Other vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Known as the Deutsche Dogge or Apollo of dogs, the giant-breed Great Dane hails from Germany and not Denmark as many people believe.

The large Great Dane has been around for about 400 years already. They descend from mastiff-like dogs, being needed to protect country estates.

In the 18th century, apart from watching over estates, they were also popular with the upper class for sport.

Dog lovers are thrilled because there is such diversity to choose from when looking for a pet.

There are so many other dogs that don’t have any particular breed name, and these can be tiny dogs or massive dogs that you would have to think twice about before buying one, as a large dog can eat you out of hearth and home.

All dogs, pedigreed or other, have descended from the wolf but it is unsure about when dogs were actually domesticated. One thing is sure, it is amazing to think that dogs descended from wolves but that you get so many varieties to day – different sizes, different coat colors and lengths, some have erect ears, others floppy, some are lean and mean and others muscular and heavily-set. They have all originated from different parts of the world.

There are well over 100 different pure dog breeds as well as plenty of other dogs. In fact you can create many different dogs by breeding certain of them to get the looks and characteristics you want.

The Great Dame is a tall, lean, athletic, muscular, elegant looking dog. He can stand anything between 76–86cm in height and weigh around 54–90kg. The large head is long and narrow, and the medium sized floppy ears can be left or they can be cropped.

The tail is long and held low. The coat is short and smooth and can be in several colors such as fawn, black or brindle.

Temperament:

Any kind of aggressiveness was bred out of the Great Dane and today he is a gentle giant of a dog, getting on well with other dogs, children and everyone in his human family.

Even though he is a gentle giant, he will still require training and socialization just because of his size. Then they become the devoted pet that they are so well known to be. You'll want to know that when he comes indoors, he will obey you when you tell him to lie-down, sit or come, otherwise his sheer size will see him knocking things accidentally off table-tops.

He is an intelligent dog and is eager to please so he'll learn easily. He craves human companionship, so make sure that your social Dane has plenty of interaction with you.

Dogs today come with so many looks. ‘Other’ dogs are vast and varied. They may be pedigreed dogs that are ‘off the radar’ or they may be among the many ‘cross-breed’ dogs there are.

You can get a tiny Chihuahua, measuring just 9cm in height, but you can also get a huge dog like the Great Dane that can stand at up to 90cm in height. It isn't however, a heavily built dog like the giant Newfoundland which can weigh up to 117 kg or so.

Temperament:

Some dogs are intelligent, others not so much. Others are social and others more reserved. Some won’t be able to tolerate being cooped up indoors and not being able to be outdoors involved in an activity, while others are more indoor dogs.

Some dog are friendly, others indifferent, some boisterous and sporty, others docile and lazy. There are so many other dogs that don’t make the pedigreed list, but they’re adored by their human family for being so utterly unique.

The Great Dane is a large breed, bred to hunt wild boar. The intelligence, bravery and fearless nature of the dog meant that he was sought after for this task.

Known as the Apollo of Dogs, you won’t find the Great Dane being used for hunting purposes anymore, being more suited as a companion dog.

While developed as a working breed, today he is a well balanced, intelligent, calm, loving, social, dependable dog that just wants to be loved by his human family and to provide love, loyalty and companionship back in return.

There are so many dogs, some are pedigree dogs and some aren’t. Some dogs are registered with kennel clubs and others aren’t.

Every dog has some amazing characteristics that make them so adorable. These kennel clubs divide dogs into categories such as Terriers, working dogs, herding dogs, toy breeds, hounds and so on. Pedigree breeds belong to these groups.

Other dogs are just as special, even if they don’t fall into the many dog breeds recognized by major kennel clubs.

There are so many other dog breeds, and if you want to bring some canine magic into your home and heart, apart from the very many expensive dog breeds out there, there are other dogs.

These are hybrids or true one-of-a-kind pavement specials that come at a fraction of the price but with the most amazing and wonderful characteristics you can imagine and which will make a most splendid pet.

Typically of giant dogs, the Great Dane doesn't have a particularly long life-span and will live to be about 8 to 10 years of age. Also, giant-breed dogs like this are susceptible to what is known as bloat.

You'll notice it because there is swelling of the stomach with gas buildup and also twisting of the stomach. It's a life-threatening condition and you'll need to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. You can combat it by feeding him smaller, more frequent meals and perhaps buying a slow-feeder dish, forcing your hungry pet to eat slower and not gulp his food down.

Also, large dogs like this can develop hip dysplasia and with a dog like the Great Dane, it takes a while for the bones and joints to grow and then become stable. That is why it is important not to make him do any vigorous exercise till he is at least 18 months of age, as these exercises can put a lot of stress on the joints and bones which can lead to hip dysplasia later on.

Other dogs are considered somewhat healthier than purebred dogs because they come from a broader gene pool. Nonetheless you still need to be aware of certain dog illnesses that your dog can develop -

Allergies:

This is a common ailment in dogs, and skin allergies can cause your dog a lot of discomfort and pain. They lick and lick and aggravate the situation. Sometimes fleas, chemicals and dog shampoos can aggravate the skin too. There are several things to look at – from making environmental changes to changing your dog’s food.

Cancer:

Cancer is common in dogs, just as in human beings, with there being a number of different cancers. Whenever you brush your dog, run your hands over him to check if there are any unusual lumps on him and have them examined if you do discover a lump.

Other dog illnesses to watch out for include bloat, ear and eye infections, cataracts, hip dysplasia and obesity, among others.

Diet:

This is a large dog so you’ll notice that with commercially manufactured dog foods, there are those made specially for large- or giant breeds. It is important to choose the right dog food for his large size so that you can be sure he gets the right amount of nutrients in for him to grow strong and healthy.

If you aren't sure about what food would most benefit your Great Dane, ask your vet. While it is important to also feed him quality home-made food and raw meat, when buying kibble for him,check the label of the food you buy him and make sure that the concentration of protein isn’t more than 23 to 25%.

Remember to provide him with a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

Brush your Great Dane’s coat at least twice a week. He has a short, smooth coat so it will be easy, and the brushing will keep his coat soft and shiny. Use this time to also check for fleas and ticks or lumps. You will also need to check his nails and trim them if they don’t trim down on their own.

Exercise:

Your Great Dane will need to be exercised every day if you want him to maintain his lean, muscular shape. It keeps him happy too. He isn’t the kind of dog though that you want to turn into your running partner when you go jogging or cycling. He can go on a walk and play in the garden, but the exercising shouldn’t be for long periods of time.

His first checkup:

Every puppy needs to get to the vet for his first check-up when he is 6 weeks of age, and your Dane will also have to. As a puppy he will need to be de-wormed which will happen with this 6 week check up. He will also be vaccinated for distemper.

Responsible dog owners know that their dogs require adequate food and water, lots of love and attention, exercise, a warm, dry bed, shelter from the elements when outdoors and medical attention when they’re sick.

One advantage with other dogs which aren’t pedigreed, is that by their very nature, they have good genetic diversity, and this means good overall health. Other dogs breeds are generally cheaper to buy and cheaper in terms of vet’s fees as they tend to be healthier.

Grooming:

Other dogs have a variety of different coat types, so whatever dog you have, you’ll need to be looking at brushing him, stripping him or having him professionally clipped. Whether erect or floppy ears, check inside for infection. The eyes will also need to be checked for infection and other eye ailments. All dogs will also have to have their nails clipped.

Diet:

The size of all dogs, pedigree or other will determine the amount of food you give him. Big or small, pedigreed or other, every dog wants the same when it comes to diet. They want food which is nutritious, tasty and simple. They want a high quality commercially manufactured food high in minerals and vitamins.

They will benefit from some raw meat added into the kibble whenever its possible. They will also require some home-made food – simple, uncomplicated homemade food such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and vegetables such as sweet potato, carrots and spinach. Such a diet will keep your pet free from digestive problems. Make sure he has a constant supply of cool, fresh water.

Exercise:

Exercise is important for every dog, but some dogs will require more exercise than others. Some dogs will be content with a walk every day while others will require far more – running beside you while you cycle, swimming, a run in the park, rope- and ball games and going with you on hikes.

Exercise is both entertaining for your dog and healthy too.