Supplements for Great Danes matter because we all want our Great Danes to live long, healthy lives.
We are all here because we know that Great Danes are a SPECIAL breed!
They also grow astronomically fast and astronomically large. Hence the ‘Great’ part!
We love their big faces, bracing ourselves for the famous Dane lean, accessorizing our couch with them, and walking these gorgeous animals down the street.
These dogs deserve the best that we can give them. Because they are so large, they tend to be especially prone to painful and debilitating health conditions of their immune system, digestive system and joints. Some may have additional health and structural problems that are an unfortunate result of unethical breeding practices.
WHY DO OWNERS NEED SUPPLEMENTS FOR GREAT DANES?
Great Danes, on average, live only 8 years. The high incidence of bloat and cardiac problems, which are perpetuated primarily by friendly BACKYARD BREEDERS (who appear reputable) greatly contribute to this statistic.
We believe that a quality diet and supplements can give our Danes the best chance at robust health. Read below for our favorite joint, anxiety relief, digestive and overall wellness supplements for Great Danes.
Please consult with your giant-breed veterinarian before changing or adding supplements. This is especially important if your Great Dane has a pre-existing health condition or is taking medications.
1. PROBIOTICS, PREBIOTICS & DIGESTIVE ENZYMES
Current research indicates that bloat may be notably related to gut health & genetics. If your dog is suffering from allergies, gas, itchy skin, or loose stools a probiotic supplement is highly recommended.
Prebiotics and digestive enzymes can provide even more benefit! Add this kind of supplement even if your kibble contains probiotics.
We like the powder form because most dogs will eat it right up when sprinkled onto their food.
Many people believe that farting and gas are just part of owning a Great Dane. We believe that is a sign that your dog needs digestive support and an adjustment to their diet. This is especially important in light of the current research that suggests a gut health and genetics link to bloat.
2. JOINT SUPPLEMENTS FOR GREAT DANES
Glucosamine supports joint health and can be found in chicken feet, trachea, bone broth and other tasty whole food raw treats. “By-Products” in pet food are a good thing, as they are made from bone, cartilage (and organs) which contain a natural source of glucosamine.
Be careful about using multiple commercial glucosamine chondroitin tablets and supplements! Too much can lead to toxicity.
VITAMIN C FOR GREAT DANES
A vitamin C supplement is one of those standard Great Dane things that a lot of people do.
It can help the dog process stressful and anxiety-inducing situations (ear cropping, spay/neuter, board and train, vet exams, etc.).
Unlike humans who must obtain vitamin C from their diet, dogs synthesize their own vitamin C. Low vitamin C levels can cause problems with bone growth in human babies. This explains how some people drew a connection between vitamin C and knuckling in dogs.
Supplementation itself has never been proven in research to prevent, treat, or cure developmental disorders in growing Great Danes.
If you choose to give your puppy Vitamin C, split the dose up over the course of the day. 1000-1500mg is standard. Too much will cause loose stool, so start slowly and work up to a full dose over the course of 2 weeks.
-Some foods contain added vitamin C in some form already, and a supplement may be excessive
Fish oil comes in many forms and it’s not hard to find good ones. Even human grade fish oil capsules work! Just pop them with a pin and squirt the oil onto the food.
4. FISH OIL FOR DOGS
Fish oil is an amazing and simple way to help your dog receive the benefits of Omega 3’s. It’s good for skin, coat and teeth as well as cardiovascular health and brain development.
Fish oil gives dogs a clean, shiny coat and healthy skin, which will keep your Great Dane looking amazing.
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, cancer, arthritis 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.
Bloat is one of the most terrifying and uncertain things we can face as Great Dane owners. It is painful, distressing, and can happen quickly to dogs that otherwise seem healthy. Great Dane bloat and gut health go hand in hand.
It’s important to address poor gut health in your Great Dane.
Bloat is a deadly emergency in large and giant-breed dogs where the stomach fills up with gas, air, food, or fluid.
It is a life-threatening event that requires immediate medical attention, especially if the stomach flips (‘torsion’).
While the exact cause of bloat in Great Danes has not been proven, a lot of research indicates that bloat has strong ties to genetics, anxiety, and gut health.
How genetics affects a dogs risk of bloat
Ethical breeders will utilize advances in modern genetics testing, plus a thorough study of the pedigree, to verify that the parents are unlikely to pass on the bloat genes. They should not breed dogs where a history of bloat is in the direct lineage.
Studies show that dogs with a genetic link have a significantly higher risk of bloating in their lifetime.
Emerging research also indicates that poor gut health may be a contributing factor to bloat, or at the very least does very little to help prevent it.
Basically, poor genetics + poor gut health create a perfect storm.
Great Danes that are otherwise low-risk for Bloat can still experience a bloat event, and it’s important to note that Gastropexy doesn’t prevent it.
Gastropexy/tacking can, however help keep the stomach from flipping (torsion) if a bloat event occurs.
Gut health can be affected by genetics, diet, medications, vaccines, vitamins and environment.
Many Great Danes struggle with diet and food changes.
Soft stools, excess gas, diarrhea, regular puking, tummy upset and allergies (itching, swelling, redness, yeast, buildup/gunk in ears) are all signs that gut health and diet need to be addressed.
Studies indicate a strong correlation between stomach bacteria, inflammatory bowel disease and bloat, and that a variety of similar risk factors (including genetics) contribute to this.
Addressing these factors is especially important if you are aware of a genetic link with bloat in the lineage of your dog (please hold breeders accountable!)
Add a probiotic supplement. Even if the food you feed contains ‘added probiotics’, a quality supplement is more likely to contain healthy, live, beneficial bacteria.
We recommend the following brands on Amazon (links to product):
Add these to their meals. Most dogs eat them right up, especially the powders sprinkled on top of a raw egg or scoop of fresh food. As always chat with your vet before starting any new supplement!
The Best Foods for Great Danes
Choosing the right kibble is exceptionally important for Great Danes. Check your labels. Avoid foods that are from companies who do not employ a board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist to formulate their foods!
Boutique food brands are killing and harming our dogs.
4. Boutique food brands that don’t have a full-time board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist on staff. This includes (but is not limited to): Fromm, Victor, Nutrisource, Nulo, Nutro, 4Health, Diamond, TOTW, Life’s Abundance, Gentle Giants
We do recommend:
1. Foods with meat, meat meal, or meat by-product meal in the first 4 ingredients
2. Foods that have been subjected to food trials and research: brands include Royal Canin, Purina, Hill’s Science Diet and Eukanuba
3. Fresh food toppers such as balanced raw, raw eggs, water-packed sardines, goat milk (in moderation) and fresh fruits or vegetables, up to 10% of the diet
4. Probiotics and fish oil
5. Slow eating and smaller, more frequent meals.
If your Great Dane is struggling with gas, burping, puking, allergies and/or soft stools and diarrhea, you need to look at parasites, medical reasons, and the food.
We do not recommend low-quality kibbles. Choose a professionally formulated raw diet or a kibble that was formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
There is some interesting data regarding a notable increase of bloat events in places where kibble diets are more common, which could indicate an additional link between kibble and bloat. More studies are needed.
Encourage slow, stress-free eating.
Gut health may be improved through the thoughtful use of diet and probiotics. Chat with your veterinarian. It is extremely important to address gut health issues in Great Danes.
We can never really prevent bloat, but we can take steps to try and minimize the chance that a bloat event may occur. We owe it to our Great Danes to keep them healthy and address their gut health!
NOTES: There is no known way to prevent bloat, and the causes are not truly understood. 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. Find a veterinarian with GIANT breed experience, and chat with them.
Knowing what to expect with a Great Dane puppy is near to impossible!
There is almost nothing more special (and unpredictable) than a Great Dane puppy! There is this insane time where your new puppy seems to grow right in front of your eyes.
Since we’ve recently been through the crazy new dane puppy phase, we thought it would be a great time to talk about what to expect when you bring a Great Dane puppy home!
Dog food is not at their disposal whenever they want
Eating the couch / wall / blankets / etc. is not allowed
Peeing in the living area isn’t fun or funny
Their collar won’t hurt them
Naughty behavior isn’t their full time job
As you can see- teeny puppies are FULL of behavioral problems that when you really get to thinking about it– are not actually problems at all.
More simply, it’s just a puppy dane in a new environment where every single turn down a new hallway is a whole new world.
Keeping this perspective with your little dane will help you gain empathy, be more prepared, and grow your Great Dane puppy into a strong and confident adult Great Dane.
THE FIRST NIGHT
The first night the puppy is either going to sleep well and TRICK you into thinking they are perfect, or they are going to cry and cry and cry.
Either way, just know that they are likely NOT going to be good sleepers for quite some time.
If you think bringing home a dane puppy is stressful for you and your family, just try putting yourself in their paws.
They’ve left their mom, pack, and previous house / life. Their breeder whom raised them said goodbye, and to them, that was their safe place.
So, get ready to spend time creating a bond and relationship that begins this first night and transpires over the course of your Great Danes life.
Also- keep in mind- this phase moves FAST! Before you know it, your pup is going to be HUGE!
Make sure they have warm bedding, a full tummy, and your comfort. Touch their crate, sleep near them until they learn that this new place isn’t so scary after all. Remember, less than 24 hours ago your puppy was cuddled up with littermates!
Don’t have a crate yet? You’re going to want one! Crates can help with managing behaviors (peeing, chewing, biting) and give your pup a calm space to lay down and nap.
PRO TIP: turn the auto-schedule off on your robot vacuum. Can we say ‘poop painting’?
Don’t expect consistency and reliability with potty training until at least 4-5 months of age, and that’s only if you have been diligent with training and management.
When potty training, be prepared to be VERY consistent with frequent bathroom breaks (and I mean VERY frequent). For the first week, it is significantly better if you do not have to leave your dane alone at the house and are able to let them potty as often as every 20 minutes.
In the long run, this intensive training upfront will help you set up a solid foundation for your Great Dane.
Cleaning Supplies
Remember all of that pee and poop? You’re likely going to need some cleaning supplies on hand to take care of that. Waste bags, odor eliminator, and some toxin free basic cleaning items are nice to keep on hand when bringing home a puppy.
All dogs are very messy- but a puppy is often outlandishly so.
Just gear up to spend about 50% of your life cleaning up after your dane puppy- but don’t worry, the bigger they get they tend to get less messy. Just kidding of course, Great Danes are pretty much ALWAYS a mess!
Biting is VERY normal for any puppy of any breed. It is not ‘aggressive’ behavior, it does not mean that your puppy is ‘bad’. Normally, your puppy either has a painful mouth from teething, etc. or they are just simply trying to play.
To work on stopping the bite, provide plenty of strong toys for your puppy. Giving your dog lots of exercise and mental engagement can also help them to feel fulfilled in other areas and not feel the need to bite everything else in the house- including yourself!
Tips for Stopping Your Great Dane Puppy from Biting:
Keep as many chew proof dog toys in the house
Exercise your dane puppy often
Get mental brain games and toys for your dane
Feed your dane with a slow feeder or puzzle
Keep baby gates up around children or small kids
Get started with training early and practice obedience skills continually with puppies
Pet owners, get ready to SAY NO! But, not to your dane puppy. To the humans!
Everybody is going to want to love on the puppy and meet him or her. Make sure you don’t overwhelm your new puppy with too many sights, sounds and experiences! They need lots and lots of sleep and lots of time to learn your routine.
You do NOT need to rush to the dog park for fear that your Great Dane will be scared of other pets or ‘unsocialized’.
Try taking your puppy on a walk: INSIDE YOUR HOUSE! Practice using the leash and gearing up for the big day when you take them on leash for a real walk outside (which should be done shortly after bringing your dog home).
However, remember that when you DO bring your puppy outside on a walk, you MUST be prepared to SAY NO! Having a million hands coming in to pet and touch him is not going to make him less afraid of humans, but could lead to stranger fear or reactivity.
Dogs deserve space, trust and the ability to determine when and how they’d like to greet other dogs or humans.
Our Great Dane Socialization guide is amazing for learning how to use modern training and socialization methods to create a confident, friendly and resilient family pet!
SOCIALIZATION 101
Have a Great Dane Puppy? Check out our positive socialization guide.
The work you are willing to put in to your Great Dane puppy is the amount of outcome you will get out of them. It’s usually as simple as that.
Now is the time to begin training! Make sure your pup has good experiences with you and with the environment.
Great Danes are not supposed to be fearful, timid, scared or aggressive. If you see those traits in your Great Dane puppy, start with a vet visit to rule out medical reasons.
Training Starts on Day 1: You are Your Great Dane’s First Dog Trainer
Basic training begins THE DAY you bring your puppy home. Training can consist of anything from learning how to play in the grass to playing appropriate with chew toys.
Nonetheless, training should be worked on daily with the use of positive reinforcement, a large crate, and treats – lots and lots of treats. Did we mention that Great Danes LOVE treats?
CUE THE COMMENTARY
People will have an opinion. Here are some of our ‘favorites’ that you can expect to hear:
You know that dog is going to be huge, right? (Nope, really? We had no idea!)
Being a Dane owner comes with SO many positives, but also comes with regular dane puppy commentary. When walking your pup or spending time with your dane out in public, expect to get comments… and LOTS of them!
You can reply with useful information or just laugh it off, but either way you should be prepared for lots of comments, conversations, and interest.
Most people have never seen a dog as big as a Great Dane.
SO MANY GOOFY PHOTOS
Great Dane puppies grow alarmingly fast. One day your dog is a puppy and the next they are full grown Great Danes.
Basically, they will take a 2 hour nap and WAKE UP BIGGER.
You cannot possibly take enough photos, so clear your phone now and get ready.
Within weeks you will no longer be able to pick your puppy up.
They are awkward, clumsy, and take forever to grow into graceful, loping, well-muscled adults.
The Moments Go Fast With Your Great Dane
Take ALL THE PHOTOS. Prepare to look back and sob!
If this is your first dane, take double as many photos and videos as you think necessary! You will want them later.
Looking back, at the end of the first two years with your Great Dane puppy, you might think it flies by, but you’ll realize that teeny moment of actual ‘dane puppy’ lasts only a few short weeks before they outgrow themselves, unlike most pets.
GREAT DANE PUPPY FOOD
Your Great Dane puppy is going to eat a LOT of food, and it has to be just the right formula. The wrong food can cause knuckling, panosteitis, HOD, and other orthopedic growth problems. You will want to do immense research into what is the best food to feed your Great Dane puppy.
The food you choose to feed fuels or does not fuel your dog, gives them energy or wears them down, creates a strong dog or creates musculoskeletal issues, helps to build a strong immune system or perpetuates sickness, etc.
Look into every dog food you’re considering before making the choice on what food to feed your Great Dane puppy.
Myth Busting: “My Great Dane should not eat regular puppy food. I was told that I should put them on adult dog food.” This is just not true. Science, research, and increase in the dog food market has transformed giant breed formulas into much more than it was 20 or even 15 years ago. The food that you provide your dane with should be fit for a growing Great Dane puppy. For some companies, that means the bag will say ‘large breed puppy’, and for some that means the bag will say ‘large breed adult’. It’s what is on the inside of the bag that matters, not the outside!
For information on feeding your puppy, we recommend starting with the Great Dane Feeding Guide! We can work together to make sure your Great Dane puppy is eating the best possible choice for them, their breed, and for your family.
The formulas below are what we recommend for growing Great Dane Puppies and the breed altogether. We’ve linked these photos up for you so that you can easily find them on Chewy.
Worried about knuckling? Great Danes are prone to certain health problems, including something called knuckling while they are growing. We’ve got resources for that, too. Because we know (speaking from experience here) that you are GOING TO WORRY!
That’s ok. Worry is normal and means that you really care about your new Great Dane Puppy!
Get ready to puppy proof your house for your Great Dane.
If you didn’t want your Great Dane puppy on that couch, it may be too late. (just kidding, sort of!)
Great Danes LOVE to think that the entire house is actually THEIR house, and that includes your bed, your car, your couch, your food, anything that is on your table, and did I mention your bed?
Training your Great Dane takes time, so in the meantime, prepare to puppy proof your house with a solid, giant crate as well as some baby gates and safe spaces for them to hang out in.
Crate Training
Crate training is a fabulous way to prepare both your Great Dane puppy for having some alone time and help them not develop separation anxiety (something that Great Danes are famous for), as well as keeping them safe if you need to clean, cook, go grab some thing at the store, or simply sit down and watch a movie. (Did you know that Great Danes do not think that any of those exist, because they simply have nothing to do with THEM! 🙂
Preparing to be able to sleep without your Great Dane
Many Great Dane owners LOVE to sleep with their puppies. Just keep in mind your little Great Dane will soon be consuming your bed.
We recommend utilizing a crate, but keeping it next to your bed for the comfort and security of having you nearby. Inside your crate, consider an orthopedic mat such as a Big Barker crate pad.
Joint Disease in Your Great Dane
Any large breed dog, including a Great Dane puppy, is predisposed to joint disease, and the best way to prepare is to prevent.
That is why we always recommend the only orthopedic mattress on the market that has been clinically studied by veterinarians to improve the health of your dog’s joints, Big Barker.
Your Great Dane may be frustrating at times and you may grow tired of the noise, peeing and biting but hang in there. These dogs are worth it! You’re about to fall in love with a Great Dane puppy, and truly there is really nothing better in the world.
Prepare to never go back!
Before you know it you’ll have a well-trained, calm adult dog and will be dreaming of the day when you will bring sweet puppy breath and snuggles into your home again.
Bloat in dogs is a life-threatening emergency in Great Danes and other breeds with large chests.
As a Great Dane owner or owner of any other large chested breed, it is your responsibility to know the signs and to educate pet sitters, dog walkers and family on what to look for should a bloat event happen to your dog.
The full name of bloat is Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, and it is a life threatening condition that occurs when an affected dog’s stomach fills with air, causing torsion (when the dog’s stomach twists). A twisted stomach is the most dangerous associations with gastric dilatation volvulus, as a dog’s risk of death increases tremendously when their stomach flips / twists.
Bloat is a painful, distressing condition where the stomach fills up with gas, food, fluid and/or air.
Left untreated, the stomach can ‘flip’ (also known as ‘torsion’). Stomach flipping is especially dangerous.
Treatment for bloat may involve pressure relief (medications, tubes, incisions and/or needles into the stomach) or surgery, depending on the severity.
Bloat can quickly kill a healthy Great Dane that was previously running around playing as normal. It is extremely important to know the signs.
All Great Danes are at risk. The treatment for bloat can start at $2K and may cost thousands more.
WHAT CAUSES BLOAT?
As of this writing, the mechanism behind bloat is still not well understood. All Great Danes are at risk, regardless of their individual risk factor (see more below).
It’s important to understand that certain dogs are at a much higher risk of experiencing bloat than others. These are the three main risk factors associated with bloat:
Genetic markers (most often found in dogs with a parent, sibling or other close relative that has experienced bloat)
Poor gut health (chronic gas, loose stools and digestive issues)
This speaks, once again to the necessity of ethical breeding in Great Danes. Bloat risk can be greatly reduced by breeders who diligently build their pedigrees to focus on health, temperament and robust and proven lineage.
GUT HEALTH
There are many aspects to gut health; allergies, dry skin, gas, loose stools and lack of energy are all signs that there is a problem, however some dogs may present healthy and have underlying conditions.
Choose breeders that only breed healthy, well-tempered dogs. If you have a rescue Dane or purchased Dane that suffers from anxiety, fear or aggression, work with a trainer to lower stress levels. Some common forms of anxiety include fear during thunderstorms, separation anxiety and timid/fearful or aggressive behaviors towards house guests, children or strangers.
Avoid training methods that cause or worsen anxiety (‘alpha’ training, harsh punishment), stressful situations with children or adults (chasing, pinching, laying on or yelling at Danes). Socialize and train your Danes well from a young age using positive reinforcement.
Large breed dogs have increased risk factors to getting a bloated stomach. Pet owners of large dogs should take precautions and be aware of the clinical signs of a bloated stomach.
Affected dogs that are at highest risk include:
German Shepherds
Older Dogs
Great Danes
Basset Hounds
Setters
Labrador Retrievers
Dobermans
Poodles
Rottweilers
Giant Schnauzers
Stomach bloating can also occur in smaller dogs, but this is less common. There are many different reasons why a dog’s stomach might have gastric dilatation. Dog owners with predisposed breeds should study this life threatening condition and know the signs of an aggravated dog.
SIGNS OF BLOAT
These are the signs of bloat. If you see any one of these, get to the veterinarian immediately. Bloat can progress quickly and the longer you wait, the more serious the prognosis is.
Swollen, painful or distended abdomen/stomach.
Acting distressed
Pacing and restlessness
Drooling and/or panting
Looking at the stomach
Pale gums
Vomiting or retching without anything actually coming up
THE EARLY STAGES OF STOMACH BLOAT IN DEEP CHESTED DOGS
When a dog is in the early stages of gastric dilatation, a dog might give off signs that they are in pain, pant, drool or walk around aimlessly. The dog will be restless and may pace back and forth. He may also drool excessively and/or pant and turn down dry food or wet food.
THE PROGRESSIVE STAGES OF A DOG’S STOMACH BLOATING
If bloat occurs and is not treated quickly, torsion can happen within just a few minutes.
Torsion is when a swollen stomach filled with extra gas and air begins to twist, cutting off blood supply to vital organs. Without blood supply, a dog’s life is at risk within just minutes.
During these later stages of a dog experiencing stomach bloat, one might witness them going into systemic shock, unable to lay down, foaming a white, thick substance from their mouth, and/or their gums will turn white or blue.
A dog’s stomach may also feel hard to the touch because of the gastric dilatation and/or the torsion. A distended stomach is always indicative of a pet’s condition and should be treated as a veterinary emergency.
CAN BLOAT BE PREVENTED?
There is no actual sure-fire way to prevent bloat. All dogs are at risk, but especially Great Danes and other breeds with large chests. As above, Danes with genetic links/markers, poor gut health and unstable temperaments are at an even greater risk!
Here are some common things people believe will ‘prevent bloat’:
ELEVATED FOOD BOWLS
Raised Bowls – while raised bowls may be easier on your dogs neck, there is no legitimate data on its effect on minimizing or preventing bloat. As a matter of fact, some studies indicate that bloat incidence is 110% higher among dogs that regularly eat out of raised bowls.
Elevated food bowls do not help to prevent bloat in dogs. While bloat is unpreventable, there are things that can be done to limit the odds that your dog will develop bloat.
Not using raised food bowls is one of those things.
Veterinary medicine is always evolving, and in recent studies it has been shown that bloat in dogs is increased tremendously when dogs are fed with a raised food bowl.
Resting Before/AfterMeals – the idea behind this one is to prevent the dog from sloshing a full tummy of food around while running, playing and being excited. There may be some merit to this, however it is NOT likely a notable preventative and studies have shown no correlation at all.
Many cases of bloat happen in the middle of the night when a dog is resting on an empty stomach, or hours after eating (even if a dog had been rested first!).
Some owners are so committed to this that they only allow their dogs to eat on a strict schedule, which may actually increase bloat risk if the dog hoards, gulps and scarfs down large meals at once. Find a healthy balance here if you choose to rest your dog for several hours each day.
PUZZLE FEEDERS
Puzzle Feeders – We do believe there is some merit to making sure a dog eats slowly and works for their food. Puzzle feeders can be especially helpful for dogs that tend to gulp down meals without chewing.
WAYS TO LIMIT THE CHANCES OF BLOAT IN DOGS
Although bloat in dogs is not 100% unpreventable, there are a few things that can be done to help limit the chance that your dog will bloat.
GAS X
Gas-X – Gas – X (Simethicone) or Bloat Buster is extremely important to have on hand. It may buy you time if you notice your dog start to burp, heave or act uncomfortable. Some owners dose it with every meal, we aren’t convinced that over-medicating is the answer but we DO recommend having Simethicone in. your cabinet, just in case.
Stomach tacking, also known as ‘Gastropexy’ is a surgical procedure where a veterinarian permanently tacks the stomach to the abdominal wall, making it less likely but not impossible to twist.
This procedure may buy time by helping to keep the stomach from flipping, however it does NOT prevent bloat itself.
The best way to treat bloat is to use preventative measures such as gut health, exercise, and helping your dog live a stress free life.
Gastropexy is an abdominal surgery of the stomach wall, and all surgery involves risk. Risks of stomach tacking may include complications related to blood clotting, infection, rejection and anesthesia. Rarely, during a bloat event the stomach can flip anyways, and the stitched area may open and cause internal bleeding.
If you choose to do this surgery, please work with a highly qualified veterinarian who has a LOT of experience with the procedure, in particular the laparoscopic gastropexy which is much less invasive.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FOOD FOR YOUR DOG
Since gut health in your dog has been shown to have high associations with gastric dilatation volvulus (gdv), it only makes sense that one would put careful thought into the dog food they choose.
Feeding dry food without soaking with water or adding raw / canned wet food on top has been known to increase dogs bloat.
Feeding one large meal rather than several small meals to your dog has been known to increase bloat in a dog. Instead, feed in two or more meals.
Dogs who eat super fast are known to have a higher chance of bloat than a dog who eats slow.
Dogs with ongoing gut health issues are more prone to bloating, so working on gut health with a strong probiotic will help a dog be less likely to bloat and increase their gastrointestinal tract health.
We believe all Great Danes should receive a probiotic supplement, and this is one of the main reasons why. We recommend Nature’s Farmacy Probiotic Max.
GENETICS
Dogs with a genetic background of bloat are, themselves, more likely to bloat.
If you are considering buying a puppy from a breeder, check with them and their lineage paperwork to see if any dogs within their lines have ever bloated. Checking to see if there is a genetic predisposition could ultimately save your dog from future veterinary intervention and even possibly save their life.
If you think your dog is experiencing bloat, it is crucial to get them to the vet immediately for medical attention.
First, your veterinarian will run blood tests, provide intravenous fluids, check vitals, and do a full physical exam of your dog.
X-rays will also be taken to see how much the stomach has distended. If the stomach is twisted, surgery will be required to untwist it and also to tack the stomach down so that it cannot twist further away from the body wall and cut off more blood flow.
A procedure called gastropexy preventative surgery (GDV Surgery) will be given during the emergency surgical correction in order to keep your dog’s stomach in normal position.
POST OPERATIVE CARE
Post operative care is important to treat bloat. Avoid strenuous exercise, provide high quality foods, and allow for lots of rest for the stomach wall to heal. If your dog gets dehydrated, they may need to return to their primary vet for more intravenous fluids, as it can be very hard for the dog to eat after even a simple bloat.
Pain medications should be administered per your veterinarians instructions.
BLOAT IN DOGS
Bloat in dogs is something that no pet owner wants to ever deal with. Losing blood flow is a medical crisis and should be treated as so.
Working to increase the overall health and longevity of our pets lives is important and we can do that by educating ourselves and others on the risks, causes, and treatments of bloat in dogs.
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.
OFA health testing isn’t perfect, but it is really, really important.
If you are looking to purchase a Great Dane puppy, you need to read this post!
OFA stands for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. It is a professional organization that was founded over 50 years ago and their mission is “To improve the health and well-being of companion animals through a reduction in the incidence of genetic disease,”
One of the most common disorders that can be passed on from parents to puppies is Hip Dysplasia.
Hip Dysplasia is painful, debilitating and expensive to treat. It’s also largely preventable through ethical breeding practices and OFA Health Testing.
This is where the OFA comes in.
Every breeder should OFA Health test their dogs, though many unfortunately skip this step or only do some of it!
OFA HEALTH TESTING FOR GREAT DANES
To be fully OFA Health Tested and receive a CHIC # (more on this below), a Great Dane must be age 2+ and pass the following exams before being bred:
HIP DYSPLASIA:
OFA Exam or PENNHIP (these are x-rays, usually done under sedation and reviewed by multiple veterinarians).
EYE EXAM:
Performed by an ACVO board certified Ophthalmologist.
AUTOIMMUNE THYROIDITIS
OFA Evaluation from an approved laboratory (Blood Test)
CARDIAC EVALUATION
Advanced, congenital or basic Cardiac Exam. Exam must include an echocardiogram.
Both the DAM & the SIRE must complete and pass these tests to be considered ‘fully health tested’.
As you can imagine, this process is lengthy, expensive, and may provide results that a breeder doesn’t want to hear.
Many breeders skip OFA health testing, or worse: only do the bare minimum (just the eye exam or blood work for example) so they can use the word “OFA” as a buzzword in their marketing.
Some breeders will say they ‘health test’ their dogs and hope that you aren’t savvy enough to know the big difference between a vet-check and full breeder OFA health testing.
FACT: We do NOT support breeders who breed or stud out their Great Danes without completing FULL OFA Health Testing on both Dam & Sire.
THE ELUSIVE OFA CHIC #
Once a breeder has taken their dog for all of these tests, the dog has passed all of the tests, and the paperwork has been completed the OFA gives them a CHIC # and certificate for that dog.
Both the DAM and SIRE dogs should have these tests complete before any breeding happens.
A CHIC # is a badge of honor for a dog and for the breeder, and something they are immensely proud of!
Ask your breeder for the CHIC# of both the DAM and the SIRE of the dogs they are breeding.
You will be able to take this CHIC # and verify it at www.OFA.org.
Dogs that are fully OFA Health tested before breeding are MUCH less likely to pass on the following painful, sometimes deadly and expensive conditions:
Hip Dysplasia
Elbow Dysplasia (if tested)
Cardiac disease and disorders
Thyroid disease and disorders
Eye disease and disorders
You will likely have to pay more for a puppy from fully OFA Health tested parents, but you’ll be receiving a dog that will be much less likely to cost you later in veterinary bills!
Choosing ethical, thorough, thoughtful breeders really makes a difference.
They are seriously so special. Great Dane puppies change every single day. They grow so quickly and their giant feet make them extra sweet and clumsy.
Our quick post today is all about those cute little tiny puppy toenails!
It is SO important to start nail trims early and do them often.
PRO TIP: Your dog’s nails should never, ever grow so long that they touch the ground. This can cause swelling, irritation, pain, and worse: joint damage.
Supplies for Trimming Great Dane Puppy Nails
Miller’s Forge Clippers (Red Handle). These inexpensive clippers (see on Amazon) last forever, are easy to use and stay crazy sharp.
Dremel Tool. There are several models, including knock off versions at Walmart and even a pet-specific name brand version. You need the Dremel tool and a sander drum OR a Diamagroove.
High Value Treats. Lots of tiny bites of something really good. Kibble isn’t going to cut it. Think Ziwi Peak, Zukes, diced chicken and freeze-dried organ meats.
I like to trim nailsevery weekend. Some dogs barely need this much, other dogs need a little more. The dog in the photo above is past-due for a nail trim!
For puppies, especially if they are under 4 months, nail trims should be a simple matter of routine. Plan to spend a few quick minutes each day introducing the concept and making it a positive experience.
Show your puppy the Dremel and toss treats on the ground. Do this often and at random. Turn it on and toss another few treats. Keep practicing this so that the Dremel ALWAYS predicts good things.
Make sure you give your puppy lots of praise, but don’t make a big fuss either.
Too much fussing and excitement can make your dog resistant to the process! They don’t always understand why you are so crazy and high energy all of a sudden and may find it alarming. Be calm, patient and confident.
If all you get is one nail trimmed, that’s progress!
Trim the nail as close to the quick as you possibly can but avoid cutting into it.
Make sure to round off the top, bottom and sides as well by taking tiny slivers off with the clippers or by introducing a quick buzz from the Dremel.
As above, stay calm and follow that with praise and a treat!
Why is Nail Maintenance Important for Dogs?
PRO TIP: If the nails are black or if you are scared of trimming, read the files in the Facebook group called ‘Nail Maintenance for Dogs‘ so that you can learn how to ‘read’ the nail.
Well maintained nails help keep paws neat and destruction to your home, hardwood, and skin to a minimum.
Overgrown nails actually change the shape of the paw. This can be extremely painful and frustrating to your dog, who doesn’t have much of a voice on this topic.
Keep the nails trimmed so they never touch the ground.
How to Teach Your Puppy to Hate Nail trims
Ok we joke. You do NOT want your Great Dane to hate nail trims, but here are some common mistakes people make that can actually make nail trims and other care behaviors extremely difficult:
Teaching the puppy that human hands = bad things (examples: hitting, shoving, pinching, ‘alpha’ rolling, tapping on the nose). This kind of training breeds distrust and shyness of hands.
Playing with the paws and annoying the puppy about it (old advice that can actually make things worse).
Asking the puppy to recall/COME and then forcing the puppy into a nail trim (quick way to ruin BOTH recall and nail trims!).
Not properly socializing the puppy to a variety of sights, sounds and experiences and helping it build confidence. Calm, mature dogs are built in confidence.
Believing that training is a war for power and respect, not a teacher-student relationship.
This paw is from a five month old puppy who is being conditioned to accept weekly maintenance with the Dremel.
There is no sharp point and the nails do not touch the ground when the puppy is standing or walking and moving.
Over time they will be made neater, but perfection at this stage is not the goal. Keeping the nails from developing long, sharp points, and teaching the puppy to expect and accept routine maintenance is.
Make Nail Trims a Positive Experience
When you finish the nail trim, even if you only got one nail done, do something FUN! Play a game, offer a really good chew in the crate, do a quick 1 minute training session with the treats you have left.
Teach your puppy early that nail maintenance is FUN, not-negotiable, and doesn’t result in pain or fear.
If you are really nervous about trimming the dog yourself, find a groomer. Some will come to your house, or you may have a neighbor willing to do it that will love the extra cash.
You will still need to keep sharp points off the ground, so develop a schedule of maintenance and make sure that routine trips to the veterinarian or groomer for nail trims are part of life.
We highly recommend the group Nail Maintenance for Dogs on Facebook for resources, tips, and learning. This group is especially amazing if you have a dog that is afraid of nail trims.
Walking into a dog food store is like walking into a shark tank. You’re immediately inundated with nutrition advice and thousands of bags with bright colors and promises of better health for your pet. If you are interested in what we believe are the best foods for Great Danes, this blog post is the place to be (NOT the pet store)!
Back in the day, before Natalie and I started this site and put literal years into educating ourselves about the most current advice for Great Dane care, we were confused. So confused! It’s easy to get sucked into marketing and anecdotes from other dog owners. We all love our pets and want what is best.
When we dug around in search of the best foods for our Great Danes, here is what we found:
Outdated advice, including food brands that no longer exist
Nutrition information and ideas that are not based on any actual research and science
Recommendations for food brands that are poorly formulated
Click bait articles that seem to know very little about Great Danes
Promotional articles from dog food companies that don’t know how to formulate for Great Danes
Fear mongering, elitism, and pseudoscience in pet food marketing
A whole lot of confused Great Dane owners!
This blog post today is for those who feed Great Dane KIBBLE, and we are bringing you science-backed, UP TO DATE information about what to feed your giant breed dog! Raw and fresh info coming soon, though we share some of that here, too!
Great Danes have very specific nutritional requirements.
The appropriate food will keep them at a healthy weight and will support their gut health, joints, growth, and structure. Read on!
Food Requirements for Great Danes
The best foods for Great Danes may not be what you think.
Remember, on this blog we look at science, research, and evidence; not marketing.
Foods for Great Danes must be formulated specifically for the growth (puppies) and maintenance (adults) of large and giant breed dogs. This means that puppies need a large or giant breed puppy or all life stages food, and adults over the age of 2 need an adult or all life stages food.
Additionally, we like to see foods meet the following guidelines (especially for Danes under the age of 2):
Calcium level at or below 1.2%
3.5g or less calcium per 1000kCal
Calcium to Phosphorus ratio of as close to 1 : 1 as possible
Specifically labeled for large or giant breed dogs
Grain-inclusive
Includes meat meal or meat by-product meal, which may lower the risk of bloat
Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist or PhD in Animal Nutrition employed by the company
We are going to break down the science of dog food in this blog post below. Our recommendations MAY surprise you, so we’re backing up our information with science!
Now before you go crazy and start looking at a million labels, let us help you.
What are the Best Food Brands for Great Danes?
To keep things simple, here is our list of foods that meet the guidelines and recommendations outlined in this post. Click on any to see them on Chewy.
Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.
I like to note that some people have not loved our recommendation to choose well-researched, science-backed foods. We believe that such opinions are often misinformed. To be perfectly honest, I used to be misinformed as well, and actively considered foods such as Purina and Royal Canin to be absolute garbage.
Of course we all want to believe that the ‘holistic’ option is best, but I’ve learned that’s not always the case; millions of dollars are spent every year on dog food marketing and we are all susceptible to it.
A dry diet which contains named (chicken, beef, or salmon) meat meal or meat by-product meals will have MORE meat and more meat based nutrition in it, and that’s just good science.
“Fresh meat” and “deboned meat” can be in the food as well. It’s important to note, however, that fresh meats are roughly 70% water, and once extruded into kibble won’t be a large portion of the final product.
For this reason, we recommend steering clear of foods that only use fresh or deboned meats to appeal to YOUR taste and wallet.
Organ, bone, tissue and cartilage on the other hand (in the form of meat meals and meat by-product meals) are species-appropriate and will contain necessary amino acids, vitamins, proteins, fats, and even glucosamine!
All about Calcium & Phosphorus Levels
Calcium should be 1.0% – 1.2% Phosphorous should be 1.1%-.8%
The overall calcium level should not exceed 3.5g per 1000kCal
For puppies, it is also very important that the food has the AAFCO Large Breed Growth Statement, indicating that the formulation is appropriate for growing puppies that will be 70+lbs or more as adults.
The ratio of calcium to phosphorus should be as close to 1:1 as possible. (For example, a 1.4 to 1 ratio is not acceptable, but 1.2 to 1 is)
However, these are NOT the only considerations!
A food with the correct ‘analysis’ and ‘healthy sounding ingredients’ may still be incorrect.
This is why choosing an appropriate large or giant breed formula from a company with qualified nutritionists on staff matters so much.
Additionally, many foods on the market that are popular in the Great Dane community are actually dangerously high in calcium and way too low in protein.
There is a lot of outdated misinformation out there about protein levels in Great Dane food. Many people believe (and promote) that Danes should be fed ‘low protein’ foods to ‘prevent knuckling’.
That statement is unfortuantely based on pseudoscience, anecdotes, and misunderstandings about protein in pet food.
Quality protein from meat, meat meal and meat by-products is necessary, and studies show that protein does not actually “cause knuckling”.
Too many calories and too much of the wrong kind of nutrition is what causes growth problems in Great Danes, not too much protein.
Foods that use a lot of peas or legumes, especially when paired with “fresh deboned meat” (which as mentioned above is 70% water) may have replaced a significant amount of meat protein with plant-based protein. This is not healthy.
Large Breed foods that are backed by legitimate peer-reviewed science and research will have optimal fat, protein, calcium, and phosphorus levels. Most also offer joint support.
If you are choosing an appropriate food, the protein level on the bag should not be a consideration.
A more extensive list of our favorite foods for Great Danes is below, but until then, here are some of our favorites.
Great Dane Food Dealbreakers
Here are some foods that you definitely want to avoid for your Great Dane.
Grain Free Food for Great Danes
Unbalanced foods from boutique companies are believed to lead to dietary-induced heart problems (Secondary DCM).
Grain-free foods in particular are problematic as most are from boutique food companies that tend to replace a lot of actual meat content with peas, potatoes, chickpeas and legumes.
There is a growing body of evidence that should be addressed, especially because Great Danes are already prone to genetic heart problems (Primary DCM).
Secondary (nutritional) DCM is often a silent killer. You may not know your dog is sick until it’s too late.
Secondary DCM is often reversed completely, however, by choosing science-backed dog food formulated by Veterinary Nutritionists.
Bloat & Nutrition Risk Factors
To date, no food brand has been correlated with an increase in bloat risk.
However, the following factors HAVE been noted and require more study:
Low fiber diets
Poorly formulated diets with fat in the first 4 ingredients, often seen in foods from Victor and Life’s Abundance which are not formulated by a veterinary nutritionist or backed by research. There is one exception to this rule; the Royal Canin Giant Breed line. Read more about this HERE.
Dogs that are fed only a dry food diet (we recommend mixing in canned food into at least one of your dog’s daily meals
Dogs that eat quickly (we recommend slow-feeder bowls)
Dogs that eat from raised bowls (though more study is needed). This is likely related to gulping and excess intake of air from the unnatural eating position that occurs with raised feeders.
MLM Foods for Great Danes Scam
MLM foods such as Life’s Abundance (also NuVet Vitamins) are foods where breeders profit off of the (expensive) food being sold to puppy buyers.
Some breeders also participate in the unethical practice of essentially requiring this purchase or in offering a more robust health guarantee if you feed this food.
These foods are backed by a lot of marketing claims, but no science.
Some foods meet WSAVA Guidelines but unfortunately, most don’t.
Look past the marketing and fancy words on your dog food bag.
Start asking questions.
Food should be formulated by on-site, employed, credentialed Ph.D Veterinary Nutrition professionals with extensive, certified knowledge in veterinary health and nutrition.
If you reach out to a company and they have a list of excuses for why they don’t actually staff a full-time board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist (DACVN or ACVN), or why they don’t also then test their foods by investing heavily into research and trials, tread cautiously.
Many companies will say they use a “team of nutrition experts, including nutritionists“.
What this most often actually means is that they paid a consulting company to sign off on a formula they generated using software or spreadsheets. If it meets nutritional minimums, a box can be checked and the company can claim that a ‘Nutritionist’ was involved.
Photo credit to @born.greater
The List of Best Foods for Great Danes
As before, this food list is not exhaustive. Remember to get your nutrition advice from credentialed professionals and those who share the same ethos of choosing science-backed, highly researched nutrition.
This list is for ADULT dogs over the age of 12-18 months.
These are the same foods that are recommended by veterinarians and fed by the top breeders (whose dogs are healthy, lean, robust and long-lived). We recommend putting your favorite on autoship from Chewy.com!
For puppies, choose the Large Breed puppy version.
The addition of fresh whole foods and toppers (up to 10% of the diet) on a professionally formulated food will provide better nutrition than a few dried blueberries in a bag of ’boutique’ food ever will.
We recommend feeding same-brand canned food, in addition to dry food.
Here is a list of ‘popular’ Great Dane food brands that we do not recommend.
Why are these foods on the ‘not recommended’ list?
Simply put, they don’t meet basic criteria for ethical, quality formulation and nutrition.
In other words, these foods are not typically formulated, researched and/or then fully tested by people with legitimate credentials to do so.
Most ’boutique’ foods only look healthier and feel ‘higher quality’ because of marketing, not because they actually are.
They do not participate in common canine health research and journals (choosing instead to do their own ‘testing’), and they often do not substantiate their formulas in actual food trials (choosing instead to pay somebody to just look it over on paper to see that AAFCO minimums are reached).
Most of these brands below have documented, verified cases of secondary (dietary-induced) DCM.
This is despite having only a tiny market share and minuscule sales compared to ‘big dog food’ (science-backed brands with a huge market share) that do not have any documented cases of nutrition-related DCM).
It is a myth that ‘holistic’, ‘ancient grains’, ‘super premium’, or ‘human grade’ boutique dog foods are healthier or better for your pet.
These are marketing terms with no true regulations or standards.
Foods that are not Recommended
Many of these foods are popular in the Great Dane community, but that doesn’t make them better. A lot of these foods are made in factories that manufacter many other brands on contract, and none of the brands listed below have qualified nutritionists on staff. Many of them have calcium levels that are in excess of current recommendations, too!
Nutrition is a KEY element in Great Dane health. We believe these brands should be looked at with higher consumer demands of quality and ethical formulation practices:
Earthborn Holistics
Diamond Naturals
4Health
Victor (high calcium levels in all but one formula)
You may have heard the term ‘Double Merle’ associated with Great Danes. Double Merle Great Danes can be beautiful, but why are they this color? How do you get a pure white Great Dane?
Here are 5 facts about white Great Danes that you maybe didn’t know!
What Are Double Merle Great Danes?
A double merle Great Dane will be most often all white or close to it. (White Great Danes). Some may have merle patches and not be pure white.
As striking as they can be, this is not a color that should be intentionally produced, celebrated, or desired in Great Danes.
Double Merle Great Danes are often blind and/or deaf and can have other significant health problems, including autoimmune disorders, eye disorders, deformities, aggression, allergies, and problems with their heart, thyroid, and digestive system.
It’s important to note that not all ‘double merle’ dogs will have health or temprement problems. However, many will.
Many DM (double-merle) Great Danes are pure white, however, they can have some spots (most often merle patches). The absence of color around the ears and eyes is a contributing factor to deafness and blindness.
A Harlequin Great Dane is white with torn black patches and is NOT double-merle. Fawnequin and brindlequin are also not double merle, even though they have a white base coat like a harlequin does.
A double-merle white Great Dane
How Are Double Merle Great Danes Made?
Many Great Danes carry the merle gene. Merle genes are responsible for creating the beautiful Merle and Harlequin coats, as well as many off standard colors with spots (‘merlequin’, ‘fawnequin’, etc.).
By itself, the merle gene is ok.
When a puppy receives TWO copies of the merle gene (one from each parent that carries it), they are ‘double-merle’.
Double Merle puppies happen in litters where a breeder paired (either intentionally or accidentally) two dogs that each carry the merle gene. Not all puppies in a litter bred like this will be double-merle.
Each puppy in the litter has a 1-in-4 chance of receiving BOTH merle genes. To put this into perspective, that’s leaves each puppy (in the litter) a 75% chance that they will NOT be double merle, and have a normal single-merle coat pattern.
It is important to note that Double Merle dogs are 100% preventable.
This highlights the importance of genetic color testing prior to breeding, for breeders that are unsure if either dog in the pairing is merle or not. Color testing can be done HERE.
Double Merle Great Dane Health Problems
Not all white Great Danes will have health problems. However, because of their unique genetic makeup, many of them do. Here are some common things seen in double-merle Great Danes.
Deafness
Blindness
Under developed eyes
Eye problems that lead to pain or blindness
Auto-immune disorders
Allergies and skin sensitivities
Poor overall conformation (resulting from bad breeding practices)
Aggression, fear, and other temperament problems (instability)
A white Great Dane
Double Merle Practices & History in Great Danes
Double merle dogs are most often produced by unethical backyard breeders who either had “no idea this could happen“, or didn’t care.
Some breeders pair merle + merle dogs because they are in pursuit of ‘interesting’ designer colors. The flashy merle gene may result in some puppies getting catchy or trending colors that sell well and result in profits for the breeder.
Additionally, in the world of show dogs, some show breeders intentionally pair two Harlequin Great Danes with exceptional pedigrees because the pairing may produce desirable ‘show marked Harlequins’.
At times, this is done because well-built and appropriate black or mantle studs are hard to find, and keeping the gene pool diverse is important.
Unlike the backyard breeders who don’t understand genetics, however, a show breeder pairing merle + merle will often utilize genetic testing and a thorough study of the pedigree, which can help greatly reduce the risks associated with this practice.
The actual length of the merle gene carried by each parent can affect the outcome, and will be part of the considerations involved when pairing two dogs with a merle gene. This is what makes color testing so important.
The GDCA condones this practice, as of this writing.
Editor’s Note: At Hello Danes we are fierce advocates for truly ethical show breeders. It’s important to note that there is a massive difference between a backyard breeder (whom we don’t support for any reason) and a breeder who is showing, color testing, and fully OFA health testing their dogs prior to breeding.
While we don’t personally condone the practice of breeding “spot to spot” for show purposes, we recognize that it happens and understand why. It’s seen in MANY pedigrees.
Our stance is that backyard breeders and unethical breeders, especially those breeding for fancy colors and dumping puppies in rescue are the biggest issue to contend with when it comes to double-merle dogs.
It’s important that Dane owners not get ‘lost’ in the double-merle discussion, as 100% of sick, unhealthy, abandoned double-merle puppies are coming from unethical breeders.
Double Merle Danes & Breeders
Unethical breeders who produce white puppies may lie to buyers about them. They will often say that they are a ‘designer color’ and sell them at a premium price. Many others will dump them on rescues when they are born.
These are not reputable practices. It doesn’t matter how ‘friendly’ or nice the breeder seems, if they are dumping white puppies or selling them at a premium, they are a backyard breeder.
The Great Dane Club of America condones the practice of hard culling (euthanizing) deaf double-merle puppies by 5 weeks of age; this is practiced by some breeders, most often the ‘old school’ type.
Advances in merle gene color testing, we believe, has greatly reduced this practice.
Other breeders (typically the show breeders that are focused on structure, health, and temperament) take responsibility for these pups (if they end up with some in a litter) and will find them suitable, quality homes and support them for life.
Always ask questions and never support breeders that don’t ethically take care of pups from their double-merle pairings!
In a spot-spot pairing, each puppy has a 25% (or 1 in 4) chance of receiving both copies of the merle gene (one from each parent), making them ‘double merle’.
Some of the double merle puppies will be reabsorbed by the mother long before birth, they simply don’t make it.
In a live litter, there may be no double merle puppies or there could be several.
Be clear about statistics with this one. Some people will say that 25% of the litter will be double merle, and that’s not how it works.
Each puppy is the one saddled with that 1-in-4 statistic, not the litter as a whole.
Great Dane Genetics & Color Testing
Ethical, educated breeders who aren’t sure and want to avoid breeding double-merle dogs in the first place will use modern advances in genetics testing to confirm the colors of each dog in a potential pairing.
If you are looking for a color that isn’t accepted by the AKC as a show color, tread cautiously.
Some fancy colors are the result of spot-spot breedings, and unethical breeders will do this because they know it may get you to spend your money with them.
Merlequin is a popular off-standard color that comes from spot-spot breed pairings. Genetically, a Merlequin is actually a double-merle dog.
Like any other double-merle, this dog may or may not have health problems.
If you are set on finding a puppy in a ‘designer‘ color, make sure your breeder is focused first on health, structure, and temperament.
Merlequin are double-merle dogs who have the harlequin pattern (torn patches of color) but instead of having mostly black torn patches, all of their patches are merle. Imagine a harlequin Dane with merle spots instead of black and merle spots, essentially.
Double Merle Great Danes in Rescue
Entire rescues are dedicated to helping the double-merle dogs that are created by unethical breeding practices, and they are FULL.
Just the other day I saw a 4-month-old white puppy. The rescue was looking for a very special and hard-to-find home because the puppy was already showing signs of aggression, fear, and guarding.
She required surgery to remove her eyes because they did not develop properly. She also had additional structural problems that will lead to pain later in life.
Backyard breeding is not ok. This is not ok. We have to STOP supporting breeders that do this, whether it was intentional or not. The breeders won’t stop, so it’s up to us as puppy buyers and advocates for Great Danes.
Adopt a Double Merle Dog
If we want to stop the production of double-merle dogs, we have to educate people so that they stop rewarding breeders for producing them.
Double Merle dogs are 100% preventable. There is no excuse, but despite the existence of blogs, veterinary documents, reputable breeders, educated buyers, rescues, and people like us who shout from the rooftops, it still happens.
Share this with others, keep spreading the word. Great Dane owners with ‘ooops’ litters that happen ‘accidentally’ between their pet Danes are another contributor. This is also preventable through educated ownership and responsibility.
Support 501c3 Great Dane rescues, adopt double merles, choose only highly ethical breeders, and have fun with your Danes!
