Great Dane: The Gentle Giant with a Heart as Big as Its Size
Fun Fact
Great Dane named ‘Kevin’ is the current tallest dog standing over 7 feet tall!
The Gentle Giant! Feels like a small horse in the house.
About
Great Danes were bred in Germany in the early 19th century. The were used as hunting dogs for big games like Deer, Wild Boars, Bears Etc. by the royal courts. They used to hold down the big game until the hunter could come and kill. Their collars were elaborate and protected the price from threats. Changes in the way of hunting made them redundant. So they started using Great Danes as luxury pets.
Appearance
Great Danes are one of the largest dog breeds in the world. Males weigh between 55-85 kilograms and females between 45-60 kilograms. They naturally have triangular floppy ears but then they were cropped to avoid injuries during hunting. Big broad snout with powerful jaws. Their flews are droopy. They have tall legs and curvy backs and have short haired coats. There are several colour tones to the Great Dane namely Mantle, Grey, Black, Brindle, Harlequin, Blue and Blue Brindle.
Temperament
Great Danes (Gentle Giants) are an affectionate breed of dogs. They are gentle with the family and amazing with kids. They are good with other pets at home. The breed is easy to train but is not a quick responder. They love to play in open lands. So restricted or confined homes are not the best option for them. They love food and you better have enough as they eat a lot and are always waiting for more. They are known to laze around most of the day. So, an hour’s walk a day is a must to get them active.
LifeSpan/Health
Great Danes live between 8 and 10 years. They have a fast metabolism compared to smaller breeds. They are prone to ‘Gastric Dilatation Volvulus’ This is a condition where the stomach is overstretched by gas and rotated. ‘Dilated Cardiomyopathy’ is another common issue with the breed where the heart is enlarged. They are also called ‘HeartBreak Breed’ for the several heart issues they face in the latter years of their life. They are also prone to deafness and blindness.
However, the key to try and increase their life expectancy is to make sure they have a proper diet, required exercise/walk, timely medication, yearly Vaccinations, deworming tablets every three months and regular blood tests with Vet regarding the overall health. This breed is prone to get hip Dysplasia. Make sure they DO NOT jump from heights or constantly jump down from cots or sofas onto a smooth floor.
Maintenance
Great Danes are difficult to maintain. Their large build makes it tough to care for them in small homes or apartments. They need a proper and measured diet which could be expensive on the pocket. They should not be taken for running until they are 2 years old as it could damage their bones and joints. They build up heat very quickly, hence hot conditions and excessive plays should be avoided. Coat care is minimal as the hair is short and can be brushed twice a week. During shedding season, it’s advised to brush every day. They are a lazy breed of dogs. They need a minimum of one hour of walking a day.
Good food and nutrition is significant. Awareness of what to feed and how much to feed is extremely important. Processed food is not ideal due to the chemicals used causing increasing effects on the gut. Bloating, digestive issues, stinky stool, diarrhea, obesity and dehydration are some of the most common issues faced.
A canine diet requires a blend of fresh and natural ingredients. It should include the right amount of protein, fiber, fat, and carbohydrate. We understand that it is not easy to make fresh food at home on a daily basis that meets all the nutritional requirements.
We at Genie Pet Meal understand the nutritional requirements of each dog because we customize the food according to the requirement. 100% fresh and natural ingredients like Chicken, 7 types of Vegetables, Rice, Egg white, and other ingredients combined in the right quantity make our food extremely healthy! It’s tailor made for your dog as we keep in mind the importance of giving the best to your fur ball.
