movies that he is portrayed as a Neapolitan Mastiff.
• The Pinkerton Series. In 2002 Steven Kellogg debuted his first illustrated story about Pinkerton, the Harlequin Great Dane—Pinkerton, BehaveI The series includes such titles as Prehistoric Pinkerton, A Penguin Pup, and A Rose for Pinkerton. Pinkerton is based on an actual Harlequin Great Dane that Kellogg owned.
• The Guardian (2004). Written by Nicholas Sparks, this is a suspenseful tale of a widow with a gift of a Great Dane from her late husband. When a suitor shows interest in the widow, the Great Dane senses danger and does his best to protect her.
• Return to Howliday Inn (2007). Part of the popular Bunnicula series by James Howe, this recent installment has the cat-and-dog detecting duo of Chester and Harold meet up with a Great Dane named Hamlet while solving another mystery.
They even pop up in music videos. Lady Gaga has featured Harlequin Great Danes in several of her music videos. Two of the Great Danes frequently used have been Lava (CH. PCH It’s What’s Shakin) and her son Rumpus (CH PCH Start the Commotion). A Harlequin Great Dane is also seen in Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” music video.
Great Danes have also proved to be great TV commercial icons. In 2007 a Harlequin Great Dane became official spokes-dog for Pergo (a flooring company), appearing in print and on TV. The dog was portrayed by Shine (registered name: CAN/UKC/INT Champion Morning Star’s Walkin’ on Sunshine), a Harlequin that had been painted to match the corporate logo. A few other nonpet-product companies using Great Danes have been Thomasville Furniture, Saturn, Hallmark, and Taco Bell.
Tall Tails
The Guinness Book of World Records is no stranger to Great Danes, as to date four have held big titles with them. Each one, interestingly enough, hails from the United States of America.
In 2004 an uncropped Harlequin Great Dane from California by the name of Gibson was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s Tallest Living Dog. Gibson was 42.2 inches tall at the top of his shoulder and weighed 170 pounds. In 2009 Gibson had a leg amputated because of bone cancer and, sadly, succumbed to the disease a few months later.
In 2009 another dog residing in California was awarded the Guinness Book of World Records title of world’s Tallest Living Dog. This was Titan, an uncropped White Great Dane who measured 42.25 inches at the top of his shoulder. This 190-pound rescued Great Dane was blind, deaf, and epileptic.
In 2010 an Arizona dog named Giant George became the title holder of the Guinness Book of World Records’ Tallest Living Dog. George did more than that, though; he was also certified as the Guinness Book of World Records Tallest Dog Ever. Giant George is an uncropped Blue Great Dane who weighs 245 pounds and stands 43 inches tall at the top of his shoulder.
In 2011 the Guinness Book of World Records added a new title, separating the world’s Tallest Living Dog category by sex. An Illinois-residing uncropped Mantle Great Dane bitch by the name of Nova was the first bestowed the title of world’s Tallest Living Female Dog. Nova measured in at 35.51 inches from the floor to the top of her shoulder and weighs 160 pounds.
A Great Dane Timeline
1749—French Naturalist Comte de Buffon begins publishing his Historie Naturalle. In the book he describes seeing a large, sleek Boarhound while visiting Denmark. He refers to it as “a Great Danish dog.”
1857—A printed record shows that a “Great Dane” dog is shipped from the United States to England.
1880—Breeders and judges in Berlin agree that a new breed is substantially different from the English Mastiffs and names it Deutsch Dogge (German Dog).
1887—The breed is recognized by the American Kennel Club, though it is initially called the German Mastiff.
1889—The Great Dane Club of America is formed, and becomes only the fourth breed club to become affiliated with the American Kennel Club (which had, itself, formed only five years previously).
1917—A lightly marked Brindle Great Dane called Keystone Teddy is a silent film star, possibly the first canine superstar.
1937—Just Nuisance, a Fawn Great Dane, is born and later becomes the first dog to be enlisted in the Royal Navy.
1954—Marmaduke, the Great Dane star of his own comic strip, debuts in newspapers across the country.
1965—The Great Dane is designated the official state dog of Pennsylvania.
1969—Scooby-Doo, an animated Great Dane, debuts on TV.
1980—CH Sterling’s Blue Lupine becomes the first uncropped (naturaleared) Blue AKC Champion Great Dane.
1999—The color Mantle is officially accepted by the AKC. That same year, CH Harlwood Dark Horse becomes the first Mantle AKC Champion Great Dane.
2004—Gibson, a Harlequin Great Dane, is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s “tallest living dog” at 42.2 inches. This begins a string of Great Danes holding the title. (For more See Chapter 10 “The Great Dane Standard.”)
2006—Multi-titled Sterling Lazy Days Chntly Lace becomes the first Great Dane to earn the title of AKC Obedience Trial Champion.
10 Questions People Ask About Great Danes
