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Great Dane Dogs need Taken Care of - Here's How
By: Tippy
Because this breed is large, special attention needs to be
paid to this dog's diet. When a Great Dane is a puppy it
needs a good diet full of vitamins, minerals and protein.
These dogs will grow exceptionally fast, and feeding puppies
the proper amounts of food can be a problem. The diet should
definitely be regulated when the dog reaches its full adult
growth. Follow your veterinarian's recommendations as to
food and amounts of food throughout your dog's life.
For your Great Dane puppy it is important that you choose a
dog food that is either specially formulated for puppies or
for large breed dogs. Dogs that get poor quality food when
going through a rapid growth stage can start developing all
kinds of health problems and it can even cause the dog to
become stunted in size.
While growing, a Great Dane will eat a lot more than when it
is an adult. Many owners complain about the amount of food
these dogs can put away and this can become quite expensive
for the owner, so be forewarned. Great Danes are given up
because of the massive food consumption that takes place
during this stage and even into adulthood. Some people just
can't afford to feed these dogs.
If you have any questions about the food you are feeding
your Great Dane be sure to ask your veterinarian. They will
be able to give you some good advice and help you to pick
out the right dog food for your dog. Understand that a dog
needs good food to grow on otherwise the dog will not be
around as long as it could be.
The Great Dane has a short-haired, smooth coat that is easy
to groom. Brush with a firm bristle brush or comb when
necessary. The dog should be given a bath only when
necessary. Bathing a dog this size is a major chore, it pays
to keep up with daily grooming because of this. The nails
should be trimmed regularly. This breed sheds averagely.
This dog breed is more susceptible to bloating, heart
disease, hip dysplasia, tail injuries and tumors. Great
Danes also shouldn't be jogged with until they are at least
one year of age to avoid damage to the growing joints.
The Great Dane needs to be well trained and socialized from
an early age in obedience. It is important to instill this
learning early as this dog gets to be very large in a
relatively short period of time. If the dog is not well
obedience trained then it can become unmanageable. These
dogs, if they are not made to understand their place in the
family, can become aggressive.
Great Dane
Great Danes Have some Unique Nutritional Needs
Jane Bicks, D.V.M.
This giant dog, the Great Dane, needs a lot of
preventive care, starting when it's a puppy.
Bloat prevention is necessary, and no exercise until
an hour after eating, and no Frisbee or jumping
exercise until his joints are well established at
2 years of age; all very important.
See how to Prevent Bloat in your Great Dane
Keeping the puppy on the thin side is mandatory.
Supply antioxidants beginning in puppy hood, with
the addition of alfalfa, oat, or barley grass to
the high quality food you need to feed.
I give my Seal of Approval for this Dog Food for the
Great Dane
A vegetable enzyme is also a good idea. Dry food,
portion controlled should be your choice, since
canned food simply tastes too good.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) and many congenital heart
diseases are also commonly found in the Great Dane.
Because of the potential for heart disease, L-carnitine
and taurine rich foods should be added to the diet
3-4 times weekly.
Treats for your Great Dane
Library of Info on all Dog Breeds
Training for Great Danes
