You know those impressively massive dogs that look like horses? Well, those are Great Danes.
The breed is exceedingly popular as the dogs are beyond cute and, despite their enormous size, they are great apartment dogs as they require very little exercise. Great Danes are low energy and whilst they will experience bursts of playfulness, they will spend most the time snoozing on the couch or by the fire.
Great Danes descend from German Mastiff-type dogs and were once used as hunting dogs back in the 16th century. They are arguably one of the largest dog breeds in the world. For this reason, Great Danes are also known as the “Apollo of dogs”. Great Danes often aren’t aware of their size, which makes them about as agile and graceful as a bull in a china shop.
Great Danes are also known for their susceptibility to joint and bone conditions that are caused by their size. Owners can help prevent these by giving their dog special supplements recommended and provided by their veterinarian.
When Great Danes are young puppies, a special diet is often required to make sure that their joints and bones don’t develop too quickly. If your Great Dane grows at a pace that is too rapid, it can experience Osteochondrosis, Dysplasia, and even hypertrophic osteodystrophy. Along with supplements, the special diet is an added cost that many people forget to consider when buying a Great Dane.
While they can grow to be the size of a small horse, they are gentle giants and family-oriented dogs, making them a perfect addition to a family.
If you’re looking for a giant dog with a friendly heart of gold, then a Great Dane is the perfect match. Great Danes are known for being devoted and loyal to their owners and for having a loving, gentle, confident, and somewhat reserved nature.
Even though they are low energy and gentle, Great Dane owners must take the time to thoroughly train their dog because of its sheer size. It’s cute when a 15-pound Jack Russell Terrier jumps up on you but not so much when a 150-pound Great Dane does. Since they are so heavy, they can knock people down very easily when they are excited. This can be traumatizing and dangerous for children and even some adults.
When it comes to training, Great Danes are decently smart and easy to train but they can occasionally be stubborn. This just means that you’ll have to get creative with your training exercises.
The ideal owner is not someone who is overly active or spends hours each day running or walking. Because of their large size and fragile joints, they only need a small amount of exercise each day. Great Danes can live comfortably in apartments and homes with children.
Since they spend a large portion of the day sleeping, they are okay with being left alone for extended periods of time however no dog should ever be left alone for more than four to five hours at a time.
Unfortunately, Great Danes don’t have the longest life expectancy and they are lucky if they make it to their 10th birthday. If you’re looking for a breed that will likely live longer than 10 years, consider a Jack Russell Terrier, Maltese, Beagle, Cockapoo, Toy Poodle, or an Australian Shepherd.
When it comes to grooming, Great Danes require a moderate amount of attention. To reduce the amount that they shed, it’s best to take your Great Dane to the groomer every six to eight weeks for a good bath. You can also do this at home if your tub is large enough.
Like most other breeds, Great Danes tend to shed more around Spring time and regular brushing can minimize the amount of hair that collects on your clothes.
Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition that means the thighbone doesn’t fit snuggly in the hip joint.
The symptoms are generally pain and lameness which will vary in severity and can be present in one or both rear legs.
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the disorder to lead to hip replacement.
Make sure you ask any breeder if the puppy’s parents have been tested and cleared for Hip Dysplasia. If they have not, or the issue is present in one or both, find another breeder.
Bloat doesn’t sound too serious, but if it’s left untreated it can be deadly for your dog. Large, deep-chested dogs are more commonly affected than smaller breeds.
Bloat causes the stomach to swell with gas and then twist. The dog can’t belch or vomit to release the gas, blood flow to the heart is impeded, blood pressure drops, and the dog goes into shock.
To avoid bloat, split their feeds into multiple smaller meals through the day instead of one large portion. You must also avoid exercise for at least half an hour to an hour after eating. Another cause can be drinking too much water rapidly, so keep a watchful eye on that as well.
Symptoms of Gastric Dilation Volvulus are a swollen abdomen, excessive drooling, dry retching, lethargy and a rapid heart rate.
Without immediate medical attention, bloat can be fatal, so if you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately.
Dogs suffer from allergies in much the same way that humans do with the three main types being food, contact, and inhalant.
As the saying goes – prevention is better than a cure.
Treatment for food allergies is as simple as eliminating certain foods from their diets.
Contact allergies can be anything from shampoos, to flea powders, and other chemicals. If you notice your pet has had a reaction, try a new product with different ingredients.
Inhalant allergies are caused by airborne allergens such as pollen and dust. This is a difficult one to avoid, but you can try to do so with vet recommended medications and environmental changes.
Cataracts is generally inherited and is described as cloudiness of the crystalline lens of the eye, which varies from partial to complete opacity.
Cloudiness of the crystalline lens prevents light from passing through the retina, which will often cause some loss of vision.
Symptoms generally relate to the degree of vision impairment. For example, those with only a small level of cloudiness may not show any symptoms, however those with high opacity will suffer from loss of vision.
Cataracts is a progressive disorder that may lead to your dog becoming completely blind if not treated quickly. One method of treatment is surgery, but that is only usually recommended for hereditary forms.
Other forms of treatment are phacoemulsification which involves emulsification of the eye's lens with an ultrasonic handpiece. Once the lens is emulsified and aspirated, aspired fluids are replaced with a balanced salt solution.
Most cases are inherited, however it can be caused by a few other things including electric shock, diabetes mellitus, old age, inflammation of the eye or abnormal levels of calcium in the blood.
Hypothyroidism is a disorder of the thyroid gland which is believed to be a cause of issues including epilepsy, hair loss, obesity, lethargy and skin conditions.
This is a disorder that can be quite easily treated through a dog’s diet and medication.