One of the largest dog breeds is the Great Dane. A Black Great Dane can be difficult to come by. However, if you own one or have met one, you probably know that they are affectionate and intelligent companions.
Many Great Danes have multiple colors, including black and tan, or even black and white. Black Great Danes are harder to come by and have some differences from other Great Danes.
About the Black Great Dane
The Black Great Dane is one of the larger types of Great Danes. It holds the world record for the largest dog, measuring over seven feet long.
The breed originated in Germany, known as the Deutsche Dogge or the German Mastiff. They are a strong, short-haired breed used as hunting dogs. Because of their loving nature, they are often brought into families in need of a guard dog that can be gentle and sweet.
Black Great Danes normally live up to 7 to 8 years and can weigh up to 120 pounds. They have a tendency to drool because of their long snouts and require about 30 minutes of exercise a day.
They need a great deal of socializing and attention throughout the day. However, their grooming needs are relatively low.
Since they are such a large breed, the Black Great Dane was used specifically for boar hunting. Because of their naturally floppy ears, this made hunting quite difficult as they were subject to tears in their ears. This started the habit of cropping the dog’s ears to avoid this issue and has since been a common habit among Great Dane breeders.
Finding one that has a completely black coat may be quite difficult. While having an all-black Great Dane may be preferred, most of them have other colored spots or blotches. These spots may be white, brown, or blue colored dots.
The Black Great Dane Puppy
Training your puppy is the best way to build trust and companionship with them. Since they are territorial and guard dogs, forming an everlasting friendship with a Black Great Dane is important for them to maintain their instinctual habits.
For their first few months in your home, a it should have at least three meals a day. Once they reach past five months old, you can feed them two meals a day, as you would while they are adults. It is important to never feed them only one meal a day, as they are large dogs and require at least two.
Because of their large size, a puppy needs obedience training. This should start when they are 6 to 8 weeks old. This is all done through patience, positive reinforcement, and at times using a crate to aid with training.
A Black Great Dane puppy should also regularly socialize with other animals, dogs, and children. This allows the dog to become completely adjusted so they do not become aggressive and antisocial. It will also help them become adult dogs that can handle almost any situation and can behave properly around smaller dogs and animals.
If you happen to adopt an older Black Great Dane, training is still possible. It is important to socialize them in a proper and controlled environment. You should also have patience while training them, as the process may take longer than training a puppy.
Do All Black Great Danes Have Cropped Ears?
Depending on the breeder, you will most likely end up adopting your Black Great Dane with cropped ears. Since they were bred to be hunting dogs, this is traditionally what is done. Many owners in the modern day still choose to keep the traditional look of the breed with cropped ears.
If you feel that this is not something that you generally care about or would rather have your dog’s ears intact, you can make sure this happens. It is important to find a breeder that you can communicate with about your preferences for the dog you will adopt.
Let the breeder know not to crop the puppy’s ears and to keep them intact. The ears will grow tall and fall, becoming floppy, similar to a Beagle.
Are There Black Great Danes With Mixed Coat Colors?
Most Black Great Danes never have a completely black coat. Their coat will normally have white, brown, or other colors. While they will have small colored spots on their chest or other places, there are mixed coats that are far more noticeable than a traditional black-coated Great Dane.
Black and White Great Danes
The Black and White Great Dane has a short-haired coat with black and white spots. They have an easy-going demeanor and are great family dogs.
A Great Dane of this combination is also known as the Harlequin Great Dane. While they have a beautiful coat, this type of Great Dane is susceptible to blindness and deafness just like a Dalmatian.
Black and Grey Great Dane
The Black and Grey Great Dane was only recently recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2018 as an official Great Dane color. The coat is similar to a Harlequin Great Dane. However, the coat is a greyish blue with black spots.
Great Danes of this coat are also known as the Merle Great Dane. They have a similar temperament to other Great Danes and do not necessarily develop any health problems.
Black and Brown Great Dane
Two types of Great Danes have black and brown coats. The Brindle Great Dane is a brown Great Dane with stripes. They will also have several colors, including black, gray and red.
The most famous Great Dane is the Fawn Great Dane. They have a brown coat with a black snout, ears, and legs. Scooby Doo is the most famous Fawn Great Dane, which led to their popularity.
Just like any other Great Dane, the Brindle and Fawn both have easy-going temperaments and do not have any notable health issues.
Popular Black Great Dane Mixes
Many people also adopt Black Great Danes, which are bred with a similar large breed. These mixes can lead to a smaller Great Dane that also has the positive traits of another breed.
Black Lab Great Dane Mix
Also known as the “Labradane”, the Labrador Retriever and Black Great Dane mix is a popular crossbreed. Just like a standard Black Great Dane, the Labradane has an easy-going temperament and low grooming needs. They also do great with children.
They can be up to 2 feet tall or even reach up to 3 feet tall. The Labradanes also have naturally floppy ears and can be quite energetic. However, they do have a tendency to suffer from separation anxiety, so it is important that you can be home as much as possible with them.
Black Great Dane German Shepherd Mix
Known as one of the largest crossbreeds in the world, the Black Great Dane German Shepherd mix is quite a popular mix. They are also known as the “Great Shepherd” or “Dane Shepherd”. They also have grooming needs similar to a Black Great Dane, so they will not require the same care as a German Shepherd.
While they are quite large, reaching nearly 3 feet tall, they are known as lovable and friendly pets. They are also great guard dogs. However, they may take a while to warm up to new people or friends that come to visit your home.
Black Great Dane Pitbull Mix
The Great Dane Pitbull mix or the “Great Danebull” is a popular mix. When combining the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Black Great Dane, you will own a dog that is friendly, devoted, and energetic.
While they are extra large dogs, they are slightly smaller than traditional as they will only reach a little over 2 feet in size. They will have the Pit Bull’s muscles and the Great Dane’s build. Since they are both short-haired dogs, the Great Danebull will have low grooming maintenance.
Popular Black Great Dane Names
When it comes to naming your Black Great Dane, it may be quite a daunting task. Most dog names are based on the dog’s personality, breed, and appearance.
If they are a more extroverted dog, you may want to give them a that suits their friendliness, and vice versa. You can also pick names based on the gender of your large furry friend.
For a females, there are popular names such as:
- Dakota
- Pixie
- Hazel
- Maxi
- Storm
- Bear
- River
- Blossom
- Poppy
- Sky
- Sierra
When it comes to male Black Great Danes, there are many popular picks, such as the following:
- Rocky
- Max
- Moose
- Thunder
- Bear
- Pluto
- Bruno
- Duke
- Goliath
- King
- Champ
There are an endless number of possibilities when it comes to naming your gentle giant. Some names are more suited for one dog than they would the other. It is all dependent on their temperament and appearance.
How Much Do Black Great Danes Cost?
Adopting a Black Great Dane puppy can be quite expensive. On average, a puppy may cost 1,000 to 3,000 dollars. When it comes to the yearly cost of vet visits, food, treats, toys, and accessories, the yearly cost of a Great Dane can be on average $2,000 or more.
When adopting a puppy, there will also be an additional cost if you need help with training. You will also notice that dog boarding can be quite expensive if you prefer to board your dog while at work or on vacation.
While these breeds may be quite costly, having a friendly, lovable companion of a Black Great Dane is well worth it.