Page 99 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

WORKING DOGS

Great Dane A HERO NAMED

SCOOBY DOO

HEIGHT WEIGHT LIFE SPAN Blue The cartoon dog Scooby Doo is the hero of
28–30in 101–120lb Under Black a long-running TV series created by Hanna-
(71–76cm) (46–54kg) 10 years Brindle Barbera. His creator, artist Iwao Takamoto,
was inspired by a woman he knew who bred
Great Danes. After she had described to him
A colossal but gentle and affectionate family pet, this dog
the ideal pedigree dog, Takamoto comically
is easy to maintain but needs plenty of room distorted these features to create a gangling,
chicken-hearted character with a dopey face.
Yet despite being frightened of everything,
Sometimes called “the Apollo of dogs” Guinness World Record for being the tallest
Scooby Doo and his hapless human friend
after the Greek god, the Great Dane exhibits dog in the world. The record holder in 2012,
Shaggy (below) rescue their friends and defeat
elegance and dignity with tall stature, to a dog named Zeus, was measured at 3ft 8in
villains, triumphing every time!
make for a truly impressive animal. In fact, (1.12m) from the ground to his withers—
dogs resembling the Great Dane can be seen the same height as a child’s pony.
in ancient Egyptian and ancient Greek art. Despite its imposing appearance, the
The modern breed first appeared in the 18th easy-going Great Dane is a gentle giant,
century in Germany—not Denmark, as its usually friendly toward people and other
name suggests—where it was developed animals. These dogs need a lot of human
to hunt bear and wild boar. The original company, and can be costly to keep, but are
German boarhounds, thought to have been rewarding family pets. They are content to
a mixture of mastiff-type dogs and Irish be house dogs, provided there is enough
Wolfhounds, were crossed with Greyhounds space for them to move around freely and lie
to create a tall, agile, long-striding dog, comfortably. They are also effective guard
with the speed and strength to bring dogs. The Great Dane needs plenty of
down large quarry. exercise, but young pups should not be
Great Danes are one allowed to run around too
of the tallest of all dog much—their fast-
breeds, and several growing bones cannot
individuals have held the cope with the strain. Triangular,
drop ears

Long, arched neck
PUPPY with no loose skin Broad muzzle
Deep, long Dark shading
body on head
and ears

Harlequin

Slightly
tucked-up belly

Straight
Fawn forelegs

Catlike feet

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