Great Dane (English spelling)

Japanese: グレート･デーン[種]（英語表記）Great Dane

A domestic dog originating from Germany. A descendant of the mastiff, it was used in old times to hunt wild boars, and was improved for hunting ability by mixing the blood of the Irish wolfhound and the blood of the greyhound for speed. At the time, it was said to be brave, agile, and powerful, often taking down wild boars on its own. Since hunting ceased, it has been bred to retain its robust, large physique while being gentle and docile. It is well known that the German Chancellor Bismarck kept this dog on his lap as a guardian dog.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

原産地がドイツの家庭犬。マスチフの子孫で，古くはどうもうなイノシシ猟に活躍し，猟性能の点はアイリッシュ･ウルフハウンドの，スピードの点はグレーハウンドの血液を混ぜて改良されたという。当時は勇猛敏しょうで力強く，単独でもよくイノシシを倒したと伝えられる。狩猟が行われなくなって以来，頑強で巨大な体軀（たいく）を残し，温和で柔順な性格に育種改良された。ドイツの宰相ビスマルクがこのイヌを護身犬としてひざもとにおいた話は有名。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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