The first skeletons of the dogs are approximately 8 000 to 10 000 years old and it’s very difficult to say from which of the breeds, existed so many years ago, originated the Great Danes. The oldest picture of Dane-like dog is dated to 12th century B.C. and was found on the wall of the Babylonian temple. It is a well-known fact that ancient Assyrians had dogs, looking like the modern Great Danes. Dane-like dogs were presented to Alexander the Great, who brought them to Greece, later they came to Europe through the Alps. Dane-like dogs were also well-known in Poland, Russia and Germany. In the Middle Ages Dane-like dogs participated in hunting for wild animals, such as wild boar, bear and wolf. In 18th century the number of wild animals in the forests was substantially decreased and the firearm appeared, so there was no need to use dogs when hunting. In 1880 it was offered to call Dane-like dogs “German Mastiff”, but in France and some other countries they are still known as “the Great Danes”. There are no reasonable grounds to consider Denmark to be the motherland of the breed.
Where did our favourite Great Dane come from? - READ MORE!