Also, they were originally used to hunt lions. I would think that, that would make them a strong, assertive personality type dog.
As for Great Danes, since you have had them you probably know that they are big, but they are actually "gentle giants". I wouldn't put a Ridgeback in the same category.
Yeah, this pup is anything but aloof. And you are right about Danes. They are gentle giants, but attack their master or their master’s kids and you will discover they have more ‘assertiveness’ than you would expect.