Blue Great Dane: Info, Pictures, Interesting Facts & More

History:

Also known as the Apollo of dogs, the Great Dane is a massive breed. The Dane is of German origin, not Danish. The breed is believed to have existed for more than 400 years. Great Danes are descended from mastiff-like dogs bred by German nobility to protect estates and hunt wild boar.

In the 18th century, the mastiffs were respected guardians of estates and carriages. They were also prized by the upper classes as sporting dogs, as few other dogs could take down a wild boar.

Great Danes, more similar to those we know today, were developed in the 1800s. In 1880, the Germans banned the name “Deutsche Dogge” and named the breed “Deutsche Dogge”, which means Great Dane dog; however, in English-speaking countries, the breed continues to be called the “Great Dane”.

These dogs are primarily pets and, despite their size, are popular with city dwellers who keep them to protect against burglars.

Generally considered to be the gentle giant of the dog world, Great Danes have long been a favorite breed for those looking for an extra-large dog without the hassle and aggression that can come with some other giant breeds.

Playful, loyal, and extremely gentle with children, provided that you have both the room and budget to look after them, Great Danes can make for excellent family pets and companion dogs.

In this article, we take a close look at a popular yet rare variety of the breed, the blue Great Dane. If you are after more information about the breed in general, you can find it in our comprehensive Great Dane breed guide.

Blue Great Dane Puppies – Before You Welcome One Into Your Family.

Great Danes can come in several colors, including fawn, brindle, black, harlequin, mantle, merle, and of course, blue black.

Of all these colors, harlequin and blue are the two least common and the most difficult to predict and subsequently breed. Yet, it is the blue Great Dane that most captures the attention of many fanciers of the breed.

Despite suggestions to the contrary, blue Danes are the same dog as any other colored Great Danes. Their rare blue coat is simply the result of breeding two dogs that carry a recessive blue gene in their DNA. Without going too far into the technicalities of dog genetics, dogs, like humans, get half of their DNA makeup from each of their parents.

So, for a blue Great Dane to be conceived and subsequently born, both of its parents need to have a recessive blue gene that they can pass on to their offspring, and only those offspring that get two recessive genes will be blue. Thus, even with two parents that carry the recessive blue gene, it is highly likely that most of their offspring will be another more common color, and there is only a 25% chance of them producing any blue offspring.

However, genetics can be a little tricky, and things can get even more unpredictable, as a dog’s color isn’t entirely determined by one single gene. Thus, even breeding from two blue Great Danes doesn’t always guarantee that the resulting puppies will be blue.

RELATED: Maltipoo Full Grown (Size, Weight, Age)

Great Dane Temperament

The Great Dane is certainly one of the tamest and most good-natured dog breeds known today. They are friendly and sweet and, despite their impressive size, are very good with children. These gentle giants are very quiet around younger children, especially if they’ve known them as puppies, and the only problem might be their intimidating size. They are easy to train because they love to please their human. You are very people-oriented and will gladly accept the affection of anyone, known or unknown.

However, if they believe one of their owners is in danger, they can become protectors. How well the Great Dane tolerates other pets depends on the individual. In some rare cases, they don’t get along well with other animals, but with proper socialization and time to adjust, most of these dogs get along well with other pets. They are not known for being vocal, but they do have a powerful bark and will wholeheartedly defend every member of their family.

Despite their enormous size, these cute dogs want to be so close to their owner that they consider themselves lap dogs and won’t hesitate to jump into your arms. They are intelligent and respond well and quickly to training.

3 Little-Known Facts About Blue Great Danes

characteristics blue Great Dane

1. They come in several shades of blue.

Blue Great Danes come in several different shades, including charcoal blue, steel blue, slate, and a pale-bluish color. In some cases, blue Great Danes can be born with blue eyes, but this isn’t always the case.

However, of all the shades, it is the steel-blue Great Dane that is the most sought-after, as it is the only blue-colored Great Dane that meets the accepted breed standard.

2. Their color does not affect their temperament.

No, the color has nothing to do with the temperament of a Great Dane.

A Great Dane’s temperament depends on how the dog was raised if they have been properly socialized, how its owners treat them, and if they get enough human attention and exercise.

Of course, some aspects of their temperament are also inherited from their parents. However, the genetics that determines a dog’s temperament has nothing to do with the genes that determine its color.

3. Some Blue Great Danes have chest markings.

While a blue coat is inherently rare, these dogs occasionally have colored markings on their chests, making them twice as rare. If you happen to find a Blue Great Dane with patterns like this, you’ll know you’ve discovered a unique treasure!

RELATED: White German Shepherd: Cost, Rarity, Temperament, and More!

What you should know as a Blue Great Dane owner

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

There are a few things to consider when choosing the food and feeding plan for your Blue Great Dane. Although the dietary requirements for Great Danes are the same as for all other dogs, you must ensure that food intake is controlled to avoid weight or orthopedic issues given they are such a large breed. Even so, Blue Great Danes manage to consume about 10 cups of quality dog food a day!

Exercise 🐕.

The general rule of thumb is the larger the dog, the more exercise it needs. This does not apply to Blue Great Dane! They are, in fact, content to live in a smaller space as long as they can run, play, and stretch their legs, joints, and muscles for at least 30 minutes a day.

Training 🦮

These gentle giants are very trainable, but it’s important to start your training program while you’re a puppy. As they grow, their imposing stature can be a hindrance when trying to make rules.

Grooming ✂️

Additionally, there is no difference in the amount of grooming a Great Dane requires compared to other Blue Danes. Regular brushing, clipping of nails, and brushing of teeth are the only elements to consider when grooming.

Health and Conditions ❤️

A dog’s coat color is known to affect the risk of congenital deafness, and dogs with white or light-colored coats are more prone to genetic hearing problems and deafness than those with darker-colored coats. This is because the gene that determines coat color is linked to the gene that can lead to congenital deafness in dogs.

However, Blue Great Danes are no more prone to congenital deafness or other hereditary diseases than any other Great Dane colour.

conclusion

Blue Great Danes require the same love and attention that you would give any Great Dane. They are exceedingly beautiful dogs, and it’s easy to see why the Blue Great Dane is so popular.

black great dane
black great danes
fawn blue
giant the great dane