Originally bred for hunting large game (deer and so on), these dogs are now kept as pets and for show. Great Danes, like most giant dogs, have a fairly slow metabolism. This results in less energy and less food consumption per pound of dog than in small breeds.
There are six show-acceptable coat colors for Great Danes.
- Fawn: Light tan coat, possibly with a black mask.
- Brindle: Deep brown and black in a chevron stripe pattern. Often also referred to as a tiger-stripe pattern.
- Blue: Deep grey with a bluish tinge. Reminiscent of Weimaraners.
- Black: Pure jet black.
- Harlequin: Torn black patches on white. The Great Dane is the only dog breed that shows this particular coat color pattern. (Dalmatians have round black spots.)
- Mantle: Black coat and mask on white. Looks like the markings on Boston Terriers.
Other colors occur occasionally but are not acceptable in the show ring. Because they are not valid for show dogs, they are not pursued by breeders. These colors include white, fawnequin, merle, merlequin, fawn mantle, and others. These are sometimes advertised as "rare" colors to unsuspecting buyers. Any coat that includes "mouse grey" is disqualified from show.
Cropping of the ears is common in the United States and much less common in Europe.
Great Danes have some health problems that are common to large breeds. Bloat (a painful distending and twisting of the stomach) is the primary cause of death in Great Danes. It is a commonly recommended practice for Great Danes to have their stomachs tacked to the body wall during routine surgery such as spay/neuter. Another problem common to the breed is in the hips (hip dysplasia). Typically an x-ray of the parents can certify whether their hips are healthy and whether they are likely to have healthy pups.
Great Danes also suffer from several genetic disorders that are specific to the breed. For example if a Great Dane lacks color (not white) near its eyes or ears then that organ does not develop and the dog will be either blind or deaf.