A "gentle giant," the Great Dane is nothing short of majestic. Sometimes referred to as the "king of dogs," this
extremely large dog breed is known for being strong yet elegant, with a friendly, energetic personality. Striking in
the show ring, this breed is also popular as a family pet. Coat colors can be brindle, fawn, blue, black, harlequin and mantle.

Historians claim that there are drawings of dogs that resemble the Great Dane on Egyptian monuments from roughly
3000 B.C. The earliest written description of a dog resembling the breed can be found in Chinese literature of
1121 B.C. The origins of the Great Dane as we know it today can be traced to the Irish Wolfhound with mixture of old
English Mastiff. The breed was originally developed by the Germans to hunt boar, a ferocious animal. When no longer
used for hunting, the breed changed to one of a companion and estate guard dog.

~American Kennel Club