10 Fun facts you didn’t know about great danes

If you see one of these gentle giants, it’s hard to resist giving him a pat (carefully and with the owner’s permission, of course!). A Great Dane’s size and friendliness make him a fun companion, but there are a few downfalls to owning one of these colossal canines (at no fault of their own).

Want to learn more about these majestic creatures? Here are 10 fun facts that you may not have known before!

1. Great Danes aren’t actually Danish.

It’s unclear why these dogs of German origin have a name that suggests they’re from Denmark! However, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), “The Great Dane’s name is the English translation of the breed name in French: Grand Danois, meaning ‘Big Danish.`”

Related: 10 Products Only a Crazy Dane Person Would Wear

Video: 10 Strange Things You Didn't Know About Planet Earth

2. They were first bred to hunt and guard.

The breed was developed to be huge so that they could hunt large prey, guard their master’s property, and even fight in wars, according to Animal Planet. Today’s versions have been bred to be calm and friendly companions, unlike their feisty ancestors.

Reviews & Comments