Amaretto Breedables Customer Connection

The Great Dane is a domestic dog known for its giant size. The record holder for the tallest dog ever is a Great Dane called Zeus who measured 44 inches from paw to shoulder. In the middle of the 16th century, the nobility in many countries of Europe imported strong, long-legged dogs from England, which were descended from crossbreeds between English Mastiffs and Irish Wolfhounds. These dogs were called Englische Docke or Englische Tocke – later written and spelled: Dogge – or Englischer Hund in Germany. The name simply meant “English dog”. These dogs were bred in the courts of German nobility, independent of the English methods, since the start of the 17th century. The dogs were used for hunting boar, bear, and deer at princely courts, with the favorites staying at night in the bedchambers of their lords.

In 1878, a committee was formed in Berlin which changed the name of the “Englische Dogge” (English mastiff derivatives) to “Deutsche Dogge” (German mastiff), this being the Great Dane. This laid the foundations from which the breed was developed.
The Great Dane’s large and imposing appearance belies its friendly nature. They are known for seeking physical affection with their owners, and the breed is often referred to as a “gentle giant” They are a smooth coated dog with a regal bearing with short floppy ears, which are usually cropped. This was due to the practice of keeping the ears short when they hunted. The practice is common in the United States for show dogs, but in some European countries the practice is banned.

On April 23, 2012 Amaretto released the K-9 Update Version 1.4 and Great Danes were one of the Non-Starter Coats added. You could have a chance at one of the four colors of Great Danes by breeding any K-9 with a starter K-9 or by breeding together two starter K-9s. The coat can be passed. One of the cute dog animations is the way the Dane lies in a regal reclining position with forelegs crossed, like this Christmas SE.

In addition to the four colors shown here, real Great Danes also come in several other colors including blue- the colour is a pure steel blue, and merle.

I hope you enjoy breeding these lovely, graceful looking dogs.