THE DEFINITION OF A GREAT DANE
The Great Dane is a very intelligent canine and displays a graceful, almost human sense and behavior, but only if he is a typical representative of his breed that has been properly nurtured and reared. A Dane must be friendly and confident, a real gentlemen, fearless in the face of danger, but never aggressive or quarrelsome. He is not a four-legged robot that can be trained by anybody with the use of force, but a quick and positive learner eager to please the teacher(s) he loves and respects: his beloved persons. The Apollo of dogs is a true four-legged aristocrat, full of heart and generosity, superior spirit and courage; a companion that is protective, gentle, always attentive to his peoples' wishes and needs, proud and distinguished in appearance, beautiful like a classic statue, a dog that deserves to belong to people as good, civil and decent as himself.
Because of his nature, it is a must that he lives close to us, next to us, because otherwise the Dane withers away like a neglected flower: the easiest and most certain way to harm this dog is to exclude him from human company and tie him by a chain to a dog house, confine him to the back yard, the corner of the garden or the balcony; soon there he will get ill, as only near his human family the Dane feels happy.
Indeed, when you have a Great Dane, you don't own your dog - your dog owns you: he or she will care, love and protect you in a parental fashion, and this adorable tendency the Danes demonstrates with all creatures sharing his/her household; children and pets, especially the smaller and most vulnerable, are in the center of this benevolent being's affections. The Great Dane has a laid back outlook and an optimistic approach to life. He is a sunny-natured, happy dog that often demonstrates a wise, almost philosophical way of dealing with situations.
The stature and looks of a Great Dane are impressive without doubt; combined with a uniquely charming personality and such a deep-understanding mind that caused the grandmother of animal trainers (Barbara Woodhouse) to call them "Almost Human" (in her book so titled), this is a charismatic creature that has understandably become one of the most beloved four-legged companions in the world. But this is definitely not a breed for the superficial egotist who just wants a large dog to show off: because in the Great Dane’s magnificent body beats a sensitive heart, full of unlimited love and affection, to be unconditionally given only to the right recipients; the ones who truly deserve the privilege of living in the company of the brave and the beautiful, the truly kind and thoroughly good and gentle and nice, the one and only true "Apollo of Dogs". So called not only for his external beauty and classic proportions, but mostly for his outstanding virtues & the radiant brilliance of his multi-talented nature.
Great Danes the world over excel as companions and assistants of mankind in a variety of tasks, from therapy to search and rescue. For so many of us, who are lucky to know them and be loved by them, the world is a far better place because of their kind presence among us...Let us all work tirelessly so that their legacy of goodness is never betrayed, but continues to shine and warm our hearts and lives, for as long as our species exists, walking side by side with our true best friends...
(from an article by Maria Ginala, first published in 1999).
