Great Dane

The name is a historical accident. In the 1700s the French naturalist Buffon described the dog as the grand danois, possibly because he had seen examples in Denmark. English speakers adopted a translation of his term and it stuck. In Germany the breed is the Deutsche Dogge, and most other European languages use a version of that name instead.

A large male on his hind legs often reaches around 2 m (6 ft 6 in) from paws to nose, which is why an enthusiastic greeting can knock a person flat. Females are usually a little shorter. Teaching a reliable four-paws-on-the-floor greeting from puppyhood is essential for safety, especially around children and older visitors.

Harlequin, a white coat with torn black patches, is an accepted color but less common than fawn or black. It results from combining the merle gene with a separate harlequin gene, and pairing two merle carriers can produce puppies with deafness or eye defects. Choose a breeder who explains their color genetics openly and does not charge extra for pattern alone.

Many do, because adults are calm indoors. What matters more is clear floor space for a big bed, a route to the car and garden without steep stairs, and furniture that survives a swinging tail. A ground floor flat beside open green space can work better than a large house surrounded by busy roads with nowhere to walk.

Leaning is usually a sign of comfort and attachment. A Dane presses its body against someone it trusts, rather like a hug. It can also appear when the dog feels unsure in a new place. It is harmless with steady adults, but teach a cue to step away so your dog does not topple a child or someone with poor balance.