Great Danes are a beloved breed due to their gentle and affectionate nature, despite their enormous size. If you're considering adopting a Great Dane into your home, read on.
Breeding Great dane dog at home
The Great Dane can be a wonderful companion for a family that has the time, space, and commitment to meet their specific needs. Here are some important facts you should know:
Great Dane Personality and Behavior:
Gentle Giant: The Great Dane is known as the "gentle giant" due to his friendly and docile nature.
Loyal and family-oriented: They bond deeply with their family members and love to be part of daily activities.
Good with children and other pets: They generally get along well with children and other pets, especially if raised from a young age. However, they should be supervised around young children due to their large size.
Early Socialization Required: To ensure they behave well with strangers and other dogs, they should be exposed to a variety of social situations from an early age.
Trainability: They are intelligent and trainable, but some can be a little stubborn. Early and consistent positive training is crucial.
Space Requirements:
Ample Space Requirements: Due to their massive size, they need a large home or sufficient space to move around freely. Although they aren't overly active indoors, they do need enough space to rest and stretch.
They don't like small apartments: Living in a small apartment may not be ideal for them, as they can feel cramped.
Exercise Needs:
Moderate Activity: They need daily exercise to maintain their health and prevent weight gain. Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours of exercise per day is recommended.
Daily Walks and Play: This can include a quiet daily walk, play time in a secure area, or interactive toys.
Avoid Over-Exercise Puppies: It's important not to over-exercise puppies, especially as they grow, to avoid putting too much stress on their developing joints. They can reach adult exercise levels around 12 to 18 months of age.
Mental Stimulation: In addition to physical activity, they need mental stimulation through training and puzzle games.
Nutrition:
Large Breed Diet: They need a balanced diet designed for large breeds, which supports healthy bone and joint development.
Multiple Meals: It is recommended to divide their daily meals into two or more meals to help prevent gastric bloat and volvulus (GDV), a serious condition common in large breeds.
Monitoring Calcium and Phosphorus: Especially for puppies, attention should be paid to the calcium to phosphorus ratio in the food, as the ideal ratio of approximately 1:1 is important for joint health.
Protein and Fat: Their food should contain at least 23% protein and 12% fat on a dry matter basis.
Training:
Early and Consistent Training: Due to their size, it is essential to begin training at a very early age. Positive, reward-based training is best for this sensitive breed.
Socialization: They should be exposed to a variety of people, animals, and environments to ensure they grow into confident, well-behaved dogs.
Clear Leadership: It is important to establish yourself as a leader early in the training process.
Dealing with Common Behaviors: Training them to greet guests appropriately, prevent jumping up, and control barking is essential.
Grooming and Care:
Moderate Shedding: They have a short, sleek coat and moderate shedding.
Weekly Brushing: They require weekly brushing using a rubber mitt to remove loose hair. During the shedding season (mid to late spring), they may need daily brushing.
Drooling: Some Great Danes may experience drooling.
Common Health Problems:
Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV/Bloat): This is the most serious health problem facing Great Danes. It occurs when the stomach fills with gas and twists. Feeding small, frequent meals and avoiding exercise immediately after eating can help prevent it.
Hip Dysplasia: A genetic problem affecting the hip joint, which can lead to pain and lameness.
Cardiomyopathy: A disease that causes an enlarged heart.
Wobbler Syndrome: A neurological condition affecting the neck.
Bone and Joint Problems: Due to their size and rapid growth, they are prone to bone and joint problems.
Skin Problems: They may suffer from itchy skin allergies.
Life Expectancy: Unfortunately, the life expectancy of a Great Dane is shorter than that of other breeds, typically ranging from 6-8 years.
Additional Tips:
Regular Vet Visits: Regular checkups and preventative veterinary care are essential to maintaining their health.
Prepare for Costs: Raising a Great Dane can be expensive due to their large size, whether in food, medications, or veterinary care.
Patience and Commitment: This breed requires a lot of patience and commitment from its owners to ensure they grow up as loving, well-balanced companions.
