The Great Dane is frequently referred to as the “Apollo of Dogs”. It is claimed that drawings of a Great Dane-like dog can be found on Egyptian monuments dating back several thousand years BC.  There is also an engraving from the late 17^th century which depicts Great Dane ancestors participating in a boar hunt.  Thus the breeds original name... the Boar Hound.  This explains the Danes ears.  Natural ears are long and hound-like; they were originally cropped to prevent injury during boar hunts where both the boar and the other danes in the hunting party could injure each others ears.  Large blood vessels in the ear once damaged can cause fatal blood loss. This is very much true today, but since Great Danes no longer are hunters, the incident of  injury is less.

The original crop was very short, ugly and triangular.  Today’s crop is for aesthetic reasons and is longer, more graceful and balanced to the head size. Leaving Great Dane ears uncropped is also for aesthetic reasons. It is a personal preference. There is no true benefit for or against cropping ears.  Cropping Dane's ears is prohibited in many European countries. Here in America, it is acceptable both ways.

The name “Great Dane” can be misleading.  While this majestic breed is great, he certainly doesn’t come from Denmark.  This breed originated in Germany and has had many names including Hatzrude, Saufanger, and Metzgerhund.  The official name Deutshe Dogge was formally adopted in the 19^th century making this the national dog of Germany.  The English translation of Deutsche Dogge is German Dog.  How this became Great Dane is somewhat confusing and no one has come up with a definitive explanation.

The first Great Dane Club was organized in 1886 in Chicago.  The Great Dane Club of America was only the fourth breed club to become a part of the American Kennel Club and when admitted to membership, was known as the Great German Mastiff Club. Photographs from 1840 show dogs with small coarse heads and unimpressive necks and bodies.  Some of these dogs have little body mass and weak heads.  All of the dogs possessed ears that were cut extremely short.  Today’s Great Dane is the product of  breeding not for hunting as Bore Hounds were originally useful, but for length of leg, bolder head, and elongated body. Today's Great Dane is a hunter no longer.

Breeding programs have transformed the Great Dane into a dandy of sorts. Therefore, the vintage idea of Great Dane living outside and running large acreage, hunting for their supper today, are downright silly and no longer true. With all this change came shorter coats with very little fat under the skin, not suitable for extreme temperatures hot or cold, longer legs and larger bodies though impressive to look at can lead to bone and joint problems if a Great Dane were to be as active as their ancestors. Temperaments have also changed. The fierce fighter and group hunter of yesterday, has given way to a low-key, relaxed companion. Great Dane's make surprisingly wonderful apartment dogs for their low activity level, and resistance to noise stimuli. They bark when they have to and they don't feel they have to very often.  Today's Dane is as unrecognizable as a hunter as the Great Dane of the past would have won beauty contests.