There are large dogs and there are large dogs. Danny was a large dog (an extra large dog, some might say).
He was a super-sized Great Dane who – like the fabled Topsy – just ‘growed and growed’ until he was frequently mistaken for a calf. Or a pony.
Great with children
Like most large size dogs, Danny was great with children and loved nothing more to roll over and over to have his huge tummy tickled.
He was always happy, forever wagging his long ropey tail. And that was one of his problems… or more correctly, a problem for the family who adopted him. Because every time anyone was in the vicinity of that wagging tail it felt like they were being lashed by a whip.
Other Great Dane owners will immediately identify with the problem. The tails of large dogs can do a lot of mischief.
Happy and fulfilled
Danny lived a happy and fulfilled life and, unlike most dogs of his breed, did not go to the doggie kennel in the sky until he was 12 years old.
He was greatly missed.
Extra large dogs do not normally live to any great age. Generally speaking, the larger the dog, the shorter the lifespan. Tiny terriers tend to live much longer than huge mastiffs.
All shapes and sizes
Large dogs come in all shapes and sizes.
They include the Afghan hound, Akita, Bernese mountain dog, Bloodhound, Borzoi, Bull mastiff, Great Dane, Giant Schnauzer, Irish wolfhound, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Siberian Husky and Weimeraner.
The Afghan – as its name suggests – originates in Afghaninstan, the Akita comes from Japan and the Bloodhound dates to the England in the Middle Ages.
Deutsche Dogge
The aristocratic-looking Borzoi does indeed have noble origins. Bred by the Czars of Russia, this dog has always been popular with society’s upper echelons.
The Great Dane does not hail from Denmark, as the name suggests. Its origins are in Germany, where it is also known as the German Mastiff and the Deutsche Dogge.
The Weimeraner, like the Afghan, is a very upper-class dog.
He first appeared in the early days of the 19th century when he was bred for hunting boar in the grounds of Karl August, Grand Duke of Weimar.
On-line home for large dogs
What are the pros and cons of making a large dog part of the family?
Over to a website that describes itself as the on-line home for large dog breed owners and enthusiasts (www.largedogbreedz.com). These experts – who clearly love large dogs – have a wealth of advice on offer about training, health tips and so much more.
They need large gardens
Large dogs need large dog beds. They also need copious amounts of food, exercise and space. They play a lot, need big gardens to romp in and a securely fenced yard or garden. The larger the owner’s earning capacity, the better all round.
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