Great Dane Articles and Information

When a great dane owner purchases their dog from a source other than a professional breeder, they have to consider whether or not to crop the ears of their great dane. Of course, this is because the breeder did not take the liability to do it before the great dane was sold.

While some certified breeders allow their Great Danes ears’ go uncropped, they educate the owners about suitable care of a natural ear. They may sell a great dane puppy with a natural-eared appearance for ethical reasons.

Most breeders choose to crop their puppies unless specifically asked not to by a new owner. The great danes that are cropped are typically done at seven weeks. They are then given time to heal and socialize and are prepared for their homes at approximately ten weeks of age.

Seven weeks is usually a sufficient amount of time to start cropping ears, as this gives some time for neurological and bodily development of your Great Dane. Ears should not be cropped after ten weeks of age. The size and development of your great dane will increase drastically through the eight, ninth, and tenth weeks of their life.

Will cropping hurt your great dane? There’s no reason to glamorize this procedure. Yes, cropping is painful. There are no true benefits other than the “look” of cropped ears. Remember, cropped ears DO NOT make a great dane. A great dane is a ’gentle giant’ with a stunning personality. It’s the temperament of the great dane that makes it such a spectacular breed.

If you’re a new dog owner and you’re not sure that you have a reliable veterinarian available to crop ears -- don’t do it. Never make a decision based on the cost of cropping alone. Ask your vet to see actual photographs of cropping they have done in the past. Also ask them to describe the cropping and taping process to you before you make a definite decision. Natural dog ears are just that, natural! That’s the way your Great Dane was intended to look.

Should you decide to crop, aftercare is a very important aspect to your dogs comfort and overall health. It’s important to keep bandages clean and dry in order to prevent infection. Should your dog show any signs of excessive itching or infection, call the veterinarian immediately and describe your Great Dane’s symptoms.

Here you have this Great Dane puppy, that will turn into a very large dog. If you plan on crate-training your Great Dane, puppy-hood is the time to do it. If you coddle him now and encourage him to sleep in your Queen-size bed, he’ll do it forever. Right between you and your spouse!

One of the most important things to emphasize about crate training your Great Dane:
* The crate is an instrument for training, not for punishment. Otherwise, your Great Dane will fear the crate.

While some Great Dane owners may find crate training unsuitable in their home, others find the crate to be a God-send. Whatever your feelings on crating may be, crate training is not inhumane. It’s intended to protect your pet from harm while you’re away. Great Dane puppies are very curious, they may get into things when you’re not around, such as: chewing wires, walls, furniture, carpet, glass, etc. BY crating your Great Dane, you are protecting them and protecting your property. Even a mature Great Dane (who you think it completely trained) may have feelings of anger or loneliness -- and will then take them out on your home furnishing. Crating is a responsible decision on an owner’s part.

As time progresses, you will learn a lot about your pet. You may feel that you do not need to employ the crate on a daily basis. Nevertheless, there may be some occasions when crating is a necessity. Here’s such an example:

A couple finds that their Great Dane becomes very destructive each Wednesday. Every other day of the week the dog is fine, but he goes bonkers on Wednesday! “What’s wrong with this dog?” After being off from work on a Wednesday, the husband starts noticing irritability and excitement from the dog without explanation. By 9:10 AM, the Great Dane (who is usually docile) leaps up onto their couch barking! Moments later, the garbage man arrives to take their garbage. The dog sensed this. There was nothing the couple could do to alleviate the Great Dane’s anxiety, instead they crated him each Wednesday.

A crate is also a very reliable tool for napping. After a while, (with the right training) your Great Dane can and will associate the word “bed” with his crate. The command “it’s time for bed” will let your Great Dane know that you’re going to sleep and he should too. Uncrate your dog in the morning to relieve himself outside. Let him play with your children and ‘hang out’ with you before you go to work. NEVER leave your Great Dane crated all hours. He will become depressed, angry, and lack out on crucial social skills. The crate is NOT meant to be lived in.

Routine grooming is just as important for your Great Dane as it is for you. Cleansing of your Great Dane will improve their overall appearance, prevent disease and infection, and contribute to their overall mental and physical well-being. Our Great Danes become members of our family, and like any member of our family - we must love them and care for them. The following tips are to be used as a guideline to ensure proper care of your Great Dane:

Bathing
Unlike humans, who shower on a daily basis, your Great Dane should be bathed on a “as needed” basis. The frequency of bathing varies depending on the individual pet. Naturally, you’ll want to wash your Great Dane when his appearance is unkempt or when he starts to give off an odor. In the colder months, never wash your Great Dane and let him go outside afterwards. Make sure that he is completely dry first, as this will prevent him from getting sick. NEVER use shampoo intended for human use. Dog shampoos are specially formulated for your Great Dane’s skin, which is very sensitive. Human shampoos can cause excessive drying and skin irritations. Take precautions when washing your Great Dane to make sure shampoo doesn’t get in their eyes.

Brushing
You should introduce a dog brush to your Great Dane when he is a puppy. Let him get comfortable with brushing early and he’ll look forward to it as he matures. Brushing your Great Dane will prevent matted hair and remove excess fur. It will also remove pet dander, preventing build-up on your Great Dane’s skin and coat.

Ears
Examine your pets ears regularly for dirt and wax. Use a soft cotton ball on the ear. Never lodge the cotton ball into the ear. NEVER stick a Q-tip in your Great Danes ear. The cotton applicator can damage his ear drum to an irreparable state. If you’re unsure how to clean your pet’s ears, ask your veterinarian to demonstrate for you.

Nails
It’s very important to keep your Great Dane’s nails trimmed. Remember, there are veins in your Great Dane’s nails. If you’ve never clipped a dog’s nails before, take him to a groomer. When you feel more comfortable you can purchase clippers and do it from the comfort of your own home. Failure to keep your Great Dane’s nails clipped can result in painful in-grown nails. Prevent your Great Dane from experiencing such pain and/or infection by keeping up with their nails.

Great Dane Puppies need plenty of exercise
In order to remain healthy, your Great Dane puppy will need a lot of time to run and play. You need to provide this “play time,” as it will promote strength and physique. Nevertheless, it’s one thing to tire your puppy out -- but you should never over-work your Great Dane. Without exercise, your Great Dane (like any other dog breed) can become bored and destructive.

Just like people, Great Danes need socialization too!
You should introduce your Great Danes to people, so they do not become hostile to strangers when they are adults. By introducing them to friends and family, you’re inadvertently teaching them to look for “strange people.” Great Danes are very perceptive, they can recognize the difference between a family friend and someone looking to do harm. Should you choose not to introduce your Great Dane to people, he may become fearful and angry and start biting in defense.

Small Children and the Elderly
Sometimes these gentle giants do not realize their own size! When Great Danes are puppies, they may bop up and down all over the place -- knocking things over here and there. They don’t mean it! They’re just really excited to see you. But if you have a toddler or elderly person living with you, this may not be the ideal breed for you at this time. Your gentle giant may knock someone over, then cover them with kisses.

Aggression
Although Great Danes have wonderful temperaments, they may exhibit jealousy if another animal is brought into your home. It’s always a wonderful idea to have your Great Dane as the newest member of the household. It’s important to note, that like all dogs, your Great Dane may not like dogs of the same sex

Shedding
Although Great Danes are short haired dogs, you must accept the fact that your Great Dane will shed. Most shedding occurs right before Fall and Spring when they shed and grow their coats.

Slobber
For most Great Dane owners, this is not a real concern. Nevertheless, a prospective Great Dane owner should be aware that these dogs do indeed slobber. Most slobbering occurs after your Great Dane drinks water and shakes his head. Some dogs of this breed have looser jowls than others, causing more or less drool.

Liabilities
If you live in an area that requires you to have a dog license, make sure you can actually have a Great Dane. Unfortunately, many areas ban residents from having large dogs. In several communities, Great Danes have made that list of ‘menacing dogs‘. Regardless of how friendly your Great Dane is, rules are rules.

Have you ever wondered why over 30% of dogs in shelters are purebreds? Most animal behavior specialists and animal advocates blame puppy bills and commercialized breeders for this negligence. In order to become a responsible Great Dane breeder, there are certain responsibilities that you must accept. These responsibilities will protect your Great Danes and his/her puppies, as well as identify you as a reputable breeder.

Excellent Great Dane Dog Breeders DO :

-Carefully screen each person and their household who wish to purchase a puppy.
-Advise and suggest different methods of caring for the Great Dane puppy in every aspect, including: diet, exercise, documentation of lineage, health, knowledge of genetics, any history of illness (genetic or non-genetic).
-Not sell their Great Dane puppies in a pet shop or pet-auction
-Do not sell multiple breeds of dogs. If you are a Great Dane breeder, stick to Great Danes.
-Involve themselves in the showing of purebred Great Danes and are very knowledgeable about the breed.
-Keep the puppies as house pets until they are ready for their homes. This ensures that your Great Dane’s offspring will make wonderful pets too.
-Test dogs for all diseases and proper examination prior to breeding, such as: Brucellosis, CERF (Canine Eye Registry Foundation), OFA (Hip X-Ray Certification), PENN-HIP (hip-joint laxity).
-Provide full, lifetime guarantees covering genetic disease and temperament problems. This should be a written contract.
-Agree to take the Great Dane back at any point of his life for whatever reason, should the new owner not wish to keep it.
-Place the Great Dane with the new family ONLY if the new owners agree to spay/neuter.
-Only breed Great Danes over the age of two years old.
-Hold the value of your dog’s (and its puppies) health to highest esteem.
-De-worm and vaccinate your Great Dane puppies prior to placing them.

Excellent Great Dane Dog Breeders NEVER:

-Take a great Dane pup from it’s mother prior to eight weeks of age.
-Breed puppies in a puppy-mill atmosphere.
-Sell their Great Dane puppies to the local pet shop.
-Hide or withdraw information on genetic diseases or the Great Dane’s lineage.
-Keep their puppies in inhumane conditions, such as an outdoor shed or a room covered in feces.
-Put unnecessary stress on their puppies, such as transporting them to different locations outside of their home.
-Pick a Great Dane at random to breed their bitch with
-Allow their bitches to breed every year
-Decline on accepting their puppies back, should the new owner not be able to care for them
-Breed their Great Dane prior to two years of age
-Let their Great Dane run the neighborhood
-Sell faux purebred Great Danes (which are crossed with God knows what)

Spring is here, which means the warm weather months will be upon us. For most Great Dane owners, we’re relieved. Our Great Danes can run loose in the yard while we air-out our homes from the long winter months. Hibernation is over and we can take our furry friends to the park, the beach, and on trips. But we want to have a safe summer! In order to do that, we should glance over a few tips and rules for the safety of our Great Danes. For most of you, these are just reminders. For new pet owners, these should be used as a guideline:

Traveling by Car
On very hot days in particular, try not to take long car rides with your Great Dane. While you’re behind the wheel, consider your Great Dane’s feelings. YOU may not be warm enough to have the air conditioning on. What if you were wearing a down jacket? Your Great Dane’s coat is just like a down jacket. Consider his comfort. Always provide plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

Stopping at the Store ‘real quick’
Forget it. It doesn’t matter how quick it is. Do not leave your dog in the car while you’re shopping in the summer. It’s cruel. It’s inhumane. If someone wants to report you--they can, they will, and they should. You decided to take your Great Dane with you. If you plan to go shopping or window-browsing, leave your dog at home. While this may sound harsh, we’re very aware of the repercussions of leaving your dog in a locked car: death. On a hot summer day--your dog can succumb to fatality in less than five minutes in a hot car. Pease be responsible.

Poisonous Foliage
If you see mushrooms growing in your yard, remove them immediately. Your Great Dane can become seriously ill from eating them. Some plants and berries are hazardous to your Great Dane’s health as well. If you’re not sure which plants pose a threat, research the shrubs and plant-life in your yard to see if they’re pet-friendly.

Mowing Your Lawn
Some Great Danes may be petrified of your lawn mower, others may think of it as a game or a noisy thing they wish to attack. Regardless of how ‘funny‘ it is, accidents easily happen this way each summer. Your Great Dane should not be in the vicinity when you’re cutting grass. Most vital veins are located in your pet’s limbs. Should they get cut by your mower, they may die from their injury.

As new dog owners, we all have a million questions. After all, we want what is best for our Great Danes. From feeding to bathing, and sleeping arrangements: we need to find a healthy living pattern for our Great Dane puppies. The following Q&A is intended to provide you with some peace of mind:

Q: What kind of personality does the Great Dane have?

A: The Great Dane‘s personality is one of the main attributes that make this dog so appealing. Known as the “friendly giant“ amongst breeders and owners, this is a real “people-friendly” animal. They have an excellent temperament and love to cuddle and play. Of course their size may be intimidating to children and strangers. This is why it’s so important to scold your dog for jumping up on people. Never allow him, even in play, to jump up to get a treat from your hand, etc.

Q: Is a Great Dane too large for my home?

A: Prospective owners: this is a large dog! Sometimes these dogs are very unaware of their own size. If you want to keep your Great Dane off of your chairs and couches, you must train them this way from the very beginning. While it might seem cute to put a little puppy on your furniture, you’re developing a pattern. This dog will grow! Think about that while picturing your Great Dane taking up your entire loveseat for a snooze in six months. It’s also important to provide a yard, as this dog loves the outdoors. If you live in a tiny apartment without a yard, you may want to re-think your breed choice. Unless of course, you’re a high energy person that takes several long walks a day. In a tiny apartment, a Great Dane can be like a bull in a china shop. These dogs need room to play and frolic.


Q: Are Great Danes difficult to train?

A: Great Danes, like most dog breeds, need constant love, praise, and discipline. During the first year of your Great Dane’s life, he should receive discipline and boundary lessons. If you’re having trouble with discipline, enroll him in obedience classes. This usually works wonders for the dog who is very stubborn and pushy. Overall, your Great Dane should not be very difficult to train. Nevertheless, you should be prepared for the puppy stages which includes accidents and teething. What will you do to make your home puppy-friendly?

Q: Will my dog require massive grooming?

A: Fortunately, Great Danes require very minimal grooming, as they are short haired. Nevertheless, you should brush your dog regularly to remove dead hair from its coat. This will prevent your furniture from being covered in hair. Yes, the Great Dane sheds, like most dog breeds. At times it may seem like your dog is shedding heavier than usual. This is normal. Your dog will shed and grow its coat according to the season. Heavier coat for the winter weather and a lighter coat for the hot summer. If your dog is afraid of a brush, introduce it to a rubber grooming tool that looks like a glove. He’ll be happy to get petted. If the weather permits, do this outside! You’d be surprised by the amount of hair that will come off of your Great Dane.

Bathing: This isn’t a little dog that you can wash in a wash-basin. Hence, you can getaway with washing your dog approximately once per month. Or more often, depending on the circumstances. Want a pleasant smelling dog without dandruff? Try washing your Great Dane with ½ Murphy's Oil Soap ½ water. It contains the correct ph for your pet too. If your dog’s coat is looking a little dull, add a few drops of coconut oil to add some shine.

Teeth: Introduce your Great Dane to a rubber brush from an early age. Otherwise, he will show fear and run. Brushing your Great Dane puppy’s teeth can be a dreadful task without the right tools. Nowadays they sell doggie toothpaste that comes in all sorts of appetizing flavors (beef, cheese, etc). This makes your task a little easier. NEVER use human toothpaste to brush your dog’s teeth. It can seriously injure their stomach lining. This is why they make DOG toothpaste, which your pet can swallow without being harmed.

Nails: It’s very important to keep your dog’s nails trimmed. In fact, it’s a necessity. Without proper clipping, your Great Dane’s nails can become infected and give him trouble walking. Yes, there are veins in your pet’s nails. If you’re worried about clipping nails too short--take him to the veterinarian or local dog-groomer. It will only cost a few bucks and your pet will be much happier.

Ears: Just like us, your Great Dane will get wax in his ears. Never use a Q-tip in a dog’s ear. Objects should never be stuck directly into the ear, as you can easily injure the ear drum. Instead, use a cotton ball to remove dirt and wax build-up. Do not get inventive and use other tools, most damage to the ear is irreparable.

Routine grooming is just as important for your Great Dane as it is for you. Cleansing of your Great Dane will improve their overall appearance, prevent disease and infection, and contribute to their overall mental and physical well-being. Our Great Danes become members of our family, and like any member of our family - we must love them and care for them. The following tips are to be used as a guideline to ensure proper care of your Great Dane:

Bathing
Unlike humans, who shower on a daily basis, your Great Dane should be bathed on a “as needed” basis. The frequency of bathing varies depending on the individual pet. Naturally, you’ll want to wash your Great Dane when his appearance is unkempt or when he starts to give off an odor. In the colder months, never wash your Great Dane and let him go outside afterwards. Make sure that he is completely dry first, as this will prevent him from getting sick. NEVER use shampoo intended for human use. Dog shampoos are specially formulated for your Great Dane’s skin, which is very sensitive. Human shampoos can cause excessive drying and skin irritations. Take precautions when washing your Great Dane to make sure shampoo doesn’t get in their eyes.

Brushing
You should introduce a dog brush to your Great Dane when he is a puppy. Let him get comfortable with brushing early and he’ll look forward to it as he matures. Brushing your Great Dane will prevent matted hair and remove excess fur. It will also remove pet dander, preventing build-up on your Great Dane’s skin and coat.

Ears
Examine your pets ears regularly for dirt and wax. Use a soft cotton ball on the ear. Never lodge the cotton ball into the ear. NEVER stick a Q-tip in your Great Danes ear. The cotton applicator can damage his ear drum to an irreparable state. If you’re unsure how to clean your pet’s ears, ask your veterinarian to demonstrate for you.

Nails
It’s very important to keep your Great Dane’s nails trimmed. Remember, there are veins in your Great Dane’s nails. If you’ve never clipped a dog’s nails before, take him to a groomer. When you feel more comfortable you can purchase clippers and do it from the comfort of your own home. Failure to keep your Great Dane’s nails clipped can result in painful in-grown nails. Prevent your Great Dane from experiencing such pain and/or infection by keeping up with their nails.

When you bring your great dane puppy home for the first time, a new section of both of your lives begin. Here are some tips to help you facilitate your work:

Try to be enthusiastic. Training puppies can be exhausting, but motivate yourself to be patient with your great dane puppy. Puppies are just like human babies! They’re very curious and they require a lot of attention. For the first few months your puppy will cry when it’s hungry, scared, cold, bored, or when it has to go to the bathroom. Never yell at your great dane puppy for crying, this will only frighten him/her and make him/her cry more.

Your Great Dane puppy has emotions just like you! When your great dane does something good (like urinate or make a bowel movement outside) praise him/her.

Giving your great dane puppy a treat is always nice. Nevertheless, a treat is a treat. It should be given as a reward when your puppy does something very special.

Be prepared for mischief! Just like the ‘pokey little puppy,’ your great dane puppy is interested in everything in your home. He/she may poke into things that are not to be touched. Don’t scream at your puppy. A simple, stern “no” will suffice. Don’t expect your puppy to know what the word “no” means within the first week. These things take time.

Your puppy will look to urinate after napping, playing, drinking, and getting excited. Take your great dane outdoors to do his/her ‘business’ as often as possible. This will prevent accidents from occurring in your household. It will also teach puppy to ‘go’ outside.

Designate eating and sleeping areas for your great dane. Do not switch these areas around, as it will only confuse the puppy. If you decide to crate train the puppy, never use the crate for punishment. This will only make your great dane fearful of the crate. If the crate is the puppy’s ‘bed,’ refer to it as his/her ‘bed.’ As the puppy gets older, phrases like “it’s time for bed,” will inform your great dane that he/she should go to their crate.

Try to set a schedule for feeding. If you feed your puppy at 7 AM, 12 PM, and 5PM on Monday, make sure you follow through with the routine schedule.

All work and no play makes for a sad great dane. While it is important to teach your great dane puppy to be obedient, you still need to provide lots of love and attention. Shower your great dane puppy with affection and he/she will never leave your side.

Great danes employ significant features. One can infer some information about the eye and coat color, and nose and ear shape from some specifications observed. These features are the well known examples of the effects of a great dane‘s DNA. In order to understand why our great dane’s have these remarkable physical properties, we must first understand their background.

Each great dane carries two sets of genetics. These genetics are passed from the dog’s parents. These sets of genes can be very similar to each other or may be so different that one can be suspicious about the dog's identity. Physical and emotional properties of the dog in his/her future life is partially determined by these genes: i.e, according to the similarity level in a great dane's genes, his/her remarkable features possess their role.

Now that we’ve discussed the way in which your dog has received its genetic makings, we can turn our attention to one of the most interesting features of your great dane: it’s coat color. The colors that are most frequently observed on great danes are black, white, mantle and merle. Each color is determined by the genetic properties of the dog and these can be classified in three major groups: A-series, E-series and D-series.

A-series genes have an impact on the dog's coat color incorporating two forms of melanin. As a result of the different types of melanin pigment in your great dane’s genes, several color ranges can be found: namely, black, brown and saddle. E-series genes employ yellow/red pigment in your dog's body, and as can be seen in Yellow Labradors and Irish Settlers as well. Now for the curious, but interesting D-series genes: check the existence of recessive genes. When one is found, D-series turn the blue pigment on and provide the body with blue instead of black previously injected by A-series.

Nevertheless, an additional remarkable feature of your Great Dane is his/her ears. Most people are surprised to find that their great dane does not have ears which stand straight up. Actually, in their natural state, your pet’s ears will flop down around his face, much like the ears of a Labrador. Most people decide to have their Great Dane’s ears cropped between the ages of 6-8 weeks old. Despite this information, cropping is not a necessary procedure, as it offers no benefits for your pet.

Great Dane Puppies need plenty of exercise
In order to remain healthy, your Great Dane puppy will need a lot of time to run and play. You need to provide this “play time,” as it will promote strength and physique. Nevertheless, it’s one thing to tire your puppy out -- but you should never over-work your Great Dane. Without exercise, your Great Dane (like any other dog breed) can become bored and destructive.
Just like people, Great Danes need socialization too!
You should introduce your Great Danes to people, so they do not become hostile to strangers when they are adults. By introducing them to friends and family, you’re inadvertently teaching them to look for “strange people.” Great Danes are very perceptive, they can recognize the difference between a family friend and someone looking to do harm. Should you choose not to introduce your Great Dane to people, he may become fearful and angry and start biting in defense.

Small Children and the Elderly
Sometimes these gentle giants do not realize their own size! When Great Danes are puppies, they may bop up and down all over the place -- knocking things over here and there. They don’t mean it! They’re just really excited to see you. But if you have a toddler or elderly person living with you, this may not be the ideal breed for you at this time. Your gentle giant may knock someone over, then cover them with kisses.

Aggression
Although Great Danes have wonderful temperaments, they may exhibit jealousy if another animal is brought into your home. It’s always a wonderful idea to have your Great Dane as the newest member of the household. It’s important to note, that like all dogs, your Great Dane may not like dogs of the same sex

Shedding
Although Great Danes are short haired dogs, you must accept the fact that your Great Dane will shed. Most shedding occurs right before Fall and Spring when they shed and grow their coats.

Slobber
For most Great Dane owners, this is not a real concern. Nevertheless, a prospective Great Dane owner should be aware that these dogs do indeed slobber. Most slobbering occurs after your Great Dane drinks water and shakes his head. Some dogs of this breed have looser jowls than others, causing more or less drool.

Liabilities
If you live in an area that requires you to have a dog license, make sure you can actually have a Great Dane. Unfortunately, many areas ban residents from having large dogs. In several communities, Great Danes have made that list of ‘menacing dogs‘. Regardless of how friendly your Great Dane is, rules are rules.

If you have done any research on the Great Dane breed, you have heard a lot about a problem commonly called bloat and/or torsion.

Gastric Dilation Volvulus, also referred to as GDV, is a serious disease that can dramatically affect a great dane's life. In this article, we will focus on the causes and treatment of this frightening disease which can cause your Great Dane much pain and discomfort.

GDV occurs when air compresses the stomach of the dog and during dilation the stomach twists on itself. This leads to the stoppage of blood flowing to the stomach and other body organs. The drastic effect of increasing blood pressure makes it impossible for the dog to stay calm. This discomfort is usually accompanied by sharp screeches from the animal, who may display a warranted ’panicky’ state. Unfortunately, most of these symptoms are shrugged off. The results may be fatal, as most great danes die in a few hours if GDV isn’t treated.

Not every breed of dog is susceptible to the risk of experiencing GDV. Usually, large and deep-chested breed dogs like great danes are vulnerable to such a disease as GDV. The most important factors increasing the risk of GDV are overeating, single and rapid daily eating, stress and abnormal water consumption.

According to the foundations of scientists specialized in dog diseases, almost one third of untreated dogs experiencing GDV die. Despite this information, it’s important for people to listen to their pet when he/she is in pain, as GDV is treatable if caught in time. A dog treated for GDV can continue to live a long healthy life.

Two major techniques are used in the treatment of GDV. First, the stomach tube is used to extract the gas from the stomach. Secondly, the stomach is returned to its normal shape through the practice of a surgical procedure. In order to prevent the recurrence of GDV, veterinarian should assess the extent of damage by careful observation. Damage differs from great dane to great dane. Factors that may contribute to excessive damage are: the amount of time the dog suffered, your great dane’s overall health condition, and the age of your great dane.

There are preventive steps that you can take to ensure your great dane maintains a healthy GDV-free life. Be certain to feed your great dane 2-3 times daily. Leave a sufficient amount of water out for your dog(s) while you’re away or at work. Daylight and ‘play time’ is very beneficial for your great dane. Your great dane should follow a strict routine, as you and the members of your family do.

The Great Dane, also known as the Deutsche Dogge, is a huge dog whose power is one of the most important features it possesses. It has straight legs and a long neck. Its head is in a special form that has a narrow shape, which makes this intelligent animal dramatically striking. With its dark and round eyes, it has the capability to control its environment even in the darkest moments of the night. The great dane’s ears can be seen in two entirely different states, naturally long and floppy, or cropped. Cropping, although unnecessary, can be performed by a veterinarian in the first six months of your puppy’s life.
A Great dane may have a coat in very different colours, namely, black, blue, fawn and brindle, which are rarely found in the ancestors of the dog family. In addition, blue danes can have lighter eyes which contribute to the dog's speciality. Its height and weight can change according to the type and age of the dog. For instance, a full grown male dog is 30-34 inches in height where an adult female is at most 32 inches tall. There are also taller dogs but they can be considered as the members of the minority.

Having discussed the physical aspects of great dane, we can now turn our attention to psychological features. First, the great dane is kind and playful, especially towards children. This dog has been known to be a great protector. Perhaps this is why so many people use great danes as watchdogs. Not only is the dane alert, but it’s size frightens potential intruders and anyone wishing to do harm.

Your great dane does not require any ‘out of the ordinary’ special maintenance. But you should pay close attention to your dane’s diet. A proper routine diet is essential to your pets overall physical and mental health. Why is this dog’s diet so important? The great dane is prone to heart disease, tail problems, and bloat. It’s short life, which averages approximately eight years, can be cut short by any of these medical problems--which are often related to poor dietary habits. Regular veterinarian check-ups are recommended, to decrease the chances of any serious illness.

The great dane is generally a happy dog. It can be content snuggling, playing, walking, or receiving mental stimulation. This is a very intelligent breed of dog that thrives on challenges and rewards. If you start training your great dane as a puppy, you not only have a well-trained pet; you’ll have an obedient companion for years to come.

Among numerous types of dog species, great danes present a significant feature. This distinct feature can be seen, as Danes have many different kinds of color patterns on their body. Generally speaking, three gene series are responsible for assigning the patterns to which great danes will exhibit. These series are called M-series, H-series and S-series and they this article will examine these genes.
In order to understand these genetic traits, we must first understand genes and alleles. For those unfamiliar with the term “allele,” an allele is any one of a number of feasible DNA codings of the same gene. In the case of the great dane, M-series genes, have two alleles: namely, merle and not-merle. If two dominant merles run into one another in a locus, the dog's color changes its state to purely white [except for some regions in head and tail]. Nevertheless, when one of the genes are recessive, the coat color is turned into shaded blue with irregular patches of black.

A Herlequin gene, [otherwise known as H-series] is an incomplete dominant and carry two alleles. If a dog has recessive genes in her locus, the dominant gene will have no effect on the great dane’s appearance. There may be some irregular black patches, but shaded blue areas become fully white.

S-series accounts for white spots on a great dane’s body. When two dominant S-series genes come together in a locus, white in the body is likely to diminish, about 5% or less, and there remains a little white at chest and feet. The fact that one of the genes is recessive results in the increase in the amount of white on the chest, face, feet and neck. The dog will have approximately 25% of it‘s hair appear white in color.

There are three more possibilities that occur when the alleles come together abnormally. For instance, SSI (Sporophytic Self-Incompatibility Systems) alleles commonly label a great dane as having “pet-marked-blacks.” This odd name is derived from the appearance of the coat’s white color -- which appears as a black hue. Dogs carrying SSW alleles tend to resemble Irish marked dogs. Perhaps this is because their gene type is exactly the same as those of the Irish marked dog. Ironically, SISW alleles lead to a completely dominant white color in dog's body. The result is typically that of a white great dane having the appearance of a Boston head.

One of the giant breed of dogs, the Great Danes, is going to be fully discussed in this article. Among the major topics, there are the general descriptions of the great dane. First, we must examine the size of this dog, as well as its attitude towards people.
Great danes are tall dogs even though they are not very heavy. Their popularity and beautiful physique have gained them the title of the “Apollo of Dogs.” Danes are loving, friendly, and affectionate when treated accordingly.

According to AKC standards, male danes are not less than 32 inches and are usually 34 inches tall. The average Dane is close to three feet tall in height. Duration of development of your great dane’s body largely depends on his or her gender. To illustrate, a male can complete his development in three full years where females can be adults in a year or less. Puppyhood usually lasts for 18 months and over the course of these first 18-28 months, an owner will witness their great dane mature mentally and physically.

Diet and proper exercise are very important to your great dane’s health. Your great dane’s daily diet should be consistent, and the amount of food should be measured according to their age and weight. It’s important for your great dane to maintain a healthy weight. An underweight great dane can be vulnerable to sickness and disease, whereas an overweight dane increases its chance of bloating and heart disease.

Because great danes are such large dogs, they need plenty of room to run and play. Throughout puppy hood, this breed of dog needs exercise and mental stimulation. Taking walks, playing fetch, and rewarding a dane’s positive behavior are all essential tasks to developing a strong healthy bond with your pet.

The relationship between great danes and children is one of the most powerful connections that can occur between any type of human and animal. Like children, great danes are very trusting and curious. It’s important to teach children how to handle your great dane. Fortunately, these dogs have a wonderful temperament and do not become feisty unless provoked.

With proper care, a healthy great dane’s lifespan is approximately eight years of age. Nevertheless, many great danes continue to life a full life of ten to twelve years. These loving companions become additional members of our families and we should cherish every day they share with us.

Just like a toddler in the ‘terrible-two’ stages, Great Dane puppies can be just as mischievous. We catch ourselves running around, sternly saying “no” or “bad” so often that we feel like a broken record! Do you feel worn out from your Great Dane puppy? You’re not alone. But it’s just a phase. Like all phases, this one will pass. Soon you’ll have a full grown Great Dane and you’ll long for those days when he could fit into your arms!
Some of the most common Great Dane puppy ‘problems’ can be found below. So when you feel frustrated and you’re not sure what to do, hopefully you’ll find some comfort and solutions here:

The Digger
All puppies are curious. Your Great Dane puppy may feel a strong urge to investigate the ground. He may be looking to cool off, chase rodents, search for bugs, escape confinement, look for bones, or just dig for the sake of digging.

When you come home and find the start of a hole in your yard, your first instinct may be to punish your Great Dane. But if you’re an owner that solely relies on punishment without rewarding good behavior, you may be fighting a losing battle. When a Great Dane puppy only hears the word “no,” it starts losing its effectiveness. Instead, provide stimulating chew toys and plenty of play. If you keep your puppy entertained he’ll temporarily forget about the hole until it’s refilled. A quick solution would be the addition of a second pet. Nevertheless, you may end up with two Great Dane diggers, instead of one.

Should you decide to punish your puppy for digging, try one of these methods:
-Turn on a sprinkler as soon as he starts to dig. As he scratches the ground, he’ll get wet and associate the splash with digging.
-Placing a large rock over the hole and sternly saying “no” if he tries to budge the rock or dig a hole beside it.

The Anxious Chewer
Providing little plush toys may seem cute when your Great Dane is a little puppy, but it may not be cute when he starts shredding your couch cushions apart. You should introduce your dog to a variety of toys when he is a baby. If you he prefers hard chew toys, make sure he doesn’t look to chew your walls or molding. If he prefers plush, keep an eye on cushions, pillows, clothes, and blankets.

Reward your dog for playing with his toys. How? By playing with him, of course! Punish your dog for grabbing at your pants or socks in an attempt to play. This may promote accidental biting in the future. Don’t encourage it.

Most importantly, never give your puppy an item that resembles a household item that you do not want him chewing on. For instance: don’t give your Great Dane puppy an old slipper to play with if you do not want your new slippers destroyed. Dogs can not tell the difference between new and old slippers! Everything looks like a potential play-thing to a Great Dane puppy.

If your dog persists and chews on walls, table legs, couch legs, cabinet corners, and the likes -- use anti-chew spray, which can be found at a local pet store. Always say “no” when you see him doing it and offer him a chew toy. When he plays with the toy say “good boy.”

Whelping Environment for Your Great Danes

Over the twenty+ years that we have been breeding Great Danes, we have tried many different scenarios and tested several diverse types of whelping boxes to find one that would be comfortable for a Great Dane bitch in whelp and that would accommodate her litter after whelping.
One major consideration is that Great Dane puppies are so very small in relation to their mommy that it is very easy for a bitch to lay on her puppies during and after whelping. This necessitates some sort of a barrier that will allow mommy to lie down and her puppies to avoid being squished against the side of the whelping box and suffocated. None of the whelping boxes that I was able to locate commercially were adequate in size to allow for a Great Dane bitch to whelp comfortably.

After much experimentation, we found that using a king sized water bed frame, with modifications, would help us to provide a safe, secure and comfortable nest to enable a Great Dane bitch to whelp and raise her puppies. We use 4’ X 6’ cattle mats on the floors of our kennel pens so that our Danes do not have pressure on their sensitive joints when they lay down. This also alleviates the tendency for Great Danes to develop calluses on their elbows as these mats (which are available at many farm supply stores) are designed to provide a comfortable surface for a large animal to lie on. These mats are easily disinfected and are relatively inexpensive to purchase (approximately $60 each). They are very durable and dry quickly, the only drawback, if it is one, is that they are very heavy. The benefit of that is that the weight discourages a Great Dane from dragging the mat around. [I don’t know about your Danes, but mine will drag around anything that is not nailed down and use it as a tug toy! ;-]

To provide a wonderful whelping environment for a Great Dane bitch, we use two of these 4’ X 6’ cattle mats as the base and set up the waterbed frame atop them. This type of box is also easy to break down for storage after whelping, which is a great advantage to their use. We position and nail a 1” X 12” board all the way around the top of the waterbed frame. This provides the barrier that helps prevent the bitch from lying on her puppies when they are tiny. The height at which you position this 1” X 12” is dependent on the relative size of your bitch. In my experience, about eight inches from the floor works best. The boards can be attached to the pieces of the waterbed frame with L shaped pieces of iron available at your local hardware store. The biggest challenge inherent in building this kind of a whelping box for your bitch is just finding the waterbed frame. They are many times available in thrift stores, at auction or in the classifieds for a nominal fee.

After you have a nice big box for your bitch to whelp in, it is just a matter of choosing an appropriate bedding material (we use bright, clean oat straw and 1’ pine shavings in combination) and changing it very frequently during and after whelping. If you want your Great Dane bitch to be truly comfortable with her litter, it is important to find a bedding that she enjoys and to keep the whelping box squeaky clean! If you have ever been a grandparent to a litter of Great Dane puppies, you will appreciate the amount of dedication and commitment keeping up with a bitch and her litter’s needs entails! Seeing a happy, relaxed mommy serenely nursing her puppies makes it all worthwhile!

Common Mistakes: Teaching Recall in Dogs

Teaching your dog to reliably come back to you when called is essential. It could save your dog from danger, prevent your dog from upsetting other people and animals (there's nothing more embarrassing than when your dog feigns deafness and nosedives into someone else's picnic or charges after a flock of sheep) and means that you can happily let your dog off the leash and be confident that you'll still be home in time for supper. If you're having problems teaching recall, then it could be that you're making one of three very common mistakes.

Mistake #1

The first common mistake is made when owners whose dog doesn't return to them immediately, get angry and punish or scold their dog on its eventual return.

Well, guess what? These owners are giving their dog a very clear message which is 'come back to me when I call you and you'll be punished'.

Not exactly what was intended!

No matter how late your dog comes back to you, you should never scold. On the other hand, unless your dog has returned to you immediately on command, do not give a reward: a quiet 'good dog' will do. Reserve the treats and lavish praise for the times when your dog returns immediately.

Mistake #2

The second common mistake people make when their dog does not return to them immediately on recall, is to go sprinting after them.

Very occasionally this is necessary if your dog is in imminent danger but, otherwise, running after your dog (whilst probably very good exercise for you) will be seen by your dog as a great game and merely serve to enforce the message that it's not necessary to come back to you when called because you will always follow after.

If anything, and provided you are confident that your dog is safe and not about to get into trouble, you should run as fast as you can in the opposite direction, excitedly calling your dog at the same time. Even hide from your dog if there is a suitable tree or bush to leap behind.

Dogs get worried if they are separated from their pack leader and hopefully this will see your dog chasing after you. Whilst your dog should see this as a game, too, this time it is a game that also ends with lots of praise for coming back to you.

Mistake #3

The third most common mistake owners make when teaching their dog recall is that the only time they call their dog back to them is to put it on the leash to go home. The dog therefore builds an association that to come back to you means that walktime or playtime is over and, actually, he'd rather stay in the park for another 10 minutes if you don't mind.

Of course, all walks have to come to an end and it's inevitable that sometimes when your dog comes back to you you'll have to put on the leash. But to overcome the problem of your dog associating coming back to you with being put on the leash, make sure that you practise recall frequently during your walk.

Call your dog to you, give praise and a reward and then say 'go play' and release your dog to continue the walk. This way your dog gets to learn that coming back to you doesn't always signal an end to the fun but, rather, earns lots of praise.

The more times your dog comes back to you and receives praise and a reward, the more reliable the recall command will become.

Courtesy of Martin Webster - Great Dane Savvy

Dogs Behave Like Wolves?

Like most animals dogs act like their ancestors. Some traits are just learned and passed down, and cannot be helped. Animals act naturally due to the way they were raised, and their parents act as their parents taught them. Animals adapt certain aspects of their behavior to their surroundings, but some things stay the same. There are some gestures that are passed down from ancestors that cannot be helped; they have become a part of life.
One gesture that was passed down from the wolves through many years to the dog is the showing of teeth. When a dog or wolf shows his teeth his opponent knows that this dog or wolf is not happy. The animal knows that they need to back off or risk getting bitten; the showing of teeth is also a sign that an animal wants to attack. The dog knows when he shows his teeth his opponent will recognize this as a sign of aggression and retreat or come forward to get involved in a fight.

Another gesture that means a dog is on edge or ready to fight is the hair on the back of the neck and shoulders. When this hair is standing up it means that the dog is very alert, and ready to jump at a moments notice. Growling is another gesture that goes with the teeth, and hair and is a good indication of an impending conflict. When a dog does all three of these you know he means business.

Standing tall and at attention is another way a dog will try and intimidate his opponent. This is a tactic that helps the dog feel big and strong, and lets the other dog know this. The behavior of standing at attention is meant to show the opponent who is boss and get them to submit power. If a dog responds by crouching close to the ground, or even dragging himself across the ground he is showing that he does not want to fight.

Dogs as well as wolves have learned over the years what these gestures mean. When one dog sees the other acting in this way they will either back off if they don’t want to fight, or decide to stay and fight. The dogs that can read the signs of their opponent will avoid unwanted, and unnecessary fights.

Being able to read dogs’ gestures can be helpful for humans as well. If you see a dog acting like they want to fight you should probably get out of the way, or risk getting bitten or mauled by the animal. If a dog rolls over onto his back this means he does not want to fight, but would like some attention. Reading dogs’ gestures can be a very useful thing to know. Next time you are around a dog, or you have your own dog, pay attention to the gestures they are making.

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When looking at what to feed your dog then you may want to research the different foods available. In order to keep them healthy, your dog needs a certain amount of animal fats and carbohydrates as well as everything else. So what foods are better for them and how much should you feed the dog?

Animal Fats

Dogs need essential fatty acids to keep them healthy but only two types of animal fats contain these essential fatty acids. All of the other animal fats contain just as many calories as vegetable oil and they are really not as good for your dog as essential fatty acids are.

The two fats which are good for your dog in small amounts are lard and horse fat. Many people feed their dogs beef and mutton fats but generally they are not overly good for your dog and they should never be fed solely as that will lead to health problems.

Potatoes

Not many owners feed their dogs potatoes but it is worth giving them a few every now and again with their food. They contain almost the same amount of carbohydrates as cereal grains though they should not be used as the main food in your dog’s diet. You should still feed dry biscuits too.

Cereal Grains

Cereal grains are generally the main source of carbohydrates for dogs. They mainly contain starch and it is found in foods such as boiled rice, corn meal, hominy grits and breakfast cereals. As with all other foods, cereal grains should never really be used for more than 50 percent of your dog’s diet.

Bread

Bread is a food which many owners do not give their dogs. Whilst it may seem strange however, bread is actually one of the best sources of carbohydrates that you can give to your dog. Most dogs do not mind either white or whole wheat bread and usually it even has added vitamins and minerals.

Specialty Flour Products

These types of carbohydrates include spaghetti, flour noodles and macaroni and again just like bread they are often overlooked. One of the best things about these types of foods is that owners find them to be more convenient as you can mix large amounts of the food at the same time and cook it when needed in smaller amounts.

Overall dogs need a variety of different foods and you should always ensure that they get a healthy mixture of carbohydrates and animal fats as well as dry food.


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Taking Care of Your Great Dane Dam:
Appropriate Care In and After Whelp
By: Gale Renz

One of the most important jobs any responsible Great Dane breeder has is caring for their dogs. Happy, healthy Great Dane mommies produce happy, healthy baby Great Danes! Great Dane dams have some special needs, such as special care to provide appropriate nutrition to moderate the stress to the dam’s body as she carries a litter of puppies, whelps and feeds the litter for four to six weeks. These activities place a huge demand on a body.
It is especially important to feed a premium quality, naturally preserved kibble and/or complete natural diet that will meet the needs of the dam in the various stages of whelp. There are many wonderful commercial foods on the market with a balance of nutrients that have been established through extensive research to meet the nutritional needs of specific dogs at different stages of their lives.
A naturally preserved, super premium quality kibble with a base of fresh beef, chicken or lamb that is formulated with a balance of vegetables and whole grains for adult dogs is a good choice. A supplement containing Vitamin E, Ester C, and garlic is an appropriate choice for a dam in whelp. My vet also recommends a supplement of 1000 mgs. of coral calcium the two weeks before delivery. This is the only time in a Great Dane’s life that I would ever advocate supplementing the diet with a source of calcium.
The best indicator that a dam is receiving adequate nutrition is her coat and body condition. Over the years, I have found that paying close attention to my dams’ coat condition (it should be shiny-even after whelp and while nursing), eye luster and expression (should be bright eyed and serene after recovering from whelp-by 72 hours after whelping is complete), as well as overall body condition, I am able to have dams who are not adversely affected by whelping stress. It is so much more satisfying to see a calm, bright-eyed dam enjoying her litter of puppies rather than a stressed out mommy.
Keeping your dams in optimum condition takes care and commitment and it is well worth the effort!

So you want to add a new dog to your family. You've decided that you want a puppy, and you have a particular breed in mind. Everyone you know has told you horror stories about pet stores, so you cross them off your list. You need to select a breeder, but you don’t know how to narrow your search. You don’t need a fancy show dog or a high-performance hunting dog. You just want a pet. You want a companion who will fit into your lifestyle without being emotionally and financially burdensome. In simplest terms, you want a physically and mentally sound animal - a healthy, happy dog with which to share your life.

Consider that this is a decision that will be with you for the next dozen or more years. Choose wisely. Not all breeders are created equal, and neither are the puppies they produce. Keep in mind that, by definition, anyone who owns a female dog at the time it gives birth is a "breeder." It is not always easy to tell the difference between a good breeder - a responsible hobby breeder - from an unknowledgeable "backyard breeder" or a commercial "puppy mill" breeder. Things to look for as you search for your breeder:

How long has the breeder been involved in this particular breed? If it is a breed that has recently become popular, beware of someone who has jumped on the bandwagon to make a fast buck. They may not have the best interests of the breed nor buyer in mind. The person with the slickest web page is not necessarily the best breeder!

Does the breeder produce animals markedly different from the typical examples of the breed? Beware of non-standard deviations from a breed being marketed as "rare" to justify exorbitant prices. Non-standard variations of purebred dogs (eg., white Dobermans, longhaired Whippets, miniature Dalmatians, etc.) are generally considered undesirable by legitimate breeders. Nonetheless, if you are insistent that you want a non-standard version of a pure breed, make sure you demand the same in terms of health and temperament scrutiny that you would of someone breeding conventional purebred dogs.

Along the same lines, are the animals being bred actually purebred dogs belonging to a breed recognized by some legitimate registry? I love mutts, but there’s no excuse for someone to charge hundreds of dollars to sell what is essentially a glorified mutt (eg., Cockapoo, Schnoodle, etc.). Unscrupulous breeders will claim that cross-breeds are somehow immune to the genetically-based health problems of their purebred brethren. This is not true. Again, if you are insistent that you want a cross-breed, make sure you demand the same of the breeder that you would of someone breeding purebred dogs.

How knowledgeable is the breeder about this particular breed? Are they familiar with its historical origins? Can they educate you about the breed's disadvantages - especially genetic predisposition to health problems and characteristics like shedding, slobber, dominance, inter-dog aggression, etc. that may make owning the breed a challenge? Beware of anyone who sounds like a salesman and tells you that their breed has no disadvantages! Good breeders will play devil's advocate.

Does the breeder show their dogs in conformation, obedience, agility, field work, therapy dog work. to prove their dogs' quality as breeding stock? Can they demonstrate their dogs’ abilities to you? Frankly, I do not believe that this is a requirement for one to be a good pet dog breeder, but those who actively compete in dog events tend to have an overall higher commitment to the breed. Still, don’t be fooled by titles, per se. A pedigree full of conformation "champions" has absolutely zero relevance to someone seeking a healthy, happy pet.

Is the breeder "kennel blind" (believing that their dogs are perfect) or can they tell you the strengths and weaknesses of their particular dogs? What is their goal in breeding? Is their goal consistent with your vision of an ideal pet? If they are breeding for "health and temperament," have them explain exactly what they mean. Their idea of ideal temperament and yours may differ dramatically. If their goal is to produce their next show dog, have them explain how that will translate into a good pet for you. Ear-set and tail carriage mean nothing if the dog they produces bites your children or dies of cancer before his fifth birthday.

Are the breeder's dogs screened for genetic health defects like hip dysplasia, eye disorders, hypothyroidism, Von Willebrand's disease, epilepsy, cardiac conditions, and anything else that is common in the breed? A good breeder will welcome your concern and be glad to offer the requested information - beware of anyone who is defensive! An excellent breeder will candidly discuss the health of their line of dogs, including the problems that have cropped up. Even good breeders can produce unhealthy dogs on occasion. The difference is that the good breeder is on a mission to find and remove those genetic influences from their breeding lines. The irresponsible breeder approaches health in a haphazard manner.

Does the breeder have any old dogs on the premises? How long have their own dogs lived, and from what have they died? Beware of the person who sells off their adult dogs that are retired from showing and breeding. You want a breeder who loves the breed, not someone who loves to breed.

How many breeds is this person breeding? Ideally, someone will have a special interest in only one breed (perhaps two). A Jack-of-all-Breeds truly is a master of none. How many litters does the breeder have in any given year? A good breeder may breed one or two litters, or may not breed at all for a year or more between litters. More is never better. Anyone who is producing a large number of dogs is probably doing it at the expense of quality.

Will the breeder provide you with the names of their veterinarian and several past purchasers to serve as references? If given a choice, request pet references. Certainly a professional trainer will be able to handle a tough puppy, but what about a family with three kids and a cat? If the latter just loves the temperament of their dog, that speaks volumes. Ask the breeder about the homes that haven't worked out. There are bound to be some. Is the breeder honest that they made a poor placement, sympathetic to someone who underwent a life change that necessitated returning a dog, blunt that they produced a problem dog... or is the breeder bitter and accusatory about the person who bought the dog? Beware of the narrow-minded breeder who places blame on everyone but themselves.

What kind of guarantees does the breeder offer? Most will offer a replacement puppy or refund of purchase price if your puppy manifests a serious genetic defect. Any responsible breeder will want to keep in touch with you and be informed if your dog develops health problems. The better ones may ask you to have your pet OFA and/or CERF screened when it is old enough (as your dog reflects on their breeding stock). Truly caring breeders will insist that you return your puppy to them if you are unable to keep it for any reason during its entire life.

Does the breeder expect to sell you a puppy with strings attached? Concerned, responsible breeders will insist that you neuter your pet puppy as soon as it is old enough. They may have you sign a contract to this effect, or they may sell the puppy with limited registration (which means that if you do breed it, you cannot register the offspring). This is a very good sign in a breeder, so much so that I would be suspicious of any breeder who does not insist on neutering.

On the other hand, beware of any breeder who tries to sucker you into a breeding contract. They will treat you like you're stupid by flattering you and trying to con you into agreeing to keep your pet intact and breeding one or more litters, giving the breeder back one or more puppies from each litter. This is the biggest scam around. You get stuck with the expense and inconvenience (not to mention health risks) of keeping an intact animal and then providing the breeder with free puppies. If a breeder tries to talk you into this kind of pyramid scheme, find another breeder.

At what age does the breeder send puppies to their new homes? Avoid any breeder who wants to send home a puppy younger than seven weeks. Many good breeders will release puppies at 8 weeks, but as long as the puppy is being actively socialized, it is arguably better to wait until 10 or 12 weeks.

What does the breeder do to socialize their puppies? Ask them for specifics. Good breeders will have lots of toys and activities to which to expose their puppies. Mild stress is excellent for making puppies resilient later in life. A breeder who allows their puppies to experience different sounds, surfaces, etc. and meet different people is trying hard. A breeder who keeps their puppies in some sort of ultra-sanitary, almost sterile vacuum is doing the puppies a great disservice.

A good breeder will be very interested in who you are and somewhat choosy about whether you are able to provide an adequate home for one of their cherished pups. A breeder who wants to see your home, your kids, your spouse, your other pets, proof of your fencing, or talk to your veterinarian is simply trying to make sure that you will take good care of their pup. Do not resent this. Good breeders want to keep in touch with you after you've purchased a puppy and will be there for you with support and advice later on. Avoid breeders who take credit card orders over the internet and ship puppies to anyone who wants them. NO responsible breeder will sell a puppy to a pet store or other broker for resale.

A good breeder will participate in breed rescue efforts for the breed they love. This is important. Anyone who scoffs at breed rescue or is not personally involved in it in any way is someone to be avoided. Often the best place to begin your search for a good breeder is to ask breed rescue volunteers for their recommendations.

Good breeders think ahead and make reservations in advance for the puppies they will produce. You may have to wait for a puppy, but that's not a bad thing. Beware of someone who first creates puppies and then worries about how to disperse them.

What does the breeder do for a living? Dog breeding should be an avocation. Avoid anyone who makes their living through breeding dogs! The corners they cut financially may be at your expense.

Are the premises clean and orderly? Are the breeder’s dogs healthy in appearance? It can be a messy proposition to raise a litter of puppies, but puppies should not be wallowing in waste, covered with fleas, or otherwise appear neglected. Keep in mind that many longhaired bitches will shed their coats heavily during this time, so if the puppies’ mother appears a little ratty it is not necessarily inappropriate or unusual.

Do you like the temperaments of the puppies' parents? Remember, temperament is genetic! Avoid puppies from bitches that demonstrate any aggression or shyness. Specifically inquire about possessiveness (food and object guarding), inter-dog aggression, defensiveness about being handled, etc. Accept no excuses for undesirable behavior. Don't be afraid to ask the breeder to demonstrate the bitch's good temperament to you.

Has the breeder or will the breeder allow you to temperament test the litter? While puppy-testing is not especially predictive of adult temperament, it’s an attempt to gauge a puppy’s personality so that it can be best matched with a new owner. Ask the breeder's permission before doing anything to a puppy. No potential buyer has the right to do anything to a puppy which a breeder perceives as potentially harmful.

Beware of fads and people who ascribe to them. Some people feed their dogs a diet of raw meat and bones and avoid vaccinating their animals, for example. These people strongly believe that commercial kibble and routine vaccinations create immune system defects and compromised health in pet dogs. Perhaps that’s true for their dogs, in which case they should not be breeding those animals. Find a breeder who feeds a good quality commercial kibble and provides standard veterinary care, including appropriate vaccinations, heartworm preventatives, etc.

Often overlooked, but important - do you like the breeder? Will you feel comfortable relying on this person as a resource to help you if you ever run into problems with your pup? If you feel that the breeder is abrasive, rude, ignorant, or otherwise disagreeable, look elsewhere to buy your puppy. One of the greatest advantages of buying from a breeder is the support and assistance they can offer you throughout your dog's life.

Good luck in your search for a breeder. And if this all seems too complicated, swing by the local pound and pick up a good, old-fashioned, all-American mutt puppy!

I have been privileged to be able to share my life with a wonderful and diverse group of great Danes over the last twenty-five or so years. The Danes have been fantastic ambassadors for their breed, one and all! The diversity in color has been overshadowed by a common thread that makes the breed one that I can not imagine living without…Danes are such sensitive souls! Every Dane that I have ever met has been a gentle, soulful personality…some are just goofier than others From the day I met our first fawn Dane, Shotzi, who was a rescue and who hooked me on the breed, I have been continually surprised and amazed at the depth of feeling that a great Dane can convey with their eyes. If the “eyes are the window to the soul”, if you have ever met a Dane, you will agree that they are sensitive souls!
Whenever anyone asks me about the breed, I tell them that the best thing and the worst thing about Danes is that they think they are full fledged family members and are entitled to the same rights and privileges, such as lap time, couch time and lots of loving in general. That is what makes them such amazing companions! Each one is a sensitive and intelligent individual with some very Dane specific character traits. If a Dane is corrected in a manner, which they deem to be too harsh or inappropriate, they will usually retreat to their bed or a corner and pout, ignore you and give “dirty looks”.
When potential puppy parents are screened for the adoption process, this is one of the things that I tell them. Many times, this information is met with a strange look, like “this lady spends way too much time with her dogs!” I always get a chuckle out of these looks of disbelief when, invariably, after living with their puppy for a few weeks, these same puppy parents call and tell me, “Boy, does this dog pout and give me ‘the look’ when he/she is corrected.”
Danes are eager to please their people and are always happy to know when they have done something that pleases their people! Positive reinforcement of desired behaviors works splendidly with these sensitive souls!

One of the largest dog breeds in the world, the Great Dane is truly an elegant and majestic dog. Despite their imposing size, Great Danes are very friendly and happy-go-lucky dogs, virtual gentle giants. The Irish Wolfhound is the only dog breed that is taller than the Great Dane.

History: Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs depict pictures of dogs similar to the Great Dane. This may indicate historical evidence that dogs similar to Great Danes were in existence in 3000 B.C. The earliest written historical reference to Great Danes is from 1121 B.C. when English Mastiffs were bred to Irish Wolfhounds to produce what we know as the Great Dane today.

The Great Dane was developed by the Germans to hunt wild boar. Wild boar are ferocious animals and the dogs where known as Boar Hounds. In the 1800’s, the breed became very popular as hunting dogs and then aristocrats began to keep the dogs as a status symbol. By the late 1800’s, Great Danes were participating in dog shows as well as being used as hunting dogs.

With the subsequent high demand for these dogs, the bred was standardized and refined. In 1887, the American Kennel Club registered the Great Dane and classified the breed as a working dog. Great Danes began to be used as guard dogs or family pets and continue to remain popular despite their ungainly size.

Breed Temperament: Great Danes are very gentle amicable dogs with good protective tendencies. This makes them good guardian dogs for households with children.
The Great Dane is an moderately active dog that requires moderate levels of energy that need to be dispersed with sufficient exercise such as a daily walk.
It is imperative to obedience train your Great Dane to make them a wonderful family companion. You don’t need an aggressive Great Dane to scare off potential intruders, as their size will make most burglars think twice before breaking and entering!
Despite their extra large size, Great Danes make gentle companions and are great with kids but the dog will have to be trained not to jump on people. When a dog this size jumps on a person he can literally bowl that person over!

Grooming: Being a short haired breed, grooming requirements are basic. A good daily brushing will ensure the coat remains healthy and shiny as well as conditioning the dog’s skin.

To add shine to a Great Dane’s coat all you need to do is give the dog a rub with a soft cloth.

Great Danes don’t shed heavily and their nails should be regularly trimmed. Due to their enormous size, dry shampooing is recommended at home and when the dog needs a wet bath, they should be taken to a professional groomer who may be better equipped to deal with the dog’s size.

As with all dogs, attention should be given to the dog’s teeth and gums, regular brushing should be practiced as well as offering the dog crunchy dry food and porkhide chew bones.
Article by: Victoria
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