It is a well-known fact that human beings raise up the “bigger the better” ideal; they are constantly searching for something bigger and something better, for instance, bigger buildings, bigger cars, bigger burgers, etc. It makes sense, then, that people all over the world would love big dogs, and what greater example of a lovable, oversized pet is there but the Great Dane, a breed hailing originally from Germany that currently holds the world record for ‘largest dog’?
Size of the Great Dane
Proper care of your dog is a must, and big dogs require care unique to the larger breeds, especially one that weighs in at up to 170 pounds for males and 145 for females. They are a towering breed, bested only by the Irish Wolfhound when it comes to height, and can be up to thirty six inches tall at the shoulder. In fact, the Guinness Word Record for Largest Dog is held Giant George, a massive Great Dane from Tucson, Arizona, weighing a monstrous 245 pounds and is forty-three inches tall at the shoulder. And let’s not forget to mention that at least the past two titles holders were also Great Danes. Obviously a dog of this size requires certain considerations from a caretaker.
Space Requirements
Perhaps the most shocking fact of about Great Danes is that the do as well in an apartment as they do in a large house with a big yard due to their gentle, laid-back nature and their ability to curl up on a couch just as well as their ability to bound abound out of doors. For those who plan to crate their Dane, be warned that a crate for a dog of this size takes up an exceedingly large amount of space, and it might just be a wiser choice to provide a room to leave your dog in while away to keep them out of trouble.
However, do not let the fact that a Dane can live in an apartment fool you into thinking that they do not need proper exercise. While they do not require extensive amounts of physical activity, they do need ample time to stretch their legs and keep in shape, and this means taking your dog on walks and allowing in playtime in the yard or park.
The Bare Necessities
The most important thing a Great Dane needs, however, is the affection of their master and interaction with other humans. This makes them a great dog to be around children and other family members. Danes are extremely adept at not only following commands but picking up on human body language and acting accordingly, which means that one must communicate to their Dane the way they wish it act by they themselves acting similarly. Affection and kindness are key when working with this gentle giant of a breed.
Grooming
One of the most challenging tasks of caring for a Great Dane will most likely be the grooming of it. Such a large breed will require more time to groom properly, which includes brushing and bathing, as well as things such as trimming its nails. Another consideration at the top of the list will be expenses. Great Danes are large animals and require a lot of food to keep them at a healthy weight and properly fed.
A Note on Puppies
Puppies need extra-special care no matter what the breed, but Great Dane pups need a different kind of care than most other dogs. Of course they need love and affection as well a playtime and socialization, as all dogs do. But Danes are extremely fast-growing dogs and will be larger than most other breeds by the age of one.
Because of this they are very clumsy and will probably knock a lot of things over and trip over themselves.
Be patient with your Dane and Dane-proof your house or apartment or living space so that breakable and valuable objects are not in their path of potential destruction; however, do not allow your puppy to play and run for extended periods of time. It can cause fractures in their bones because of the speed at which they grow.
The absolute most – and I stress absolute – important thing is to NOT feed your puppy food for puppies unless it is puppy food made for giant breeds. They should be fed adult dog food. Feeding your puppy regular puppy food can cause many painful and unnecessary health problems, often times serious bone, hip and joint issues. This is because these breeds grow so fast that their bodies will develop these problems by growing even faster if fed puppy food which is overloaded with vitamins and minerals – normally a good thing, but not for your Dane or other large breed dog.
Puppies require an intense amount of special care, especially in larger breeds. Make sure to thoroughly consult your veterinarian and breeder or shelter if you are adopting about your puppy. Some puppies will have more needs than others.
Remember…
The two things to keep in mind when considering a Great Dane as a pet are its size and its sociable, loving nature. They are truly great pets, but they are not for those who do not have the time needed to dedicate to this incredibly faithful dog.
And please – please – consult a licensed veterinarian about your dog and proper care for it. Every dog is different and needs its own special regiment of care.
Sources
1. All About Great Danes, Your Complete on Line Great Dane Information Resource. 2005. Web. 04 July 2010.
2. GREAT DANE PUPPY CARE SHEET / MASTIFF PUPPY CARE SHEET.” Great Dane Puppies – Puppy Care, Great Dane Breeders (great Dane Puppies, Breeders, Caring for GREAT DANE PUPPIES, Great Dane Puppy Care, Great Dane Puppies). Web. 05 July 2010. .
