No, we’re not talking about the unspeakably fattening treat at the right. We’re writing about the name of a breed that’s a translation of an old French designation, “grand Danois,” which means “big Danish.” Most cynologists still aren’t entirely certain why the English adopted the name, “Great Dane,” for the breed we all know and love, particularly when at the same time, the French were calling the breed “dogue allemande” or German Mastiff. Speculation remains about why the breed was connected with Denmark when it was all German, though some believe the origin of this name lies with Comte de Buffon, a French naturalist who blamed Danish weather for making dogs he thought resembled Greyhounds grow to be a “great” Danish (dog). 

At the end of the day, and by whatever name, this is an elegant, distinguished (if not goofy with his family) dog who truly is the Apollo of Dogs.

Image: “Sir Oliver” by Kimberly Santini
www.paintingadogaday.com
www.facebook.com/KimberlyKellySantini)
http://paintingadogaday.blogspot.com