Great Dane Dog

Great Dane others name:

German Mastiff

Great Dane Weight

120-160 lbs.

Great Dane Size / Height

They are generally 30 to 34 inches tall at the shoulders.

Great Dane Average lifespan

8-10 years

Great Dane Appearance

The Great Dane is a large dog, very muscular and strong. They give the impression of being very noble and worthy.

Great Dane Temperament

The Great Dane is loyal, friendly, intelligent and trustworthy, with a big heart. They are excellent with children and other pets which makes them an exceptional dog for the family. However, they must be supervised especially when you are around small children, as you may accidentally step on or hit them. They are gentle giants who love human attention and participate in family life. They are not suitable to have outside the house. They are good watchdogs because their size is enough to scare off intruders. Despite being wonderful companions, owners must be prepared for their size.

Great Dane Important

Due to their large size, they must be fed large amounts of food. Homeowners must understand that this is going to be expensive. It is important to get a correct balance in food because if it is too much or too little, the wrong types can lead to growth problems that may not be noticed until the dog is older. It is always best to ask your local vet for advice. Due to its height, the Great Dane needs to feed and drink raised containers. As with all dog breeds they mature slowly but grow quickly, at 6 months of age he is huge but still acting like a puppy. Not suitable for inexperienced people.

Great Dane Training

Because of their intelligence they are quite easy to train . They grow very quickly so training should start when they are puppies otherwise they will be more difficult to handle. All training must be consistent and due to its sensitive nature, it must be gentle and positive. It requires a great deal of socialization with other animals and people.

Great Dane Cleanliness

The Great Dane’s coat is easy to care for, with a good weekly brushing is enough to keep it healthy and shiny.

Great Dane Exercise

They need long daily walks and exercises in general since they are puppies but without over-exercising them as this can lead to bone and joint problems when they are older.

Great Dane Health

Gastric torsion

Although it is not a hereditary condition, it frequently affects many dogs, including this breed. This is a very serious condition. When a dog has it, the stomach can twist and become blocked, causing a build-up of gas. If not treated quickly it can be fatal. With this disease there are also futile attempts to vomit and salivate. It can also lead to cardiovascular collapse, which usually occurs when you exercise after eating. The incidence of Gastric Torsion in adult dogs can be controlled with healthy eating twice a day and, of course, by allowing time to digest before taking him for a run in the park.

Hip Malformation or Dysplasia

Results in a poor fit between the head of the femur bone and the acetabulum of the hip. This condition can be alleviated by surgery, although with consequences for dogs and owners since dogs with dysplasia often produce puppies with the same condition Buyers should ask if both the father and mother of the puppy in which they are interested have been evaluated recently and they are free of hip dysplasia. Don’t take yes for an answer without seeing a certificate and ask for a copy to take to your vet.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

It is a group of diseases that involve all the gradual deterioration of the retina. It is diagnosed by retinoscopic examination using an electroretinogram (ERG). Early in the disease, affected dogs begin to suffer from night blindness and lack the ability to see in low light and later day vision also fails. As their vision deteriorates, affected dogs can adjust to their disability very well, as long as their environment remains constant. Some breeds are affected early in life, while in other breeds, PRA develops much later.

Instability of the Cervical Vertebra (CVI or Wobbler syndrome)

It is suspected to be an ancestral condition in this breed. It affects dogs (usually in middle age), they suffer from compression of the spinal cord caused by instability of the cervical vertebra or by a malformation of a spinal canal. Extreme symptoms are paralysis of the extremities (front, rear, or all four). Neck pain with extension and flexion may or may not be present. Surgical treatment is highly debated and very expensive with questionable success. In some cases treated surgically, clinical recurrence has been identified.

Great Dane History

Often called the “Apollo of the dogs,” the Great Dane can be traced back to the time of the Egyptians. Drawings of dogs that resemble him were found on Egyptian monuments dating back to 3,000 BC, the dogs depicted have the same massive body and long, powerful legs as the Great Dane of today.

The Great Dane that we know today is believed to have been originally bred in Germany to hunt the large wild boar. The origin of the name ‘Dane’ is not clear, it is almost certain that the breed did not originate in Denmark and although it has been claimed that it is of German origin, it is not true, however, what is evident is that German breeders contributed greatly to its glory. In the mid 1800s, breeders in both Germany and England became very interested in the breed and more or less developed it to the standards that are recognized today. Today it is known in German as the Deutsche Dogge and in French as Dogue Allemand, both of which mean “German Mastiff.”