Editing Great Dane (section)

== History ==

In the sixteenth century the nobility in many countries of Europe imported strong, long-legged dogs of different sizes and [[phenotype]]s, some of [[mastiff]] or [[greyhound]] type, from England and Ireland.<ref name="Beckmann S 6">Ludwig Beckmann (1895). [https://archive.org/stream/geschichteundbes02beck#page/6/mode/2up ''Geschichte und Beschreibung der Rassen des Hundes''], Volume 1, p. 6 (in German)</ref> These dogs were called ''Englische Docke'' or ''Englische Tocke'' – later written and spelled: ''Dogge'' – or ''Englischer Hund'' in Germany. The name simply meant "English dog". Since then, the English word "dog" has come to be associated with a molossoid dog in Germany<ref>The German standard term for "dog" is ''Hund''; the term ''Dogge'' is only in use for dogs of the mastiff type.</ref> and France.<ref>The French standard term for "dog" is ''chien''; the term ''dogue'' is only used for dogs of the mastiff type.</ref> These dogs were bred in the courts of German nobility, independent of the English methods, since the start of the 17th century.<ref name="Beckmann S 7">Ludwig Beckmann. ''[https://archive.org/stream/geschichteundbes02beck#page/7/mode/2up Geschichte und Beschreibung der Rassen des Hundes]'', Volume 1, 1895, p. 7 (German)</ref><ref>Johann Täntzer. "Von den Englischen Hunden" ["On the English dogs"]. In ''Jagdbuch oder der Dianen hohe und niedrige Jagdgeheimnisse'' [''Hunting-book, or Diana's high and low hunting secrets''], Copenhagen, 1682 (in German): {{Lang|de|"Jetziger Zeit werden solche Hunde jung an Herrenhöfen erzogen, und gar nicht aus England geholet."}} English translation: "Today such dogs are bred at noblemen's courts, and not at all obtained from England." Cited in Ludwig Beckmann (1895). ''Geschichte und Beschreibung der Rassen des Hundes'' [''History and description of the breeds of dogs''], Vol. 1, p. 7</ref>

The dogs were used for hunting [[Brown bear|bear]], [[Wild boar|boar]], and [[Red deer|deer]] at princely courts, with the favorites staying in the bedchambers of their lords at night. These ''Kammerhunde'' (chamber dogs) were outfitted with ornate collars, and helped to protect the sleeping princes from assassins.<ref>Johann Täntzer (1682). "Von den Englischen Hunden" ["On the English dogs"]. In ''Jagdbuch oder der Dianen hohe und niedrige Jagdgeheimnisse'' [''Hunting-book, or, Diana's high and low hunting secrets''], Copenhagen. Cited in Ludwig Beckmann (1895). ''Geschichte und Beschreibung der Rassen des Hundes'' [''History and description of the breeds of dogs''], Volume 1, 1895, p. 9</ref><ref>Johann Friedrich von Flemming (1719). "Von denen Englischen Docken" ["On the English mastiffs"]. ''[http://diglib.hab.de/drucke/oe-4f-16-1b/start.htm?image=00289 Der vollkommene teutsche Jäger]'' [''The complete German hunter'']. Leipzig. Volume 1, p. 169. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006181745/http://diglib.hab.de/drucke/oe-4f-16-1b/start.htm?image=00289 |date=6 October 2014 }}. "...&nbsp;such a chamber-hound is mostly put about with a strong leather collar covered with green velvet, on which there are silver letters or the master's name or arms. ... Such body-dogs are also assigned beautiful collars of red or green plush with brass letters."</ref>

While hunting boar or bears, the ''Englische Dogge'' was a [[catch dog]] used after the other [[hunting dogs]] to seize the bear or boar and hold it in place until the huntsman was able to kill it. When the hunting customs changed, particularly because of the use of firearms, many of the involved dog types disappeared. The ''Englische Dogge'' became rare, and was kept only as a dog of hobby or luxury.

=== Name change ===
In 1878, a committee was formed in Berlin which changed the name of the "Englische Dogge" (English mastiff derivatives) to "Deutsche Dogge" (German mastiff), this being the Great Dane. This laid the foundations from which the breed was developed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/235g02-en.pdf|title=FCI Breed Standard Great Dane 2012|access-date=15 January 2015|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006071603/http://www.fci.be/nomenclature/Standards/235g02-en.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 19th century, the dog was known as a "German boarhound" in English-speaking countries.<ref>S. William Haas (2003). ''Great Dane: A Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog'' (Series: ''Comprehensive Owner's Guide''), Kennel Club Books, 2003, p. 13</ref> Some German breeders tried to introduce the names "German Dogge" and "German Mastiff" on the English market, because they believed the breed should be marketed as a dog of luxury and not as a working dog.<ref name="Beckmann S 7"/> However, due to the increasing Geopolitical tensions between Germany and France and Britain, the dog later became referred to as a "Great Dane", a literal translation from the new name given to it by the French, ''Grand Danois'',<ref>{{Cite book |entry=Le Grande Danois |entry-url=http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b23002520/f29.item |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222195730/http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b23002520/f29.item |title=Illustrations de Histoire naturelle générale et particulière avec la description du cabinet du roy |volume=5 |at=Pl. XXVI; p. 300 |author=Sève, Jacques de |author2=Buvée |author3=Lottré |author4=Tardieu, Pierre François |author5=Baquoy, Jean-Charles |author6=Moitte, Pierre-Étienne |author7=Leclerc, Georges-Louis |date=1755 |location=Paris |publisher=L'Imprimerie Royale |archive-date=22 February 2015 |url-status=live|via=Gallica |language=fr}}</ref> even though the breed has no known connection to Denmark.  In Germany, it remains known as "Deutsche Dogge."<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |date=2023-04-28 |entry=Great Dane |entry-url=https://www.britannica.com/animal/Great-Dane |access-date=2023-06-15 |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> In the Scandinavian languages, the French name and pronunciation are used.

In the late nineteenth century the dogs were sometimes known as [[Reichshund]] ('Empire dog') because of their association with the ''[[Reichskanzler]]'', [[Otto von Bismarck]].{{r|otto|p=377}}

<gallery widths="200px" heights="160px">
File:Johann Christof Merck - Ulmer Dogge - WGA15061.jpg|A "chamber dog" with a gilded collar, [[Brandenburg]] (Germany), 1705
File:1879 GreatDane Nero.jpg|Great Dane from 1879
File:Hannibal and Princess, Doggen Hessen-Kassel, Boar Hounds, 1807 Chalons.xcf|"Boar hounds" imported into Great Britain from the German [[Electorate of Hesse]], 1807
</gallery>