Great Dane Breed Facts and Information

Training: Great Danes are eager to please and fairly intelligent. Training is usually a snap, especially when it comes to house-training. Many people say that Great Danes are one of the easiest dogs to train. That's probably a good thing, given their size and strength! Invest in early training and maintain a schedule of obedience tasks to maintain a smart and loyal companion for many happy years of ownership.

Barking: Understanding your dog: Great Danes can be overly chatty, given a lot of stimulation and excitement. They shouldn't be howling all night, unless there is something the matter with them in terms of health or anxiety. Invest in early training and the proper diet for your Great Dane.

They are happy to spend most of their time inside, but they often don't appreciate their size relative to their surroundings. Don't be surprised if your new Great Dane fancies itself a lap dog and jumps up onto the couch to show his love.

Great Danes are like all big dogs – they simply cost more. Everything is bigger when it comes to your Great Dane. They require a special diet to maintain good health and avoid health problems associated with the breed.

Temperament & Behavior: Great Danes are known as the gentle giants of the dog world. They have an excellent personality to match their impressive stature. They are sweet and often strive to please their companions. They respond very well to positive reinforcement and obedience training.

They need a lot of space, and one thing you'll quickly understand is just how much bigger they are than other dogs. Your coffee table is in the path of that large, wagging tail. Your counters and tables are not much of an obstacle for your Great Dane, so use care when leaving food and harmful household items out.

Behavior with kids: Great Danes are great family dogs, but their size and weight can cause problems if you aren't careful. They are protective and loving when it comes to their inner circle. Their size can pose problems around smaller dogs, children, and the elderly. That big frame and whipping tail will take out your loved ones if you aren't careful. In terms of disposition, you won't find a friendlier breed.

Protection: Even though they are gentle and friendly, Great Danes are protective if things go south. They are always on the lookout for trouble, and no burglar wants to meet a big old Great Dane in the hallway during a break-in.

Life Span: On average, Great Danes live to be about 7 to 10 years old.

Inherited health issues: All large and giant breed dogs have their share of skeletal problems, but Great Danes have more than their share. Testing and certification of breeding pairs for inherited disorders such as heart disease will give prospective Great Dane puppy owners more confidence about their dogs. When interviewing breeders, be sure to ask about genetic testing, and make sure that when problems are identified with breeding dogs that those dogs are no longer bred. These conditions may include, but are not limited to the following: aortic stenosis, dilated cardiomyopathy, mitral valve dysplasia, tricuspid dysplasia, acral lick dermatitis, callus dermatitis, hypothyroidism, megaesophagus, gastric dilatation and volvulus, hip dysplasia, panosteitis, osteochondrosis dissecans, cancer, Wobbler's syndrome and multiple ocular conditions.

Preventive care: Form a great relationship with a trusted veterinarian and make sure that your Great Dane has routine visits, in order to identify problems early. Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oils may help to lessen the inflammation associated with arthritis that is so common in giant breed dogs. Choose a good quality brand that is developed specifically for veterinary patients, and dose according to label directions.

Nutrition: Giant breed dogs like Great Danes do not reach skeletal maturity until at least 18 months of age. It's critical to feed puppies a food that is formulated for large and giant breed dogs in order to control the rate of growth. Accelerated rates of growth have been correlated with several skeletal diseases, especially hip dysplasia.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for an adult Great Dane is 3.5-7 cups daily

Energy Level: Enjoys some moderate exercise every now and then

Exercise: These big dogs need a moderate amount of exercise. Great Danes have a good amount of energy, but being such a large dog burns a lot of calories just by standing up and breathing. It can take a while for Great Dane bones and joints to form and strengthen enough to support their large frame. Don't overdo it with jumping and running before their 18-month birthday, as the growth plates on their long bones close later than other dogs, leaving them more prone to bone abnormalities.

These dogs are wonderful to have around, if you have the space. They are loving, affectionate, loyal, and beautiful to behold. Don't be surprised when your Great Dane follows you from room to room as you move around the house. Great Danes love to be close to their family.

Climate: Great Danes are sporting dogs, used to the cold and wet elements on the hunt. They have a long history of working outside for their humans, so a little cold and wet weather won't bother them much. Watch out for overheating in the summer, though.

Living space: Great Danes are very large dogs, not well suited to small apartments or limited living space. If you have a lot of room and you want a larger dog in your life, the Great Dane is a fine choice. You'll need a big car, big crate, and big heart to take care of these big, lovable dogs.