serves as a companion dog, as she has a constant desire to serve and protect her master. If Great Danes live as family and companion dogs, they develop a strong attachment to their environment and suffer from a kennel husbandry as well as a separation, which should be considered in the decision for this breed of dog. Her intrepid and confident behavior also makes the Great Dane an excellent guard dog, who learns quickly and shows no aggressive behavior.

Originally, the term Great Dane was used to describe large and powerful dogs, regardless of their breed. From this collective term developed over time fixed terms for the different dog types. 1878 summarized a committee of judges and breeders in Berlin several of these species under the collective term Great Dane and laid for the first time the basis for race characteristics and breeding regulations of the Great Dane. The first binding standards were set in 1880. The genetic origin of the Great Dane is in the Bullenbeisser dogs as well as in the used as hunting dogs Hatzrüden and Saupackern, which had both features of the greyhound and the English mastiff.

The Great Dane has a curved neckline with a well-formed neckline and a short, slightly sloping back. The heavily muscled croup runs imperceptibly with the tail's approach, which extends to the hock. The Great Dane has a broad chest with ribs reaching far back and a sweeping lower profile line with a tummy drawn backward. The shoulders and front limbs of the Great Dane are strongly muscled with a sloping shoulder blade. The equally powerful, angled hind legs appear in the rear view in a parallel line to the forelegs. The Great Dane has a harmonious and expansive movement.