Great Dane Care

'Gentle Giants', are what Great Danes are known as among those who own or love the breed. However, their towering structure often leaves people intimidated, due to which myths about the breed abound. The only reason a well trained Great Dane should not be around children is that they might get knocked down because of the dog's size and exuberant show of affection. Another such misnomer is 'bigger the dog lesser the care'. Great Danes require as much care if not more than most other breeds.

How to Care For a Great Dane Pup

• Vaccination: Like all other breeds, get your puppy vaccinated in time and thereafter ensure he/she get the booster shots at the right time.
• Feeding: Danes are a fast growing dog breed, and thus a Great Dane puppy requires to be fed more often than most other pups. Thus rapid growth often translates into skeletal problems when adulthood, such as hip dysplasia and wobblers syndrome. Therefore, a proper balanced diet is a must, to minimize the chances of these ailments setting in. Some vets have suggested that one should try to slow down the growth rate of the pup between 2-8 months of age to prevent it developing bone related problems later. To most pet lovers, starving a growing pup would amount to cruelty. However, the quantity of food need not be decreased, only the protein content should be reduced to a maximum of 25%. It is best to follow your vets instructions on the subject. A Dane pup also requires extra natural calcium in its food, however calcium supplements are advised against. Vitamin C is also an important for growing dog.

Great Dane Care Tips

• Additional Space: Being a big dog, a Great Dane does require additional space to move around. While the dog will manage to make itself comfortable even in a small house and would coil up at your feet or on a not so big sofa, nonetheless, space is still a requirement. Otherwise, you will find him banging in to things, especially in the corridors. If you have a yard, the height of the fence would have to be raised to prevent him from jumping over. Great Danes are very susceptible to colds, and thus it is not advisable to leave your dog outdoors, during the nights.
• Food: A Great Dane is a big dog and an equally big eater, so be prepared for an increased grocery bill. One should be prepared to feed him at least 4 to 6 cup helpings twice a day. The food itself must be good quality dog-food, with 25% protein and adequate fiber (about 4%).
• Training: The Great Danes size will be reason fear in the neighborhood kids and dogs. However, you can expect this to abate when they see how friendly and gentle your dog is. If a Great Dane is not trained well, he can turn into quite a terror, which is why training should start early. As a pup, socialize your Great Dane with other pups and also teach him not to jump and knock down kids or adults.
• Exercise: He should be exercised at least twice a day, including one run. Unless properly exercised the Great Dane is likely to develop bone and joint problems earlier than other dogs.
• Grooming: A Great Dane is not too fond of water so giving him a bath can be quite an ordeal. Luckily, because of his short coat, frequent bathing may not be needed. The coat of a Dane should be brushed a minimum of once every 3 to 4 days. Grooming is fairly hassle free, and may only be time-consuming because of their sheer size!
• Medical Care: Understand the medical problems that Great Danes are prone too, in particular those related to its bones. They are also very prone to catching colds so ensure you put a coat on your dog when you take him out in the winters. There is a condition known as HOD which is life-threatening and is known to affect Great Danes between the age group of 3 to 8 months. The symptoms are high fever and inflammation of the joints. If you find your pup lethargic and with fever, immediately take him to the vet.

Owning any dog (or pet) can be equated to being a parent and requires a great deal of responsibility. If you plan to bring home a Great Dane, first consider if you are equipped to provide for all his needs. A Great Dane requires a lot of time and affection so be sure that you have plenty of both before you decide to own one. A Great Dane has a shorter life span of only 8-10 years but those can be great years of unforgettable companionship. Be well versed with Great Dane care, and know that you are making a commitment for not just a few years, but the entire lifetime of the dog, to love and care for it.