The Great Dane is not a breed
that will live an exceptionally long life, with 10
years being about the average. However, some Great
Danes have lived to be 12 or 13 years old. One of
the keys to getting a good start with your pet is to
purchase from a reputable breeder, someone that uses
good breeding parents and is well aware of the
health problems that can affect purebred dogs.
As with some other unique animals, poor breeding
practices have produced some Great Danes that were
not fit for the family. The problems were more than
many people could handle. You definitely want to ask
about hip dysplasia, a joint disease related to
arthritis that can often be detected early and
eliminated as a long-term problem. A good breeder
should be able to provide you with OFA-certified
puppies that are free from this disease. Hip
dysplasia is a medical condition that has been a
problem for dozens of purebred dogs, especially
larger breeds.
Medications such as Rimadyl
and Deramaxx can be helpful for pain and
inflammation or your veterinarian might recommend
treatment. Just remember that you always want to
consult with your veterinarian when your Great Dane
exhibits a health problem. Hip surgery is a major
step in correcting advanced conditions of hip
dysplasia but the dog must meet certain health, age,
and weight requirements.
Great Danes and other large dogs can also be prone
to bloat or distortion, in which the stomach twists
and blocks passage of food through the system. This
can also cut off the blood supply to other parts of
the body, which is often related to large dogs that
gulp a larger amount of food at one time rather than
eating smaller portions several times during the
day. It would be best to establish this staggered
eating pattern for your Great Dane to avoid this
problem. We recommend avoiding vigorous exercise
immediately after mealtime as well. Should you
suspect bloat or other internal disorders, contact
your veterinarian immediately.
Great Danes are also considered a risk for the
condition commonly called “wobblers.” This occurs
when there is unusual pressure on the spinal cord at
the neck and the dog walks with a stumbling gait and
seems unsteady. Experienced owners and breeders say
the result is from a combination of inherited traits
and effects of inadequate nutrition. Other
conditions to be aware of and to watch for include
hypothyroidism and heart problems such as
cardiomyopathy. You should ask about these
conditions when you visit breeders and when you take
your Great Dane to the veterinarian.
To get the best start for your and your Great Dane,
it is best to visit several breeders and be prepared
with questions about health and general care of your
pet. A top breeder will be open to these questions
and should be able to clear up any doubts and
misinformation you may have from your reading and
research on the Great Dane. It is also important to
talk with the breeder about the food you will be
giving your pet on a daily basis. Ask the breeder
what types of food the puppies get at his
facilities. This may give you just what you need for
the growth period of your young dog. Many experts
will tell you that it is best to avoid the
lower-quality commercial foods because of the high
grain contents (wheat, corn, soy). Some dogs are
highly allergic to these grains and develop serious
health problems from regular feedings of this low
cost food. A diet of lean meats, vegetables and the
right amount of protein is a great place to start.
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