Hello Danes

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  • Euro Danes: A Huge, Droopy Problem

    Euro Danes: A Huge, Droopy Problem

    I’m going to go there. We need to talk about Euro Danes.

    I will preface this by mentioning that I believe, fully, that every dog deserves love and a home. No dog should be cast out because it doesn’t fit some mold we’ve created. As a matter of fact, both of my Danes are true underdogs. Love the dog in front of you.

    Euro Danes

    What is a Euro Great Dane?

    The term ‘Euro’ is used to describe Great Danes with a certain look. These are the traits commonly associated with the ‘Euro’ Dane:

    • Shorter and more stocky build
    • Larger head
    • Lower Energy/calmer
    • Huge jowls
    • Excess drool
    • Droopy face
    • Extra skin/baggy
    • Large chest
    • Saggy eyes, redness
    • Overall heavier frame

    Many people love and prefer the ‘Euro’ look in Great Danes, and purposefully seek it out when choosing a breeder.

    What Does Euro Mean in Great Danes?

    Great Dane breeders that sell ‘Euro’ Great Danes typically make it very clear on their websites and social media that their puppies are ‘Euro’ or have a percentage of ‘Euro’ in them.

    Euro Danes

    Are Euro Great Danes European?

    Many breeders will import ‘Euro’ Great Danes from other Countries for their program, however, ‘Euro’ Great Danes aren’t actually a reliable or accurate representation of actual European dogs.

    If we look at the written standards for Great Danes, both ‘American’ (GDCA) and ‘European’ (FCI) Great Danes are nearly identical.

    If a breeder is breeding dogs according to the written standards outlined by nearly every Country (including Europe, the U.S. and Canada), they look like Great Danes, Apollo dogs. Not the ‘Euro’ Great Danes as we know them.

    Bad Breeders
    Scam Breeders: What to Look For
    Breeders: Shady Business
    Should I Choose a Breeder or Rescue?

    (BELOW: European fawn and brindle Great Danes. Notice that they are not refined nor are they too droopy).

    Euro Danes

    Many European breeders that follow the written standard for Great Danes are understandably frustrated that the word ‘Euro’ has been attached to dogs from their Country, effectively changing the overall perception of what European dogs actually look like.

    Well Bred Standard Great Danes in Europe don’t actually look like this droopy Euro dog below.

    If they do, it’s because the breeder is breeding off-standard ‘Euro’ Great Danes, not because they are ‘European’. 

    The trend of ‘Euro’ look dogs is happening all over the world and is even pervasive in other breeds such as Dobermans

    Off Color and Designer Great Danes


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    An obese Great Dane with droopy eyes that was likely sold as ‘Euro’

    ‘Euro’ vs. ‘American’ Great Danes

    Great Danes were originally bred in Germany, and it is believed that they were a cross between English Mastiffs and Irish Wolfhounds or other sighthounds.

    A bred to standard Great Dane is neither ‘hypertype’ nor is it ‘hypotype’.

    Many people believe that ‘American’ Great Danes are too refined. However, a well-bred Great Dane that meets the written standard is a large, robust dog!

    Hypertype: Mastiff-like features, large, stocky, ‘Euro’

    Hypotype: Refined features, lacking substance

    Every breeder and Great Dane owner will have an aesthetic preference, and some variance of the standard is normal depending on the pedigree.

    ‘Euro’ and ‘American’ are simply marketing terms that indicate a dog was bred out of standard.

    Euro Danes

    There is a problem in desiring those things without regard to the overall health of the breed and the dog being purchased and without regard to the time-tested Apollo Great Dane breed type.

    Euro, the Catch-All

    The term ‘Euro’ has become a catch-all for dogs that are overweight, heavy, stocky, and often very poorly structured.

    CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENT TIME:

    Somehow, breeders have made the term ‘Euro’ sound desirable.

    The word ‘Euro’ is most often used by backyard breeders and often as a means to glorify or justify breeding dogs that often (though not always) have serious structural and health faults.

    Because there is no written standard for a ‘Euro’ Dane, there are no checks and balances. This is a key point. 

    Euro Danes

    Health, structure and temperament problems abound in Great Danes, and it all comes back to unethical breeding practices in both standard breeders and ‘Euro’ breeders.

    With the term ‘Euro’, anything goes.

    When a breeder imports a ‘Euro’ Dane to use in their breeding program, they often believe (as do the buyers) that being ‘Euro’ is enough to merit that dog as quality breeding stock.

    What we are seeing in the popularity of Euro Danes is a progressive issue that is absolutely devastating to the Great Dane breed. 

    Euro Danes are becoming more and more ‘Euro’, and are looking less and less like actual Great Danes. 

    Euro Dane Health Problems

    Great Danes are giant breed dogs that absolutely need solid structure and good basic conformation to live a comfortable life.

    Backyard breeders produce dogs who are susceptible to fearfulness, aggression, joint issues, cancer, bloat, and heart disease.

    Bad Breeders
    Scam Breeders: What to Look For
    Breeders: Shady Business
    Arthritis in Great Danes
    What is Bloat?
    Can You Prevent Bloat?
    Stomach Tacking: Pros and Cons
    Bloat and Gut Health
    The Scary Bloat Timeline

    This is the reason we have written standards (checks & balances); for the overall health and longevity of the breed.

    Euro Great Danes often suffer from: 

    • Cherry eye, entropion, vision obstruction
    • Painful joints and mobility issues
    • Obesity, allergies, infections & skin problems
    • Wobblers & other genetic disorders related to structure & movement
    • Flat feet, cow hocks, weak rear & front
    • Roach & other topline problems
    Euro Danes

    Recently we’ve begun seeing ‘Euro’ Danes that are so droopy that they cannot see because excess skin obstructs their eyes.

    The older they get, the more gravity does its job and the more likely they are to suffer from additional irritation and other preventable eye problems.

    The Great Dane written standard (both European and American) state essentially that eyes “shall be medium size, deep set, and dark, with a lively intelligent expression. The eyelids are almond-shaped and relatively tight, with well developed brows. Haws and Mongolian eye(s) are very serious faults.

    Roached backs, flat feet and cow hocks are also not uncommon in ‘Euro’ Great Danes.

    Fat Great Danes are not healthy nor are they normal. Fearful, anxious or ‘protective’ temperaments are not actually in line with the breed standard either, however, all of these things tend to be ‘common’ among breeders that promote ‘Euro’ litters.

    We cannot justify these health problems by saying that ‘It’s ok, he’s Euro‘. Being ‘Euro’ does not make it ok for a dog to be heavy, unable to see or struggling to move gracefully.

    Euro Danes

    A ‘Euro’ Great Dane with Droopy Eyes that may require surgical intervention

    Euro Danes

    A standard Great Dane with normal eyes

    Euro Danes

    EURO %

    Many breeders focused on ‘Euro’ type Great Danes will indicate that their puppies have a specific percentage of ‘Euro’.

    Short of actually genetically testing every puppy in a litter, it’s impossible to definitively state how much of the ‘Euro’ lineage one dog may have received from its ancestors. 

    This is a sneaky marketing tactic meant to make ‘Euro’ puppies sound more desirable and appealing than Great Danes that have a long pedigree of beautiful standard well-bred dogs.

    Ethical breeders care very much about health and structure before droop.

    Euro Danes

    CHAMPION LINES

    Some breeders will say that their dogs, Euro or otherwise come from ‘Champion lines’.

    Tread cautiously with this. Ask to see pedigrees and the titles that were awarded. Anybody can put a bunch of ‘Euro’ Danes into a weekender ‘dog show’ and award made up ‘champion titles’. The exotic ‘European’ names may be an additional draw.

    Not all breed and pedigree registries are created equal. Unfortunately, this practice may in some ways dilute the value of a true AKC or Canadian Kennel Club Champion titled dog.   

    Euro Danes
    A ‘European’ Mantle Great Dane, AKA ‘EURO’

    THE APOLLO OF DOGS

    A well-bred Great Dane from parents with a quality, studied pedigree is an absolutely stunning dog.

    They are elegant, athletic, robust, large, and have incredibly stable and confident temperaments.

    Some breeders are highly focused on preserving and improving the original Great Dane Breed type.

    They study their pedigrees and work to actively minimize and eliminate congenital and genetic problems in the breed, including bloat, wobblers, heart disease, eye problems and more.

    This is the work of a quality, ethical and thoughtful breeder.

    Euro Danes

    If you are interested in more of the ‘Euro’ look in Great Danes, make sure you are choosing breeders that first truly care about health, structure and longevity.

    It may seem exotic and unique to import a dog or to choose a dog from imported lines, but we encourage you to take a good look at what ‘Euro’ actually means.

    A little extra droop in the jowls is one thing, but hiding poor genetics and breeding practices behind the word ‘Euro’ is another. 

    Euro Danes

    HOW TO FIND A REPUTABLE GREAT DANE BREEDER

    Look for and verify:

    • Full health testing of both dam & sire, including x-rays, echocardiogram, eye exam and blood panels in addition to genetic screening.
    • Focus on health and temperament, including bloat, cancer, eye problems and heart problems
    • Puppies stay with the breeder until 8 weeks of age and are thoroughly and thoughtfully socialized (Puppy Culture or otherwise).
    • A contract & owner education.
    • Lifetime breeder support and a return contract that keeps Danes out of rescue.

    We encourage you to be patient and thoughtful when searching for a breeder for your next Great Dane, especially if what you want is purposefully bred out of standard in some way (designer color, ‘Euro’, mixed breed Dane, etc.).

    GREAT DANE RESOURCES

    This list of resources will be helpful to you if your idea of ‘Euro’ vs. ‘American’ Danes has been challenged by this article! We are here to educate and help:

    The Great Dane Club of America Written Standard

    The FCI (European Written Standard)

    The Federation of Deutsche Dogge Clubs

    The Great Dane Club of Canada Written Standard

    The Time Traveler (Book, the History of Great Danes)

    The Apollo of Dogs – Great Dane Preservation Society Group on Facebook 

    Great Dane Conformation Clinic Group on Facebook

    READ MORE

    Miniature Great Danes: The ‘Pocket’ Version of a Great Dane

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  • I Need a Pet, Not a Show Dog – Finding a Great Dane Breeder

    I Need a Pet, Not a Show Dog – Finding a Great Dane Breeder

    We hear this one a lot. As a matter of fact, you may feel this way yourself. 

    “I need a pet, not a show dog”

    If you aren’t showing your dog, of course you don’t need a show dog. But that isn’t actually the point here. 

    Show dogs are loved family pets. Through the process of obtaining points in the show ring, they prove in some way that they are quality examples of the breed standard. By being good examples of the breed, they are more likely to pass on quality genetic traits. 

    You may not need a show dog, but you DO need a healthy, well-tempered Great Dane. 

    A thoughtfully bred Great Dane puppy from a breeder that does full health testing, obtains titles for their dogs (either in show, obedience or work) and offers lifetime support is most likely to become a well-loved, calm, easily trained, robustly healthy and loved family pet. 

    Many people believe that show dogs are inbred, abused, not allowed to be dogs or have fun, and are being forced to ‘parade around’ in a beauty contest for the enjoyment of humans.

    Have you met a Champion show dog? They are some of the most well-cared for, well trained and beautifully tempered dogs out there.

    Show dogs that do well in the ring typically have star power. They want to be there and thrive on the attention and environment.

    Because they are excellent examples of the breed standard, they can move comfortably and are free of anxiety, aggression and fear.

    Show dogs are most often well-loved family pets above all. They are allowed to play, to get dirty, to run with other dogs and to sleep on the bed.

    A thoughtful show handler will know how to work with the dog to make showing a positive and fun experience, and will recognize when doing so isn’t a great activity for that particular dog.

    Show dogs that want to be there are very proud of themselves and love to show off!

    We believe that competing in shows, obedience or trick competitions is WAY more enriching, interesting and fun for a dog than sitting on a couch all day. There is absolutely nothing abusive or wrong about working with dogs and competing with them in shows of all kinds.

    Breeders that show or title their dogs breed with quality in mind. They want their puppies to be healthy, robust and have outstanding temperaments, because promoting the breed and contributing to the health of the breed is important to them.

    Each litter will have several puppies, and only some are ‘show’ quality. The rest will still be very well-bred dogs and they all need amazing pet homes.

    Don’t be afraid to consider purchasing your next Great Dane puppy from a show breeder or a breeder that truly cares about their puppies genetic lineage, health and trainability.

    Backyard breeders and careless breeding practices are literally ruining Great Danes.

    Giant Breed dogs have no room for error when it comes to structure, yet many breeders that don’t show their dogs to prove their conformation completely disregard hip, foot, elbow and spinal health.

    When you seek out a cheap breeder so that you can buy a ‘pet, not a show dog’, you are more likely choosing a breeder that in contributing to the following genetic problems in Great Danes:

    Aggression and fear
    Bloat (has a strong genetic link)
    Cancer (genetic links are believed to be a contributing factor)
    Heart Disease and thyroid disorders
    Allergies and other nutrition, gut health and environmental sensitivities
    Anxiety, over-excitement, reactivity
    Eye disorders
    Poor overall breed type (lacking the robust, healthy and graceful Apollo ‘look’ of the breed)
    Structural disorders that lead to pain and early arthritis
    Wobblers and other degenerative muscular and bone disorders
    Lower overall average life expectancy for the breed as a whole

    Backyard breeders and puppy mills are almost solely responsible for the reason why so many dogs are in rescue. 

    AKC papers are not enough to prove that a breeder is operating ethically.

    Ethical breeders care very much about the overall health, longevity and personalities of the dogs that they produce & study their pedigrees.

    They support the dog and buyers for life, and never want to see one of their dogs in rescue.

    They fully health test (Hips, elbows, heart, eyes, thyroid and genetic disorders) their dogs.

    Cheap ‘pet’ breeders on the other hand are often operating in volume, sell puppies based on merits unrelated to the actual health and structure of Great Danes (‘designer color’ or a specific % of ‘Euro’), rarely health test their dogs beyond a ‘vet check’, will sell puppies to anybody with money to buy one, and are less likely to offer support or a lifetime return guarantee that keeps dogs out of rescue.

    Basic idea here, you are correct. You don’t likely need a show dog unless you plan to show, title and breed Great Danes.

    However, if you are choosing to purchase a dog from a breeder instead of a rescue, you have a responsibility to make sure that you are supporting only breeders that are contributing positively to the health, temperament and longevity of Great Danes as a whole.

  • Should I Choose a Breeder or a Rescue for a Great Dane?

    Should I Choose a Breeder or a Rescue for a Great Dane?

    Are you looking to add a Great Dane to your family?

    There are a LOT of misconceptions about adopting rescue dogs and choosing breeders, so we want to clear this up with our post today.

    To put this simply, we believe that there is room for BOTH breeders and rescues, and that choosing the right breeder can actually mean less dogs end up in rescue. 

    We hope you use our post today as a guide towards making a decision between choosing a rescue Dane or finding an ethical, quality breeder for your next Great Dane!

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    BREEDERS AREN’T PERFECT

    The main reasons people cite for choosing a breeder over a rescue, is that they:

    • Want a puppy so they can develop a bond.
    • Want a puppy they can train ‘their way’.
    • Have kids and want a puppy so they know it will be raised around children and not aggressive.

    These ideas disregard the fact that there are many wonderful, calm, stable dogs with known temperaments in rescue, dogs that could make excellent family dogs.

    Not every rescue dog has a ‘sob story’ or bad habits. Many are house trained, walk beautifully on a leash and love children.

    You don’t HAVE to have a puppy to guarantee ‘success’ with integration into family life.

    As a matter of fact, choosing the wrong breeder for your puppy or using poor training and socialization techniques could mean that you end up with an aggressive, unstable or out of control dog anyways.

    No ethical rescue will place a Great Dane into your home if you, and the Dane, aren’t a good fit for each other. This also means that it may be difficult to find the right rescue Dane for your home, which brings us back to the fact that it is a perfectly acceptable choice to choose a breeder!

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    RESCUE ISN’T FOR ALL

    Fact #2, rescue dogs, and choosing rescue is NOT the right fit for every family.

    Rescues desperately want to keep dogs out of the rescue system, so they will work very hard to place dogs only in the right homes. Even if this means keeping dogs in foster longer.

    This could mean being turned down for a rescue dog because you have young children, no giant experience, inadequate fencing, no history of prior dog ownership & appropriate vet care, or your family isn’t the right fit for a rescue dog that has specific needs (health, training, etc.).

    This can be extremely frustrating, however it doesn’t make it acceptable to run out and find the first puppy available on Facebook or Craigslist.

    It’s much easier to clear the rescues when we stop the flow of dogs needing rescue in the first place, than it is to believe that all breeders are bad and everyone should adopt.

    Why are so many dogs in rescue in the first place? It comes back, nearly 100% to unethical, puppy mill, and backyard breeding practices.  These breeders create unhealthy, poorly structured dogs with poor temperaments, or dogs that don’t end up being truly wanted, and sell them to anybody with a wallet.

    If you are unable or uninterested in adopting a rescue dog, the worst thing you can do is turn around and choose a dog from an unethical breeder.

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    CHOOSING A BREEDER

    When looking for a breeder for your next Great Dane, ask lots of questions! Look for breeders that meet the following basic standard of ethics:

    A puppy from quality, fully tested parents with excellent temperaments and structure that has been thoughtfully raised and properly socialized since birth will be much less likely to:

    • Suffer as a result of poor structure (flat feet, roached back, improper angulation, cow hocks, weakness)
    • Develop life-threatening, painful, expensive and frustrating health problems such as bloat, wobblers, eye disorders, heart disease, blood clotting disorders and even cancer.
    • Develop anxiety, aggression, over-excitement or other signs of poor temperament.
    • Be timid and fearful.
    • Contribute to the ‘short life span’ statistics that Great Danes are known for.

    Puppies from ethical breeders are easier to train (potty training, puppy biting, crate training, socialization), integrate easier into family life, and will not likely end up contributing to the rescue problem (the breeder sells only to educated owners, offers lifetime support and will take them back for any reason).

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    CHOOSING A RESCUE

    Despite all of the poor breeding practices, there are many amazing Great Danes in rescue, and they absolutely need and deserve homes!

    If you are choosing a rescue dog, be upfront and honest about what you need in a dog for your family, and what you can or cannot provide.

    It is better to choose an ethical breeder than it is to lie on an adoption application and ultimately end up with a dog that isn’t the right fit for you.

    Choosing or fostering rescue dogs and even puppies with health and temperament issues can be immensely rewarding! Volunteer work & financial donations are also needed.

    Matilda (one of my Great Danes, shown) came from a rescue at 5 months of age. She is missing a leg (thanks to her unethical, backyard breeder, yikes!) and will struggle with that and the poor structure she was given (through unethical, careless breeding practices) for her whole life.

    However, she is an amazing dog. Wonderful with children, people and dogs. She is calm, easy to live with and loves life. Matilda is well loved by many people, and won’t hesitate to give the most sweet and gentle kisses to anybody willing to love on her. (Follow Matilda on IG @Jacksonandmatilda)

    Rescue dogs, even the ‘broken’ ones, can make amazing pets.

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    THE BIG PICTURE

    Essentially, there are good reasons to choose ethically bred dogs or rescue dogs.

    Neither option is without fault or purpose, and both choices can be appropriate for you and your family! You should never be made to feel guilty about choosing a quality, ethical breeder, nor should you hesitate to pour your heart into rescue.

    Our goal with both should be the health, longevity and quality of life of this beautiful breed that we all love so much.

    So what happens with all of the cute puppies that backyard breeders have already produced and are trying to sell?

    This is the catch-22 of the dog world. By purchasing a dog from a backyard breeder, you financially reward them and provide them with incentive to continue carelessly breeding dogs.

    However by leaving that dog, you leave a dog that deserves a good home no matter what, especially if the puppy and parents are neglected or abused.

    But take note, purchasing a dog from a pet store or bad breeder is NOT rescue, nor is it helpful. Unfortunately, what feels like a caring act actually contributes to the problem and simply results in more unhealthy, poorly tempered or abused and neglected dogs. 

    However, when a breeder cannot sell puppies, they are less likely to breed again. The puppies may eventually be given away or surrendered to a rescue where they can be properly homed. 

    If you encounter a breeder with particularly bad practices and unhealthy dogs, report them! Your local animal control, Great Dane rescue and governing authorities may be interested and can help.

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  • Unique Names for Great Dane Puppies: Great Dane Names You Need to Know!

    Unique Names for Great Dane Puppies: Great Dane Names You Need to Know!

    Selecting a unique name for your Great Dane puppy is a fun decision that reflects both your pet’s identity and your personal preferences. Choosing a name for your Great Dane puppy or rescue dog can be one overwhelming task that dog owners have to face!

    If you are looking for a unique name for your new Great Dane, start with our ever-growing list of beautiful and interesting puppy dog names.

    Some of these puppy names are based on pop culture, others are classics that are ready to make a huge comeback. We tried to find unusual names that aren’t seen on every list!

    If you choose one of the names from our list, please come back and leave us a comment! We’d love to hear from you.

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    Cute Great Dane Names for Great Dogs!

    Big dogs deserve a dog name that matches! Great Danes are some of the most adorable dogs, often being known as the ‘Gentle Giant’.

    But, what should you name your new Great Dane puppy?

    Here are a few of the best Great Dane names:

    Cute Female Great Dane Puppy Names

    • Juno
    • Astrid
    • Juniper
    • Matilda
    • Gigi
    • Hermione
    • Arya
    • Ivy

    Cute Male Great Dane Puppy Names

    • Murdoch
    • Astor
    • Obsidian
    • Jasper
    • Cobalt
    • Umberto
    • Amadeus
    • Jeppesen

    If none of those Great Dane dog names resonated with you, don’t worry– we have more!

    Funny Great Dane Names

    1. Cowabunga
    2. Butterball
    3. Biscuit
    4. Beanpole
    5. Noodles
    6. Pip Squeak
    7. String Bean
    8. Tiny Tim
    9. Shrimpy
    10. Waffle
    11. Snickers
    12. Dr. Doolittle

    If you’re not into the silly route, no worries! We have more ideas for you.

    Great Dane Names Inspired by History

    Your good girl and good boy deserve to be named after someone heroic!

    If you want a really good name for your pup that has inspiration from someone famous, maybe you should consider the following ideas as your perfect name:

    1. Princess Bride
    2. Country Coyote
    3. Goddess Names: Athena, Freya, He
    4. Napoleon
    5. Tower of London- Grendel, Beowulf
    6. Shakespeare- Macbeth, Romeo, Ophelia
    7. British Prime Ministers- Churchill, Thatcher, Major

    Names for Great Danes are tough. Let’s face it- your dog is PERFECT! So, they have to have the perfect dog name to match. You want them to have a really great name and we agree. So, let’s dive into some more dog name ideas.

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    Puppy Names from TV & Movies

    If you are into famous Great Danes or have a favorite show, you could always look for dog name ideas inside of those. Maybe the right name for your Great Dane dog is right under your nose!

    Here are a few ideas that could make the perfect names for Great Danes:

    1. Members of the Swiss Family Robinson: Fritz, Ernest, Franz
    2. The Addams Family: Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley
    3. Winnie the Pooh and friends: Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger
    4. The Beethoven movies: Beethoven, Buddy, Mr. Hinkle
    5. The Aristocats: Marie, Toulouse, Duchess, Berlioz
    6. Lady and the Tramp: Lady, Tramp, Jock, Trusty
    7. The Ugly Dachshund: Doxie, Danke, Gretchen
    8. Comic Strip: Garfield, Snoopy, Odie

    There are endless possibilities for names for your Great Dane. No matter the name you choose, your pup is going to be gorgeous!

    Traditional Great Dane Puppy Names

    Maybe you are looking for more traditional names for Great Danes. Your family might think that a more simple, traditional name would make the perfect name for your dog!

    Traditional Female Great Dane Names

    • Coco
    • Etta
    • Ida
    • Dora
    • Maple
    • Clover
    • Terra
    • Cassie
    • Joy
    • Aria
    • Sia
    • Zuri
    • Shiloh
    • Clementine
    • Poppy
    • Greta

    Traditional Male Great Dane Names

    • Fig
    • Dexter
    • Milo
    • Archie/Archer/Arch
    • Edison
    • Silas
    • Gideon
    • Whiskey
    • Stirling
    • Boeing
    • Ender
    • Mica/Micah
    • Wilder
    • Niko
    • Sullivan
    • Aston
    • Hudson

    Puppy Names Based on Colors

    You can’t forget that beautiful dogs come in all different colors. Gentle giants like Great Danes have multiple different colors!

    Maybe you should consider different and unique names for Great Danes depending on what color your pup is! There are an abundance of unique Great Dane names that match the color of your new dog. Blue Great Dane names will show off your dog’s beautiful coat color!

    Blue Great Dane Names

    1. Blue
    2. Sapphire
    3. Baxter
    4. Blue Cobalt
    5. Periwinkle
    6. Turquoise
    7. Bluebell
    8. Sky
    9. Navy
    10. Azure
    11. Cerulean

    Black Great Dane Names

    1. Raven
    2. Ebony
    3. Sable
    4. Coal
    5. Jet
    6. Onyx
    7. Licorice
    8. Midnight
    9. Shady
    10. Bear
    11. Zebra
    1. Gemma
    2. Layla
    3. Ivy
    4. Mia
    5. Ebony
    6. Raven
    7. Zara
    8. Jasmine
    9. Bella
    10. Harley
    11. Black Beauty

    Harlequin Puppy Great Dane Names

    If you have Great Danes, you know that they are some of the most recognizable dog breeds!

    Harlequin is one of the most popular patterns in the breed because of its unique and eye-catching appearance.

    If you have a Harlequin Great Dane, consider yourself lucky! You have one of the most beautiful dogs in the world. Here are some names for your special pup:

    1. Candy
    2. Checkers
    3. Patch
    4. Domino
    5. Tuxedo
    6. Dalmatian
    7. Oreo
    8. Panda
    9. Pepper
    10. Salt
    11. Speckles
    12. Spots

    Fawn Great Dane Puppy Names

    Fawn Great Danes are striking!

    Their brown coat sets them apart from the breed. Many people know these dogs from the famous ‘Scooby-Doo’‘.

    1. Lady
    2. Lassie
    3. Buttercup
    4. Dawn
    5. Bambi
    6. Tinkerbell
    7. Honey
    1. Scooby Doo
    2. Rascal
    3. Buddy
    4. Max
    5. Bailey
    6. Charlie
    7. Rocky
    8. Teddy
    9. Jake
    10. Cody
    11. Murphy
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    How to Choose the Right Name for Your New Great Dane

    Whether you have a Male Great Dane or a female Great Dane and no matter what color you have, many Great Danes go on to be the owner’s best friend and heart dog.

    You may think that searching for the right Great Dane name is the most important part of bringing your giant breed dog home, but what matters even more is the connection you have with your pup.

    Choosing the right name is a personal decision that only you can make for your dog, but here are some things to keep in mind when you are trying to choose the perfect name for your new furry friend:

    1. The name should be short and sweet. You don’t want a name that is too long or complicated because you will be saying it a lot!

    2. Consider your dog’s personality. If your pup is outgoing and playful, you might want a name that reflects that. If your pup is more laid back and relaxed, you might want a name that is more mellow.

    3. Choose a name that you will feel comfortable saying in public. You don’t want to choose a name that you are going to be embarrassed to say when you are out and about with your dog.

    4. Make sure the name is easy for your dog to understand. You don’t want to choose a name that is too similar to words you say often, like “sit” or “stay”.

    5. Avoid names that might make other people uncomfortable. You don’t want to choose a name that could be interpreted in a negative way by other people.

    6. Have fun with it! Don’t take the process too seriously. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you and your dog are happy with the name you choose.

    Bonus Puppy Names to Consider

    If you’re still stuck on what to name your Great Dane and feel like you’ve gone through hundreds of Great Dane names and can’t find one that works for you- keep looking and keep getting to know your Great Dane!

    The right name will click suddenly as you settle into life with your Great Dane.

    Here are a few final names that might stick for your Great Dane:

    FEMALE GREAT DANES:

    Female names for Great Danes are tough- but don’t give up. Here are a few options you may like for your Great Dane:

    • Alida
    • Alta
    • Norah
    • Topaz
    • Pebble
    • Stella
    • Nova
    • Avi
    • Ruth
    • Cricket
    • Moana
    • Apricot
    • Ocean
    • Penelope
    • Prada

    MALE GREAT DANE NAMES

    Male Great Danes are a giant and special part of the breed. Maybe you will like some of these ideas!

    • Orson
    • Tobin
    • Fidget
    • Frodo
    • Ibis
    • Gable
    • Newton
    • North
    • Pepper
    • Quirk
    • Yukon
    • Scotch
    • Hemi
    • Malachai
    • Seymour
    • Cricket

    No matter what you choose- you will end up with a very good name and your Great Dane will end up being your world! Let us know in the comments if you have any other ideas for Great Dane names.

  • The 2 Sided Debate: Great Dane Ear Cropping

    The 2 Sided Debate: Great Dane Ear Cropping

    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.

    37

    Is Ear Cropping Abusive?

    Many anti-crop people consider the procedure of Great Dane ear cropping to be abusive, unnecessary and 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!

    Ear Cropping in Great Danes
    How to Tape a Cropped Dane’s Ears

    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.

    ear cropping in great danes

    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

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    6
    2 1
    5
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    For comparison, below. An 8 month old male Mantle Great Dane with intact ears.

    Great Dane ear cropping

    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).

    Great Dane ear cropping

    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.

    Great Dane ear cropping

    As of this writing, the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) considers cropping to be cosmetic and medically unnecessary. Fewer and fewer veterinarians in the U.S. will perform it, and many Countries have outright banned it by law or by restricting cropped dogs from competing in kennel club events.

    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. 

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    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.

    Great Dane ear cropping

    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).

    Off Color and Designer Great Danes
    Miniature Great Danes: The Pocket Size Version
    Bad Breeders
    Scam Breeders: What to Look For
    Breeders: Shady Business
    Should I Choose a Breeder or Rescue?

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    Great Dane Ear Cropping Veterinarians

    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.

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    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.

    Untitled design 3

    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 cropping

    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! 

    Your veterinarian and breeder can walk you through this process and teach you their tricks, which can involve everything from bandages to stickers, tape, tampons and rubber cement.

    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.

    Read about Ear Cropping & Taping HERE

    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 ear cropping

    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).

    Great Dane ear cropping

    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. 

  • Great Dane Puppy Growth Chart

    Great Dane Puppy Growth Chart

    Great Dane puppies grow incredibly fast. We recommend referencing our Great Dane puppy growth chart to learn just HOW fast you can expect your puppy to grow.

    PRO TIP – Take lots of photos!!! These babies gain size at an insane rate, especially in the first 6 months of life.

    Great Dane Puppy Growth Chart

    Keep in mind that these numbers are all averages! Your Great Dane puppy may be above or below these numbers depending on genetics, health and the nutrition that is provided. 

    Great Dane Puppy Growth Chart

    Great Dane Puppy Body Condition

    The following are signs that your puppy may require a change in nutrition, medical attention, and/or special attention to socialization:

    • Weakness & lethargy
    • Diarrhea, vomiting
    • Gas, soft stools
    • Knuckling, growing pains
    • Flat feet
    • Extremely thin (spine & hip bones showing)
    • Lack of muscle tone
    • Extremely round (heavy or distended tummy)
    • Dull coat & eyes, itching
    • Fearful, timid and scared
    • Painful

    Is My Puppy Too Skinny?

    What are the BEST foods for Great Dane Puppies?

    Great Dane puppies are surprisingly lean! This is better for their growth, joints and overall health. Your puppy should have nice fur, bright eyes, tight feet, confidence, and lots of energy when awake.

    The explosive growth period in Great Dane puppies happens from 6 weeks until 6 months. They slow down around then and will eat less, but will continue to grow for much, much longer!

    Great Dane Potty Training

    When do Great Danes Stop Growing?

    On average, Great Dane puppies continue to grow until age 2, at which point they will fill out (develop more muscle mass and breadth of chest and hips).  

    Knuckling is a serious problem in Great Dane puppies that results from explosive growth, incorrect nutrition, and slick or hard surfaces. Read more about knuckling below!

    GREAT DANE PUPPY KNUCKLING INFORMATION

    Great Dane Puppy Growth Chart

    When do Great Dane puppies stop growing? Below you will see a monthly Great Dane growth chart. You will notice that a two month old Great Dane puppy is, on average, 15-30 lbs. These are averages, not every puppy will fit into this chart perfectly.

    Birth1-2 lbs
    1 Week2-3 lbs
    2 Weeks3-5 lbs
    3 Weeks4-7 lbs
    1 Month5-8 lbs
    6 Weeks10-20 lbs
    2 Months15-30 lbs
    3 Months25-45 lbs
    4 Months45-65 lbs
    5 Months60-85 lbs
    6 Months65 – 100 lbs
    7 Months70-110 lbs
    8 Months80-120 lbs
    9 Months85-125 lbs
    1 Year95-120 lbs
    ADULT
    Female110-145lbs
    Male135-170lbs
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    Bigger Is Not Better

    There seems to be this fear that our Great Dane puppies just aren’t growing big enough or fast enough.

    There is also a subtle competition at play to have the largest Dane, a contest that often begins with breeders who are breeding for size rather than for structure, health and type.

    Is My Puppy Too Skinny?

    Adding nutrition, fat, and toppers to your Great Dane Puppies diet to ‘fill them out’ or ‘bulk them up’ is one of the worst things you can do. A Great Dane should be lean, muscular, and athletic.

    It’s not a race. Slow growth and building towards an appropriate height and weight is the healthiest choice. 

    You may be looking for a European Great Dane growth chart. European Great Danes and American Great Danes follow breed standards that are nearly identical, and the chart we’ve included in this post is ideal for all Great Danes.

    Euro Danes: A Big, Droopy Problem
    What Does Euro Mean in Great Danes?
    Miniature Great Danes: The Pocket Size Version

    Some breeders have made it their mission to promote bulkier, heavier, droopier Danes as ‘Euro’, often at the expense of the dogs orthopedic structure, eyes and overall health. ‘Euro’ is an aesthetic preference and not actually a sign that a dog is truly ‘European’ or well bred. For more information on the great ‘Euro’ vs. ‘American’ discussion, read our post below.

    WHAT DOES ‘EURO’ MEAN IN GREAT DANES?
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    Great Dane Puppy Growth

    Keep in mind that our Great Dane growth chart represents the ‘average’.

    Your puppy may not fall exactly into the range, and that may be ok!

    If your puppy has health problems (including HOD or megaesophagus), comes from smaller genetics, was the ‘runt’ of the litter, failed to thrive or had a rough start they may be on the small side.

    If your puppy comes from a lineage of bigger-boned dogs with a lot of substance or is provided too much nutrition too fast, they may be on the large side.

    Puppy Socialization Guide
    Is My Great Dane Puppy Knuckling?
    How to Prevent Knuckling in Great Dane Puppies
    Is My Great Dane Puppy Too Small?
    How to Fix Knuckling in Great Danes

    DO PUPPIES HAVE GROWTH SPURTS?

    Great Dane height and weight in adults is ultimately determined by a combination of genetics, overall health, nutrition, and care given to protect joints and allow for slow growth.

    Birth1-2 lbs
    1 Week2-3 lbs
    2 Weeks3-5 lbs
    3 Weeks4-7 lbs
    1 Month5-8 lbs
    6 Weeks10-20 lbs
    2 Months15-30 lbs
    3 Months25-45 lbs
    4 Months45-65 lbs
    5 Months60-85 lbs
    6 Months65 – 100 lbs
    7 Months70-110 lbs
    8 Months80-120 lbs
    9 Months85-125 lbs
    1 Year95-120 lbs
    ADULT
    Female110-145lbs
    Male135-170lbs

    The Best Great Dane Puppy Food

    What you feed your Great Dane puppy will matter somewhat when it comes to how slowly or quickly they grow.

    We recommend choosing one of the highly recommended grain-inclusive kibble brands below. These are all formulated correctly with correct protein, fat, calcium and phosphorus levels.

    A large breed puppy formula with an AAFCO statement about being ‘formulated for the growth of large breed (70lb+) dogs is ideal. Click on any to view.

    When choosing other brands, we recommend looking them up in the Pet Nutrition Alliance Database first.

    271631 MAIN. AC SS348 V1631149304
    271628 MAIN. AC SS348 V1626396086
    90757 MAIN. AC SS348 V1635866197

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

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    Should I Feed My Great Dane Puppy or Adult Food?

    How to Weigh a Great Dane

    None of this matters if you cannot actually weigh your Great Dane and keep track of their growth scale!

    Here are some tips:

    • Weigh yourself first. Then reset the scale, hold your puppy and weigh again. Subtract your weight from the weight of you + the puppy combined.
    • Visit the veterinarian. Make going to the vet, stepping on the scale, seeing the vet techs and leaving super fun.
    • Visit your local pet store. Petsmart and some Petco stores that have an in-house veterinarian will often let you use their scale for free! Always ask first. (NOTE: we do not recommend taking young puppies into Petsmart: get those vaccines first!).
    • Ask your groomer or breeder if they have a scale you can borrow.

    Use lots of treats and make the process of being weighed positive! Some puppies are afraid of the slick shiny surface. You can always teach your puppy to sit on a towel, and then put the towel onto the scale to transfer the behavior.

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    What Age is a Great Dane Puppy Fully Grown?

    Great Dane puppies experience explosive growth for the first 8 months, after which they tend to slow down. Your puppy will likely eat less and may appear to have stopped growing.

    At this point, however, they are far from done!

    Great Danes will grow in height until they are nearly 2 years old. It is at this age that the growth plates will close and it is appropriate to spay or neuter.

    After age 2, they will continue to fill out. Do not mistake this process for getting fat! Many Great Danes are spayed or neutered at this age and become overweight because of the sudden drop in hormones.

    Filling out means:

    Deeper and fuller chest
    Wider and more developed hips
    Maturation of the head structure
    Muscle development at the shoulders, hips and thighs
    Coverage that reduces the lanky puppy look

    Did you know that waiting to spay or neuter until your puppy is more mature may help reduce the risk of hip dysplasia, ACL/CCL tears, some cancers and poor adult structure?

    READ MORE:

    Zeus The Great Dane: The World’s Tallest Dog

  • Ethical Great Dane Breeders are Proud of Their Dogs

    Ethical Great Dane Breeders are Proud of Their Dogs

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    We talk a lot here about Great Dane breeders because we believe it’s important to advocate for this breed.

    If you are looking for a Great Dane Puppy, start here! We want to show you how to find and choose an ethical Great Dane breeder. 

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    Quality Great Dane Breeders are PROUD of their dogs!

    They are proud of the dogs that they breed and they are proud of their puppies. 

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    BREEDER RED FLAGS

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    When you are researching breeders, immediately run from any breeder that:

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    • Won’t allow you to meet the parents, or at least view them in a live video chat.
    • Won’t tell you all about their Great Danes, including honest information about their temperament and health.
    • Won’t allow you to view and research the genetic lineage or ask questions about it.
    • Won’t be willing to share references or allow you to chat with other puppy owners.
    • Doesn’t proudly show off their puppies, the parents, and the puppies they’ve bred that are grown up.
    • Breeds unhealthy dogs and/or spot-to-spot (causes double-merle puppies).
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    WITHOUT EXCEPTION

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    • The parents should be free of aggression, resource guarding, nipping and growling.
    • The parents should be free of fearful behavior. Well bred Great Danes are confident, curious, friendly and courageous, not timid or aloof. 
    • The parents should be well-kept with shiny coats, clean teeth, good muscle development and properly maintained nails. 
    • The parents should be well trained and have manners that exemplify the ideal gentle friendly giant. 
    • The parents should be bright and energetic, not slow, painful or sad. 

     

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    Only well-bred Great Danes should be used for breeding! Unhealthy, fearful, aggressive dogs with poor structure should never be used in a breeding program. Any breeder that isn’t proud to show off their Dam & Sire to you is a breeder you should be wary of.

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    ETHICAL BREEDERS OFTEN TITLE THEIR DOGS

    They may show their dogs, take them to training classes so they can get their CGC (Canine Good Citizen), Rally (obedience), Trick, Parkour or other similar titles. 

    Some breeders do not show or title their dogs at all which may or may not be a red flag. 

    As a general rule, however, Great Dane Breeders that are active with their dogs tend to be better advocates for health, structure and the breed as a whole. 

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://www.hellodanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/babyfigfinal-1-of-1.jpg” title_text=”babyfigfinal (1 of 1)” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://www.hellodanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Untitled-3.png” title_text=”Copy of Copy of Copy of Untitled (3)” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]

    BREED STANDARD

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    The parents should be excellent examples of the written breed standard. 

    The dogs they are breeding should not have bad hips, roached backs, extremely droopy eyes or flat feet, however this is extremely common. 

    They should not be excessively heavy or refined, and they should have a well-balanced structure that is built to support their size. 

    Be wary of breeders that are focused on buzz words such as ‘designer/rare color’, ‘Euro champion’, and ‘vet checked’. These breeders may not have the best interest of the dogs health in mind. 

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    A VET CHECK IS NOT HEALTH TESTING

    Ethical Great Dane breeders are proud of the health of their dogs and do not hesitate to complete and share the results of FULL OFA health testing on all of their dogs. 

    Many ‘breeders’ will skip this step because it’s expensive and may produce results that prove they should not breed a dog that they own. 

    Run from any breeder that does not do full OFA health testing of their dogs. At minimum, you need to see that they have good or excellent results for hips, elbows, heart, eyes and thyroid. 

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    Outside of the U.S., OFA may not be the registry that is used. This doesn’t negate the requirement that breeders should be completing x-rays, echocardiograms, eye tests and blood work for all of the dogs that they breed. 

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    Educate, advocate, rescue, foster, adopt.

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    Advocacy for Great Danes means supporting rescue efforts, fostering, and only choosing truly ethical breeders. 

    Anything else is supporting an industry where the health and welfare of the Great Danes we love is not considered. 

    [/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://www.hellodanes.com/find-a-great-dane-breeder/” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”FIND AN ETHICAL GREAT DANE BREEDER” button_alignment_tablet=”center” button_alignment_phone=”” button_alignment_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”30px|||0px” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|||” button_border_radius_hover=”0px” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_radius__hover=”0px” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_wc_related_products product=”3189″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_wc_related_products][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
  • Great Dane Puppy Food

    Great Dane Puppy Food

    Welcome to the world of owning a Great Dane Puppy! Now you have to figure out what to feed it. Choosing the right Great Dane puppy food can be difficult and confusing. There is a lot of conflicting, misleading, and even dangerous information out there. We get it, because we’ve totally been there!

    Great Dane puppies grow extremely fast and unfortunately, the wrong dog food can be devastating for their health. Giant breed dogs are susceptible to a number of nutrition-related imbalances and orthopedic growth disorders.

    Many of these conditions are preventable with the right diet. Choosing the best puppy food for your Great Dane is key, and the right kibble may not be what you think!

    If you have a new Great Dane puppy and are confused about what to feed it, you’ve found the most scientific, up-to-date article! We are driven by current research and science, not outdated advice or clickbait.

    In this post you will find:

    • A list of the best foods to feed a Great Dane puppy (2023 update!)
    • Health problems caused by incorrect nutrition in puppyhood
    • How to choose food for a Great Dane puppy
    • Best practices for feeding Great Dane puppies
    • Supplements and health information

    Read on, Great Dane friends!

    10 4

    2023 Best Foods for Great Dane Puppies

    Before we dig into the WHY, please check out this list of foods that are the best and most well-researched options. You don’t need to flip endless bags to find the right one; choose from the list below and you WILL be making a solid choice.

    We know you are busy chasing that cute puppy around, so if you want the simple, already researched-for-you answer, here it is. Easy-peasy!

    The foods on the list below meet the following science-backed recommendations:

    • 1.2% or less calcium
    • 3.5g or less calcium per 1000kcal
    • Formulated by a board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist who is on staff for the company (not a consultant)
    • Grain-inclusive
    • Contains Meat Meal as a top ingredient (reduces bloat risk)
    • Has the AAFCO Large Breed Growth Statement
    • Formulated correctly for the growth of large AND giant breed puppies (not “adult maintenance” diets)

    Click on any link below to view on Chewy.

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

    34

    Great Dane Puppy Growth Disorders Caused by Wrong Food

    If you are new to Great Danes, you may not be aware of how they are different than other dogs. They experience explosive growth from birth to 8 months of age, and then continue to grow and fill out until they are nearly 3 years old.

    Imagine going from 1 pound to 100 pounds in just 8 months!

    The wrong kibble formulation and unbalanced, untested foods from boutique companies or home cooking can cause:

    There is a lot of confusion and misinformation out there about what to feed a Great Dane Puppy.

    Today we are using science and modern knowledge to clear it up, once and for all!

    If you are looking for dog food for an older or adult Great Dane (18+ months), read HERE.

    31

    Great Dane Puppy Food – What You Need to Know

    We are going to cover some important need-to-know topics below. You may notice that we are going to dispel a LOT of myths about what to feed Dane puppies, too!

    Here are some common nutrition myths in the world of Danes. If you hear these, you are hearing information from people that are stuck in 1993.

    “Never feed puppy food!”

    “Great Dane puppies should only eat adult food!”

    “The protein level must be very low! Never feed a food with protein above 24%”

    “Add calcium to the diet so their bones can grow.”

    All of those statements are outdated and misleading! Let’s dig into this!

    4 3

    Should I feed puppy food or adult food to my Great Dane?

    This is the biggest and most important question you can ask yourself as a Great Dane Owner! Should Great Dane puppies eat adult food?

    Absolutely not! Get that idea out of your head right now.

    Story time!

    20 years ago we didn’t have an understanding about what causes growth disorders in large and giant breed puppies. Anecdotally, breeders found that if they fed adult food to their puppies, they experienced fewer growth problems.

    At one time, this concept did have merit. The problem here is that it’s now 2023 and we have much, much better choices.

    Adult food works to minimize growth disorders by literally starving the puppy of the nutrition that it needs to grow.

    Seriously. I don’t know about you, but I am not ok with that. We see a LOT of 8-18 month old Great Danes that have no muscle tone and are hopelessly lanky and skinny. This is why! They are being fed adult food and don’t receive enough nutrients to support their muscle, tendon, and brain development.

    Guess what?

    Through feeding trials and data research, dry dog food formulas have been modified and updated. Many large and giant breed PUPPY foods are now considered ideal for giant breed puppy dogs.

    A science-backed, properly formulated large-breed or giant-breed puppy food will have been designed, tested, and proven to encourage slow growth and healthy bone development. Veterinarians and veterinary nutritionists will repeat this.

    Great Dane puppies should be on a well-researched large or giant breed puppy formula until 18-24 months. Intake and body condition should be monitored. You should never, ever feed traditional puppy foods that are not made for large breed dogs! This is of key importance.

    Here is our list of appropriate foods to feed a Great Dane Puppy (more on why, below!):

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

    16

    Calcium & Phosphorus Ratios in Great Dane Puppy Food

    In addition to being an appropriate grain-inclusive large or giant breed growth formula, the ratio of calcium to phosphorus is a key consideration when choosing food for your puppy.

    Calcium must be at or below 1.3% (1.2% is even better) and the Phosphorus should be CLOSE behind it.

    NOTE: However, even foods with correct calcium and phosphorus ratios may not be appropriate!

    There is a lot more to nutrition than just that. Amino acids, the source of those nutrients (meat vs. peas or legumes), and ultimate bioavailability and formulation of the finished product are incredibly important. It is also believed that vitamin D and zinc levels contribute, which is why it is difficult to compare foods in an informed manner. Two foods may appear to be very similar based on the limited information the label provides, however, they likely are not.

    A typical CA/PH analysis might look like this below, or similar. Do not feed food brands that don’t have this information easily accessible on the label!

    Calcium 1.2%
    Phosphorus 1.0%

    Look specifically for the AAFCO large breed growth statement on the bag of food. This is a requirement to find in addition to seeing the calcium levels at or below 1.2%!

    The AAFCO large breed growth statement will contain something that looks like this:

    “including growth of large-size dogs (70 pounds or more as an adult)“

    If it says “excluding growth of large-size dogs”, do NOT feed it. If it does not have a statement about the growth of large-size dogs, don’t feed that either.

    7

    What is the Best Protein Level for Great Dane puppy food?

    Many people believe that protein is the most important thing to look at. This is fairly dated information, based again on old observations. Some people believe you should keep protein levels less than 24%.

    Many Great Danes are being starved of protein in the name of this. Protein provides amino acids that are necessary for health. Protein must come primarily from a meat source. Meat meals and meat by-product meals are ideal, as they offer a concentrated source of amino acids and protein!

    Food brands that use ‘fresh deboned meat’ and no meat meals will be deficient and likely heavy in starches; don’t fall for marketing that is designed to appeal to your tastes. Foods that are extremely heavy in peas, lentils, garbanzo beans, potatoes, or derivatives of them are not safe to feed.

    Meat meals (or by-product meals) contain biologically appropriate meat tissue, bone, cartilage, and organ. These ingredients have also been shown to reduce the risk of bloat by 53%!

    Some of the best foods will have protein levels up to 32%! Royal Canin Giant Breed Puppy, for example, which has been scientifically proven for growth.

    Here are other considerations:

    AAFCO Food Guidelines for Puppy Foods

    The food you choose for your Dane puppy should have an AAFCO statement on the bag with only small variations to the following statement.

    This statement should indicate that the food is formulated for the growth of large-sized dogs AND that food trials were used to prove that the formulation is correct for growth:

    Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that [THIS FORMULA] provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages, including growth of large sized dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult).

    ***Note: In dog food, ‘Large Sized Dogs’ is a simplified term that INCLUDES giant breeds.

    Here is some additional information on AAFCO statements.

    If the nutrition statement says “formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles”, it means that the food wasn’t substantiated in food trials. It was only seen to meet certain minimums on paper.

    It’s important to understand that MANY food companies can use a computer program to spit out recipes, send it to their marketing department to make adjustments that appeal to you (ingredient splitting), and have it signed off by a consulting company that it meets AAFCO minimums.

    Use your best judgment here. Ask questions and look past the marketing.

    Best Food Brands for Great Danes

    The following food brands are recommended for these reasons:

    • They meet the highest standards for analysis, formulation, testing, science, nutrition, and ethics
    • Formulated by on-staff board-certified veterinary nutritionists
    • They use biologically correct ingredients such as meat by-product meals
    • Subjected to millions of dollars in research, testing and feeding trials
    • Balanced protein, fat, calcium and phosphorus ratios
    • Proven
    • Science-based, not marketing-based

    All of the items below are links to this product on Chewy. We recommend placing your choice on autoship!

    Large Breed Puppy foods from these brands are ideal for Great Dane Puppies:

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

    This list is not exhaustive, and it is up to you to do your own research. It is important to note that the Great Dane community is full of anecdotal stories and dated advice.

    Our blog is focused on science and we update it often with the most current recommendations.

    We no longer recommend brands that do not meet WSAVA guidelines. See our FAQ for more information.

    My great dane is not eating, now what?

    Signs that your Great Dane puppy food may not be the right choice:

    • You’ve chosen a food from a boutique ‘feel good’ company that doesn’t employ a board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist (DACVN) to formulate and test the food
    • Your puppy is knuckling
    • Your pup has developed flat feet
    • Your dog is experiencing panosteitis, HOD or wobblers
    • You notice that your puppy has swollen joints, pain or limping
    • You see your puppy suffering from lethargy and general weakness, unrelated to disease
    • Your puppy is not developing muscle tone
    • Your puppy is experiencing excess gas and loose stools that aren’t related to parasites or frequent dietary changes
    • You’ve chosen a brand from an MLM scheme

    We do not recommend Life’s Abundance or similar foods or supplements (including NuVet) where breeders receive commissions (‘kickbacks’) when you purchase from them.

    These foods are not formulated by boarded, professional Veterinary Nutritionists. The high pricing is reflective of the commission scheme underneath the brand, not of the actual quality.

    Choose science, instead:

    The Ultimate Great Dane Feeding Chart

    What is DCM in Great Danes?

    Royal Canin Giant Breed Dog Food Review

    Is Large Breed Dog Food Necessary?

    Large Breed Adult vs. Puppy Food

    Red Flag Dog Foods

    Here is our list of dog foods and supplements we would never feed for any reason. These brands made this list because of extra-shady marketing tactics, having a bad reputation among the veterinary and veterinary nutritionist community, having high rates of harm caused by unbalanced nutrition, extreme ingredient splitting, and/or because they are MLM.

    • Orijen
    • Acana
    • Gentle Giants
    • Life’s Abundance
    • Paw Tree
    • NuVet
    • Most grain-free kibbles, especially 4Health, Acana/Orijen, Zignature, Fromm, etc.
    6 3

    When should my Great Dane puppy switch to adult food?

    As long as you are feeding one of our recommended formulas, you should follow the manufacturers recommendation.

    Pro Plan, for example, has foods that encourage you to feed them until 18-24 months. Royal Canin does as well.

    We believe that Great Dane puppies should have puppy food until 18-24 months.

    Puppy Food Q&A

    What are WSAVA Guidelines?

    1 harlequin great dane samantha huynh

    The WSAVA is a non-profit, worldwide organization dedicated to supporting veterinarians, health, science, and nutrition. Any food brand can sponsor these important efforts, however, most boutique brands do not.

    The WSAVA has released a set of common-sense guidelines to consider when choosing food for your dog. These guidelines are simply a set of recommendations. There is no such thing as ‘WSAVA Approved’, and the WSAVA does not make ‘kickbacks’ or money from food brands.

    See the guide HERE.

    Is Large Breed Dog Food ok for Great Danes?

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    Some science-backed food companies (including Royal Canin and Purina) make ‘Giant Breed’ specific formulas, and those are fantastic!

    The Royal Canin Giant Breed line is perfect.

    However, many ‘giant breed’ formulas have been phased out or are hard to find.

    Large Breed foods from Purina, Hills, Science Diet and Royal Canin are formulated and tested for dogs over 70+lbs, and this includes our giant breed dogs.

    Therefore, both giant and large breed formulas are ideal and can be correct for Great Danes!

    Meat Meal and Meat By-Products? YUCK, right!?

    91df5e1e21e7ace07f1c5c256fbe0fea

    Many people see ‘Meat Meal’ or ‘Meat By Product Meal’ on the ingredients list and immediately believe that it must mean the food is full of cheap protein and junk.

    Meal and Meat By-Product Meals are a concentrated form of whole-prey meat, not junk as you may have been led to believe.

    Dogs don’t eat nicely cut and trimmed steak and chicken filets like us humans do.

    They eat the WHOLE animal! Bone, organs, muscle, tendons and more. There is absolutely nothing wrong with meat meals and meat by product meals.

    “By Product” simply means that the food is a rendering left over from some other process. Us humans don’t eat a lot of organ meat. Therefore, organ is ‘by product’.

    Dogs NEED organ, bone and other ‘yucky’ things in their diet.

    Whole prey model raw diets rely heavily on bone, organ and other tissues.

    It’s not junk, it’s necessary nutrition.

    What are Boutique Food Brands?

    Dear Danes 1

    A boutique food brand is a dog food from a company that:

    -Does not employ a board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist (DACVN) to formulate and test foods
    -Does not regularly utilize ongoing AAFCO food trials to test and substantiate their formulas
    -Does not participate in or contribute to veterinary-level research and nutrition science
    -Does not support ongoing veterinary health efforts (WSAVA, for example)

    Boutique food brands often:

    -Use marketing to make you ‘feel good’ about the food

    -Rely on generic, unregulated terms such as ‘holistic’, ‘farm fresh’, ‘family-owned’ and ‘human grade’ to guide you so that you look past deficiencies in their scientific practices

    -Will intentionally misrepresent science-backed and heavily-researched foods as ‘trash’, ‘garbage’, ‘fast food’ or ‘horrible’ so that you feel emotional or worried about food and buy their brand instead

    Boutique food brands are linked to secondary DCM, a devastating heart condition that can cause sudden death in ‘healthy’ looking dogs.

    I don’t see a popular food recommended here, why not?

    2124862 800 1

    Popular foods seen in the Great Dane community include Victor, 4Health, Diamond Naturals, Costco, Fromm, Zignature, Nulo, Nutro, Solid Gold, Orijen, Acana, The Farmer’s Dog, Honest Kitchen, Canine Caviar, Liberty, and Holistic Select (among others).

    These are all ’boutique’ foods. We will not recommend them.

    They do not employ DACVN Board-Certified veterinary nutritionists to formulate their foods. They do not participate in well-run nutrition research and food trials for their brand or for the greater good of dogs.

    For example, Fromm foods are formulated by a chemical engineer.
    Victor foods are formulated by a guy with an online certificate in dairy cattle feeding.

    Contrary to popular belief, boutique food brands are not inherently ‘higher-quality’.

    Marketing is what makes you believe that it is.

    Boutique food brands are linked to secondary DCM, and should be fed with caution.

    Many dogs that suffer from nutritional DCM have healthy coats and good stools! They die suddenly, often without warning because their heart enlarges and eventually gives out.

    It is believed that a majority of nutritional DCM cases go undiagnosed, because of this.

    Nutritional (Secondary) DCM is caused by unbalanced nutrition.

    We recommend sticking with science at this time and feeding only the highest quality, heavily researched diets that were substantiated in actual feeding trials, not just looked over by a ‘nutritionist’ on paper.

    Don’t vets get a kickback on food?

    Brindle Great Dane

    Many people believe that the only reason their veterinarian recommends Purina, Hill’s or Royal Canin is because their vet is receiving kickbacks and took all of their nutrition education from those companies.

    Considering that those companies are the ones spearheading and funding most, if not all of our existing canine nutrition research, those are the companies that should be educating veterinarians!

    Veterinarians that sell foods in their lobby mostly offer the prescription formulas to pets who need them and yes, they do receive a nominal amount of money for this, which covers the costs associated with stocking the food.

    Keep in mind that the pet store who is trying to sell you the pricier boutique food brand with the higher margin is ALSO receiving a ‘kickback’ to promote the foods they sell. As a matter of fact, these kickbacks can be both high-pressure and HUGE. Influencers, bloggers (yes, even us here at Hello Danes), and brand reps all make money selling food brands to you.

    No matter what food you buy, somebody somewhere stands to make money on the deal. Veterinarians are approached by ’boutique’ food brands OFTEN and absolutely could sell those options in their lobbies.

    But they don’t, because veterinarians believe in science and research. Not marketing and woo.

    My trainer/breeder/nutritionist recommended something else

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    Your trainer and breeder are not nutritionists. They are subject to the same marketing as you, which was created to make you feel nervous and guilty about choosing food for your dog. Follow the money here!

    ‘Nutritionist’ is an unregulated term. Anybody can take an online course and obtain that as a ‘title’. There are many ‘nutritionists’ out there, many of whom charge money for their services.

    The only legitimate nutritionists are veterinarians who have obtained additional credentials, study, degrees, and board certifications in the field of animal nutrition. Read more about DACVN at https://acvn.org/

    What about fresh foods?

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    We believe in fresh foods!

    As a matter of fact, studies have shown that feeding a dry-kibble-only diet may increase the risk of bloat.

    We recommend supplementing a healthy, well-formulated science-backed kibble with up to 10% raw or fresh foods. Purina One or Pro Plan Canned, balanced raw, Olewo Carrots, fresh fruits and vegetables, or Dr. Harvey’s are some of our favorites.

    What about raw feeding?

    Raw feeding can be done right!

    We recommend working with a board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist and learning a lot about raw feeding before getting started. www.perfectlyrawsome.com is a great resource.

    Formulating your own raw dog food at home is rewarding, but you have to do it correctly. There are many misconceptions and myths about raw feeding and the truth is that most owners are not educated or equipped enough to do it correctly. Each meal must be perfectly balanced, and care must be taken to ensure food safety.

    We do not recommend raw-feeding giant breed puppies during their extreme growth phase (birth to 9 months) without professional veterinary nutritionist support. https://acvn.org/

    What about home-cooked diets?

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    Meat, veggies, and rice is NOT a balanced diet and may be extremely dangerous, despite the fact that it makes you feel like you are doing something ‘healthy’ for your pet.

    If you do make a home-cooked stew, use it as a topper for an already balanced, science-backed commercial food.

    Studies show that over 94% of home cooked diets are not correctly balanced (leading to nutrient deficiency or worse, toxicity). https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/homemade-dog-food-recipes-can-be-risky-business-study-finds

    To feed a full home cooked diet, work with a veterinary nutritionist and utilize BALANCE IT to view what nutrients are missing from your recipe.

    You can hire a DACVN HERE.

    We do not recommend home-cooking for Dane puppies under the age of 1 year, if ever at all.

  • GREAT DANE BLOAT AND GUT HEALTH

    GREAT DANE BLOAT AND GUT HEALTH

    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’).

    GREAT DANE BLOAT AND GUT HEALTH
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    Great Dane Bloat and Gut Health

    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.

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    Get a FREE Jolly Ball with the purchase of a Big Barker bed.

    How constant diet changes affect gut health

    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!)

    What does Bloat in Dogs Look Like?

    Is Bloat in dogs Genetic?

    Does resting after meals prevent Great Dane Bloat?

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    Photo by Paparazzi Ratzfatzzi on Pexels.com

    How to Address Gut Health Issues in Great Danes

    The Best Probiotics for Great Danes

    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):

    Proviable Capsules

    Nature’s Farmacy Dogzymes

    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.

    What is Ingredient Splitting in Dog Food?

    Is DCM Heart Failure Caused by Dog Food?

    What Should I Look for When Buying Dog Food?

    We do not recommend: 

    1. Kibbles that are grain free, which can increase the risk of heart problems in Great Danes

    2. Kibbles that require the dog to eat a lot to obtain enough calories. For a 125lb dog, we like to see feeding ratios of 4-5 cups/day. 

    3. Kibbles that show signs of ingredient splitting

    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. 

    The following brands and formulas are ideal:

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

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    Should I Feed My Great Dane Puppy or Adult Food?

    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. 

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  • Bloat in Dogs: The Awful Truth We Need to Know

    Bloat in Dogs: The Awful Truth We Need to Know

    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.

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    WHAT IS BLOAT?

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    Bloat Myths: What is True and What is Not?

    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?

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    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: 

    1. Genetic markers (most often found in dogs with a parent, sibling or other close relative that has experienced bloat)
    2. Poor gut health (chronic gas, loose stools and digestive issues)
    3. Poor temperament (fear, anxiety, aggression, timid personality)

    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.

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    Bloat and Gut Health: Does it go together?

    BAD BREEDERS

    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.

    WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GREAT DANES
    HOW MUCH DOES A GREAT DANE EAT
    HOW TO CHOOSE A GREAT DANE BREEDER
    CHOOSING BETWEEN A ‘PET’ OR A ‘SHOW DOG’
    LARGE BREED DOG FOOD
    NO- YOU PROBABLY SHOULD NOT BREED YOUR DOG
    SHOULD I BREED MY GREAT DANE?
    SHOULD YOU ADOPT OR BUY?
    GREAT DANE BREED STANDARD
    WHAT ARE GREAT DANES LIKE?
    WHAT IS A BACKYARD BREEDER?

    ANXIETY AND STRESS

    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.

    SCARED OF THE VET?
    FEAR AGGRESSION
    PUPPY FEAR STAGES
    SIGNS OF STRESS
    BLOAT TIMELINE
    WALKING A DOG WITH FEAR

    WHAT ARE THE HIGH RISK BREEDS OF DOG BLOAT?

    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:

    1. German Shepherds
    2. Older Dogs
    3. Great Danes
    4. Basset Hounds
    5. Setters
    6. Labrador Retrievers
    7. Dobermans
    8. Poodles
    9. Rottweilers
    10. 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
    • Whining, crying and stiffness, unable to move
    • Collapse, unable to get up
    EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT BLOAT
    CAN PUPPIES BLOAT?
    DOES RESTING BEFORE AND AFTER MEALS PREVENT BLOAT?
    BLOAT + GUT HEALTH
    BLOAT MYTHS
    9 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BLOAT
    BLOAT TIMELINE

    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.

    READ THE BLOAT TIMELINE HERE

    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! 

    GREAT DANE BLOAT MYTH BUSTING

    MYTHS THAT DOG OWNERS BELIEVE WILL PREVENT BLOAT

    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.

    BLOAT IN DOGS

    DOES A RAISED BOWL HURT OR HELP?

    RESTING BEFORE OR AFTER MEALS

    Resting Before/After Meals – 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.

    Bloat in dogs

    DOES RESTING HARM OR HELP?

    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.

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    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.

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    PURCHASE GAS X HERE

    TACKING A DOG’S STOMACH /GASTROPEXY

    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.

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    Should I Get the Gastropexy Surgery?

    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.

    PROS AND CONS OF TACKING YOUR DOGS STOMACH
    UPSET STOMACHS IN DOGS

    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.

    LARGE BREED VS. ADULT DOG FOOD
    GREAT DANE PUPPY FOOD
    INGREDIENT SPLITTING AND WHY IT MATTERS
    IS LARGE BREED PUPPY FOOD NECESSARY
    BEST FOODS FOR GREAT DANES
    ROYAL CANIN DOG FOOD REVIEW
    SHOULD YOU FEED GRAIN FREE

    Some factors to consider:

    1. Feeding dry food without soaking with water or adding raw / canned wet food on top has been known to increase dogs bloat.
    2. 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.
    3. Dogs who eat super fast are known to have a higher chance of bloat than a dog who eats slow.
    4. 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.

    ETHICAL BREEDERS
    BREEDER RED FLAGS
    BREEDER SCAMS
    FIND A BREEDER NEAR ME
    WHAT IS OFA HEALTH TESTING
    WHAT MAKES A BREEDER GOOD?

    HOW DOES BLOAT GET TREATED?

    Bloat in dogs

    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

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    Bloat in dogs
    Bloat in dogs
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    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.

    READ MORE:

    DIFFERENT GREAT DANE COLORS
    BIG NAMES FOR BIG DOGS
    PET ADOPTION
    BLOAT TIMELINE
    GRAPE TOXICITY
    BRINDLE GREAT DANES
    GREAT DANE FEEDING CHART
    THINGS THAT ARE WORSE THAN E COLLARS
    TRAIN YOUR DANE
    UNIQUE PUPPY NAMES
    WALKING A GREAT DANE
    WE HAVE TO STOP DOING THIS TO GREAT DANES

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