Guildford Road Ottershaw Surrey KT16 0QW Tel.: (44) 1932 873239 Tel.: (44) 1932 873529 Fax: (44) 1932 874758 info@weyfarm.co.uk www.weyfarm.co.uk stud dogs & puppies    puppies for sale    background    Karina Le Mere    gallery BREED INFO - Great DanesDobermanns Helmlake Stud Dogs & Puppies: The breeds - Great Danes A dog resembling a Dane can be seen in many carvings and pictures dating back as far as 2,000 years ago. Most of these seemed to belong to tribes in Asia, predominantly to the Assyrians. Probably one of the closest links to the Dane of today from yesteryear was a mastiff style of dog that originated in England at Lyme Park, around the 1500s, known as a Lyme Mastiff. As time went on, the English type of mastiff, known as the "English Dogge", decreased in popularity and by the 1700s they were no longer favoured as a suitable cross with their European counterparts, notably the German stock. It appears that at this time the Germans became increasingly in favour of developing their own bloodlines, declining to import any more dogs from England. From the Middle Ages right through to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the Great Dane gradually evolved, eventually to emerge at the first show to be held in Germany. This show took place in Hamburg in 1863. In 1876 an important stage in the history of the breed was reached when it was decided that it was virtually impossible to carry on with the breed segregated into Danish and Ulmar, and it was proposed that they be officially "christened" the Deutsche Dogge. In 1879 the name was altered once again. It was decided that the heavier-built dogs woud go under the name of Danish Dogs whilst the lighter dogs became Ulmar Doggen - the whole process has almost turned full circle. It was also decided that the brindle-coloured dogs would go under the name of Hatzruden (or "wolf dog") and fawns and occasionally blues were placed in the category of Danish Dogs, regardless of size. The harlequins, which had now become recognised and were very well favoured, were known as Tiger Dogs. The breed continued to grow in popularity in the 1880s untl in 1887 at a show in Stuttgart a staggering entry of 300 Danes was recorded. Great Danes have been associated with the famous, including notables such as Alexander Pope, the 18th century English poet, and the German Chancellor Prince Otto von Bismark. The original English standard that was drawn up made little of colour - this was particularly noticeable since Harlequins were not even referred to. The first Dane recorded in the USA was owned by a Francis Butler of New York, and was called Prince. The Great Dane had entered the 20th century as a well-established and popular breed, especially in Germany. - the breeding lines and programmes were well set and on course for the enhancement of the breed when, with the intensity of the war (1914 - 1918 ), the breeding of the Deutsche Dogge was practically wiped out, with its English cousin being severely restricted. But, although these animals almost became extinct, interest in the Deutsche Dogge never wavered. From the armistice in 1918 up until the Second World War, the torch was picked up and rekindled by fanciers and breeders devoted to the restoring and encouraging the breed as we know it today. The UK breed Standard General Appearance Very muscular, strongly though elegantly built, with a look od dash and daring - of being ready to go anywhere and do anything. Head and neck carried high, tail in line with back, or slightly upwards, but never curled over hindquarters. Elegance of outline and grace of form most essential. Characteristics Alert expression, powerful, majestic action displaying dignity. Temperament Kindly without nervousness, friendly and outgoing. Head and Skull Muzzle or foreface broad, skull proportionally narrow. Skull flat, slight indentation running up centre. Decided rise to brow over the eyes; face well pinched; foreface long. of equal depth throughout. Underline of head, viewed in profile, runs almost in a straight line from corner of lip to corner of jawbone, allowing for fold of lip, but with no loose skin hanging down. Bridge of nose very wide with slight ridge where cartilage joins bone. Nostrils large, wife and open. Lips hang squarely in front, forming right angle with upper line of foreface. Eyes Fairly deep set, not giving the appearance of being round, of medium size and preferably dark. Wall or odd eyes permissable in harlequins. Ears Triangular, medium size, set high on skull and folded forward, not pendulous. Mouth Teeth level. Jaws strong with a perfect regular and complete scissor bite. Neck Neck long, well arched, quite clean and free from loose skin, held well up, well set in shoulders; junction of head and neck well defined. Forequarters Shoulders muscular, not loaded, well sloped back, with elbows well under body. Forelegs perfectly straight with big flat bone. Body Very deep, brisket reaching elbow, ribs well sprung, belly well drawn up. Back and loins strong, latter slightly arched. Hindquarters Extremely muscular, giving strength and galloping power. Second thigh long and well developed, good turn of stifle, hocks set low, turning neither in nor out. Feet Cat-like, turning neither in nor out. Toes well arched and close, nails strong and curved. Nails preferably dark in all coat colours, except harlequins, where light are permissable. Tail Thick at the root, tapering towards end, reaching to or just below hocks. Carried in straight line level with back, when dog is moving; slightly curved towards end but never curling or carried over back. Gait/Movement Action lithe, springy and free, covering ground well. Hocks move freely with driving action, head carried high. Coat Short dense and sleek looking, never inclined to roughness. Weight and Size Minimum height of an adult dog over 18 months: 76cms (30in); bitches 71cms (28in). Minimum weight over 18 months: dogs 54kg (120lb); bitches 46kg (100lb). Colour Brindles Must be striped, ground colour from lightest buff to deepest orange, stripes always black, eyes and nails preferably dark, dark shadings on head and ears acceptable Fawns Colour varies from lightest buff to deepest orange, dark shadings on head and ears acceptable; eyes and nails preferably dark. Blues Colour varies from light grey to deep slate; the nose and eyes may be blue. Blacks Black. Harlequins Pure white underground with preferably all black patches or all blue patches, having appearance of being torn. Light nails permissable. Wall eyes, pink noses or butterfly noses permissable but not desirable.