I read an article on the history of the Great Dane. "The Great Dane comes from the french word
Grand Donoise, or from the German words German Mastiff (
Deutsche Dogge), and Danish Hound
(Danischer Hund). The Great Dane is a common term for "
Apollo of all breeds". It is the tallest of the dog family, with the current record holder measuring 43 in from paw to shoulder, and 7.2 ft. from head to tail" (Great Dane. (n.d.) . In
Wikipedia. Retrieved July 7, 2010, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Dane)