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There are some breeds that are instantly recognizable. The Great Dane is one of those: its powerful, yet never clumsy, form makes it the target of much admiration. Of course, it's more than the Dane's robust build that makes it so easy to spot; it's the natural bearing that it carries. This dog has been called the "Apollo" of all breeds, and with good reason.

Its origins date back to 3,000 BC, where drawings found on Egyptian monuments depict Dane-like dogs. And then, in 2,000 BC, Babylonian artifacts were discovered, some including drawings on soldiers using the dogs. The term "Apollo", however, reflects the Greek use of the animals. Coins dating back to 36 BC have been found, inscribed with the Dane's image. It is commonly believed the Great Dane was used in arena blood sports, due to its size and power.

Throughout history, this massive dog was breed for battle and the hunt. Today, we would find that strange since the Dane is considered one of the gentlest breeds, but it was not always so. In 407 AD, an Asiatic race called the Alans invaded parts of Italy, Spain and Germany, using these dogs in battle. During the 15th and 16th century, they were use to hunt boar, bear and other large prey.

It is during this time that the breed seen today was started. In Germany, the Dane was admired for its abilities and selective breeding began. Crossing its larger frame (from Tibetan Mastiff decent) with the more slender build of an Irish Wolfhound, the Great Dane of today was formed.

The name "Dane" came from French Naturalist Comte de Buffon. In the 1700's, he traveled to Denmark, found a breed similar, but more slender, and called it a 'Grand Danois', Great Danish Dog.

After that, the name stuck.

The Great Dane is known, today, not for its battle skills, but for its temperament. Its large head and powerful frame could deceive anyone into believing this dog to be a modern monster. This is not true, however. The Great Dane is a gentle giant, a protective, but never aggressive, animal. Recognized for their loyalty and calm natures, this is a breed ideal for families. The Dane is devoted to his "clan" and takes well to training. Also, he is a patient fellow, perfect for children. However, standing between 28 to 34 inches and weighing between 100 to 200 pounds, the Dane is still intimidating to ward off any problems. If he senses danger toward his family, he will become protective.

At a glance, the Great Dane seems to be the perfect pet, and he may be... for some. Before choosing to own a Great Dane, you must understand the disadvantages. While that powerful frame may make an excellent protector, it will also take up massive amounts of space. And, since the Dane--affectionate thing that he is--needs to be with you, simply locking him outside is not going to work. Another aspect of the breed that you must realize is the need for exercise. This is a dog that, if not given sufficient play, will suffer bloat or other medical complications. They need, at least, a long walk during the day. More is recommended. Many families do not have the time to spend exercising their pet. Or, the extra money to feed it. While this breed is usually slimmer, dogs still eat between three and six cups of food a day. Some families may not be able to afford that, along with just the basic expenses that come with having a larger dog. And the greatest disadvantage to owning a Great Dane--or any larger breed--is that they don't live as long. The typical life span is eight to ten years.

Before purchasing any breed, you must be certain that it is more than just the one you want: it's the one you can handle. Never select a puppy because it's "cute" or because a friend owns one and swears by it. Each family has different needs and some breeds won't fulfill them.

Owning a Great Dane can be a wonderful experience, if you have the time to devote to it. Consider this before bringing one of these gentle giants into your home.

Richard Cussons is a champion for dogs of all breeds and Great Danes in particular. You can find out more about Great Danes at http://www.greatdanesavvy.com/.

While Im a strong advocate of hiring virtual assistants, there are two things that no entrepreneur should ever fully delegate: marketing and bookkeeping. The marketing and the bookkeeping of your business can easily make or break you (just think new Coke and Enron). That said, if bookkeeping is not your forte, hire someone to do it you will save so much in frustration just be sure to keep your fingers in the books.

If you choose to hire a bookkeeper, keep the following in mind:

1. Get QuickBooks.

For ease of use, I highly recommend using QuickBooks and hiring a QuickBooks ProAdvisor. QuickBooks ProAdvisors have taken certification exams to insure that they know the system. I have used QuickBooks both for myself and my clients since 1996 and highly recommend it for its ease of use/understanding.

The online version is great in that you can see the latest version of your books at any time and eliminate the annoyance of emailing files back and forth and wondering who has the latest version.

2. She must see both the forest AND the trees.

You want your bookkeeper to be detail-oriented AND to see/understand the big picture. She needs to know what happens consistently every month and update your books without bothering you for items she should know about.

At the same time, she needs to be astute enough to see the larger picture and warn you of any impending problems before they happen. If you purchase a piece of equipment, she should know how to properly enter it into your bookkeeping software to avoid problems and therefore save time and money with your accountant (and the IRS) later on.

3. She must know your industry.

You dont want to have to train your bookkeeper on your industry language, standard industry income or expense categories or other basics. The more up-to-speed she is, the faster she can hit the ground running and the sooner you will have good data. If she doesnt know your industry however, be sure to give her a rundown of lingo and how you refer to your customers/clients/tenants in order for you to get the most meaningful reports out of the gate.

4. She must provide timely reporting.

In hiring your bookkeeper, insure that you put in a provision for when you want to see monthly financials. The date will depend on when your bank month ends give her a few days after that date to reconcile your accounts and produce reports. At a minimum, you want to see a profit & loss, balance sheet and cash flow statement.

Take the time to review the reports so you can spot any irregularities before they blossom into problems. Not sure how to read a cash flow statement? Get a check/electronic funds transfer (eft or auto debit) transaction detail instead. It will help you see where the cash is going.

5. She must know accounting terms and still speak English.

Your bookkeeper needs to know the difference between assets, liabilities, income, expenses and equity and be able to provide your accountant with the necessary data upon request. At the same time however, if you are not numbers oriented, she also needs to be able to explain the financial statements to you in plain English.

6. She must be trustworthy.

Hiring someone to keep track of your bookkeeping requires a level of trust between you both. You need to feel comfortable that she will keep track of your information and maintain your confidentiality. At the same time, if she pays your bills and has access to your bank accounts, you must also trust that she will not abuse that privilege. And make no mistake, it is a privilege to have someone (particularly in a virtual relationship) trust you with their finances, their checkbook and their business.

Good business sense demands that you protect yourself just in case. I highly recommend that, in addition to a confidentiality agreement, you insure that your bookkeeper is bonded and you get a copy of that bond.

7. She must have great communication skills.

If your bookkeeper will be communicating with your clients and vendors, she must represent your business as you would. Whether virtual or in-house, its critical that your bookkeeper be a positive force that further enhances relationships. The question of money can, at times, be a sensitive matter. You need someone who recognizes that and communicates appropriately.

Always remember these are your books and this is your business. While you may hire someone to manage the details of tracking your finances, and should do so if this is not one of your strengths, the ultimate responsibility for oversight is yours. Michael E. Gerber of the E-myth series said it best: Delegate, dont abdicate.

Copyright 2006 Sandra P. Martini

Sandra P. Martini