Great Dane

Great Danes are popularly known as the gentle giants. These dogs might grow large in size but possess all the characteristics of a lap dog. They can easily grow up to 32 inches and are one of the tallest dog breeds in the world.

This breed is great to own, but keeping a dog of such height and weight is not an easy task. If you are a first-time dog owner, keeping a great Dane may be a tough task. 

While Great Danes prove to be excellent pets due to their loving, affectionate and laidback nature, they also face a number of health complications which smaller breeds usually don’t.

Hence, proper nutrition, exercise and care is important to give your pup the quality of life that it deserves.

Quick information

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History

Great Danes originally came from Germany where they were used as hunting dogs. They have been around since about 300 years and are assumed to be originated from mastiffs.

Great Danes were earlier used by German nobles to protect their properties and hunt animals like wild boars. In the late 1800s, it was also considered the national dog of Germany.

While the breed was originally called the German mastiff, their current name was given by a Frenchman Comte de Buffon while he was travelling to Denmark.

Temperament and Behavior

Great Danes are well-behaved dogs and are patient, highly loving, and affectionate towards their owners. They are playful, active dogs that are good with children, other pets and even strangers.

Even though their size can intimidate many, there is nothing to be scared about these loving puppies with beautiful hearts. Great Danes like to show their affection and would often love to sit on their owner’s laps or give them giant hugs.

Great Danes might be docile dogs, but one shouldn’t confuse this behavior with cowardliness. They are courageous dogs who are very protective about their family and are perfect as watch dogs.

Health and Care

Great Danes are large dogs and just like any other large breed, they are prone to joint problems. They also don’t enjoy a long life and usually live around 6-8 years. They also usually suffer from stomach issues, allergies and skin infection. To ensure them a good quality of life, you must provide them with nutritious food after discussing their diet with the vet. You should also take them to visit vet often, probably once in a couple of months to make sure they are healthy and no underlying issue exists.

Common Health Problems

1. Gastric torsion
2. Hip dysplasia
3. Cardiomyopathy
4. Tricuspid valve disease
5. Development issues
6. Bloating
7. Thyroid imbalance
8. Skin infection

Grooming

• Great Danes have short, rough coat and they shed occasionally. Thus, only brushing their coat once  a while is sufficient to manage shedding. Regular bathing of this breed is not essential.
• In fact, give them a bath once in every 6 weeks as regular baths can strip them off their natural oiḷ. Make sure to clean the anal glands, ears and teeth regularly to avoid any infection.
• Trimming of nails is also essential as long nails can break and cause the dogs a lot of discomfort.

Training

• Great Danes are easy to train but make sure to start the training at a young age.
• Since it is a large breed, they don’t always understand their strength, hence, obedience training is a must as well.
• Great Danes are pleasant, always eager to please their owners, so training them should not be a difficult issue.
• Please remember that these are sensitive dogs so you shouldn’t use tough words to train them, using treats and positive words will yield better results.

Frequently Asked Questions