The Great Dane is a German breed of domestic dog known for its giant size.The name of the breed in Germany is Deutsche Dogge (German Mastiff). They are known for their enormous bodies and great height. br br The Great Dane is one of the world's tallest dog breeds; the current world record holder, measuring 112 cm (44 in) from paw to shoulder, is "Zeus". Their large size belies their friendly nature, as Great Danes are known for seeking physical affection with their owners. br br Dogs resembling the Great Dane have been seen on Egyptian monuments dating back to 3,000 BC. br br Extremely large boarhounds resembling the Great Dane appear in ancient Greece; in frescoes from Tiryns dating back to 14th-13th centuries BC. The large boarhound or Molossian hound continues to appear throughout ancient Greece in subsequent centuries right up to the Hellenistic era. The Molossian hound, the Suliot dog and specific imports from Greece were used in the 18th century to increase the stature of the boarhounds in Austria and Germany and the wolfhounds in Ireland. br br Audio Credit: br "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod br Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.