Today we are sharing five ways to strengthen your Great Dane’s feet! Weak feet that knuckle, bobble, flop, and turn out are a common problem with fast-growing giant breed dogs.
The feet are the foundation for the whole body, and these dogs have HUGE bodies. So yes, this matters.
When their feet are weak or flat, it’s not only an aesthetic problem; it’s a functional one.
The development of the feet is especially important in growing puppies (read our article on puppy knuckling here). However, in adolescent and adult dogs, poor structure and weak joints could lead to pain, early arthritis, and permanent joint damage.
How Genetics Affect Foot Structure in Dogs
Genetics play some role in the overall structure, shape, and direction of the feet on your Great Dane.
The written standard for Danes states that the feet should be straight and parallel when viewed from the front. The feet should be ‘well knuckled’ and the pastern should have an 8 degree bend.
Deviations from this, including ‘East-West’ feet, splayed toes, bone deformities and otherwise are considered faults. These faults are often genetic and can be made worse by environmental factors such as nutrition.
The written standard is based on building an appropriate structure for such giant dogs, which must be built correctly for longevity, movement, and overall comfort.
Angular Limb Deformities (caused by damage to the growth plate) are another form of incorrect feet and joints that typically requires surgical intervention.
If you are concerned, always ask your veterinarian first!
From the written standard, this illustration outlines common feet in Great Danes. Hare foot, flat/down in pasterns and splayed feet are unacceptable.
“The strong pasterns should slope slightly. The feet should be round and compact with well-arched toes, neither toeing in, toeing out, nor rolling to the inside or outside. The nails should be short.”
We cannot stress this enough. Overgrown nails are extremely common and a major reason so many Great Danes have splayed toes, weak knuckles, and flat pasterns.
Nails that are allowed to grow too long (touch the ground, click on the floor) alter the shape of the foot and how your dog walks.
With time, it leads to pain, arthritis, and irreversible joint damage.
Start trimming nails the first week you bring your puppy or dog home, and make it a weekly or bi-weekly habit! If your dog is resistant, work with a trainer and learn how to condition your dog.
The Millers Forge cut through nails like butter, eliminating much of the pressure into the nail that many dogs find uncomfortable. They also stay sharp FOREVER! The Dremel is fantastic for rounding the nail off and helping the quick to shorten (which will be important if you need to shorten the nails a lot).
Need to learn how? The Facebook group ‘Nail Maintenance for Dogs’ is a fantastic resource. Getting nails trimmed back to an appropriate length may take time and dedication. Be patient.
Think your dog’s nails are ok? Here is an example of overgrown nails:
2 – Play on Soft, Varied Terrain
Great Danes and especially puppies benefit greatly from lots of free-play and exploration on soft, varied terrain. This movement strengthens the tiny muscles and tendons in the feet.
Structured walks on hard surfaces are hard on the joints and should be limited, especially if the nails are overgrown.
Slick surfaces in the home (tile, hardwood, laminate) are also hard on the joints. Use runners and yoga mats.
Purposefully seek out hills, grass, dirt piles, sand, soft pea gravel, and even the trampoline! Use a long leash so that your dog can move and explore safely and supervised without restriction.
We highly recommend that puppies be exposed to various surfaces and textures and encouraged and challenged to explore and use their bodies safely. Ramps, tunnels, and even splashing in a pool are all great for building confidence AND making those feet extra strong!
AVOID INJURY! It’s important that your puppy or adult dog not make a habit of jumping off things (beds, furniture, etc.). Damage to the growth plates is serious and may be expensive and painful to address properly.
3- Canine Fitness to Strengthen Puppy Feet
Dogs are no different than humans! They require movement and exercise to stay strong.
Find a dog trainer who offers a Canine Fitness or ‘Fit Paws’ class, and learn how to use balls, peanuts, and teeter boards to help your dog develop balance and strength.
This is an inexpensive knockoff of the popular Fit Paws balance disk. Choose the Fit Paws version if you have the budget; it will be more stable and last longer. Otherwise, this is a great alternative for home use!
Put this flat on a surface and ensure that it won’t slide. Lure your dog to put both front feet onto it.
The disk will wobble, and your dog will balance.
If you do this right, your dog will quickly learn that standing with two front feet on the wobble disk is SUPER fun! Gently lure your dog to the treat so that he stands up tall on the knuckles of the feet.
Don’t spend too much time on this, and don’t ask. your dog to stretch super far. You don’t want your dog sore or injured. It is helpful to work with a Physical Therapist or qualified fitness trainer.
4- Other Balance Games
Balancing requires humans (and dogs) to activate our tiny muscles tendons and ligaments.
To help your dog strengthen these muscles, encourage activities that require balance!
Be safe, and chat with a veterinarian and Canine Physical Therapist for help.
For puppies especially, we love the ‘puppy playground’. Use tunnels, ramps, gym mats, couch cushions and more to encourage exploration, body awareness and confidence building.
Remember, supervise and keep your dog safe! NEVER force a dog into an activity or pick them up and place them on an unstable surface. Encourage your dog to use their choices and body to do these activities, and reward them with praise and treats.
5 – Nutrition + Foot Structure
Nutrition plays a key role in developing sound orthopedic health in puppies, especially large and giant breed ones that grow quickly.
Many believe big puppies should be fed a nutrient-dense “holistic” adult or puppy diet with lots of protein and calcium. This is the worst thing a puppy owner can do!
Puppies that receive too much nutrition will grow too fast and can develop major problems with their bones, ligaments, and tendons, affecting them in adulthood.
DO NOT:
Feed nutrient-dense “holistic” diets.
Give adult food to a large or giant breed puppy.
Choose regular “puppy food” that contains extra nutrients.
Offer a diet with more than 1.5% calcium (ideally, 1.2% or less).
Add vitamin or mineral supplements.
Top the food with too many goodies, which unbalance the diet.
DO:
Feed a well-formulated large or giant breed PUPPY or all-life stages formula with 1.2% or less calcium.
Verify that the food meets AAFCO guidelines for large-breed growth
Monitor intake and don’t overfeed.
Tread cautiously with outdated information encouraging you to feed adult or nutrient-dense “holistic” foods.
Ask your veterinarian for advice.
Contrary to popular old beliefs, adult food is NOT the correct choice for growing giant breed puppies!
We only recommend research-backed large and giant breed foods from Royal Canin, Purina, Hill’s Science Diet, and Eukanuba. They have been heavily tested, researched, and formulated correctly for the growth of large and giant breed dogs, then subjected to further peer-reviewed science as we learn more.
A dog struggling with food may have excess gas, loose stools, a dull coat, poor muscle tone, inappropriate weight (over or under), and/or low energy.
Inappropriate nutrition for growing Great Danes can lead to knuckling, hip dysplasia, heart disease, and more.
Chat with a Giant Breed experienced veterinarian to find a diet appropriate for your Great Dane. Here is our list of recommended foods:
We have so many people who send us emails to ask us “is my Great Dane too skinny”, that we thought it was time for a blog post! This is a common question.
Great Danes are a lean and athletic breed, though people expect them to be heavy and stocky.
I thought it would be helpful to share some photos of dogs that are emaciated, thin, and overweight so that you can make real-life comparisons about whether or not your Great Dane is too skinny.
Always, always consult your veterinarian if you are unsure either way. Dogs can gain and lose weight quickly and may have underlying health problems, including parasites and diabetes.
What do Healthy Weight Great Danes Look Like?
The following images are of Great Danes that are at a healthy weight. Click on any image to view larger and in full.
Notice the defined waist, tuck in the abdomen, muscle, and even the presence of a rib or two. These dogs all appear to be offered plenty of free exploration time on varied terrain (which helps develop strength in feet, hips, and abs!). They enjoy running, playing, and being active.
You may feel that some of these dogs are underweight! Unfortunately, overweight dogs skew our perception of what is healthy in Great Danes.
Chances are, if you think your dog is too skinny, you may find that your dog actually belongs in this group!
Many times, lean dogs actually need more muscle development, not more fat. Keep that in mind; if your Dane is active and moving, they will develop muscle and can fill out in a healthy and strong way. Do not overfeed your Great Dane!
Underweight Great Danes
An underweight Great Dane is malnourished. These are dogs that are either neglected, have been fed unbalanced and incorrect nutrition, or have underlying health problems (cancer, megaesophagus, parasites, etc.) that require veterinary care.
A dog that is underweight may show the following signs: spine and/or hip bones jutting out, temples sunken in, prominent ‘knowledge bump’ on top of the head, low energy, no muscle tone, and muscle wasting.
An otherwise energetic and bright Great Dane puppy that is a little ‘ribby’ during a growth spurt is NOT an underweight or malnourished Great Dane.
This is normal, so long as the dog is showing signs of robust health: shiny coat, bright eyes, muscles, energy, tight feet, properly growing bones, and free of parasites, growing pains, skin conditions, and gut health issues (vomiting, loose stools, etc.).
Ethical breeding and nutrition play a key role here.
We do not recommend feeding adult food to Great Dane puppies. Adult food lacks the nutrients that they need for growth and robust muscle development; this is one reason so many Dane pups look malnourished as teenagers (because they essentially ARE).
The most up-to-date science, research, and formulations in dog food have made it safe and appropriate to feed large and giant breed puppy foods to Great Danes.
The companies that have participated in this research include Purina, Royal Canin, Hill’s Science Diet, and Eukanuba. We only recommend large and giant breed puppy foods from those brands.
I’ve linked to an article below on Great Dane puppy feeding, that will be of interest to you if you have found this article because you’re worried about your skinny Great Dane puppy!
Don’t mistake ‘filling out’ with getting fat. Filling out involves developing the breadth of the chest and hips, in addition to muscle mass. A dog that gets fat following spay/neuter around age 2 is not filling out, it’s just becoming heavy and overweight.
Great Dane Puppy Has Ribs Showing
If you see early signs of hips and spine showing in a previously healthy dog, chat with your veterinarian. If you are concerned about the amount of spine/ribs/hips showing your veterinarian can help you with safe ways to help your Great Dane gain weight.
The best food for a Great Dane to gain weight can be recommended to you by a professional. Do not add fatty foods, ‘Satin Balls’, or home-cooked food to fatten your dog up.
This dangerous practice can lead to health complications associated with unbalanced nutrition, not to mention pancreatitis!
Overweight Great Danes
Great Danes are a lean athletic breed. They should be graceful, robust, strong, and muscular.
Overweight dogs have shorter lives and are more likely to suffer from heart problems, cancer, arthritis, and diabetes. They are at higher risk for complications during surgical procedures and are also more prone to issues involving kidney and liver function.
Overweight Great Danes carry excess and unnecessary weight that will affect their quality of life. Lean dogs live, on average 2 years longer than overweight dogs so if that matters to you, read on!
Many people believe that because a dog is ‘Euro’ it should look and be heavy. This is not true. Even a ‘Euro’ dog should have a defined waist. Do NOT overfeed your dog because it’s ‘Euro’ and you think it should weigh 200lbs!
Others, in pursuit of having the ‘biggest’ dog focus on the number on the scale. There is nothing to be proud of if your Great Dane is tipping the scales.
An average, healthy-weight, well-muscled, and properly structured male Great Dane may weigh quite a bit; however, a solid majority of people claiming to have 175+lb dogs actually have overweight dogs.
Extra pressure on the joints, heart, and lungs is a problem for dogs that are allowed to become heavy like this. As above, do not mistake ‘filling out’ with getting fat!
Some dogs suffer from thyroid disease and autoimmune disorders that lead to excess weight; chat with your veterinarian for help.
Because some of them are out of the standard ‘Euro’ type, people believe they should be bulkier and heavier and thus, allow and encourage them to become this way. The dogs are the ones who suffer because of this.
Body Condition Scoring in Dogs
Many veterinarians use body condition scores to assess whether a dog is at a healthy weight or not.
Your veterinarian might never really tell you that your dog is overweight! Keep in mind that your Veterinarian is first operating a business, and that includes not upsetting clients by saying things about their dog that may be perceived as judgmental.
People become very defensive and are often in disbelief. It’s a losing battle for Veterinarians. If you’ve ever wondered ‘why is my Great Dane so skinny’, you are not alone. But, we hope this information helps!
We encourage you to bring the subject up to your veterinarian, mention your concerns, and show that you are an educated owner willing to learn!
It can be alarming if your Great Dane is coughing! Any time our beloved pets are hacking, choking, gagging, or coughing it’s definitely alarming.
We recently had a major health scare with our otherwise very healthy 8-month Mantle Dane Figaro.
It started with a dry cough and within hours become a life-threatening emergency.
Coughing is something to take seriously. We don’t want to scare you, but if you are hearing the tell-tale signs of your dog being unwell, you’ve come to the right place for information.
If your Great Dane is coughing and has a persistent dry or wet cough, we encourage you to see your veterinarian as soon as possible.
As you will see below, nearly every reason that your Great Dane is coughing could be moderately serious, if not severe, and needs to be addressed.
Reasons why your Great Dane is coughing
While the occasional cough is not uncommon for any dog, there are specific reasons why a Great Dane might start coughing more frequently. Understanding the underlying causes is crucial for ensuring your pet’s well being. The problem with coughing in dogs is that it’s rarely a benign problem; coughing is nearly always an indication of something more serious.
Here are the most common reasons why a Great Dane may be coughing:
Heartworms & other parasites
Congestive Heart Failure, including DCM/Dilated Cardiomyopathy (Genetic or Nutrition-Related)
Foreign object or fluid in the lungs (aspiration) or throat (irritation)
Distemper
Bronchitis
Pneumonia
Lung Cancer
Fungal Infections
Kennel Cough (which while generally mild can easily become deadly if left untreated)
I cannot say this enough; if your Great Dane is coughing, your first course of action should be to call (and visit) the veterinarian. Even if you think you are dealing with a basic common case of kennel cough.
Heart Worms in Great Danes Coughing
Heart worms are NASTY and may be the reason that your dog is coughing.
Heart Worms can happen to dogs anywhere, however they are most common in warm, humid areas.
These nasty Heart worms are transmitted via mosquitoes. This process of reproduction can result in 100’s of long wiggly worms filling up your dog’s heart. This can cause your dog to cough, and will eventually lead to death if left untreated.
Heart worm treatment often takes a long time and can be expensive, dangerous, and difficult especially if you haven’t caught it early.
Great Danes with Congestive Heart Failure or DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) will tire out easily and may develop a persistent cough.
DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) is one cause of congestive heart failure, however, there are many others (including birth defects, disorders of the heart and MVI (Mitral Valve Insufficiency).
Many times, a dog with DCM dog will show no symptoms at all. The cough that develops is often an indication that the disease progression has reached a serious and dire level.
Ethical Great Dane breeders do an echocardiogram on their dogs prior to breeding. This OFA health test can help to rule out the existence of heart disorders that may have genetic links, hoping to eliminate genetic (primary) DCM from their pedigree.
Secondary DCM (Nutrition) is caused by feeding an unbalanced, incorrect diet. Unfortunately, MANY dry diets on the market are unsafe to feed.
If your dog has been fed a boutique food diet, whether it is ‘grain-free’ or not and is coughing, you must see a veterinarian immediately.
Boutique food brands include Fromm, Victor, 4Health, Diamond Naturals, Costco, Nulo, Nutro, Nutra Nuggets, Taste of the Wild, The Farmer’s Dog, Spot & Tango, Instinct, Nature’s Logic, Open Farm, or any other brand that doesn’t have a board-certified veterinary nutritionist or PhD in Animal Nutrition on staff to formulate and thoroughly test their foods.
We only recommend feeding diets that meet WSAVA recommendations. These diets include Purina, Hill’s, Royal Canin, Eukanuba, and Iam’s. Purina and Hill’s are often prescribed to reverse nutritional DCM; we know they are a quality, safe, and nutritious food backed by a lot of science and research.
If your dog is tiring easily and has difficulty breathing and/or a persistent cough, see a veterinarian immediately. For more information about dietary DCM and choosing pet food, the following links should be very helpful to you!
Kennel cough is a COMMON cause of cough in dogs, and the least alarming overall. It does, however still require monitoring and treatment, as Kennel Cough can quickly turn into deadly pneumonia.
Kennel Cough is highly contagious and often picked up in places such as dog parks, pet stores, and training or boarding facilities. There is a kennel cough vaccine (also called ‘Bordatella’), however, it is not effective against every strain.
Your dog may get kennel cough whether they have been vaccinated or not!
Symptoms of kennel cough in Great Danes include:
Unproductive dry cough that may be persistent
Runny nose
Sneezing
Low energy
Mild fever
Decreased appetite
While kennel cough itself is usually simple to treat, you should still see your veterinarian.
Untreated kennel cough can quickly become serious, and antibiotics may be needed, even if your dog was vaccinated against kennel cough!
Pneumonia in Great Danes & Coughing
Pneumonia is serious and requires immediate medical attention.
A dog can get pneumonia anytime a cough has developed, especially if the cough is the result of a foreign body or substance in the lungs (such as water or mud, for example).
Kennel cough can progress to pneumonia if left untreated.
If your dog’s cough appears to be getting worse or sounds wet, head to the emergency veterinarian.
Left untreated, bacterial infections and fluid can build up and cause high fever and organ failure.
Here are some signs that your dog has a serious problem and may be experiencing pneumonia:
Distemper is a serious viral illness that affects dogs of all ages.
The virus can cause a number of symptoms, including fever, coughing, and diarrhea. In severe cases, it can even lead to seizures and death.
The good news is that distemper is preventable with vaccination.
Puppies should be vaccinated at an early age, and adult dogs should receive booster shots every year.
If you suspect that your dog has distemper, it is important to seek veterinary care immediately. With prompt treatment, many dogs are able to recover from the illness.
Lung Cancer in Dogs
While lung cancer is relatively rare in dogs, it is still a serious condition that can have a devastating impact on your furry friend.
Symptoms of lung cancer in dogs include:
Difficulty breathing
A persistent cough
Loss of appetite
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to take your dog to the vet for a check-up as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical for giving your dog the best chance possible of beating the disease.
Treatment options for lung cancer in dogs include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemo therapy.
The type of treatment that is best for your dog will depend on the severity of the cancer or tumor and how far it has spread.
Fungal Infection & Coughing in Dogs
Systematic Fungal infection is a surprising cause of cough in dogs.
They can be difficult to treat, so early diagnosis is essential.
Dogs can get a fungal infection from soil, water, or other animals.
Symptoms include:
Coughing
Nasal discharge
Blood
Watery eyes
Lethargy
Eye problems
Seizures
Muscle Wasting
If left untreated, the infection can cause serious damage to the lungs and other organs and may lead to paralysis or death.
How to Treat a Dog’s Cough
Coughing in dogs is nearly always serious. We recommend that you seek veterinary care if your dog is coughing.
The veterinarian will listen to your dogs lungs and heart and take a temperature.
Some of these symptoms are also present in bloat or because a dog ingested something poisonous, and they will be able to sort out the problem. Make sure to tell your veterinarian about the timeline of symptoms and what the early symptoms looked like.
Additional diagnostics may include x-rays, echocardiogram, blood work and monitoring (hospitalization).
Depending on the reason for the coughing, treatment may include antibiotics (IV or oral), fluids (IV or oral), oxygen support, steam therapy, surgery, sedation, ongoing medications, a change in diet, and rest.
Holistic Cough Treatments for Dogs
Once you have worked with your veterinarian to develop a comprehensive, scientific treatment plan you may wish to use some holistic home support.
Here are some holistic cough therapies for dogs.
As before, always check with your veterinarian!
Fluids – Make sure your pup is drinking enough water and staying hydrated. You can encourage drinking by adding bone broth to water or by soaking kibble. If at anytime you see signs of dehydration (sunken eyes, lethargy, dry nose, vomiting, lack of skin elasticity or sticky gums), consult your veterinarian.
Rest – Just like humans, dogs need rest to recover! Now is not the time to visit the dog park, training center or do anything stressful (visiting the groomer comes to mind!).
Walks – Your veterinarian may advise that you to take your dog out on short walks to keep the body moving and encourage fluid and gunk in the lungs to break up and move along. If your dog pulls, use a non-obstructive y-front harness and a long leash so that the trachea isn’t further irritated by tension from the collar or training tools.
Humidifier & Steam Therapy – It can be helpful to use a humidifier or sit in a humid bathroom. This can provide some comfort and encourage your dog to cough up any remaining gunk.
Temperature Monitoring – By keeping tabs on your dog’s body temperature, you can be more aware of early signs that an infection is building or not being adequately targeted by medications.
Today we are chatting about Great Dane Ear Cropping! Are there any benefits to cropping Great Dane ears? When is ear cropping done on puppies?
We will highlight the risks and benefits of Great Dane clipped ears and ear cropping, as well offer as a little bit of history, information on what to expect if you choose ear cropping for your Great Dane puppy, and more.
Is Ear Cropping Abusive?
Many anti-crop people consider the procedure of Great Dane ear cropping to be abusive, unnecessaryand painful while pro-crop people tend to gloss over and minimize the procedure, risks and aftercare requirements.
The ‘Great Dane ears cropped vs. not’ debate has gone on for a long time! We hope that this blog post helps bring balance to extreme opinions and helps you make an informed decision regarding Great Dane ear cropping!
Please be kind to others. We welcome comments below but will not approve misleading information, cursing, bullying or inflammatory statements.We take a neutral position on ear cropping, and understand that it is a somewhat heated and controversial topic. I have made every effort to present this blog post with honesty and truth, free of bias.
What is Great Dane Ear Cropping?
Great Dane ear cropping is a surgical procedure performed on young Great Dane puppies (7-10 weeks, typically).
The procedure is done under anesthesia by a licensed veterinarian. The ears are shaved and the flap is trimmed using a guide, an artistic eye and surgical tools such as scalpel, scissors or laser.
Roughly 40-70% of the ear flap is removed, leaving a much smaller, pointy ear. The cut edge is sutured and bandaged, and the puppy is given a long lasting pain medication and antibiotic.
The puppy is sent home the same day, often with a large cone holding their bandaged ears up.
Here is a fawn Great Dane puppy, before being cropped, and again as an adult with fully healed ears.
With proper after-care (more information below), cropped ears are trained to stand up on their own as we see below. Ears that are not cropped cannot stand as they are too heavy.
BEFORE& AFTER
For comparison, below. An 8 month old male Mantle Great Dane with intact ears.
DOES CROPPING HURT ?
It is important to acknowledge that cropping is a surgical procedure involving anesthesia, cutting, blood, sutures and a healing period.
It is well tolerated, however, by most puppies especially when performed by an experienced veterinarian that offers pain medication and appropriate after-care. Were it not for that, this procedure would be inhumane and painful.
Many breeders and pro-crop Dane owners say that their puppies are all up and playing within 12 hours of the procedure, as if nothing happened at all.
Dogs do not ‘mourn’ this or worry about it, and do not know that there is any difference at all.
Many of the veterinarians that excel at ear cropping are retiring now.
We’ve heard reports that many current veterinarians will NOT crop ears, but that show breeders often have connections (some of which may or may not be entirely ethical in their cropping practices).
What are the Benefits of Ear Cropping Great Danes?
Ear cropping is primarily aesthetic.
It is noted that as a general rule, show dogs with cropped ears often receive better placement.
Cropping may reduce the chance that a dog will develop a hematoma (a painful blister or sore on the ear flap that bleeds).
Some believe that cropped ears are less susceptible to ear infections, however studies (and the AVMA) do not currently back this theory up.
Cropping was originally performed because it helped prevent working dogs from ear injuries. Working dogs may benefit from being cropped.
Ultimately, ear cropping is a highly personal choice and a decision that, when done by a licensed veterinarian, you should not feel bad about making.
Cropping a puppies ears under anesthesia is not abuse, especially not when you compare it to the fact that millions of dogs are actually starved, neglected and beaten.
Comparing professionally done ear cropping to abuse or torture is inflammatory and misguided.
What are the Risks of Ear Cropping
Anesthesia comes with its own risks. With any surgical procedure, death is a possibility.
Unhealthy puppies and those with blood clotting or heart disorders may be especially at risk; chat with your veterinarian.
Infection & scabs can be somewhat common complications. It is important that the ears are kept clean, dry, properly bandaged and cared for. Healing should be closely monitored.
Some ears never stand properly, even with diligent posting and bandaging.
Because cropping happens during the prime socialization window, it is important that the entire process is as positive as possible.
Antibiotics, pain medication & anesthesia can have negative effects on gut health.
When choosing ear cropping, we recommend making sure your puppy is receiving vitamin C (which can help them process stress and heal) and has had at least 48 hours to settle in at your home before the procedure. Ideally, cropping is handled by the breeder at 7 weeks of age.
Moving to a new home, a change in diet and then surgery can be a lot for a little puppy to handle, so chat with your veterinarian and breeder to ensure that this transition is as smooth as possible.
Show Dogs & Great Dane Breeders who Crop Ears
The majority of dogs competing in conformation (dog shows) in the United States are cropped.
Many believe that cropped dogs, in general, score better, however there is a growing movement of breeders showing un-cropped dogs and judges who do not bias towards cropped.
For breeders that do still crop, many actually crop entire litters as part of their process before the puppies go home at 8-10 weeks. They take care of the early healing and guide owners on the posting and taping required to make the ears stand up.
Chat with your breeder! We believe this is one of the healthiest ways to deal with cropping in Great Danes (have the breeder do it).
It is extremely important when choosing to crop your puppy that you choose a veterinarian that has an amazing portfolio and plenty of experience. A good breeder can provide recommendations if they themselves don’t take care of the cropping.
In addition to a portfolio of previous work (that was ideally done on high-performing show dogs from ethical breeders), the veterinarian should be interested in the health and comfort of your puppy.
Because this procedure is largely aesthetic, a crop performed by the wrong hands could mean that your dog looks awkward, unbalanced or crooked. It’s like getting a bad nose job! Permanent.
We’ve seen some really questionable crop jobs in both Danes and Dobermans, and heard of a few sketchy cropping operations.
Don’t give your dog a permanent “bad haircut” or traumatic experience by choosing the wrong veterinarian!
A crop that is done properly is done with care and with the overall final look in mind.
The ears will be symmetrical, cut in a manner that will give them the best chance of successfully standing, will heal beautifully (no jagged edges or scar tissue), and will perfectly balance and show off the shape of the head.
Most importantly, a good veterinarian will make sure that your puppy has a good experience. They will not skimp on pre and post-op care, proper anesthesia protocols, or otherwise.
This is not something you find the cheapest vet for. Get recommendations and ask a lot of questions.
Great Dane Ear Crop Styles
Chat with your breeder and veterinarian about the best style for your puppy.
Show Crop – this is the most beautiful crop, longer and often with a little flare at the tip. This crop is the most difficult in terms of getting the aesthetic correct and getting the ears to reliably stand.
Pet Crop – this is a medium crop, easier to care for and a great choice if you are new to cropping. The ear is cut shorter overall and may not have the same artistic flare or regal look as a show crop.
Short Crop – most of the ear flap is removed and the final cropped ear is short and sturdy. Usually reserved for working dogs.
There is a huge range of styles and looks to choose from, even within these basic categories.
Look online for images and ask to see your veterinarian’s crop portfolio for inspiration. It is also helpful to look at photos of your puppies pedigree, many of them may have been cropped and you can get a better idea of what crops look best within the lineage that your puppy shares.
If your veterinarian doesn’t have a crop portfolio, keep looking. They should be proud to show off their work in this department and it should be something that they regularly do.
Additionally, some puppies should NOT be cropped because they aren’t healthy enough (parvo, blood clotting disorders, poor breeding situations, etc.) or have ears that aren’t built in a way that is conducive to success (may be common with puppies from breeders not focused on appropriate conformation of the Great Dane head).
A good breeder and veterinarian will prioritize educating you on this before choosing profit (from doing the procedure anyways). Be open to their opinion and advice.
Great Dane Puppy Ear Cropping After Care
After the cropping procedure your puppy may be drowsy or loopy, and may decline to eat for a short time while the anesthetic works its way out.
It is imperative that the ears be kept clean and dry. Keeping nails properly maintained can help minimize scratching and damage to the newly (less than 14 days) cropped ears.
Supervise your puppy and discourage other dogs in your home from licking the sutures, as they will likely be exposed during the initial healing period.
At first, the ears may bleed and the puppy may be bothered by the cone and the incisions, so discourage your puppy from fussing with it.
Many people report that they are surprised how bloody and messy their puppies crop is the first days following the procedure. Be aware of this so you aren’t surprised, especially if you are squeamish.
It may depend on the skill of your veterinarian how ‘neat’ and clean the fresh crop incision and bandages actually looks.
Some veterinarians will have you clean the sutures often with a Betadine or similar topical, and will want you to keep a close eye on the formation of scabs and scar tissue that can be problematic for the success and final aesthetic of the crop.
Infections are a notably common complication with Great Dane ear cropping. Know the signs: discharge, redness, heat and swelling in addition to the possibility of a fever, lethargy and occasionally signs of illness (vomiting, diarrhea).
A puppy in pain may whine, pace, cry, shake or scratch at the ears. Make sure your vet has prescribed adequate pain medication, and call if you have questions.
This is not the time to bath your puppy or encourage play in water or mud! Follow the aftercare instructions provided by your veterinarian.
The veterinarian will schedule an appointment for suture removal (usually by 14 days, often sooner). Your puppy may need to wear a ‘cone of shame’ if he/she is particularly fussy about the sutures (which may become itchy as they heal!).
Great Dane Ear Posting & Taping
Once the sutures have been removed, you will need to keep the ears clean and dry and maintain a schedule to change bandages and posts. Depending on the bandages you choose, you can expect to change them every 2-7 days on average.
Cropping requires months of diligent after-care, especially if you chose a longer show crop!
The ears will need to be taped and posted until the cartilage has fully set and the ears are standing reliably on their own, usually 5-9 months, occasionally longer.
It is best to stick with the process of posting and not give up too soon. The ears may quickly appear to stand fairly well, but if left without support for too long may quickly fall again.
Do not stop until you are positive teething has been completed and your puppy is holding the ears up.
It is important that the cartilage has had every chance to develop properly, and that the puppy has been encouraged to perk the ears up on top of their head. You can whistle, clap and make silly sounds to encourage this!
Great Dane Cropping Cost
Costs depend largely on your location and may even be further driven by the experience and quality of the veterinary performing the procedure.
Some veterinarians specialize in cropping and will have lots of resources and a portfolio to share with you. This is ideal.
Breeders that have entire litters cropped on the same day will typically receive a bulk discount, and they roll the cost of the crop into the price of the puppy. This is often the simplest and most cost effective way to have a cropped Great Dane puppy.
When you are pursuing crop yourself, expect to pay anywhere from $250-$1200.
There may be additional expenses associated with travel (if you cannot find a good cropping veterinarian locally), posting (the supplies can cost money each month) and complications (infections may require additional medications, veterinary visits and treatment).
With all things related to Great Danes, we believe that knowledge and educated ownership is important. We hope this guide helps you make a truly informed decision about ear cropping! Hello Danes will support you, 100% with whichever you choose.
As above, we believe there are things happening the world of Danes that are infinitely more problematic and abusive (including backyard breeding) than an elective, mostly benign procedure done by a veterinarian with proper pain and infection control. There is nothing wrong with being informed, OR with choosing the procedure as an informed pet owner.
The information contained in this post is for informational purposes only. We do our best to present the most up-to-date research, however it is up to the reader to make decisions regarding the health and well-being of their dog. We make no claims here to prevent or treat bloat or any other condition related to Great Danes. Find a veterinarian with GIANT breed experience, and chat with them.
Some of the products we list on our website contain affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase, we may receive a small commission for referring you. We only recommend products that we truly believe in. This commission does not affect the price of the product and is used to fund our content and expenses related to operating this website.
I’m taking a wild guess here that you found this post because you are concerned about your Great Dane puppy knuckling over. We have many resources on this topic, and are here to help!
Great Dane puppies have HUGE knobby knees. Their limbs look so chunky when they are young that many people, even some veterinarians (who aren’t used to seeing giant breed dogs) are initially alarmed. Knuckling Over (medically known as “carpal laxity”) is a condition where the puppy’s front legs bow out over the tops of the feet.
This reversible problem is believed to be the result of excessively fast growth, environment, genetics, and incorrect nutrition. We will touch on all of these factors below!
What causes puppy knuckling over?
Are flat feet and knuckling the same thing?
How to treat puppy knuckling and carpal laxity
This is a photo of a Great Dane puppy with severe carpal laxity “knuckling“
Great Dane Puppy Knuckling Photos
Here are some photos of Great Dane puppies who are experiencing severe carpal laxity (“knuckling”). Your puppy may have only mild knuckling that could progress quickly if left untreated and may not yet look like the puppies below.
Any kind of bowing out, flat toes, or crooked appearance is cause for concern. While carpal laxity knuckling is the most common growth disorder, it’s also the most benign!
Other problems related to bone growth in Great Danes include HOD, Panosteitis, Angular Limb Deformity, and Osteochondrosis. If you see ANY kind of abnormality in your puppy’s feet, you must visit your veterinarian to rule out more serious conditions.
Normal Great Dane Puppy Legs
For reference, the image below is a young Great Dane puppy with normal legs. Notice the growth plates; those bumps are normal. The feet are nice and tall, and the limbs appear to hold the puppy up without any struggle or bowing out.
Having solid feet and good foundations are so important for growing giant breed dogs. At this age, the joints and growth plates are very soft and susceptible to damage.
The bump above the patella (or, the ‘ankle’) may be alarmingly large! Many people mistake this for knuckling in Great Dane puppies. If that bump is swollen and warm, that is concerning. However, it’s not unusual for them to be knobby in substantial, well-boned Great Dane puppies.
Great Dane Health Issues & Orthopedic Growth Disorders
It is super important to note that while it may be normal for Great Dane puppies to have large growth plates, they should still be strictly monitored.
Excessive swelling of the growth plates and obvious signs of pain are red flags and warrant a visit to the veterinarian. A struggling Great Dane puppy may limp, appear weak or lame, wobble, whine, chew on their feet and/or have a strange gait when they walk.
Warm growth plates and flat or turned-out feet or limbs are another sign that something is wrong.
Some common Great Dane growth disorders include:
HOD – Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy is a painful disorder in growing large and giant breed puppies that can cause swelling and abnormally large limbs and joints.
PANO – PANOSTEITIS is also known as growing pains, and can cause swelling and pain.
OSTEOCHONDROSIS
INJURY – Injury to the growth plate may be serious and can cause swelling and permanent damage (that may develop into angular limb deformity or similar).
As before, consult with your veterinarian if you are unsure! Even severe cases start with a mild version, so keep an eye on your puppy and take day-to-day photos if you are concerned.
A double-merle Great Dane puppy with normal knobby knees and Growth Plates
What Causes Knuckling in Giant Breed Dogs
While the exact cause is unknown, it is believed that knuckling (carpal laxity), and all other orthopedic growth disorders are related largely to diet and an imbalance of important minerals and nutrients.
Excess intake of calcium has been shown in studies to contribute to improper growth. Osteochondrosis, HOD, Panosteitis, and even angular limb deformities are commonly associated with too much calcium.
Great Dane puppies utilize nearly EVERY bit of the calcium they receive in their diets. Adult dogs are better able to regulate this and discard what they don’t need. This makes it very important that we control the amount of calcium our puppies (under the age of 2) are receiving.
Never feed a diet with more than 1.2% calcium to a Great Dane puppy! If it’s not listed on the bag, contact the company.
In addition to excess calcium intake, excess food intake (overfeeding) results in obesity and rapid growth. This creates a perfect storm that results in all kinds of deformities and disorders.
So what is the trick to reducing the risk of orthopedic growth disorders and bone problems?
Less calcium, less food. I’ll dig into this below!
The Best Food to Treat Knuckling in Puppies
Many foods on the market are NOT safe to feed giant breed puppies. I believe there are only a handful of truly nutritious and correctly balanced choices.
When choosing food for a Great Dane puppy, especially if they have any kind of carpal laxity or painful growth disorder, you need to check the values.
The calcium content MUST meet the following guidelines:
1.2% or less calcium 3.5g or less calcium per 1000kCal A ratio of calcium to phosphorus of as close to 1 : 1 as possible
These factors alone don’t eliminate all possible options, so to narrow it down even further, choose as follows:
Labeled as a large or giant breed PUPPY formula or a large breed ALL LIFE STAGES formula
Must have the “formulated for the growth of 70+ lb as adult dogs” AAFCO statement
Includes grains (NO “grain-free”)
Made by a company that does research and feeding trials
Formulated by a highly qualified on-staff nutritionist (either a PhD in Animal Nutrition or a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist
You may have heard that Great Dane puppies should never have puppy food. This is an OUTDATED MYTH. I cannot say this loud enough. Adult maintenance diets were used in the past but they are no longer the best choice.
If you want more information on values associated with different food brands, check out the new Giant Dog Food Project website. www.thegiantdogfoodproject.com
Great Danes need food that is formulated specifically for slow, even growth.
It is also very important, when treating growth disorders, that food intake is limited and monitored. Do NOT overfeed or free feed. Eliminate all toppers, treats, and supplements.
We highly recommend a highly researched, extensively tested and scientifically formulated large or giant breed puppy kibble with balanced calcium and phosphorus levels. Our favorites are listed below.
Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.
Great Dane Puppy Knuckling and Breeders
Another contributor to growth problems and bowing legs in Great Danes may be poor breeding and health practices; young puppies that are kept primarily on hard surfaces and fed an improper first diet may be more susceptible.
Great Dane puppy Knuckling occasionally goes hand in hand with flat feet (weak knuckles and toes). Poor overall foot structure has a genetic component.
Many breeders still subscribe to outdated ideas about feeding adult foods and low-protein foods; however, these may not prevent growth disorders and often do more harm than good!
A Great Dane puppy knuckling before and after photo series
Puppies that aren’t offered adequate free-play on soft, varied terrain (think grass, sand, dirt, and gravel) or that live in homes with a lot of hard, slick floors may be more prone to knuckling, flat feet, and other orthopedic issues.
In the early stages of knuckling, you may notice:
Weak feet (flat toes/knuckles)
Weak ankles
Shaking limbs when on soft surfaces
What looks like severe knuckling when standing on a softer surface, but may correct and look ‘normal’ when back on the floor
Ankles that appear to be moving up and over the foot, even slightly
Legs that occasionally ‘bow out’
Limbs that look crooked in some way
Knuckling Before and After
The great news is that knuckling (carpal laxity) is treatable and can be corrected!
The treatment for knuckling is also helpful for treating flat feet, which are another symptom of improper flooring, inadequate exercise, poor nutrition, and poor breeding practices.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
How to treat Great Dane puppy knuckling
There are five big changes to make when treating knuckling.
Change Food Immediately
Supplements
Nail Maintenance
Flooring
Exercise
We are going to use the space below to outline each one, including the best foods to offer when correcting knuckling in addition to information on supplements that we recommend.
As always, consult your veterinarian.
Of course, we say to consult your veterinarian often because we really do think that you should.
However, it is extremely important to note that you find a veterinarian with giant breed experience, who is well studied in the latest research when it comes to nutrition and more. Ask questions!
When you notice the early signs of knuckling, it is imperative that you change foods immediately.
Knuckling is largely related to nutrition.
The food you choose for your Great Dane puppy MUST have the correct calcium, and phosphorus ratios.
More research is needed into the exact mechanisms behind nutrition and knuckling, but it is believed that an imbalance of amino acids and meat proteins may also contribute. For this reason, we only recommend research-backed brands for Great Dane Puppies. These brands include Purina, Royal Canin, Iam’s, Hill’s Science Diet, and Eukanuba.
A food with the ‘correct’ calcium and phosphorus ratios may still cause knuckling if it is overfed or not professionally formulated by a veterinary nutritionist!
The best Great Dane puppy foods to treat knuckling
We like to see:
Calcium at or below 1.2%
Phosphorus close behind
Calcium and Phosphorus should be balanced together as closely as possible, with phosphorus being the lower value. Calcium values of 1.2% or lower are ideal.
Science-based formulation from a company that follows WSAVA Guidelines and utilizes research and science, not marketing buzzwords (Purina, Iams, Eukanuba, Hills, Royal Canin)
If possible, look for an AAFCO statement on the bag with information about the formula being correct for the “growth of large-size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult)”.
Better yet, the AAFCO statement should indicate that the food was substantiated in food trials.
Ingredients: Science-backed formulation with meat, meat, and/or meat by-product meals in the first ingredients. Be wary of any food that uses an excessive amount of legumes or pea protein instead of real meat protein (which may also be linked to heart problems).
Added probiotics and ingredients such as DHA and fish oil that promote healthy brain development and a shiny coat are recommended.
NOTE: It used to be said that ‘adult food’ was the only choice for Dane puppies. Formulations and science have been updated. Puppy food may help ensure that your puppy is receiving enough of the right protein and fat for brain development and growing muscles.
Formulations, research, science and kibble diets have changed for the better in the last 10 years.
You can now choose a puppy OR an adult formula, as long as it’s formulated correctly for the growth of giant breed dogs and from a science-backed, heavily researched brand such as Purina.
Great Dane puppy foods that we recommend
Always consult with your veterinarian before a diet change or adding supplements! The brands listed below are heavily tested and researched by Veterinary Nutritionists and are thus formulated with up-to-date information about the growth of large and giant breed dogs.
These brands are recommended by veterinarians and many of the Top Breeders in the U.S.
Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.
Whatever you do, do NOT give your Great Dane puppy a calcium supplement or multivitamin!
Nail trimming to prevent knuckling in Great Dane Puppies
Overgrown nails lead to:
Flat feet
Weak pasterns
Unnecessary pressure on the toes and joints
Altered gait/walking
Pain
Damage to the skin, furniture, and hardwood
Temporary or permanent deformity of the feet & ankles
Eventually: joint damage and arthritis
Nails must be kept short and round, not long and sharp. If they touch the ground, they are too long. If you have a puppy that is knuckling, has flat feet, or has another bone growth disorder, nail maintenance is even more important.
Discourage your puppy from jumping, especially if the landing is on a hard or slick surface. Use a washable, tough bed in the crate to keep feet off the hard crate pan when crating for extended periods.
Do not allow your puppy to zoomie and slide all over the hardwood and tile floors in your home.
It is important to help your puppy strengthen those feet, tendons, and muscles.
Great Dane puppies should have large, well-knuckled feet. The toes should not be flat. We’ve included more information below on what good foot structure and strong feet should look like!
Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.
How to strengthen weak Great Dane puppy feet
Exercise ideas for strengthening Great Dane puppy feet and pasterns:
Lots and LOTS of free play on varied terrains such as grass, sand, and pea gravel.
Walking up and down gently rolling hills.
Have the puppy stand on the bed or the couch, and gently touch each side with a flat palm to encourage the puppy to ‘balance’.
Use a stability disk or cushion. Encourage the puppy to stand with both front feet on the disk.
When indoors, keep the puppy only on soft surfaces.
Limit time spent walking on concrete and in the ‘heel’ position.
Create a puppy playground and encourage your puppy to safely explore ramps, tunnels, and things that wobble a bit.
Be careful about over-using a crate (restricted movement all day and all night) or keeping your puppy on a tile or linoleum floor all day long. This practice can contribute to weak feet, knees and hips.
Make sure that your puppy receives plenty of time to move outside of the crate or X-pen when you are home.
If your puppy has a severe case of knuckling, consult with a veterinarian and certified canine physical therapist before adding any additional exercise!
Some cases of knuckling benefit from wraps to support the limbs; a professional can help you. We do NOT Recommend wrapping without professional guidance.
This puppy has weak flat feet, and weak pasterns, and shows what may be early signs of knuckling.
Around 5-7 weeks puppies can appear to have flat feet and early knuckling, which will correct itself if the puppy is given the correct food.
Feet and pasterns may ‘fall’ a bit following surgery (ear cropping, for example) and during teething.
It’s easy to become alarmed each time this happens, but it’s important to monitor progress toward the end goal: tight knuckles and straight limbs!
A young Great Dane puppy with slightly flat feet
Great Dane puppy knuckling can look much worse than it is, but it’s still essential to immediately begin correcting the problem.
Failure to correct knuckling could lead to permanent deformities of the limbs that may become painful and may eventually lead to arthritis or require surgery.
Have you had a puppy knuckling? What did you do to treat it? How quickly did it resolve?
Use the comment section below to tell us about it!
Dogs parks look like so much fun. The idea of a large fenced area for off-leash fun is very appealing!
There are times when it’s appropriate to take your Great Dane to a dog park and times when it is not.
Read on for more information about dog parks, Great Danes, and when and if your dog is ready to participate.
AGE
No dog under the age of 4 or 5 months should be visiting a dog park.
Dog parks can harbor parasites and disease that may be harmful to your puppy, especially considering that your dog is not likely to be fully vaccinated yet.
Additionally, dog parks are not good places for socializing young puppies. As a matter of fact, one bad experience can ruin a puppy for life.
Do you want your puppy to grow up to be a ‘dog park’ dog, or to like other dogs?
Don’t ruin this opportunity with forced exposure.
Taking your puppy to a dog park and keeping him on a leash for ‘safety’ so he ‘learns’ is how you may actually cause leash reactivity, fear of other dogs and aggression.
Focus your young puppy time on positive experiences, calm engagement with you, and basic obedience.
SOCIAL SKILLS
Good ‘Dog Park Dogs’ are well socialized, confident, calm and have excellent social skills.
A dog that has good social skills is more likely to walk away from conflict, rather than into it:
They are confident in new situations.
They are not fearful of puppies, dogs or people and have no history of aggression towards any of them.
They know how to respect other dogs signals and body language.
Dog parks are hotbeds for aggression and rude interactions between dogs. Even a docile, well socialized and otherwise calm dog may find himself in a tense, escalating situation and will react accordingly.
Many dog owners are unaware of the difference between healthy play and behaviors that may lead to tension or a fight. This is the reason that dog parks in general get a bad name.
TENSION AT THE DOG PARK
If you see any of these signs or situations from your dog or a dog you meet, say ‘Let’s Go’ and walk your dog away from the situation.
Stiff tail wags and stiff bodies paired with hackles and possibly bared teeth while greeting.
One dog standing over the other and baring teeth, growling or snapping at the other.
One dog with a toy or treat that is stiff, baring teeth and/or growling
Dogs coming into the gate that are extremely wound up: screaming, barking, howling.
Dogs on leashes inside of the dog park.
A dog that corners, chases, rolls, shoves, or pins another dog when not part of mutual play.
A group of dogs that are ‘ganging up’ on others.
Don’t mistake chasing, rolling, cornering, shoving, humping, or other pushy behaviors as ‘cute’ or ‘friendly’.
If your dog is subjected to this, and especially if your dog is clearly afraid (tail tucked, trying to escape, hiding, snapping) get your dog OUT of that situation.
Move on, no matter what the owner of the other dog says about their dog being ‘friendly’ and ‘just saying hi’.
On the flip side, do not allow your dog to be the rude pushy one either. This kind of behavior is extremely inappropriate and can lead to snapping, fights, injury and poor socialization experiences.
HEALTHY DOG PLAY SIGNALS
These are the signs that your dog, and that other dogs nearby and having fun at the dog park:
Loose, wiggly bodies (free of tension)
Indifference (calmly walking away from conflict, not towards it or engaging it)
Loose waving tail (not stiff or tucked)
Neutral ears (not pinned back)
Play bows (bum up)
Bouncing, exaggerated movements
Shake off and occasional breaks
Body to body slamming
Taking turns (you bite me, I bite you, you chase me, I chase you).
Self-handicap (gentle with smaller dogs)
SOCIALIZING THE AGGRESSIVE DOG
I was recently at a very large dog park attending a Great Dane meetup.
A person walked by with a huge Great Dane on a gentle leader. This dog was extremely anxious and on edge, ready to hurt somebody or another dog.
He was lunging, snarling and snapping. It was all his owner could do to keep him in control.
I suspect the owner was there attempting to ‘socialize’ his dog, but he was actually making the problem worse.
Doing this is extremely unfair to the polite, well socialized dogs and puppies that should otherwise feel safe in that environment, and extremely unfair to his anxious dog who needed respect, training, guidance, and appropriate behavior modification under the guidance of a professional.
If your dog is aggressive, anxious, unpredictable and hard to control you should NOT be visiting dog parks.
SIGNS YOUR DOG SHOULD LEAVE THE DOG PARK
Humping (sign of overstimulation).
Lunging/screaming at the gate to get in or out.
Harassing others (cornering, chasing).
Chasing, cornering & pinning others (when not part of a mutual game).
Barking, lunging, grabbing and pouncing on dogs that have not engaged in play.
Tail tucked, shaking, scared, running away.
Running off, ignoring your requests to ‘LEAVE IT’ and ‘COME’.
Standing over dogs and baring teeth or growling.
Nipping, lunging, snapping and other similar warnings to others.
Aggression (biting, intent to harm).
Great Danes are giant breed dogs that can be intimidating to children and other dogs, even when you know that they are as gentle as can be.
Respect the fact that others may not see your Great Dane the same way that you do, and make sure that your Great Dane gives people and dogs space when it’s clear they need it.
One of the best things we can do as Great Dane owners to change the perception others may have about Giant Breed dogs is to train them, socialize them, and make sure that they truly are the calm, benevolent Apollo of dogs.
It’s fairly common knowledge that as a general rule, Great Danes grow until they are 3.
They will typically gain height for the first 2 years, and then ‘fill out’ until age 3.
A lot of people, however, seem to mistake ‘getting fat’ with filling out!
Great Danes are NOT supposed to be a heavy, weighty breed. Even ‘Euro’ built Danes should be lean and have a defined waist.
OVERWEIGHT GREAT DANES ARE PROBLEMATIC
Overweight Great Danes are not ‘cute’ or ‘funny’.
Overweight Great Danes cause Great Danes to live shorter and less healthy lives.
Back yard breeders have been breeding ‘Euro’ Great Danes, which has made many people think it is normal to have Great Danes be floppy, droopy and ‘fat’.
It is around age 2 when many Great Danes have their spay or neuter.
Spay and neuter causes a shift in hormones that for many dogs also leads to a slower metabolism and weight gain.
Many people see this happen and assume their dog is ‘filling out’, when really…their dog is just getting fat.
It’s important to work with your veterinarian following a spay/neuter to make sure your Great Dane stays active and at a healthy weight. We recommend waiting to spay/neuter until your dog is at least 18 months of age.
WEIGHT IS BAD FOR DANES
There seems to be a contest to have the biggest, heaviest Great Dane.
Excess weight, however is extremely hard on them.
Most Danes are not built to be 170+lbs. Adding food, satin balls and coconut oil to their diet to ‘bulk them up’ or ‘fill them out’ is extremely unhealthy.
Most Danes may look lean, but very few actually need help gaining weight.
Dogs that are kept at a health weight live on average 2 years longer than their overweight counterparts.
Lean, fit dogs have an easier time playing, walking, running, and getting around.
As a society we are so used to seeing heavy dogs that we may find it alarming to see a dog that has been kept lean and at a healthy weight!
There is nothing cute about letting your Great Dane get fat.
Overweight dogs are more likely to suffer from:
Diabetes
Bladder Stones
Heart Disease
Hypertension
Cancer
Osteoarthritis
Anesthesia complications
(An overweight Great Dane, above)
WHAT IS FILLING OUT?
In Great Danes, filling out refers to the process of the dog developing breadth/width in the chest and hips, as well as developing muscle mass.
Neither one of those things has to do with becoming heavy. Good muscle development is extremely important for Great Danes!
As your Great Dane matures and finishes filling out, you may notice a broader chest and hips, stronger more developed shoulders and larger more defined hip and thigh muscles.
Their face will mature quite a bit and you may notice an increase on the scale, but that’s not necessarily from fat!
Keep your Great Dane active. ***Many people believe that Great Danes should be restricted from exercise as a means to reduce the risk of bloat. At this time, studies indicate that there is no advantage to restricting water or activity, even following meals. There are, however, many advantages to allowing your Great dane to move naturally on soft, varied terrain (fields, hiking trails, etc.)
Below is a health, well-muscled 17 month old intact male Great Dane that is just beginning to ‘fill out’. He is still very lean and gangly and has a lot of maturing left to do:
Below is a photo of his Grandfather, a mature AKC CH. Great Dane that has been kept at a healthy weight. This gives you a good picture of what a Dane may look like as a young pup and then later as a more mature, filled-out adult.
You can see that an outline of the ribs may be visible, and the dog has a waist that can be viewed from both the side and above. His head, chest and hips have become broader and have matured. He is not heavy or overweight!
GENETICS MATTER
Genetics really matter when it comes to size! Don’t compare the weight of your Dane to the weight of others.
Even two Danes of the same weight can look massively different, depending on their body fat ratio, muscle development and overall structure.
Run from any breeder whose focus is on creating the largest, droopiest, heaviest dogs out there.
If they are advertising weights as a means to prove their breeding stock, they may not have the best interest of the dogs in mind. A healthy, well-bred Great Dane is the Apollo of dogs, and will be large without being uncomfortably heavy.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR GREAT DANE AT A HEALTHY WEIGHT
Choose a high quality, nutrient dense diet and don’t over-feed
Keep dietary fat content at or below 14%
Keep your Great Dane active! A short walk each night on pavement is not enough exercise for most dogs to stay lean, fit, and mentally healthy.
Free play and exploration on varied terrain (grass, sand, gravel, hills, rocks, etc.) is important for physical & mental health, and we believe is more important than leashed walks on the sidewalk.
Tug of war, flirt poles (for dogs age 2+), and hiking can be wonderful ways to bond with your dog and keep them in great shape!
Take a FitPaws class with a qualified instructor.
The information contained in this post is for informational purposes only. We do our best to present the most up-to-date research, however it is up to the reader to make decisions regarding the health and well-being of their dog. We make no claims here to prevent or treat bloat or any other condition related to Great Danes. Find a veterinarian with GIANT breed experience, and chat with them.
Some of the products we list on our website contain affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase, we may receive a small commission for referring you. We only recommend products that we truly believe in. This commission does not affect the price of the product and is used to fund our content and expenses related to operating this website.
If you are concerned because you have a Great Dane puppy with knuckling, crooked paws, bowed-out legs, or bumps on the front legs, you’ve come to the right place. It is important to understand what causes knuckling over, and how to quickly fix knuckling in Great Dane puppies.
Knuckling over, better known as “Carpal Laxity” is one of the challenges that may arise during the explosive puppy growth phase.
As you are now aware, giant breed puppies, known for their rapid growth, can sometimes face orthopedic concerns that affect their front legs. This post is a big one, and in it, we are providing the most up-to-date information based on science & research! Use our table of contents to navigate.
In this post we will discuss:
How to determine if your Great Dane puppy is knuckling
What causes knuckling in giant breed puppies
How to fix knuckling over, flat feet, and carpal laxity in Great Danes
A Great Dane puppy knuckling over, with carpal laxity
What is Knuckling Over in Puppies?
Knuckling, or Knuckling over is the layman’s term for a large or giant breed puppy when their front limbs collapse. You can see in the image above that the knuckle joint is bowed over the foot.
This condition is a result of fast growth and while it looks alarming, it is one of the least concerning growth disorders that big puppies can face!
Is Puppy Knuckling & Carpal Laxity the Same Thing?
The WORD “knuckling” and carpal laxity go hand in hand. However, the word “knuckling” is medically incorrect for this condition.
In other words, the use of the word ‘knuckling’ is actually a misnomer!
When people say ‘knuckling’ in reference to bowed legs on a giant breed puppy, what they really mean is “Carpal Laxity”.
True knuckling is actually a neurological condition, usually associated with more serious disorders in older dogs. To be clear, the use of the word ‘knuckling’ in reference to Great Dane puppy feet is basically slang.
Now that that is out of the way, it’s important to note that I will be using the terms “Carpal Laxity” and “Knuckling” interchangeably in this post.
When you speak to your vet, mention that you have concerns about carpal laxity. This will make much more sense to them, and their diagnosis will make much more sense to you, too!
Is Knuckling Over in Great Danes Serious?
Knuckling over is one of the most common growth complications in Great Danes and other giant breed puppies.
With carpal laxity, the dogs weight becomes too much for the quickly developing bone and cartilage, and the legs ‘buckle’ or go flat in response to the stress.
Some puppies have a mild case of knuckling over, others have a more severe case. Either way, this is a notable (and reversible) condition that requires treatment.
It often pops up with very little warning, and puppies can be normal and then wake up from a nap buckling over. Other puppies show early signs, such as having shaky legs and flat feet.
While the exact cause of knuckling is unknown, it is believed to be related to dysfunctional (too fast) growth, often brought on by improper nutrition. Excessive or improper exercise and slippery or hard surfaces can cause further damage to the lax joints.
It is a condition that requires swift action and treatment, however, it is NOT a serious condition requiring life-saving measures. Don’t stress! With the right treatment, this problem resolves quickly.
This photo above is of an 8-week-old Great Dane puppy who was diagnosed with HOD and knuckling. This is a severe case. Knuckling can look more mild or more severe than this.
Normal Great Dane Puppy Growth vs. Knuckling
Many people mistake normal, knobby growth plates, flat feet, or angular limb deformities with knuckling!
Healthy Great Dane puppies will often have large, knobby growth plates on their front paws. These growth plates may swell a little bit before a growth spurt; this is normal!
However, excessive swelling is indicative of problems such as HOD and PANO which are much more serious than carpal laxity. Always monitor the condition of your puppy’s growth plates and report to your veterinarian; if there seems to be pain, limping, and/or a lot of swelling.
What are the Signs & Symptoms of Puppy Knuckling?
This photo above is a fairly severe case: notice the bowed appearance and toes.
It’s important to understand the warning signs that may indicate early or developing bone growth problems in your puppy, and see a giant-breed-knowledgeable veterinarian ASAP. Left untreated, puppy knuckling can lead to permanent damage and deformity.
Symptoms of puppy knuckling over and carpal laxity include:
Weak limbs that ‘shake’ on soft surfaces
Flat toes/splayed feet
Ankles that rest over the top of the foot
Bowing out
Flat feet (another form of carpal laxity)
Crooked front limbs or ‘ballet feet’ (which may also indicate growth plate damage and angular limb deformity, more serious than knuckling)
We’re going to dig more into how diet affects bone growth in large and giant breed puppies below, but before we get there, check your food! If the calcium level is above 1.2% it should NOT be fed.
How to Quickly Fix Puppy Knuckling in Great Danes
I’m going to deep dive into the nutritional and environmental issues related to knuckling below, but if you are reading this article you may be looking for a quick fix.
Here is the long and the short of how to QUICKLY fix puppy knuckling:
Encourage lots of free play on soft, varied terrain such as grass, sand, and gravel
Do NOT use a harness, which can restrict natural movement
Put runners and rugs down in your home
Avoid slick or hard surfaces and jumping
Utilize orthopedic bedding
See your veterinarian for further instruction and monitoring
Here is our heavily researched list of the best foods for Great Dane puppies, especially if they are suffering from any kind of growth or orthopedic disorder:
Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.
What Causes Knuckling in Giant Breed Dogs?
While the exact mechanism behind the cause of knuckling still needs more research, there are strong correlations to diet and exercise practices. If you have a puppy that is knuckling over, you MUST immediately address the diet.
A proper diet for a giant breed puppy should be like this:
Large or Giant Breed Puppy OR All Life Stages Formula, NEVER adult-only foods
AAFCO Large Breed Growth Statement – this is a MUST-have
1.2% or less calcium, no exceptions
3.5g of calcium or less per 1000kCal
We’ve partnered with the Giant Dog Food Project to develop a search tool that allows pet owners to sort through nearly 700 brands and formulas, and find the ones that match those values. Visit the Giant Dog Food Project Pet Food Search Tool HERE.
Feeding an unbalanced diet can cause knuckling over
Feeding an unbalanced, nutrient-dense fussy diet is thought to be the leading cause of knuckling. Too much calcium and feeding too much food or too many toppers, treats, and supplements cause the puppy to grow unevenly.
Here is a list of things that cause a diet to be unbalanced:
Poorly formulated kibble (see our recommendations)
Regular puppy foods that were not designed for large+ breed growth
Adding supplements such as calcium or multivitamins
Adding too many unbalanced toppers such as yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, and meat
Offering too many treats and training treats
Feeding a food that was not formulated for large or giant breed dogs (the ratios are different)
Mixing two or more types of kibble
Home-cooked or homemade raw diets (which are rarely formulated correctly)
Switching diets, especially when doing so often
Feeding a kibble that is not formulated by a veterinary nutritionist or Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition
Do any of the things on the list above apply to you? We will outline them in detail below.
Feeding the wrong kibble
We believe in science.
Science tells us that the only appropriate kibble for a Great Dane puppy is a LARGE or GIANT breed puppy or “All Life Stages” formula from a brand that meets veterinary guidelines for ethics, sourcing, testing, research and responsibility.
You may have heard that Great Dane puppies should “only have adult food”. This information is outdated in 2022 and may actually be dangerous. We’re digging more into the science of this below!
Choosing an appropriate food for your Great Dane puppy means that it should be:
Ideally be formulated by an on-staff, full-time, board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist
A large or giant breed puppy or “all life stages” formulation that was created to support slow, even growth of large and giant breed puppies
Be rigorously tested, researched and subjected to feeding trials
Come from an established brand with lots of peer-reviewed research behind it
Meet nutritional guidelines through feed trials and testing, not just be ‘formulated to meet minimums’ on paper
Less than 3.5g of calcium per 1000kCal
1.2% or less calcium
Calcium to Phosphorus ratio of as close to 1 : 1 as possible
AAFCO’s statement that the food was formulated for the growth of (70+lbs) large breed dogs <—important, although not, AAFCO sets minimums. A food can ‘meet the minimum’ and still not be the healthiest choice.
The following brands and formulations are the only ones that meet the requirements listed above. We do not recommend feeding any other food brands to Great Dane puppies, though many people recommend other foods.
Many pet parents will switch their puppy’s food often in an attempt to resolve chronic loose stools, itching, or ‘pickiness’.
All this does is create a puppy who will refuse to eat until toppers or a different food is offered.Picky dogs are created by, you guessed it, US!
This practice also contributes to poor overall gut health, itching, and loose poop.
People mistake these health issues with ‘allergies’ when really, their pup just needs the right amount of correctly balanced food and some time for their gut to adjust.
Choose a proper science-backed food, measure it with a scale, don’t overfeed, and stick with it.
No matter how ‘healthy’ it may seem to offer ground meat, rice, and veggies in lieu of kibble, home-cooked dog food is rarely balanced correctly. Imagine if you ate that kind of diet every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It wouldn’t take long before you started to suffer from malnutrition!
Dogs need correctly balanced meat, bone, and organs in their diet in addition the the right ratios of protein, carbs, fiber, amino acids, nutrients, and minerals.
The website www.balanceit.com allows you to plug in your home-cooked food recipe and see what it’s deficient in. Even recipes made by “canine nutritionists” and celebrity veterinarians are often wildly incorrect.
Homemade diets should only be made under the guidance of a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and NEVER for growing giant breed dogs.
Overfeeding Great Dane Puppies is Bad for Growth
Feeding too much food to a puppy can cause uneven, fast growth, loose stools, and knuckling.
Your puppy does need to eat a LOT of food. But too much is a problem.
Puppies that are offered poorly balanced puppy or adult foods, who then overeat to try and get the nutrition they need, can suffer from chronic loose stools, knuckling, HOD, growing pains, and permanent joint deformities.
Great Dane puppies that are offered ‘adult only’ food in particular may need to eat much more than necessary.
Adult food doesn’t provide them with enough nutrition for their energy levels and muscle development.This is one reason why we see so many teenage Danes with ongoing loose stools that look like walking skeletons with no muscle: they are literally starved for nutrients and will over-eat to try and compensate.
We no longer recommend choosing adult formulas. All Life Stages Large and Giant Breed Formulas are ok.
A science-backed large or giant breed puppy food from Purina, Royal Canin, Hill’s, Eukanuba, or Iam’s are excellent choices.
Puppy kibbles have more nutrition in the form of calories, fat, and protein. This can make it easy to overfeed, especially if you are used to seeing your Dane pups have to gorge themselves on adult formulas.
Watch your puppy’s body condition and adjust accordingly.
Poor nail maintenance and slick floors
Great Dane puppy nails should be trimmed weekly. Do not ever let them get so long that they touch, scrape or click on the ground.
Hard, slick surfaces contribute to early joint damage.
Encourage your puppy to play freely on soft, varied terrain in lieu of walks on hard pavement. Use runners and throw rugs to eliminate slipping and sliding in your home.
Nutrition & Knuckling in Giant Breeds
It is believed that nutrition is a key factor in bone and growth disorders in giant breed dogs. Current research shows that excess calcium is among the most damaging nutritional problems. Because giant breed puppies utilize every bit of calcium offered to them in their diet (they are unable to get rid of it), their bones take all of it in. That would seem like a good thing, except it’s not!
Excessive calcium is linked to a whole slew of bone growth issues including osteochondrosis, hip and elbow dysplasia, angular limb deformities, retained cartilage cores, and more. Some researchers understandably also speculate that these damaged bones are more susceptible to developing things such as Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and Wobbler disease later in life.
It is extremely important to find and stick to an appropriate balanced diet for your puppy! Unfortunately, the giant breed community still promotes many myths. These myths are NOT rooted in current research and science.
Common Great Dane puppy food myths include:
“Great Dane puppies should never have puppy food”
“Purina, Royal Canin, and Hill’s Dog foods are trash”
“Protein levels MUST be below 24%!”
“Fresh roasted deboned meat, fruits, and veggies are healthy and more nutritious for dogs than meat meals made of muscle, bone, organ, and cartilage”
We recommend:
Protein – ignore this number if you are choosing a professionally balanced food recommended on this page. This is a myth that was disproven by peer-reviewed research. The protein level does not matter. The bioavailability of amino acids, as well as calcium and phosphorus levels, DO matter.
Fat – ignore this number as well, for the same reason as above
Calcium 1.2% or lower (1.3 – 1.4 can also be okay if you do not add any toppers or supplements). Overall calcium intake should never exceed 3.5g per 1000kCal.
Phosphorus is close behind calcium.
The following brands are correctly formulated and tested for the growth of our gentle giants.
There are 300-400 new boutique food brands offered each year in the U.S. When you choose science instead of fancy bags and marketing, it’s easy to narrow the options down.
Foods with fresh ‘deboned meat’ paired with peas, potatoes, fruit and veggies. These foods sound nice but in reality are likely to be heavy in starch and low in meat.
Choosing the correct food for your Great Dane puppy is extremely important! Chat with your breeder and a giant-breed knowledgeable veterinarian for more advice.
Vitamin C for Treating Puppy Knuckling
Many people swear by Vitamin C to aid in the treatment of knuckling in Great Danes. Vitamin C is a known antioxidant that is important in bone formation. However, some researchers say that adding too much to the diet can have the opposite effect.
In addition to addressing the nutritional aspect of knuckling (we recommend switching food immediately with a short transition period), there are other things you can do!
Change the diet ASAP. This is the MOST important step you can take. Stick with what you choose.
Put runners down, everywhere. Your puppy should not be jumping, sliding, running or walking anywhere with a slick surface, especially while treating knuckling.
Do not allow your puppy to jump up or to launch themselves off of furniture. Use ramps, training, crates, and gates to prevent this behavior.
Avoid hard pavement and leashed walks, which are hard on joints and don’t allow the puppy to move naturally.
Don’t run or bike jor with your Dane puppy until they are age 2+, have good hips and feet and are well conditioned to exercise.
Avoid training methods that use physical force and pressure for down/sit, alpha rolls/pinning, extended down-stay or long ‘pack/structure walks’. None of that is healthy, natural or necessary, especially for giant breed puppies.
Limit crate time, which can lead to weakness and poor orthopedic development.
Unless your veterinarian prescribes rest, allow your puppy to freely walk, move, run and explore varied terrain every single day. Grass, sand, gravel, hills, and dirt are great examples. As a bonus, this is great for socialization! Use a long leash or a fenced yard.
Work with a certified Canine physical therapist to strengthen the feet, toes, ankles, shoulders and core.
Choose orthopedic beds, like the BIG BARKER (our personal favorite).
TALK TO YOUR BREEDER! They can be the best resource, especially if you’ve done your research and chosen an ethical breeder that supports your puppy for life.
We always believe that you should also work with a giant-breed experienced veterinarian!
Some bone growth issues are much more serious than knuckling (angular limb deformity, HOD, and Wobblers for example) and it’s important to rule them out.
Have more questions about knuckling or want to share your experience? Leave a comment below!
Choosing the right food for a Great Dane sometimes feels like rocket science. We get it because we’ve been there. Selecting the right food for your Great Dane is crucial for maintaining its health and well-being, so this is important! Our Great Dane Dog Food 101 post cuts through the fluff and gives you the best and most up-to-date answer.
This post covers several Great Dane food topics including:
How much dog food does a Great Dane need?
What is the best food for Great Danes?
Is Grain-free food good for dogs?
Should pet owners be feeding large breed puppies puppy food or adult food?
What does a senior dog need to be eating?
Let’s dive into the best dog food as well as get answers to other commonly asked questions.
Great Dane Dog Food Nutritional Requirements
Giant breed dogs, such as Great Danes, possess distinct nutritional needs due to their size, growth rate, and physiological characteristics. The sheer magnitude of their bodies requires careful attention to nutrient levels to support healthy bone development and prevent musculoskeletal issues.
It is well-studied, for example, that excess calcium is damaging to growing bones. Giant breeds undergo rapid growth during their puppy stage, making their nutritional requirements specific to this critical phase.
Additionally, their slower metabolism and susceptibility to health conditions necessitate controlled calorie intake and a balanced diet to avoid obesity-related complications.
Here is our shortlist of requirements. Check each one of these items to narrow down your choices!
Calcium level of 1.0 – 1.3%, ideally less than 1.2%
3.5g or less of calcium per 1000kCal
For puppies under the age of two: AAFCO Large Breed Growth Statement
Formulated for large or giant breed dogs
Grain inclusive (never feed grain-free dry kibble, more on this below)
Ideally formulated by a company with a board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist on staff, that does feeding trials and nutritional research
At Hello Danes, we researched this for you and recommend the following formulas (for your convenience). All of these meet the current science-backed recommendations:
Determining the appropriate amount of food for Great Danes requires a balanced approach, taking into account their size, age, activity level, and individual metabolism. The food you choose matters, too.
Generally, adult Great Danes may consume between 2,500 to 3,500 calories per day, but this can vary. Puppies, during their rapid growth phase, may require up to twice the amount of calories compared to adult dogs!
It’s crucial to follow feeding guidelines provided by reputable dog food brands and to monitor the dog’s weight and condition regularly.
Feeding too much to puppies can contribute to orthopedic growth disorders, and feeding too much to adults can contribute to obesity-related health problems.
Consulting with a veterinarian to tailor the diet to the dog’s specific needs and adjusting portion sizes based on age and activity level is key to maintaining optimal health and weight in Great Danes.
I’ve seen puppies eat 6-12 cups/day, while adults may eat only 3-7 cups, depending on the nutrient density of the food.
Author’s Note: The outdated practice of feeding adult food to Great Dane puppies is NOT recommended. It often results in above-average food intake, because the puppy is starved for protein and nutrients. Read more about this HERE.
Never Overfeed a Great Dane
More is not always better when it comes to feeding your dog. Overfeeding can lead to health problems like obesity and digestive issues.
Great Dane puppies that are fed too much will grow too quickly, putting them at risk for developmental orthopedic conditions such as Panosteitis, HOD, OCD, and Carpal Laxity.
In many cases, chronic loose stools can be attributed to excess intake of food! Cutting back is a healthy choice.
Accelerated Growth: Overfeeding can lead to rapid growth in puppies, contributing to musculoskeletal issues and joint problems.
Obesity: Overfeeding contributes to obesity, placing extra stress on joints and exacerbating existing health concerns.
Digestive Issues: Consuming more food than necessary can lead to digestive problems, including indigestion and diarrhea.
Reduced Lifespan: Overweight dogs are more prone to various health issues, potentially reducing their lifespan.
In adult dogs, overfeeding increases the risk of many conditions, including surgical complications. For overweight dogs that get Osteosarcoma, life-saving amputation surgery may not be an option.
Many people are tempted to feed their Great Danes too much food out of concern that they are too thin! They are rarely undernourished.
For dogs that refuse food and lose weight doing so, a medical emergency is indicated. This is not a sign to add fatty foods to the diet.
Here are some common health problems associated with excess weight in adult dogs:
Arthritis: Overfeeding can contribute to excessive weight gain, placing additional stress on the joints and increasing the likelihood of developing arthritis in dogs.
Joint Problems: Excessive weight can lead to joint issues, including hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, affecting the dog’s mobility and comfort.
Cardiovascular Conditions: Overweight dogs are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems, such as heart disease and hypertension.
Respiratory Issues: Obesity can strain the respiratory system, leading to difficulties in breathing and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Reduced Immune Function: Excessive weight can compromise the immune system, making dogs more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
Liver Disease: Overfeeding may contribute to the development of liver problems, impacting the organ’s function and overall health.
Decreased Quality of Life: Dogs that are overfed and overweight may experience a reduced quality of life due to limited mobility, discomfort, and increased vulnerability to various health issues.
Can Great Danes Eat Grain-Free Food?
In recent years, concerns have been raised about a potential link between certain grain-free diets and a serious heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). While not exclusive to Great Danes, this breed, like others, may be susceptible to DCM if their diet lacks proper nutrients.
DCM is a condition where the heart becomes enlarged and weakened, affecting its ability to pump blood efficiently.
Several studies have suggested a likely connection between grain-free or boutique diets and an increased risk of DCM. In some cases, the condition is reversed with a diet change, indicating substantial theories that diet does indeed play a huge role in heart health (just as it does in humans!).
Many holistic veterinarians and influencers promote that grain-free foods “have more meat and fewer carbs and fillers”. They also believe that removing grains from the diet can help resolve allergies, itching, and digestive issues.
This is an absolute myth. At least, the part about having “more meat and less carbs”, is. Grain-free dry diets are loaded with carbs in the form of lentils, potatoes, peas, and other legumes…not more meat as marketing has led us to believe.
In our popular Great Dane group on Facebook, several members have come forward to tell us their stories of losing (or nearly losing) their beloved Great Danes to heart disease after feeding them grain-free foods. Until we have more information, it’s just not worth the (very real) risk.
If you have a Great Dane suffering from an unhealthy gut, allergies, and itching, perhaps a trip to a veterinary dermatologist or veterinary internist is in order. They have other treatment options that will be ultimately safer and more effective.
Feeding Guidelines for Great Dane Puppies
You cannot feed a Great Dane Puppy the same way that you feed an adult dog. Great Dane puppies must have a diet with strictly controlled calcium, phosphorus, vitamin, mineral, and energy levels.
Here are some general feeding guidelines to ensure the healthy development of your Great Dane puppy:
Large or Giant Breed Puppy Food: Choose a puppy food specially formulated for large breeds. Look for options that specify “large breed” or “giant breed” on the packaging, as these diets typically address the specific nutritional requirements of growing Great Danes.
Balanced Calcium and Phosphorus: Ensure the puppy food has a balanced ratio of calcium to phosphorus, typically ranging from 1:1 to 1.2:1. This helps support proper bone development and minimizes the risk of skeletal issues.
Caloric Intake: Great Dane puppies have a high metabolism, but it’s crucial not to overfeed. Follow the feeding guidelines on the food packaging, but individualize portions based on your puppy’s age, weight, and activity level. Regularly monitor their weight and adjust portions as needed.
Meal Frequency: Feed young Great Dane puppies three to four meals per day to accommodate their fast growth and reduce the risk of bloat. As they mature, you can gradually transition to two meals per day.
Avoid Rapid Growth: While it’s essential to support growth, avoid overfeeding to prevent excessively rapid growth. This helps reduce the risk of musculoskeletal issues, including hip dysplasia.
Treats and Table Scraps: Limit treats and table scraps, as excessive treats can contribute to weight gain. Too many goodies will unbalance the diet and encourage picky eating.
Regular Veterinary Check-ups: Schedule regular check-ups with your veterinarian to monitor your Great Dane’s growth and ensure they are meeting developmental milestones. Your vet can provide guidance on adjusting the diet as needed.
Here is our list of foods that meet all recommendations for Great Dane puppies. They need to stay on an appropriate formula until age 2. This is the most current recommendation (2023-2024).
Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.
Supplements for Great Danes
Navigating the world of supplements for Great Danes is like walking into a Jungle! There are so many options and a lot of companies trying to get our money. The supplement industry is largely unregulated!
It’s easy for companies to bring new-fangled options to market. All they have to do is pay a factory to manufacture their products and package them with a well-designed label.
The truth is that many supplements are not proven, not researched, not carefully manufactured, and may do more harm than good.
When considering supplements for your Great Dane, stick to brands that are both veterinary recommended and/or have the NASC Seal (which is obtained by proving the safety and potency of the formula being sold).
Never give a multivitamin or multi-supplement. If your pet’s diet is properly balanced, a vitamin or mineral supplement may result in excess nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium intake. This can result in a slew of nutritional problems. More is not better!
Here are some supplements you might consider!
The Best Fish Oil for Great Danes
Great Danes are prone to many health conditions. Some include food allergies, skin issues, joint conditions, and digestion problems.
Fish oil is a great way to support large breeds regardless of the dog’s age. It can be given at any life stage, in moderation. Because fish oil is high in fats, it does add a lot of calories to the diet. Watch your pet’s body condition score and don’t let them become overweight!
Buyer beware, not all fish oils are created equal. With any product you choose, you must verify that the company is using exceptional quality control and proving its supplements in clinical and safety trials.
Nutramax Welactinis a great example of a fish oil that is carefully sourced and formulated, manufactured by a company that backs up their promises with clinical research and industry-leading quality control.
Joint Supplements for Big Dogs
There are MANY joint support options on the market, and like the others, it can be hard to choose. Save your money! Don’t even consider ones that don’t have clinical research and owned manufacturing facilities.
We use and recommend Dasaquin and Cosuquin products.
A lot of Great Dane breeders recommend giving all puppies a lot of vitamin C to “prevent knuckling”.
This practice is not backed by science. Like many home remedies, this is one that may do more harm than good.
See, here is the thing. Puppies DO need vitamin C in their diet. At one time, decades ago, pet food manufacturers didn’t know how to formulate food for giant breed puppies.
As a result of incorrect nutritional levels, big puppies were experiencing all sorts of problems with growth including Carpal Laxity and growing pains. In response, breeders tried all sorts of things!
They tried feeding adult foods to slow growth (you’ve probably heard this outdated and damaging recommendation before!) and adding vitamin C to promote healthy bones and collagen development. These remedies seemed to work, and this advice has stuck around in the giant breed community for decades now.
There is a fair amount of clinical research showing the important role that vitamin C plays in bone growth and stability!
“Overall, vitamin C exerts a positive effect on trabecular bone formation by influencing expression of bone matrix genes in osteoblasts.”
Now it’s 2023 and modern large and giant breed puppy foods have been formulated correctly to remove dietary influence on bone growth disorders. We no longer have to starve our puppies of nutrition on adult foods to slow their growth.
These new foods also contain the correct amount of vitamin C to support healthy bone and cartilage development. There is not too little, nor is there too much.
Reread the above quote about “influencing [the] expression of bone matrix genes in osteoblasts”. To put this simply, in the context of wanting to SLOW bone growth and prevent the bones from maturing too quickly, we have to consider once again that over-supplementation may be harmful.
I’d also like to point out that too many Great Dane puppies suffer from chronic loose stools. This is a side effect of excess vitamin C.
Don’t blame those loose stools on chicken or grains; look at your supplements, first.
Great Dane Feeding Chart
The numbers on the chart below can vary depending on the food you feed, your dog’s age, their overall health, and their activity level. If your pet receives a lot of additional calories in the form of treats, toppers, enrichment toys, and supplements this chart will be inaccurate.
We recommend offering puppies 3 small meals a day. Transition to 2 meals each day at around 6-8 months of age, if you wish.
This chart is just a guideline of what you can generally expect when feeding a proper diet that meets WSAVA recommendations. Follow the manufacturer’s directions and your veterinarian’s advice. Always monitor body condition, too! Fast growth and excess weight are bad for Great Danes. Err on the side of caution.
Pro Tip: if your dog has loose stools, you may be overfeeding them!
Age
Timing
Amount
Puppies under 12 weeks
3x/day
2-4 cups/day
Puppies 12-24 weeks old
3x/day
3-6 cups/day
Puppies 24 + weeks (6 months) or older
2x/day
5-10 cups/day
Puppies 12-18 months
2x/day
6-12 cups/day
Adults 18+ Months
2x/day
4-8 cups/day
These values are averages. Your pet may need more or less. Always talk to your veterinarian and use the manufacturer’s feeding chart as a guideline.
Pet Food Ingredients 101
Distinguishing between fact and fiction is crucial when making informed choices while selecting pet food. Common misconceptions can arise regarding ingredients such as by-products and grains.
A lot of misinformation about pet food is spread by profit-driven influencers and veterinarians who want to drive sales for their books, courses, and supplements.
Not to mention the millions of dollars made by pet food rating websites such as Dog Food Advisor. They earn money every time you click.
Here is some information about pet food ingredients that mirrors what board-certified veterinary nutritionists have to say on the topic!
Chicken Meal and By-Product Meal in Dog Food
Meals (such as chicken meal, beef meal, salmon meal, or chicken by-product meal) in dog food are essentially a concentrated and dehydrated form of meat, excluding moisture content.
When utilized in well-formulated pet foods, meat meals are far superior to ‘fresh meat’ or ‘raw meat’ in terms of nutritional content, protein, and balanced amino acids.
To put this simply, pet food companies that attempt to woo you with “freshly roasted meat” as the primary or only meat ingredient may be making up for the resulting nutritional deficiency in the synthetic vitamins (which are in all pet foods). Some companies have to use more added vitamins than others.
Fresh meat is 80% water and doesn’t have bone, organ, or cartilage in it; these are nutrient-dense and biologically appropriate foods for dogs, even if they don’t sound good to all humans.
Chicken By-Product meals from companies like Royal Canin are a nutritious and high-quality source of protein that is more similar to a properly formulated raw diet than anything else. If you’ve heard otherwise, you’ve been misled.
I don’t know about you, but I am SICK and tired of predatory influencers that spread misinformation in exchange for profits. Let’s move onward…
Rice & Corn
Rice and corn are commonly included in dog food for several nutritional reasons. While many influencers have disparaged these ingredients, they are desirable when feeding Great Danes!
Energy Source: Both rice and corn are excellent sources of carbohydrates, providing a readily available energy source. Carbohydrates are crucial for fueling the day-to-day activities and metabolic functions of dogs.
Digestibility: Rice, in particular, is easily digestible for dogs, making it a suitable option for those with sensitive stomachs. Corn, when processed properly, is also digestible (more digestible than beef, actually) and provides dogs with essential nutrients.
Fiber Content: These grains contain dietary fiber, which aids in promoting healthy digestion. Adequate fiber in a dog’s diet supports regular bowel movements and helps prevent constipation. It can also reduce the risk of bloat!
Nutrient Profile: Rice and corn bring a range of essential nutrients to the table, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients contribute to overall health and well-being, supporting functions such as immune system maintenance and skin health.
Cost-Effective: Both rice and corn are cost-effective ingredients, which can contribute to making dog food more affordable without compromising on nutritional value. This affordability allows pet owners to provide their dogs with quality nutrition at a reasonable cost.
Alternative Protein Source: While not as high in protein as meat, rice, and corn can still contribute to the overall protein content of the diet. This can be beneficial for dogs that may have allergies to certain meat proteins or for pet owners looking to diversify protein sources.
Gluten-Free Option: Rice is naturally gluten-free, making it a suitable option for dogs with sensitivities or allergies to gluten-containing grains. This provides a grain alternative for dogs with specific dietary requirements.
It’s important to note that the quality of rice and corn in dog food depends on factors such as sourcing, processing, and overall formulation. Responsible pet food manufacturers carefully select and process these ingredients to ensure they meet the nutritional needs of dogs.
Additionally, individual dogs may have unique dietary requirements, so consulting with a veterinarian can help tailor a diet that best suits a particular dog’s health and preferences.
Panosteitis, commonly referred to as “growing pains” or “pano,” manifests as a painful and distressing condition observed in Great Dane puppies. Large and giant breed dogs grow extremely fast during puppyhood, and fast growth is associated with several disorders. Panosteitis in Great Dane puppies is a condition characterized by inflammation in the long bones of the limbs, causing intermittent lameness and discomfort.
If you have a Great Dane pup that is in pain, they may have panosteitis!
In this post, we will cover:
Symptoms of growing pains in dogs
What causes panosteitis
How to prevent growing pains in puppies
Treatments and therapies for managing panosteitis
The role of balanced diet in reducing the risk of growth disorders in large & giant breed puppies
Symptoms of Panosteitis Growing Pains in Puppies
It’s important to note that MANY growth disorders cause similar symptoms. If your puppy is sick, limping, flat-footed or buckling over, lame, lethargic, painful, or has growth plates that are warm to the touch, you must see a veterinarian immediately.
Our blog will provide you with a starting point. The symptoms of panosteitis include:
Intermittent Lameness: Puppies with panosteitis often experience shifting lameness, moving from one limb to another.
Reluctance to Bear Weight: Affected pups may show hesitancy or reluctance to put weight on the limb, leading to a noticeable limp.
Migrating Lameness: The condition may cause lameness to shift between the front and hind legs over time.
Altered Gait: Panosteitis can result in changes to the puppy’s gait, contributing to an observable limp or awkward movement.
Lethargy: Puppies with growing pains may exhibit signs of lethargy, displaying reduced energy levels and overall activity.
Reduced Physical Activity: Due to pain and discomfort, affected puppies might be less inclined to engage in normal physical activities.
Swelling: Swelling around the affected limb can be present, often accompanied by sensitivity to touch.
Varied Severity: Symptoms can vary in severity, and the duration of discomfort may differ from one puppy to another.
Veterinary Consultation: Timely consultation with a veterinarian is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of panosteitis in growing puppies.
What Causes Panosteitis in Puppies?
As with many disorders and conditions seen in Great Danes, the exact cause is still unknown. Many theories have floated around, however! It is believed that there are dietary, environmental, and genetic components.
Some puppies will suffer from panosteitis even if you do “everything right”.
If your puppy is from a breeder, they must be aware so that they can address the issue from the ground up. Ideally, they should not be seeing this condition regularly pop up in their litters; if they do, that’s a sign that something is not right.
Genetic Predisposition: Great Danes, a large and giant breed, may have a genetic predisposition to panosteitis.
Rapid Growth: The fast growth phase during puppyhood, characteristic of large breeds, is thought to contribute to the development of panosteitis. Never accelerate growth with fatty foods and nutritional supplements!
Nutritional Factors: Imbalances or inadequacies in diet, especially regarding calcium and phosphorus levels, are believed to play a role in panosteitis.
Hormonal Influences: Hormonal fluctuations during the growth phase may contribute to the inflammation observed in panosteitis.
Immune System Response: Some theories suggest that panosteitis may result from an immune system response, although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood.
Environmental Factors: Certain environmental factors or stressors may exacerbate the development of panosteitis in susceptible Great Dane puppies. Hard, slick floors are an example of an environmental factor.
Viral or Bacterial Infections: While less common, infections have been considered potential triggers for panosteitis in some cases.
Exercise Intensity: Excessive or intense exercise, especially in rapidly growing puppies, is believed to be a contributing factor.
Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormonal levels during the growth phase may contribute to the development of panosteitis in Great Dane puppies.
For most dogs, growing pains are likely a complex interaction of multiple factors.
What Age Do Dogs Get Panosteitis?
Growing giant breed dogs are not considered mature until age 2 (or after the growth plates have closed). This means that panosteitis can be diagnosed at nearly any time before that! It is most often seen between 4 and 18 months of age.
Male dogs are affected more often than female dogs, presumably because they tend to be larger.
However, panosteitis can occur in the long bones of a dog of any age.
How is Panosteitis Diagnosed?
A veterinarian may want to do x-rays, in particular, to rule out more serious bone growth disorders that may present in a similar fashion (retained cartilage cores or HOD, for example).
The veterinarian will feel the bones of your puppy and look for a pain response.
A radiograph of the affected bones may then show increased bone density, which can help to verify the diagnosis of Panosteitis.
X-rays may require that your puppy be sedated. Work with a veterinarian that you trust! This necessary step can ensure that your pup can have the radiographs taken without excessive use of handling (which can be painful and stressful to a puppy suffering from growing pains).
The good news is that Pano (Panosteitis) is generally mild and self-limiting. Most dogs outgrow the condition and suffer no long-term effects.
This does NOT mean that you shouldn’t seek diagnosis and treatment!
Panosteitis can be very painful for the puppy. Your veterinarian can prescribe anti-inflammatories and medications to help treat the condition. Changes to your pup’s diet and exercise routine may also be prescribed (more on this below).
How Long Do Puppy Growing Pains Last?
Pano typically impacts the affected leg /affected bone of one or more limbs for a few days to a few weeks. It will often then switch to a different limb.
This can go on for several months, especially if left untreated!
The good news is that panosteitis is not a degenerative condition; unlike other puppy growth disorders, it does not cause long-term damage to the bones.
The Role of Diet in Healthy Large Puppy Growth
Nutrition plays a pivotal role in the development of healthy bones, joints, and overall skeletal structure, particularly in breeds like Great Danes, known for their substantial size and explosive growth.
Feeding a nutrient-dense, calorie-dense food with high calcium levels is devastating to them. This is a common problem seen in boutique food brands designed for regular (not large/giant breed) puppies. Do not fall prey to marketing!
Instead, choose a large or giant breed puppy food that was designed to support slow, even growth.
Large-breed puppy formulas are designed to maintain the delicate equilibrium between essential nutrients, such as calcium and phosphorus, ensuring that the skeletal system develops at a controlled rate.
Overnutrition, especially in terms of excessive caloric intake or improper ratios of key nutrients, can lead to a spectrum of issues, including skeletal abnormalities and conditions like panosteitis.
The food you choose for your Great Dane puppy is of fundamental importance. The only foods we recommend feeding (especially for puppies suffering from Panosteitis) are listed below:
Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.
What Dogs Get Panosteitis?
While growing pains can affect all dogs, this particular disorder disproportionally affects large and giant breed puppies.
Big dogs grow incredibly fast and the bones, muscles, and tendons need to be coordinated during this time. The dogs listed below are most susceptible to panosteitis:
German Shepherds
Labrador Retrievers
Basset Hounds
Great Danes
Doberman Pinschers
How Long Do Panosteitis Episodes Last?
The duration of panosteitis episodes in dogs, including Great Danes, can vary widely and is influenced by several factors.
Generally, each episode may last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
The intermittent nature of panosteitis, characterized by shifting lameness and periods of relative comfort, adds to the variability in episode duration. Some puppies may experience shorter and milder episodes, while others may endure more prolonged and pronounced discomfort.
The age of onset also plays a role, with panosteitis typically affecting puppies between the ages of 5 to 18 months during their rapid growth phase. As the affected dog matures, the frequency and intensity of episodes often diminish.
However, individual responses to treatment, environmental factors, and the overall health of the dog can influence the length and severity of panosteitis episodes. Veterinarians play a crucial role in managing the condition, offering tailored treatment plans and guidance to alleviate symptoms and ensure the well-being of the growing canine companion.
How Can I Treat My Puppy’s Growing Pains?
If you are seeing clinical signs of Pano, a veterinary visit is recommended.
We highly recommend switching to a large or giant breed puppy food that meets WSAVA guidelines and making changes to your routine to eliminate environmental factors such as hard floors.
Do not feed supplements or toppers of any kind to your pano puppy.
Additionally, the following things can help:
Pain Medication and Anti-inflammatories as prescribed by your Veterinarian.
Use runners, yoga mats, and rugs on your floor as your dog’s activity on slippery surfaces can cause more pain.
Keep puppy nails short.
Regular short, gentle walks on soft varied terrain such as grass, sand, and gravel will help to keep muscles toned without stressing the bones. Use a long leash and avoid restrictive no-pull harnesses.
Apply a warm compress to the affected area, such as this one from Amazon. Follow the directions for safety, please!
Feed a balanced, science-based, and tested large or giant breed puppy food (read more HERE)
Do not overfeed or encourage your puppy to eat a lot.
Acupuncture, laser therapy, and CBD can help with pain relief in long bones and soft tissue lining. Talk to your veterinarian for a referral!
Repeat x-rays if necessary to rule out hip dysplasia and other growth disorders.
It may also be helpful to choose a proper orthopedic dog bed. We recommend a Big Barker bed.
How to Slow Growth to Prevent Panosteitis in Puppies
Do not overfeed your puppy and let him/her become heavy and overweight.
Many people are concerned that their puppies are too thin or not eating enough. However, one of the worst things they can do is to start adding tasty treats, toppers, and fatty foods to the bowl!
Great Dane puppies benefit from receiving a well-formulated, simple diet with the correct balance of calcium, phosphorus, and energy. Adding enticements only messes up this balance, leading to growth disorders and more.
It is normal and desirable for Dane puppies to be lean and lanky during their explosive growth stages. Heavy, bulky puppies that are encouraged to grow quickly are more likely to suffer from growth disorders.
Never feed a multivitamin supplement, no matter how much your breeder wants you to believe it’s necessary. Remember, breeders are not nutritionists! Talk to a board-certified veterinary nutritionist if you want a science-backed answer.
Don’t be tempted to choose low-protein adult food as a means to slow growth; this outdated practice is not recommended.
