Great Danes

Great Dane Dog Breed Profile

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

Great Dane Dog Breed Profile

Description: The Great Dane is a majestic, giant dog. The dog can reach 30 to 34 at the shoulder and weigh between 110 and 200 pounds. The bitch, as is usually the case, is smaller, being 28 to 32 tall at the withers and weighing between 100 to 130 pounds. The coat is short and shiny and comes in brindle, fawn, harlequin, blue, black, and mantle. This is a very strong and powerful dog. The Great Dane’s ears are often cropped to make them stand upright, but can be left natural. This breed generally lives under 10 years. It is also known as the German Mastiff and the Deutsche Dogge.

History: References to the Great Dane can be found on ancient Greek coins. An even earlier appearance occurs in drawings from 3000BC from Egypt. The Dane’s origins are more reliably traced to the invasion of Germany by the Alans in 407AD. These people brought a strong, mastiff-like dog with them. This dog was superlative in hunting boar and other large and dangerous game. Interbreeding with the English Mastiff and Irish Wolfhound, and possibly the Greyhound resulted in the dog known today as the Great Dane.

Temperament: Despite the Great Dane’s large size, it is a good natured and gentle dog and is suited to living in the house with its family. The Dane is very oriented towards people and is kind with children, although it may be too big for a small child to play with comfortably. This dog is loyal to its family and makes a good watchdog. It should be socialized with other dogs and pets while young.

Health Issues: A very serious problem with the Great Dane is heart disease. This often shortens the life of this breed considerably. Hip dysplasia is also present, as with most large dogs. Care must be taken to keep the Dane inactive after eating to help prevent stomach torsion, or bloat. Because the Dane grows so quickly, the puppy must be restricted in its activities in order to prevent injury to the bones. Running should not be allowed in young dogs, they should be given daily walks for exercise instead.

Grooming: Being a short-haired breed, the Great Dane does not require extensive grooming. The dog can be brushed weekly to keep the coat clean and free of dead hair. It is often recommended that the Dane be given a dry shampooing, as giving this giant dog a wet bath can be a project in itself. Make sure the Great Dane’s nails are kept short and if the dog has natural ears, keep them dry and clean.

Living Conditions: Although the Great Dane is a very large dog, it should be kept close to its human family. This dog loves to interact with those it loves and will suffer if kept tied up in the yard. The Dane needs to be exercised every day, it requires long walks and a chance to run freely if this is possible. This dog can live in an apartment as long as its exercise needs are met.

For more information on Great Dane, Training, Puppies and other dog breeds please visit my sites below. Thanks for stopping by.

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Great Dane Dog Breed Temperament, Health Issues, Grooming and Living Conditions

Monday, September 19th, 2011

Temperament: Known as the gentle giant, the Great Dane, despite its huge size is actually a very friendly dog with a loving nature. They are people orientated dogs that need and love to be around their human family, they are also very loyal. Because they grow so fast, training them needs to start early. Although it is unlikely they will ever be aggressive, due to their size they can be difficult to handle if not well trained. They make great family pets as they are kind, patient and get on well with children and other pets. One habit they tend to have is to lean against you; this is their way of showing love, and obtaining attention. This is normal behavior and is nothing to worry about, but it can cause a problem with small children.

Health Issues: Unfortunately, like many large dogs, the Great Dane is prone to quite a few illnesses. Bloat is a common issue for them and up to 40% of cases are fatal, bloat is where the stomach twists and emergency surgery is needed immediately. Due to how fast they grow (from birth to a human adult weight in 12 months) they can suffer from a verity of bone problems, these can include hip dysplasia, wobblers syndrome, hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD), pano (panosteitis) and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD).

The Great Danes are also prone to cancer, though people say that a Great Dane fed on natural food rather than manufactured foods have a lower risk. In 2004 an American survey showed that the most common fatal condition in Great Danes is dilated cardiomyopathy, this is a degenerative condition that affects the heart, and unfortunately there is no cure. The average life span for them is around 10 years, though they have been known to live to around 13 years.

Grooming: The Great Dane is an average shedder that will need daily brushing; they will also need their nails trimmed regularly. They only need to be bathed when necessary, and due to their huge size this can be rather awkward, so it’s best to brush them often and well to help increase the time needed between baths.

Living Conditions: Great Danes need regular exercise, though should not do more than walking until they are over a year old. They will live fine in an apartment as they are relatively inactive indoors, due to the fact they are such people loving animals they will not cope with living alone outside.

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Great Dane Dogs – Why Would You Want One

Sunday, September 18th, 2011

Great Danes are giant dogs and there are some issues that come with this kind of animal. A healthy adult will eat three to five pounds of food a day depending on weight. Vet bills are significantly more for a giant breed than even a large breed dog (although with good diet, there is much less frequency in the need to go to a vet). Great Danes don’t have life spans that match a normal sized dog either – eight years is not uncommon and saying good by is never easy.

And if you do some research it won’t take you long to find a Great Dane Rescue in your area. Too often, people who don’t do research go out and get a Dane because they’re so beautiful but as soon as they realize how big their cute little puppy is getting, or how much food he’s eating, or how important it is to provide dog obedience training, or any number of other things, well, they decide maybe a Dane wasn’t such a good idea and they get rid of them. And of course, in almost all cases there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the dog – just the owners who “saw that doggie in the window” but weren’t prepared to take the responsibility of being a dog owner.

Seems like a lot of issues to deal with if you let a Dane into your life. Why would you? Well, why wouldn’t you? Our Great Danes have enriched our lives and while there have been times when I’ve had to go take ten deep breaths, the joy our Danes have brought into our family can’t even be measured. (And anyway, my teenage kids have made me leave the room to take some deep breaths far more often then our Danes!)

The Great Dane is a unique dog. There just isn’t another breed quite like it in terms of size and look. The description you hear most often is regal, majestic, the Apollo of dogs. I guarantee when you walk with your Great Dane you will be the center of attention. You can’t go down the street or walk into your local dog park without someone saying “Oh my God that is a gorgeous dog-it is a dog isn’t it?” Where we live, drive through coffee outlets are quite popular. When we pull up, the entire staff comes over to the drive thru window to say hi to our Dane.

I noticed about a year ago that my son seemed to be paying a fair bit of attention in making sure our Danes were getting regular walks. Turns out, he was using the dog to impress the girls at school and he was successful! My daughter has also used one of our Great Danes for the same type of thing! No question the cool factor in having a Dane in the family is unique!

Of course, the cool factor shouldn’t be the reason you invite a Dane into your life. It isn’t just that our dogs are big and beautiful and regal. They’re also about the most loyal breed we’ve ever had. Our Danes love every member of the family.

They show affection constantly and although they sometimes forget their own strength, they are very gentle animals. Even so, their bearing, size and deep bark make them pretty good guard animals.
They can be a bit stubborn, but as long as dog obedience training is provided, they are very well behaved. It doesn’t take much effort to groom them and they don’t need a bunch of exercise either – a 25 minute walk every day is enough.

Our Danes are full members of our family and we continue to be amazed at how graceful they are one minute and how ridiculous they look the next (sometimes they’ll forget they’re actually walking and try scratching their bellies while continuing to move forward!) We never get tired of watching them, playing with them, living with them. They are amazing animals and we couldn’t imagine life without them.

Kavar Peter has been owned by Great Danes for over ten years and runs a website devoted to this giant breed of dog. Visit http://www.about-great-danes.com to find out more about life with a Great Dane.

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What You Should Know Before Buying a Great Dane Dog

Thursday, September 15th, 2011

Are you planning to buy a tall dog breed? The Great Dane dog breed is your perfect choice. Its huge size, in terms of height and general body frame makes this dog famous. It has different names based on the dog’s country of origin. For instance, German Mastiff or the Danish Hound is extra name for the same dog. Biologically, they group the Great Dane in the Canis lupus familiaris family. It is certainly the biggest domesticated dog you can find.

The tallest dog is about forty-three inches, measured from the paw to the shoulder. Its length, measured from the head to the tail is about seven point-two feet. Generally, the Great Dane female and male dogs have a huge strong body. However, the male dogs have wider shoulders than females have. The males that are over one and half years old should weigh at least fifty-four kilograms.

Females of the same age should weight at least forty-five kilograms. The American Kennel Club provides these weight and size requirements. According to the same club, each male dog must always appear heavier and stronger, than a female dog of the same age. Have you ever seen a Great Dane dog? Let us analyze the dog’s body features briefly.

• Ears – This dog has floppy ears with a triangular shape. You can perform dog-ear cropping if want to. Do not do it personally unless you are a veterinary surgeon. The Great Dane dog owners from the US commonly do it. In other places, the dog owners either do not bother or are afraid of the ban.

• Legs – This dog breed does not have skinny legs at all. It naturally looks like a work dog, hence; its four legs are strong and muscular. Even a puppy dog has strong body.

• Head – The Great Dane has a big head, small sharp eyes, a small nose, and a big square snout.

• Coat colors – The six main colors associated with this dog include blue. Imagine a steel blue sturdy dog in your home. As many of you know, blue is a rare color for dogs. Even though, some Great Danes have a blue coat color. A few dogs have white parts at the toes or chest, which the experts consider as flaws. The other common fur color is sleek black all over the dog’s body. Some black dogs have white markings at the toes or chest. Fawn coat is common, which is a typical yellow gold color blended with black around the eyelids, eyebrows, and ears. Brindle fur color is usually fawn plus black, jumbled in a chevron stripe motif. Harlequin is another coat color characterized by plain white with black split patches. The patches could be uneven, but well distributed over the Great Dane’s body. The most preferred dog has medium sized black patches, and a plain white neck. Some dogs have undesirable tiny grey patches. Finally, this dog could have mantle fur color, characterized by black and white, plus a black blanket cover over the entire body. The most sought dogs have a pure white collar, white chest, partly or wholly white front and hide legs. A white mark at the tip of a black tail is a bonus. As you can see, everyone can find a perfect great dane dog All you should do is to find time to search over the web. Many reputable dog sites offer more information regarding this dog breed.

G. Smitty is a writer who loves to discuss many topics ranging from info on dogs to professional basketball. Thanks for reading!

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Great Dane Dog Breed Height, Weight, Color, History and Description

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

Great Dane Dog Breed Height, Weight, Color, History and Description

Description: The Great Dane is a huge dog; it has a square body and a long neck, although females may be slightly longer than they are tall. They are a powerful dog but look elegant and noble; they have a short and shiny coat that can appear in a verity of colors including black, blue, harlequin, fawn, merle and stripped brindle.

Despite their large size they are a graceful dog. They stand between 30 and 34 inches, though can be taller, and weigh between 100 and 200 lbs. They have a narrow head with a square muzzle and eyes that have a gentle and intelligent expression. They are deep chested with legs that are long, strait, and muscular.

Because the Great Dane dog breed has a history of health problems it is very important to make sure your puppy or dog is up to date on all vaccinations, de-wormings and heart preventatives. It is also suggested that you have a complete check-up done on your dog at least twice each year to make sure there are no unseen health issues that need attention.

History: The Great Dane is sometimes referred to as the ‘Apollo of all dogs’. Coins from Greece in 63 BC appear to have a dog that resembles a Great Dane on them and drawings of these dogs can be found on monuments, in Egypt, dating back to 3000BC. These ancient dogs are thought to be the origins of today’s dog. However the breed was fully developed in Germany. Although, exactly how old this breed is is unknown, though it was a common dog in the 16th century, anything beyond that has several different stories.

For more information on different Dog Breeds, Dog Training and Teacup Puppies for sale including Yorkies, Chihuahuas and Morkies please visit our websites below. Be sure to Register for our Free Puppy Contest where you can register to win a Free Puppy valued at up to $1,500.00 with Free Shipping.

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How to Buy the Right Dog Crate for a Great Dane

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

The Great Dane is among the largest of all dog breeds – in fact, it is currently the breed that holds the world record at 43 inches tall and over 7 foot long. Finding a dog crate to suit such a large animal might seem like a difficult task at first, but fortunately there are several manufacturers that design crates specifically to suit their needs.

Getting The Right Size

Size is always one of the most important considerations to make when it comes to buying a dog crate – if you get a crate that’s too small then your dog will be uncomfortable, and if you get a crate that’s too large they might be tempted to go to the toilet on one side if they’re left inside for too long. Unless your Great Dane is still growing then chances are you won’t have to worry about getting a crate that’s too big. You’ll most likely have to get the largest size possible to accommodate your fully-grown Great Dane – dog crate sellers will usually mention whether a size will be suitable, but if you’re unsure you can always ask them. Most manufacturers design special sizes to suit as the Great Dane is such a unique and popular breed of dog.

Finding The Right Type

There are certain materials that just aren’t suitable to hold a Great Dane. At full-size they can weigh up to 110 pounds, so a soft crate isn’t going to be suitable for the task of carrying them. Most other types of dog crates will work, but it ultimately depends on how you intend to use them. A wire crate is a good all-purpose crate that you can use for transporting your Great Dane in the car or displaying them at the dog show and is flexible enough that you can use it for toilet training them as a puppy and simply use a divider to change the size of the crate as they grow. If you want to transport them on an airplane then an extra-large plastic crate known as the “Sky Kennel” is the best crate for the task.

Other Considerations

All dogs have the capability to overheat in warm weather, so ensure your Great Dane isn’t left inside their crate for too long or if you are planning a long trip consider getting a fan for the crate to keep them cool and give them water regularly. In winter the opposite is true – due to their short hair the Great Dane will have trouble staying warm in cooler temperatures so if you choose to get them a wire crate then a crate cover should be a consideration to give them some extra protection from the elements.

CratesDog.com provides information and advice on dog crates – including types such as wooden dog crates, as well as training crates and dog travel crates.

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Best Great Dane and Large Breed Dog Walking Collars

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

Best Great Dane and Large Breed Dog Walking Collars

Do you dread taking your Great Dane or large breed dog for a walk? Is it difficult to tell who is taking who for a walk?

When you own a Great Dane or other large breed it is important that you have them under control at all times, this is so important with large breeds due to their great strength. They can pull the average person down the street, no problem if they decide to, especially if you only have an ordinary leather neck collar.

There are several types of collar suitable for large breeds one of them being called the “check chain” some mistakenly call them “choke chains” but they are not designed to be pulled on so that they end up cutting off their air supply! A check chain should be about 4″ longer than the circumference of you dogs neck, this allows the chain to hang loose when the dog is walking by your side.

If the dog starts to pull, you quickly move your hand forward and pull it back quickly so that the chain makes a rasping noise as it pulls through the ring. This is the deterrent for the dog, not pulling on it, the harder you pull on a collar the harder a dog pulls back, it is a natural reaction, it even applies when you try to push past your dog in a confined space, it naturally resists and pushes against you. If you do this every time you feel tension in the lead the dog soon learns that if it does not want to hear that loud rasping noise, he must stay close by your side.

If you want more control over your Great Dane or large breed, you could use a head collar, these fit over the dogs head and the lead is attached under the dogs jaw, this is particularly useful if you have a persistent puller as every time he tries to pull his head turns to the side and he cannot get his weight behind the pull. The Head Collar is the type of collar that I would recommend for your Great Dane or large breed if a woman or older child was going to walk them.

This type of head collar does not restrict opening their mouths in anyway and it does take a little time for them to get used to it as it feels so different to a neck collar. But, it is worth persevering with as it gives you so much more confidence that you can hold onto your Great Dane or large breed under any circumstances.

John Morrod is the proud owner of 2 Great Danes, you can find lots of interesting videos, articles and training tips here http://greatdanepuppy.net

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Great Danes Are Nature’s Gentle Giants

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

Great Danes draw attention wherever they go due to their enormous size. However, these dogs have a tendency to be very gentle and are sensitive souls. They are among the world’s tallest dog breeds and a Great Dane is the record holder as the world’s tallest dog, standing over seven feet high when on his hind legs.

Great Danes are considered to be a working breed and they have strong powerful bodies. They were once popularly used as hunting dogs for wild boar. Today, these dogs are primarily companion animals. They are beautiful dogs that have a variety of coat colors.

A fawn Great Dane is primarily golden with a black mask around the eyes. A brindle has fawn markings along with black stripes that sometimes look like tiger stripes. Blue and black are also common colors and these dogs often have white spots on the chest and toes but for show purposes, these markings are not desired. Harlequin refers to patterns where the colors of black and white are both present in patches over the body. Mantle is a coat color where the dog is black and white but he has a solid black color covering his back and skull.

Great Danes are excellent pets as far as temperament goes. The get along well with other dogs and family pets like cats. They are also good with children as they are very gentle. However due to their huge size, it is always wise to supervise them around small children. Some dogs may hearken back to their origins and chase small animals but that is usually an individual quirk and not reflective of the breed in general.

Even though Great Danes were once hunting dogs, they don’t need a whole lot of exercise. They do need to be exercised daily in order to stay healthy but these dogs make good apartment dwellers even though they are large simply because they are quite happy to lounge around most of the day. When the puppies are growing it is important not to give them too much exercise because they grow so fast it can cause them bone problems.

Like other big dog breeds, Great Danes have slow metabolisms especially when compared to small breeds. They eat surprisingly less than you might think. They are prone to gastrointestinal problems like bloat and GDV. GDV is a painful twisting of the stomach that can come on quickly and be fatal. It may be triggered by rapidly drinking water or over exercising right before or after eating. Great Danes are also predisposed to cardiac diseases that can shorten their lifespan. These dogs typically live eight to ten years but can live as long as fourteen. This dog breed also has its own genetic disorders. If a dog has white coloring near an organ then it will not develop. For example, if the dog is white around the eyes he will be blind and if he is white around the ears he will be deaf.

Unfortunately, many Great Danes are discarded because their owners where not prepared for life with a huge dog, especially one growing up through the puppy stage. Puppies grow rapidly and can weigh a hundred pounds while still having the mentality and maturity of a rambunctious puppy.

Great Danes thrive on human companionship and are not good dogs to leave alone in the yard for the purpose of being a watchdog. They are much happier and more well adjusted when allowed to live indoors as part of the family unit.

Great Danes have been portrayed in many movies and cartoons, most notably Scooby-Doo, the dog from a well known cartoon series and Marmaduke, the subject of a cartoon strip.

Article by Kelly Marshall of Oh My Dog Supplies, your top source for anti itch dog shampoo online.

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3 Great Large Dog Breeds for Apartments

Monday, August 29th, 2011

3 Great Large Dog Breeds For Apartments

With living in an apartment, picking the right dog can be difficult-especially coming from a person who isn’t partial to small dogs. After doing some research, I was surprised to find that there are numerous large-breed dogs that are well-suited for apartment living.

1. Mastiff – Mastiffs are huge so when my boyfriend told me they are actually perfect for apartments, I called him crazy. Come to find out, they really are! Because of their massive size, they tend to be lazy. Being calm-mannered dogs, they aren’t yappers either. His parents have two mastiffs and I have only heard them bark when they feel there is danger. Also, they don’t require a ton of exercise so a large backyard or constant walks are not necessary.

2. Greyhound – My cousin has a greyhound and it is, by far, the sweetest dog I have ever encountered. Though she is a large, lean dog, she sees herself as a lapdog, always trying to snuggle on the couch. Greyhounds are good apartment dogs because they are so mellow and sweet. They require a bit more exercise than a mastiff would but still not so that it would cut into your daily routine.

3. Great Dane – I would only recommend a Great Dane for someone that can make a commitment to daily jogs. Though Great Danes are mild mannered dogs that do not bark a lot and tend to be lazy around the house, they do need to get out a lot more than the other dogs listed.

What kind of big dogs do you have in your apartment?

Four different authors share their stories on apartment living. Find some great advice and share your apartment living stories on myrentalpad.com.

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Does a Great Dane Need Much Exercise?

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

Ideally you should have a fenced in garden that your dog can go in and out of at will, they tend to exercise in short bursts of running around followed by hours of sleeping.

When your Great Dane is young it is best if they exercise in short bursts of energy, playing with you in the garden. You do not want them to go for walks of more than a mile or two during the first 12 months as they are growing so rapidly and you do not want to put unnecessary strain on the bones and joints. A Great Dane is not really fully matured until 2 years of age.

In an ideal world the Great Dane should be walked on a leash twice a day, this doesn’t need to be too long, especially in warm weather as it does not take much heat to get him panting heavily. They need to be walked on a leash so that they learn to behave both on and off leash.

I only tend to let my Danes off their leash when the coast is clear, you have to remember that many people are afraid of big dogs, and although “Scooby” may not seem so big to you after a while, he is enormous to people meeting him for the first time.

It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your Great Dane when meeting other dogs for the first time, from experience I find that what starts out as a friendly meeting can suddenly change if the other dog becomes intimidated by the size of your dog and decides to attack him. It is usually the other dog that comes off worst, but it does not make you popular with other dog walkers.

I remember one occasion when a lady walking her 2 Lurchers suggested I let them of their leashs to run around together, I warned her that they do tend to play a bit heavy handed as they are so strong, but she said don’t worry they’ll never keep up with my Lurchers.

I let them of the leash and the Lurchers ran off at high speed followed by Sam and Izzy who caught them up in no time. Many people do not realize how quick a Great Dane can be in a straight line, they just don’t turn as quick as smaller dogs.

Anyway, within 5 minutes the Lurchers came back dripping wet from the slobber that the Danes had drooled all over them in their excitement. I often see the same lady walking her Lurchers, but she has never suggested that they run together again, for some strange reason.

John Morrod is the proud owner of 2 Great Danes, you can find lots of interesting videos, articles and training tips here http://greatdanepuppy.net

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