Kellys Danes
Specalizing In Quality A.K.C. BLUES
Breed Description
Great Dane
The Great Dane is great big in size, heart and nobility. Ignore the latter part of the name, though. This giant breed is not of Danish origin but was developed in Germany, where it was used to hunt big game, patrol estates and as a war dog. Today, the Dane is a dependable, even-tempered breed that is nicknamed the Apollo of dogs because of its handsome outline and aristocratic bearing. Males measure 30 inches or more at the shoulder, females about 2 inches less; thus, they are best suited to a large home with a yard. The short, smooth coat may be brindle, fawn, blue, black or harlequin (white with black patches). Weekly brushing keeps it in shape. High-set ears may be cropped to a point or natural, in which case they fold about on a level with the skull. Danes are slow to mature and have special nutritional needs during the critical growing months. They enjoy a run outdoors but should never be exercised strenuously immediately after feeding. The breed adapts well to city or country living. Great Danes enjoy children, but they can inadvertently step on or knock over a toddler, so supervision is important. They make excellent watchdogs, their size and deep bark capable of scaring off the most determined intruder.
National Breed Club:
Great Dane Club of America
Breed Rescue:
Great Dane Rescue, Inc.
Ready for a Great Dane puppy?
Find out what to expect from a puppy in the Working Group
 The Great Dane is not from Denmark, as the name implies, but was bred in Germany to hunt wild boar and, in fact, its German name is "Deutsche Dogge," meaning "German Mastiff." Dogs resembling the Great Dane, however, were described in Chinese literature as early as the 12th century BC!
Many people think it would be fun to own a big dog. However, remember that most books on Great Danes caution that with a big dog comes big responsibility. This is true. Puppy mischief that may be tolerable with smaller breeds, such as digging and chewing, take on a whole different picture with a 100-lb puppy. And as with all giant breeds, your Dane will be a puppy until he is at least three years of age. The Great Dane does not bark much yet makes an excellent watchdog. He only becomes aggressive if circumstances require and his size alone deters most unwanted visitors. Although not extremely active indoors, he must have long daily walks and preferably a large yard to romp in.
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Growth Chart
At best, This height and weight chart should be just a rule of thumb guide. Genetics and nutrition play the most important roles in the growth rate of a Great Dane. All Danes fed adequately will eventually reach their genetically predispositioned height & weight. Please don't feel you need to own the biggest dane around. When listening to some folks, don't forget that most people exagerate the size of their pup or adult dane when measuring & telling others
| Birth weight | 1 - 2 lbs. |
| Week 1 | 2 - 3 lbs. |
| Week 2 | 3 - 5 lbs. |
| Week 3 | 4 - 7 lbs. |
| Week 4 | 5 - 8 lbs. |
| Week 6 | 12 - 20 lbs. |
| 2 Months | 18 - 27 lbs Height 13"-17" |
| 3 Months | 30 - 45 lbs Height 17"-22" |
| 4 Months | 50 - 65 lbs Height 21"-25" |
| 5 Months | 65 - 85 lbs Height 25"-30" |
| 6 Months | 70 - 100 lbs Height 27"-32" |
| 7 Months | 75 - 110 lbs Height 27"-33" |
| 8 Months | 80 - 115 lbs Height 27"-34" |
| 9 Months | 85 - 120 lbs Height 28"-34" |
| 1 year | 90 - 135 lbs Height 28"-36" |
| 18 months - 2yrs - Adult | 100 - 190 lbs Height 28"-38" |
| Typical Dogs | 140 - 170 lbs. Height 33"-36" |
| Typical Bitches | 110 - 140 lbs. Height 30"-33" |
The Great Dane Standard requires adult Dogs to be 30" and until the weight requirement was removed - the weight called for 120lbs.
Adult Bitch requirement is 28" with weight at: 100lbs.
The standard is more accepting of true balance in the danes weight and height.
Common Health Problems
COMMON GREAT DANE HEALTH PROBLEMS
The most negative aspect of the breed is a short life span, typically about 7 to 10 years. Great Danes are predisposed to certain health problems such as gastric torsion (bloat), certain types of cancer, and heart problems. Puppies and young adults can develop certain growing or bone problems which are sometimes associated with an improper diet, often a diet too high in protein, calcium or supplements.
BLOAT: The number one killer of great danes.. Certain deeo-chested breeds in particular, the stomach distends, then has a tendency to rotate, which cuts off the blood supply to various parts of the body, as well as effectively shutting down digestion.This condidition is extremely painful as well as a true emergency that is rapidly life threatening. A dog with a bloated,twisted stomach will die in great pain in a matter of hours unless drastic steps are taken:Sugery is normally necessary. The reasons for this is not currently unterstood,however most would agree that feeding multiple small meals per day,feeding from an elevated food container and preventing vigorous exersie around mealtimes can help reduce the chances of bloat.
HIP DYSPLASIA: To understand what hip dysplasia really is we must have a basic understanding of the joint that is being affected. The hip joint forms the attachment of the hind leg to the body and is a ball and socket joint. The ball portion is the head of the femur while the socket (acetabulum) is located on the pelvis. In a normal joint the ball rotates freely within the socket. To facilitate movement the bones are shaped to perfectly match each other, with the socket surrounding the ball. To strengthen the joint, the two bones are held together by a ligament. The ligament attaches the femoral head directly to the acetabulum. Also, the joint capsule, which is a very strong band of connective tissue, encircles the two bones adding further stability. The area where the bones actually touch each other is called the articular surface. It is perfectly smooth and cushioned with a layer of spongy cartilage. In the normal dog, all of these factors work together to cause the joint to function smoothly and with stability.
Hip dysplasia results from the abnormal development of the hip joint in the young dog. It may or may not be bilateral, affecting both right and left sides. It is brought about by the laxity of the muscles, connective tissue, and ligaments that should support the joint. Most dysplastic dogs are born with normal hips but due to genetic and possibly other factors, the soft tissues that surround the joint start to develop abnormally as the puppy grows. The most important part of these changes is that the bones are not held in place but actually move apart. The joint capsule and the ligament between the two bones stretch, adding further instability to the joint. As this happens, the articular surfaces of the two bones lose contact with each other. This separation of the two bones within a joint is called subluxation and this, and this alone, causes all of the resulting problems we associate with the disease.
What are the symptoms of hip dysplasia?
Dogs of all ages are subject to the symptoms of hip dysplasia and the resultant osteoarthritis. In severe cases, puppies as young as five months will begin to show pain and discomfort during and after vigorous exercise. The condition will worsen until even normal daily activities are painful. Without intervention, these dogs may be unable to walk at all by a couple years of age. In most cases, however, the symptoms do not begin to show until the middle or later years in the dog's life.
The symptoms are typical for those seen with other causes of osteoarthritis. Dogs may walk or run with an altered gait, often resisting movements that require full extension or flexion of the rear legs. Many times, they run with a 'bunny hopping' gait. They will show stiffness and pain in the rear legs after exercise or first thing in the morning. Most dogs will warm up out of the muscle stiffness with movement and exercise. Some dogs will limp and many will decrease their level of activity. As the condition progresses, the dogs will lose muscle tone and may even need assistance in getting up. Many owners attribute the changes to normal aging but after treatment is initiated, they are shocked to see much more normal and pain-free movement return.
How is hip dysplasia treated medically: Weight Management, Exercise, Warmth and good sleeping areas, Massage and physical therapy, This can aslo be treated surgically.
HOD OR HYPERTROPHIC OSTEODYSTROPHY AND PANOSTEITIS: These are painful conditions of the bones that occur during the rapid growth phase of puppyhood causing lameness and general malaise. By far HOD is the more serious one and can be deadly. Pano is usually SELF-LIMITING and MAY NOT need treatment. The treatment for HOD is generally supportive. Since this is a very painful condition anti-inflammatories and painkillers such as buffered aspirin or carprofen (Rimadyl) are given. In addition, the animals are usually given a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Strict rest on a comfortable warm bed is recommended. Feeding a nutritious, highly palatable food will help to encourage some dogs to eat. In severe cases steroids may need to be given to control the pain, but because of the possibility of this being a bacterial disease their use may be contraindicated due to their immunosuppressive qualities. Vitamin C is often supplemented though its benefit may be questionable.
HYPOTHYROIDISM: Hypothyroidism results from the impaired production and secretion of thyroid hormone. The production of thyroid hormone is influenced by the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus, and the thyroid gland. Although dysfunction anywhere in the complicated hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid pathway can result in hypothyroidism, more than 95% of all cases occur as a result of destruction of the thyroid gland. About half of the causes of thyroid gland destruction are suspected to be caused by the dog's own immune system killing the cells of the thyroid gland. The other half is caused by atrophy of the thyroid tissue and resultant infiltration of the tissue by fat. The cause for this form of the disease is unknown.
How is hypothyroidism treated? One of the nicest things about this disease is that it is easily treated. Treatment consists of putting the dog on a daily dose of synthetic thyroid hormone called thyroxine (levothyroxine). There are numerous brand names of this drug. The dose and frequency of administration of this drug varies depending on the severity of the disease and the individual response of the animal to the drug. A dog is usually placed on a standard dose for his weight and then blood samples are drawn periodically to check his response and then the dose is adjusted accordingly. Once therapy is started, the dog will need to be on treatment for the rest of his life. Usually after the treatment is started, the majority of the symptoms resolve.
Cardiomyopathy and Congenital Disease. A variety of heart diseases are reported in the Great Dane. Among them are dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)--a progressive, life-threatening disease unfortunately not uncommon in the Dane, and then a variety of congenital heart defects, to include: mitral valve defects, typically stenosis--which is another serious and potentially fatal disorder, triscuspid valve dysplasia--another potentially fatal valvular defect, subaortic stenosis (SAS)--another potentially fatal defect of structure, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)--a common congenital defect in dogs that is usually correctable, and persistent right aortic arch (PRAA or VRA)--another congenital, correctable defect.
Congenital heart defects, as Patterson (JSAP; 1989: Hereditary congenital heart defects in dogs) noted "comprise probably the most common class of malformations found in dogs, occurring with a frequency approaching 1% in animals presented to veterinary clinics. The frequency is significantly higher among purebred dogs than in dogs of mixed breeding and specific anatomical malformations occur with highest frequency in certain breeds. Genetic studies of patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonic stenosis, subaortic stenosis, ventricular septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot and persistent aortic arch have confirmed that these are specific heritable defects, the genes for which are concentrated in a number of different breeds. Each of these defects is inherited in a complex manner consistent with a polygenic basis."
The last two congenital defects listed above (PRAA & PDA) are reported sporadically in the dog, with PDA being the most common canine congenital heart defect. Both are the result of fetal structures which persist after birth, resulting in problems for the growing pup, so both are thought to be "timing gene" defects. Both are correctable by surgery as noted. PDA shows a female predominance in some breeds; in PRAA the persistent fetal structure essentially "strangles" the esophagus, causing constriction of the esophagus with regurgitation, aspiration pneumonia and dysphagia (poor eating ability), so can be confused with non-heart diseases such as megaesophagus. Congenital valve defects result in reduced heart efficiency, and if severe are typically fatal in the first year of life with the puppy likely demonstrating lethargy, poor appetite, even syncope (fainting) and sudden death. SAS is a narrowing of a major area of blood flow, and although mild cases may go undetected, a diagnosis of SAS often requires careful treatment & death may occur regardless. All these congenital heart conditions can be the cause of "unthrifty" puppies and/or sudden inexplicable death. All can have a "graded expression," meaning the defects of structure can be mild, moderate, or severe, resulting in more or less obvious symptoms of disease. All are considered to be inherited diseases. Generally all are associated with heart murmurs (of various sorts), and an expert auscultation (exam with a stethoscope by a cardiologist or internist) can often offer a preliminary diagnosis of congenital heart disease. The OFA Cardiac clearance exam and registry is a suitable screening method for congenital heart disease.
HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) is exceeding rare in dogs & typically not a primary disease (i.e. it results from other disease). DCM and ACM (arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy) are primary heart diseases that are heritable in nature and involve the heart muscle. For a precise discussion of DCM and it's relationship to ACM, another form of "cardio" that does occur in dogs and may occur in the Great Dane, see: http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00034.htm
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is in a different category. This is typically an adult-onset disease and is progressive in nature, so signs of disease are not obvious for months and even years. In an earlier paper in the JAVMA (Meurs, et al, Mar2001) concerning DCM, Dr. Meurs outlined the clinical features of DCM and offered some comments on potential inheritance of the disease. In our breed the preliminary data has suggested that DCM is typically inherited in an X-linked recessive fashion. This means that usually unaffected, but carrier, dams pass on the defective X chromosome to statistically 50% of their offspring. When this is a bitch pup, she will also be an unaffected carrier like her dam. When this is a dog pup, he will suffer from DCM as an adult dog. This is because male dogs only have one X chromosome; the other sex chromosome being the Y chromosome inherited from their sire (which made them male). Affected males will produce 100% carrier daughters, as they give this defective X chromosome to all their female offspring. Then these carrier daughters produce again affected sons. However, when a disease is X-linked, the sons of an affected sire are NOT at risk, as they do not inherit an X chromosome from their sires. Females can also be affected (i.e. develop DCM), although this is more rare. With an X-linked recessive disease females have TWO defective X-chromosomes. If used in a breeding program, such a bitch would produce 100% affected sons and 100% carrier daughters bred to a clear dog. If an affected dog was used on a carrier bitch, then 50% of the male pups would be affected, 25% of the female pups would also have DCM, with the other 25% would be DCM carriers. So to summarize, X-linked recessive disorders are: seen with much more frequency in males than in females, are a trait never transferred directly from father to son, and have the appearance of skipping a generation because it's transmitted through carrier females typically. DCM is obviously a serious enough disease that it's wise for breeders to learn about the method of inheritance and they should track its progression through various generations, thereby attempting to predict carrier status and thus reducing the number of potentially affected dogs. To read a non-technical "walk thru" of how recessive X-linkage DCM works in the Great Dane.
DEAFNESS: DEAFNESS AND COLOR-RELATED EYE DEFECTS IN WHITE GREAT DANES
The Great Dane has a broad range of coat colors and the standard, acceptable coat colors include: Black, Blue, Brindle, Fawn, Harlequin, and Mantle. Various non-standard colors do occur in this breed and include some variations involving the merle gene that can result in defects of hearing and sight. In breeding Harlequin and Mantle Danes, whites and merles may result. Danes predominately white are typically deaf and may have various eye anomalies.
DEMODECTIC MANGE (RED MANGE): A KIND OF SKIN DISEASE CAUSED BY MICROSCOPIC DEMODEX CANIS MITES LIVING WITHIN THE HAIR FOLICULS. THESE MITES ARE A NORMAL RESIDENTS OF THE DOG SKIN; IT IS ONLY IN SOME INDIVIDUAL DOGS THAT MITES CAUSE PROBLEMS. **TREATMENT: FIRST, ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR VET. A SKIN SCRAPE MUST BE DONE FOR PROPER DIAGNOSIS. IVOMECTIN IS AN ALTERNATIVE PROVEN TREATMENT THAT IS LESS COSTLY THAN DIPS. CONSULT YOU VET FOR DOSING SCHEDULE.
Signs and symptoms include: Most commonly alopecia ( hair loss), Crusting, Scaling, Pustules (a skin elevation filled with pus), Comedone (blackhead formation), Swelling and draining tracts as associated with furunculous (skin infections),
Clinical Features: Localized Demodicosis. A patch of skin develops mild redness and partial loss of hair. Itching may be present and the area may be covered with fine silvery scales. The most common sites are the face, forelegs and less frequently on the trunk. Most cases appear at 3 to 6 months of age. Generalized Demodicosis. This is one of the most severe canine skin diseases and can widespread from the onset, or develop from poorly defined areas and worsen with time. Secondary skin infections complicate the mange lesions with multiple pustules and heavy crusting and scaling.
Diagnosis: Skin scrapings and examination under the microscope for the mites.
Breed Predisposition:
- Most common in purebred dogs
- Breeds at highest risk: Shar Pei, West Highland White terrier, Scottish terrier, English bulldog, Boston terrier, Great Dane, Weimaraner, Airedale terrier, Alaskan Malamute, and Afghan hound.
Predisposing Factors:
- Age, short hair, poor nutrition, estrus, parturition, stress, endoparasites (internal parasites), debilitating diseases.
- Hereditary predisposition
Treatment:
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Involves the use of a miticide, either topically or orally, to kill the mites.
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Topical Treatments: Mitaban l Goodwinol Ointment l Lime Sulfur dips
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Oral Treatments:
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Ivermectin - an injectable medication that is given orally or by SQ injection as an off-label use as directed by your veterinarian. Ivermectin should not be given to Collies, Shetland sheepdogs (shelties) and other herding dogs and their crosses.
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Interceptor (milbemycin) - a heartworm medication that is given to chronic, generalized cases of Demodectic mange on a daily basis until resolution.
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WOBBLERS SYNDROME: Wobbler syndrome is caused by a malformation of the vertebrae within the neck. The spinal canal is the tunnel within the vertebrae in which the spinal cord lies. In affected dogs, this opening is smaller than normal, causing pressure on the spinal cord. This prevents neural impulses from passing through the spinal cord. Additionally, as the animal matures, the space within the vertebrae continues to shrink in relation to the size of the spinal cord. Instability between the individual neck vertebrae is generally noted in addition to the narrowing of the spinal canal. While any breed can be affected, over 80 percent of all cases reported are in Great Danes and Doberman Pinschers. Genetics definitely play a role.
What are the symptoms? Usually symptoms appear before four years of age, and on average, earlier in Great Danes than in Dobermans. An unwillingness to bend the neck is usually the first sign, followed by weakness and lack of coordination in the rear limbs, progressing to weakness in the front limbs as well.
What are the risks? This condition is always serious and can progress to complete paralysis. A veterinary examination should be performed at once in animals of these breeds showing the above signs.
What is the management? Anti-inflammatory medications can provide relief, but they do not correct the abnormal spinal canal within the vertebrae. Surgery can be performed to stabilize the vertebrae and/or to remove a portion of the vertebrae, thus allowing more room for the spinal cord. A full recovery is not always achieved.
OSTEOCHONDRITIS DISSECANS - OCD: A disease occurring during the time of rapid skeletal growth (4-8 months) when the biomechanical stresses are the greatest on the developing skeleton. It involves the separation of immature cartilage from the bone. Sometimes this cartilage breaks free and floats in the joint space. This is called a joint mouse. The shoulder joint is the most common joint for osteochondritis in Great Danes, however it is not uncommon for this to occur in several joints at once.
Cause The exact cause is unknown. Trauma due to excessive biomechanical stresses on the shoulder is suspect. The inheritance of predisposing factors such as growth rate, muscular and skeletal structure and mass, need investigation and are, at present non-conclusive.
Diagnosis The dogs history and age are helpful, however a final diagnosis must be made by radiograph.
Treatment Affected animals should be allowed only restricted exercise for 4 to 6 weeks. It is recommended they be walked on a leash and not allowed to run freely. The use of the drug Adaquan (2 1/2 cc given every 5 days intramuscularly)* can be very helpful. Anti-inflammatory drugs are not advised since they may promote physical activity and hence may exacerbate the condition.
Surgical intervention may be necessary if restricted activity is not successful. If surgical intervention is required, it should be done soon after diagnosis to prevent osteoarthritis from developing in the joint.
****THIS INFORMATION IS FROM THE GREAT DANE CLUB OF AMERICA. WWW.GDCA.ORG and www.peteducation.com WWW.DOGSTUFF.INFO
****FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HEALTH PROBLEMS COMMON TO GREAT DANES: http://www.ces.clemson.edu/~jshea/faq2.html#Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
| Q: How long will a Great Dane live? |
| A: A rule of thumb is 7 to 10 years. This is dependent upon many factors of course, proper veterinary care, proper nutrition etc. Some have lived as long as 12 years. |
| Q: How much does a Great Dane eat? And how much does it cost? |
| A: Depending on the dogs age, general health and other considerations, a good quality food is of prime consideration. A food that is low in calcium & magnesium and about 23 - 25% protein, a growing puppy should eat 4-7 cups 2 - 3 times a day. An adult Dane should do fine at 6 - 8 cups once a day. These are just rule of thumb quantities. You need to adjust these amounts according to the results that you get from the particular brand of food that you are using. As to cost, feeding a better quality food you can generally feed less amounts. This offsets the cost difference between brands. A high end all natural food may cost more than a store brand, but you can feed less, and as a side benefit less waste in the yard. |
| Q: Are Great Danes good with children? Other pets? |
| A: As a breed, Great Danes are good with children and other pets. As with other breeds of dogs, individuals may vary in temperament. |
| Q: Are Great Danes hard to train? |
| A: No more than any other dog. Generally speaking, Great Danes are smart dogs. They train readily, and we highly recommend that all rescued Danes go thru some sort of training program. This helps make a bond between dog and new owner as well as making for a better relationship between you, your dog and your neighbors. |
| Q: What health concerns do Great Danes have? |
| A: As with all animals, health is generally determined by the care that they receive from their owners. As far as genetic health concerns, Danes are no more prone to specific problems than other breeds. In fact they are less prone than some other very popular breeds. This said, known concerns can be, CHD (Canine Hip Displasia), Cardiomyopathy, (Heart Disease), Arthritis (generally in older dogs) as well as things that other dogs get. Note: according to a local orthopedic veterinarian. Great Dane are less prone to CHD than generally thought. Approx. 10% - 15% of Danes get CHD. |
| Q: Should I get a male or a female Great Dane? |
| A: This is a purely personal preference. Since all rescue Danes are Spay/Neutered there is not the mess of a female in heat, males don't have aggression problems (due to testosterone). |
| Q: How much exercise does a Great Dane need? |
| A: To maintain a healthy Great Dane it should get at least 15-30 minutes of good exercise a day. This can be a walk, chasing a ball, jogging, hiking or other moderate exercise. The amount is dependant on the dogs age and general health. A puppy or young adult can handle more exercise than a 6 - 7 year old. However even an older Dane may be able to do more if it was kept fit & healthy as a young dog. |
| Q: Is a Great Dane an outside dog? |
| A: Depending upon the climate, Great Danes are generally better kept in the house. In our cold winters and hot desert summers, the extremes in temperature may be harmful to a Dane. A more regulated environment is best, this generally means that Great Danes do better in a house. Most Danes are big "couch potatoes" and are generally calm in a house. |
| Q: Do I need a large house for a Great Dane? |
| A: Although Great Danes don't generally do as well in an apartment or condo environment, any size home with a yard can be a good Great Dane home. |
| Q: Are Great Danes from Denmark? |
| A: No. Great Danes are from Germany. They were originally called "Duetche' Dogge" literally "German Dog". Duetche' was probably misunderstood as "Dutch" therefore "Dane". |
| Q: What about Cropping the ears? |
| A: Since most rescue Danes are not puppies, this is not something that should be considered having done. However if you do get a puppy less than 12 weeks old, cropping may be considered. Cropping the ears is a purely personal choice, cropping was originally done to protect the Dane while hunting Wild Boar. |
| Q: Should I get a rescue Dane or a puppy from a breeder? |
| A: Both deserve good homes. Both have pro's and con's. A puppy (con's) needs more care, house training, possibly ear cropping (see question above), obedience training, chewing, may be hyper, (pro's) possibly more years in your home, joy of raising a puppy. A rescue dog (pro's) is house trained, calmer, you can know it's personality traits better, (con's) fewer years in your home. |
| Q: What about a crate for my Great Dane? |
| A: Crates are a very good idea. They provide a safe place for your Dane when you are at work, protecting both the dog and your possessions. Crates are analogous to a den for a Wolf or Fox. Many Danes prefer to sleep in their crates even when you are home. We are not suggesting that a Dane should be kept in a crate for long periods. The hours that you are at work are fine, but when you are home you should let your Dane associate with the family. |
| Q: Is one color [variety] better than another? |
| A: No. |
| Q: What is the best type of dog food for a Dane? |
| A: A well balanced kibble is optimum. We use and recommend Eukanuba, Science Diet, Iams, Pedigree Small Bites, Look for a food that is low in calcium and magnesium. These have detrimental affects on giant breed dogs. Also you should look for a food that is between 19 & 23% protein. Too much just passes thru and too little prevents proper growth. |
| Q: How much [dog food] per day for optimal bodyweight? |
| A: This depends on the dogs eating habits and metabolism and age. A young dog (Under 2 yrs) will eat as much as 8 - 12 cups per day of a good dog kibble, a mature dog (2 - 5 yrs) may eat from 5 - 8 cups per day, a geriatric dog (over 7) should eat less and possibly a lower calorie less active blend. A Dane should not be fat nor excessively lean. If the ribs show this is probably too skinny, however an overweight dog is just asking for trouble. You should see a slight taper from the ribcage thru the loin to the hips (slightly wider than the loin). |
| Q: How long a walk is best each day? |
| A: This is again depending on the age and condition of the dog. However a good rule of thumb is to provide enough exercise to prevent obesity and promote a healthy appetite. |
| Q: Could the walk be broken up into a morning walk and an evening walk? |
| A: Yes, you should make the exercise routine fit your schedule as much as the dogs. 15 - 30 min. per day is enough in most cases, but more is okay too. |
| Q: From my reading I have the impression that a Dane is a good house dog, is this true? |
| A: Absolutely, most Danes are very good house pets. Our 3 Danes are very comfortable in the house. As a matter of fact, they prefer to be in the house most of the time. The term "couch potato" was probably arrived at after knowing a Dane. |
| Q: We have a backyard approximately 60' x 30', would this be adequate for a Dane while I am at work, or should I come home for lunch to give the Dane social interaction? |
| A: Yes for 1 or 2 Danes 60' x 30' is okay. A good dog park is also helpful for socialization of your dog, some even allow off lead as well. The main thing here is t give your Dane good socialization skills. Many stores (PetCo, PetSmart, Lowes) will allow you to have your dog in the store. |
| Q: If I were to adopt a Dane, would it have had its hips x-rayed for displasia? |
| A: Generally no. This is expensive and mild to moderate displasia is easily treatable with medications. The main effect of displasia is arthritis. Again though, this is easily treated with mild pain medications. |
| Q: What are realistic medical costs per year/month? |
| A: This depends on many factors. Eliminating the ones that are unforeseeable such as accident etc. You have yearly vaccinations that range in price depending upon your vet. (Approx. $50 to $60 for full vaccinations), yearly dentals that range from $140.00 - $180.00 for full dental cleaning. This can be kept to a minimum with daily teeth brushing. |
| Q: What are realistic food costs per month? |
| A: Again depending on the brand of dog food you buy, the average is about $20 - $30 per month for the kibble, more if you like to give treats. |
| Q: Do Danes find it comfortable traveling in SUVs or in one of those very large plastic traveling dog boxes--if traveling in a pickup? |
| A: Yes Danes love to travel as a rule. SUV's are great we have a Suburban and the dogs just love it. A crate (large plastic traveling dog boxes or wire) are great if you need to transport a Dane in the back of a pickup. We very strongly discourage a dog riding free in the back of a pickup. In an accident the dog hasn't got a chance, or might jump out and be injured. |
| Q: What are the temperaments of adoptee Danes like? |
| A: Just like people, Danes have different personalities. Generally Danes are pretty mellow, especially the fawns and brindles. While all Danes can be good companion dogs some can be dominant or submissive or needy. As far as adoptee Danes, since some we see for only a short period of time, we rely on the report of the previous owner. With Danes from shelters and such, we just have to observe them for a while and use our experiences as a guide. |
| Q: I am not looking for a show dog, more of a companion dog, but I do want good confirmation, etc. is this reasonable to expect from an adoption center? |
| A: This is not unreasonable; however you should know that many of the Danes that are rescued come from "backyard breeders". These people generally don't know what is involved in the proper breeding of an animal. It's a lot more than putting two dogs together to create puppies. There are tests that should be done prior to breeding. Some of these are expensive and "backyard breeders" don't want to spend this money. Also you need to look at what this dog has vs. what this dog needs in the way of confirmation, soundness, temperament etc. This is generally something a "backyard breeder" can't or doesn't do. We recommend a dog that is sound in health, temperament etc. that will be the best choice. |
| Q: Why are Dane ears docked? Is this bad or good or immaterial? |
| A: Historically, the ears were cropped as a safety measure. Great Danes were originally bred to hunt wild boar in Germany, the short crop was used to prevent the boar getting a hold on the dog. However this has evolved into a matter of choice (immaterial). Many Danes that we rescue are un-cropped (natural ears). In fact, many places have outlawed cropping and docking of tails as cruel. We disagree with this view, but believe to crop or not is an individual choice. |
| Q: Does a puppy ever become available...less than eight months old? |
| A: Occasionally, you should realize that many Danes come to us because of the excuse "I didn't think it would get that big!". Well, they don't class Great Danes as a Giant breed by accident. We do see quite a few less than 2 years old, and some as old as eight. |
| Q: I believe that a Dane would need some training, what sort of school would be best for a companion Dane? |
| A: We agree, all Danes and any dog for that matter should be obedience trained. We recommend a good training club. These tend to continue the training instead of just a few lessons then you are on your own. As in anything, practice makes perfect. A training club instead of a simple training class will be better. |
| Q: Are Dane's difficult to toilet train? |
| A: Not especially, the key is consistency and learning your dogs clues. Our dogs are trained to hit a bell hung n the back door handle when they need to go out. This works well because we can be in a different room and still know when the dog needs to potty. |
| Q: Do they eat furniture if left in the home for three or four hours at a time? |
| A: It can happen. As with any creature dogs can get bored. If bored, they will try to eliminate the boredom. One way to prevent this is "crate training". Using a veri-kennel or other brand "crate" you can insure the protection of your Dane as well as your other property. Most dogs see a crate as a surrogate den. Just as in the wild, a house dog likes a place that is just theirs. A crate is a great den. |
| Q: Can I have a small dog as the Dane's companion? Should they be the same sex? |
| A: Sure, our Danes pet is named Cowboy, a 4 year old neutered Cocker Spaniel. As far as the sex of the dogs is concerned, if they are both altered (Spayed/neutered) it shouldn't be a problem. The thing to watch for is dominance. As in the wild, house dogs will set their pecking order. Two dominant dogs may take longer to adjust to each other, where as a dominant dog with a submissive or two submissive dogs should get along right away. |