Day: March 7, 2022

The Best Crates for a Great Dane: Crates that Fit 100 lb+ Dogs
Finding the best crates for a Great Dane is no easy feat when your pup is over 100 pounds.

Crate training a Great Dane is one of the best ways to make sure that your dog is safe, less able to make mistakes (such as peeing on your favorite rug), and less likely to chew up dangerous things such as cords and socks.

How to Crate Train a Great Dane Puppy
Crate Training for Great Dane Sized Dogs

kennel for great dane

Great Danes are giant breed dogs and most dog crates are NOT big enough! If you are looking for information on the best crates for a Great Dane, including the best custom crates for Great Danes, we’re sharing our favorite below.

The Frisco XXL 54″ Double-Door Dog Crate for Great Danes

THE BEST CRATES FOR A GREAT DANE

It is unlikely that you will be able to find appropriately sized Great Dane cages at your local pet store.

Most of the ‘largest’ dog crates sold are 48″, which most Great Danes will outgrow by 7-8 months of age! Great Dane kennel size is SO important because Great Danes need to be able to stretch their joints even inside of a crate.

Look for a giant breed 54″ crate. XXL crates typically come with a divider panel that can be used to make the interior smaller while your puppy is growing.

There are two main players for Great Dane Crates in the market: Frisco and Midwest Homes

PRO TIP:
Crate time should be limited to 1 hour per month of age. A 3 month old puppy should not expect to be comfortably crated for more than 3 hours between potty and movement breaks.

MidWest Solutions XXL Double-Door Wire Dog Crate for Great Danes

DOUBLE DOOR VS. SINGLE DOOR CRATES FOR GREAT DANES

We recommend double-door crates, as they offer more options for placement in your home.

SHOP ON CHEWY

Frisco Double Door 54″ Crate

MidWest Solutions Double Door 54″ Crate + Crate Pad

Frisco Single-Door 54″ Crate

SHOP ON AMAZON

MidWest Solutions 54″ Double Door Crate

MidWest Solutions 54″ Single Door Crate

K-9 Ballistics Elevated Cot

CRATE PADS AND CHEW-PROOF COTS FOR GREAT DANES

For orthopedic health, Great Danes should always have a soft and supportive surface to lay on.

If your Great Dane is destructive, we recommend the K-9 Ballistics Elevated Cot. It’s spendy but much cheaper than having to purchase a new bed every month! The K-9 Ballistics cot is nearly indestructible.

For a basic, simple made-to-fit crate pad, try the 54″ MidWest Dog Bolster Bed.

Midwest 54″ Crate Pad

CUSTOM CRATES FOR GREAT DANES

If you are wanting a crate that fits your home decor, consider a custom crate for your Great Dane! These are typically made out of wood and can have different stains, doors and exteriors.

Many Great Dane owners use custom dog crates as their TV stand!

Learn more about ordering a custom dog crate, starting at $1699 from BB KUSTOM KENNELS.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CW7cla6r-RZ/

CRATE TRAINING RESOURCES FOR GREAT DANES
- 5 Dog Trainer Red Flags (and How to Spot Them)
  With countless dog trainers competing for your attention and hard-earned money, navigating the selection process can be daunting. It becomes even more challenging if you’re unsure about what makes a dog trainer good! I’ve compiled five dog trainer red flags, and am including some information to help you easily spot the warning signs. The dog… Read more: 5 Dog Trainer Red Flags (and How to Spot Them)
- Stop Puppy Biting in 3 Easy Steps
  Ouch, puppy teeth hurt! Dealing with puppy biting can be challenging. While puppies are undeniably cute, they are not polite with their sharp little teeth. Puppy biting can be concerning for pet owners worried about aggression and frustrating for those trying to address it. I’ve boiled this down into 3 easy, effective steps, which can… Read more: Stop Puppy Biting in 3 Easy Steps
- New Great Dane Puppy? This Guide is For You!
  December is a popular time to get a new Great Dane puppy. I believe that a lot of this is related to the Holidays; puppies are readily available, adorable, and popular to receive or give for Christmas! If you are new to the world of Great Danes, or ready for a refresher, let’s jump in.… Read more: New Great Dane Puppy? This Guide is For You!
- Do Dogs Get Lonely? The Fascinating Truth Behind Canine Depression
  Do dogs get lonely? Dog owners have long suspected that their furry friends get lonely for a variety of different reasons. Some dog owners report lonely dogs when they have to leave their dogs home alone for too long, their dog is the only dog in the household, or their dog isn’t getting enough mental… Read more: Do Dogs Get Lonely? The Fascinating Truth Behind Canine Depression
- Are Great Danes Easy to Train?
  Are Great Danes easy to train? Many people believe that Great Danes are stubborn, spiteful, and defiant. It can lead to questions about whether or not Great Danes are hard to train, especially as they are so large and can easily be destructive or dangerous. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for… Read more: Are Great Danes Easy to Train?
READ MORE:
How to Crate Train a Great Dane Puppy
HOW TO TRIM YOUR PUPPIES NAILS
HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR DOG’S FEET
Miniature Great Danes: The Pocket Size Version
Is My Puppy Too Skinny?
Supplements for Great Danes
How Much Do Great Danes Eat?
March 7, 2022
Great Dane with Cropped Ears
Ear cropping is a surgical procedure done on Great Dane puppies when they are 7-12 weeks of age. A Great Dane with cropped ears is regal and majestic!

The ear cropping procedure in Great Danes also requires aftercare and posting. Posting takes months and is the process by which the cropped ears are trained to stay upright.

If you have ever seen a Great Dane with ears that stand up, you have seen a Great Dane with cropped ears! Read to learn more about ear cropping.

Shown above: a mantle Great Dane puppy with cropped ears that are being posted, image courtesy of Kindlefire Great Danes (used with permission). Notice the taping around the ears. That must be cleaned and changed often, and the puppy must wear them for months.

GREAT DANE WITH CROPPED EARS

Great Danes are born with large floppy ears.

During a cropping procedure, the puppy is sedated and the ears are shaved.

A veterinarian then removes a large portion of the pinna (ear flap), sutures the edge and tapes the ears to a cone or to the puppies head.

Once the ears are fully healed from cropping (up to 2 weeks), the posting process can begin!

Here is a photo of two Great Dane Puppies that were just cropped. Image courtesy of Glacier Danes.

https://www.facebook.com/glacier.danes/photos/4476024949111243

Below is the same mantle puppy from Glacier Danes a few weeks later. In this image, the ears have healed and have been put into posts.

https://www.facebook.com/glacier.danes/photos/4750586351655100

Here is a photo of a Great Dane puppy before cropping, and then again after cropping as an adult. Notice how the ears stand up on their own.

GREAT DANE EAR CROPPING INFORMATION

Ear cropping should be performed by a licensed, insured and highly qualified/experienced cropping veterinarian.

We recommend asking your breeder for recommendations on the most talented ear crop veterinarians for your Great Dane. The best breeders will have puppies cropped before they are sent home.

If you live near Ohio, Dr. Anne Midgarden is highly regarded as one of the best Veterinarians in the Country for Great Dane ear cropping.

You can see some of her work here:

https://www.facebook.com/midgardenearcrops/photos/a.950153698467923/950153758467917

https://www.facebook.com/midgardenearcrops/photos/a.950153698467923/950168341799792

https://www.facebook.com/midgardenearcrops/photos/a.950153698467923/950181965131763

LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GREAT DANES WITH CROPPED EARS?

Shown above: A Great Dane puppy with cropped ears that are not fully standing yet. These ears need a lot more time in posts before the cartilage will be mature enough to help the ears stand on their own.

We have tons of resources for cropping, with more added often! Ear cropping is a permanent procedure that requires skill and owner dedication; we support you either way!

MORE POSTS ON EAR CROPPING FOR GREAT DANES:
- The Anti-Ear Cropping Argument (& Why It’s Wrong)
  Today’s post is going to be quick and simple. The anti-ear cropping argument is misleading, and I think we need to talk about it. This morning somebody started a post in a Facebook group. It was one of THOSE posts. The “this is a hot topic and the initial take on it is controversial” type… Read more: The Anti-Ear Cropping Argument (& Why It’s Wrong)
- Ear Cropping & Taping Cropped Ears on Great Danes
  Ear cropping and taping cropped ears on Great Danes is a lengthy, involved process. If you have found this article, you are either on this journey or about to be, and we’re here to help! If you want your Great Dane to have erect ears that stand up, you may want to consider this procedure… Read more: Ear Cropping & Taping Cropped Ears on Great Danes
- Great Dane with Cropped Ears
  Ear cropping is a surgical procedure done on Great Dane puppies when they are 7-12 weeks of age. A Great Dane with cropped ears is regal and majestic! The ear cropping procedure in Great Danes also requires aftercare and posting. Posting takes months and is the process by which the cropped ears are trained to… Read more: Great Dane with Cropped Ears
- The 2 Sided Debate: Great Dane Ear Cropping
  Today we are chatting about Great Dane Ear Cropping! Are there any benefits to cropping Great Dane ears? When is ear cropping done on puppies? We will highlight the risks and benefits of Great Dane clipped ears and ear cropping, as well offer as a little bit of history, information on what to expect if… Read more: The 2 Sided Debate: Great Dane Ear Cropping
March 7, 2022