Great Dane

Great Dane: Dog Breed Information Guide

Sometimes referred to as the Apollo of dogs, Great Danes are strong and majestic. They were once used as hunting or guard dogs. While they may not be used much in hunting wild boar nowadays, they are still guardians of the family.

Their size might scare off intruders, but Great Danes are usually very sweet and make wonderful family dogs. Plus, well socialized Great Danes are willing to make friends with strangers, although they may not react very well to strange dogs. However, they have a fairly low prey drive, so they do well in homes with other pets.

If you’re thinking about adopting a Great Dane, you’ll need to understand how big of a responsibility these dogs are.

At Spot Pet Insurance, we understand that the thought of all these responsibilities is a little scary. That’s why we want to help you by providing you with educational articles like this one. That way, you can be better prepared to bring a new pup into your home.

This large breed deserves great care. A well-cared-for Dane makes for a happy pet, which helps make a happy home for you and your whole family.

Meet the Great Dane

One of the giant breeds, the Great Dane is the inspiration for the famous cartoon dogs Scooby-Doo and Marmaduke. Danes are known for their impressive height, and the tallest dog on record, Zeus, was a Great Dane, standing at 44 inches tall.

They have short coats that come in many colors. The most famous color for this working dog is harlequin, a pattern with black and white fur.

There are many different markings that Great Danes can have, including:

These large dogs are surprisingly sweet and gentle. Although they’re great with kids, their size might be a cause for concern when they are playing with smaller children.

Where do Great Danes come from?

Great Danes are the descendants of war dogs like the mastiff and dogs that resembled greyhounds. They first came into being around the middle ages, and the combination of mastiff and greyhound made the Great Dane a formidable hunter since they are both strong and swift.

They became very popular with the nobility of Germany around the 1300s since they were excellent hunting dogs. They were also used to guard the noble’s estates. They eventually made their way to England.

The origin of the name Great Dane isn’t known either, but they were initially called the German boarhound in England, which later changed to Great Dane. In Germany, they are called the Deutsche dogge since that is what authorities declared it to be in the late 1800s.

Around the same time that the German authorities were declaring the official German name of the Great Dane, they arrived in America. In 1887, the American Kennel Club (AKC) declared them an official breed.

What are some potential health conditions for Great Danes?

Great Danes can sometimes inherit conditions from their parents. Reputable breeders have been trying to screen their stock so that common health issues don’t get passed along, but it’s best to be prepared to recognize potential issues.

Some issues Great Danes can have are Wobbler Syndrome, cardiomyopathy, heart disease, bloat, osteosarcoma, and hypothyroidism.

Great Danes are particularly prone to HOD. Usually, it will affect longer bones, like the tibia or radius. Each of these bones has something known as a growth plate. It begins as cartilage so it can grow with your pup, and then once your dog reaches adulthood, it will harden and become bone.

When a dog has HOD, the region with the growth plate has blood flow issues. Because of these problems, the growing areas of the bones can’t harden properly, so when the next section, so to speak, starts growing, it causes a lot of pain due to inflammation.

Great Danes are also prone to bloat. When the stomach is bloated, it can flip, bringing the pancreas and the spleen along with it. This cuts off blood from the heart to the hind end. Since the pancreas isn’t receiving any fresh nutrients, it begins to send out toxins.

Hip dysplasia is also common in Great Danes. Hip dysplasia occurs when the ball and socket of the hip joint don’t form properly while a puppy is growing. Since it isn’t formed correctly, the joint’s movement is no longer smooth, but it makes a grating noise.

As time goes on, the grating continues to affect the joint by making the condition worse, which can eventually lead to loss of function in the affected leg. It can also lead to arthritis.

While we can’t help you care for your dog physically, we can help you in the case of an emergency. Spot plans can also cover chronic and hereditary conditions, as long as they aren’t pre-existing.

How to be the best pet parent for a Great Dane?

The best pet parent is the prepared pet parent, so researching the type of dog you want to adopt is an excellent first step. You should also research where you adopt your dog to make sure the breeder is reputable, or you could try to find an animal shelter to adopt your pup from.

Basic training and behavior etiquette for your dog

All dogs need to be proper socialization, including the Great Dane. By introducing your dog to new people, dogs, and places from a young age, you can help them learn to interact with the world.

As big dogs, it’s very important to teach your Great Dane basic commands like sit, stay, come, and heel. When training your Great Dane, you should be firm and consistent, but don’t be too harsh.

It’s also important to spend plenty of time with your Great Dane since they like being around their humans.

What type of foods should a Great Dane never eat?

Some of the foods that are toxic to dogs are:

Exercising tips to keep your dog to stay fit and healthy

Although Great Danes have fairly low energy levels, they do have daily exercise needs. This could take the form of a couple of walks per day. You could also take them on longer hikes, but you have to wait until your pup reaches two years old since their joints are still growing, and you don’t want their joints to be damaged.

If you have a yard with a tall fence, you can let your Great Dane run around there. You could also play games or take your pup to participate in agility, obedience, or tracking events.

It’s best to keep your Great Dane on the leash if they aren’t in an enclosed area since they have a tendency to follow interesting smells wherever they lead.

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