There is a new king of the dog world, and his name is Zeus. This Great Dane was officially declared the tallest dog in the world by Guinness World Records.
At 44 inches tall, Zeus the Great Dane towers over all other breeds of dogs. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at this giant breed and find out what makes them so special.
Who is Zeus the Great Dane?
Zeus is a Great Dane from Otsego, Michigan. He was born on November 24, 2011. His owner, Denise Doorlag, says that Zeus loves to play fetch and go for walks.
He may be huge, but he’s still just like any other dog!
Zeus was recorded by the Guinness World Records as the tallest dog in the world on October 11, 2011.
He stands 44 inches tall at the shoulder and is seven feet four inches from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail.
That means he is taller than many humans! In fact, Zeus is so big that he has to sleep in a queen-sized bed.
The answer to this question is largely due to genetics, however, environmental factors are also likely at play.
Great Danes are a very old breed, and their large size is likely due to years of selective breeding.
Zeus may have come from a breeder who was not diligent about choosing parents to continue the pedigree and thus may have received certain genes that encouraged fast, explosive growth and his excessive height.
Incorrect nutrition in Great Danes can lead to orthopedic issues including low bone density, too-fast of growth, knuckling, dysplasia, and more.
In other words, oversized puppies (including ‘Euro’ pups) are often the result of backyard breeders who are not knowledgeable about the proper care and nutrition of Great Danes, let alone the actual breed standard.
Early spay and neuter (prior to 18-24 months) can also contribute to excessive height and structural problems in Great Danes!
Studies have shown that waiting to spay or neuter large and giant breed dogs can positively impact their future health.
Today, many people choose to breed Great Danes for show or competition, which means that the dogs must meet certain standards in order to be competitive. This standard helps ensure that future Great Danes are robust, healthy, and correct in stature and size.
Zeus is a loved family pet, however, he is outside of the breed standard for Great Danes.
It is important to appreciate him for the amazing dog that he is, but NOT to wish for all Great Danes to experience his stature.
It is unhealthy and unfortunately will be devastating for him, and his loving owners.
While Zeus may be the tallest dog in the world, he is certainly not the only giant breed of dog out there. Other popular giant breeds include the Mastiff, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, and Scottish Deerhound.
Here is an image of a healthy, well-bred black Great Dane:
Zeus the Great Dane eats 12 cups of food each day! Male Great Danes like Zeus require a lot of quality food to thrive, especially if they are active.
Diet is an important part of keeping any dog healthy, but it is especially important for giant breeds like the Great Dane.
When choosing a diet for a Great Dane, we recommend looking for a large or giant breed food from an established company that has a boarded Veterinary nutritionist on staff.
Great Danes are SO lovable, caring and smart- but what were Great Danes bred for?
If you’ve ever been around a Great Dane, you know that, like many giant breed dogs, they are some of the most gentle giants around. But their size can be quite intimidating, so you might be wondering- what were they bred for?
Contrary to popular belief, Great Danes were not bred for hunting or as guard dogs. In fact, they were originally bred as boar hounds in Germany!
But how did German breeders come to find this gentle giant suitable to hunt wild boar?
Out of all dog breeds- why did they choose Great Danes, and how did these hunting dogs transform into the Great Dane puppy snoozing legs up on your couch?
WHAT WERE GREAT DANES BRED FOR?
The Great Dane breed was originally bred as boar hunting dogs.
Not exactly what pet parents have in mind when they bring their puppy home.
To hunt wild boar, a dog has to be brave, athletic and have a high prey drive.
But, nonetheless the Great Dane breed was originally bred in Germany, where they were used as boar hunting dogs. These dogs had to be brave and athletic with a high prey drive in order to do their job well.
GREAT DANE HISTORY
You may be surprised that Great Danes were once some of the most powerful, strong and fast dog breeds that there were.
Developed in the 14th Century in Germany and England, Great Danes were bred as ancestors to Greyhounds and English Mastiff / German Mastiff – a lethal combination of strength and speed that was then called the Grand Danois, and now called Great Dane.
At the time, Europe had an extreme need for a dog breed that was able to take down their boar hound. Boars were some of the strongest, most dangerous animals in Europe and were wreaking havoc on crops, livestock and humans.
Greyhounds were fast enough, but not strong enough. German Mastiffs / English Mastiffs were strong enough, but not fast enough.
So the Grand Danois was born – a German dog, full of German nobility, that was big enough to take down a full grown wild boar, but also fast enough to keep up with the hunt, something that not any Great Danish dog could do at this time.
The Great dane quickly became one of the most popular hunters in all of Europe, and were even used by the royalty. It is said that King Louis XVI of France owned several Grand Danois, as did Marie Antoinette.
The breed was then brought to America in the late 1800s where they became popular as family pets and also working dogs on farms.
EAR CROPPING IN THE GREAT DANE
When giant dogs fight against wild boars, the boards began to rip and tear their ears.
Owners began searching for a way to protect their large dogs, keep them safe and away from as many health issues as possible while they hunted.
Thus, cropped ears began coming the ‘normal’ for Great Danes.
Ear cropping was spread throughout the dog breed as a humane way to prevent the wild boars from nipping, shredding, and tearing the Great Danes ears off, which created a health hazard for the dogs.
Now, if you see a Great Dane with cropped ears- that’s why!
While many people believe that cropped ears are cruel, it is actually done in a way to protect the dog while they are hunting and working.
And today, many Great Danes are no longer used for hunting, but some owners still like a cropped appearance to their modern Great Dane.
Some dogs who participate in dog sports may get their ears cropped to help protect them against ear issues.
Some larger breeds get ear infections, and generally speaking some people suggest that the crop can help to prevent infection.
Others prefer their Great Dane to have a ‘regal’ and ‘breed standard’ look to them, especially if they are being shown and apart of the Great Dane Club of America.
No matter what, if an owner is cropping their dogs ears, it is not ‘abusive’, as long as they provide their dog with an excellent surgeon and get their ears cropped at a suitable age.
HOW DID GREAT DANES CHANGE OVER TIME?
Over time, more and more people were not using Great Dane dogs to hunt wild boars.
With breeding and industrialization, most dogs were being transformed from a working dog to a family pet.
Great Danes job is not the only thing that changed.
Their appearance also changed as time morphed them from hunting down a wild boar to lounging on the sofa being hand fed ice cubes.
GREAT DANES ARE TALLER NOW
A Great Dane’s body is much taller now than it was in the 14th Century.
When hunting, dogs needed to be muscular and strong. But now, as breeding takes place, the breed standard for Great Danes is to be taller and longer, with a slimmer build.
This is why some people think that the Great Dane might not be as strong as it used to be – but this isn’t the case!
They are still just as muscular, it’s just hidden under their extra tall and lanky frame.
Great Danes have been bred to be one of the tallest dog breeds in the world.
The average height for a male Great Dane is 30 inches (76 cm) at the shoulder, and 28 inches (71 cm) for females.
While this may not seem that tall – remember they are standing on all fours!
This would be like a human being around seven and a half to eight feet tall.
The tallest Great Dane on record was Zeus, who stood an impressive 44 inches (112 cm) at the shoulder!
Zeus lived in Michigan with his owner Denise Doorlag and weighed in at 245 pounds (111 kg).
While Zeus may have been the tallest Great Dane, it is important to keep in mind that breed characteristics are there for a reason and you should seek veterinary advice on what a Great Dane is SUPPOSED to look like BEFORE bringing a Great Dane home.
Great Danes may still be chamber dogs, but more so just ones that consume our beds and eat all of our food.
Great Danes are large breeds who are most definitely not spending their time hunting wild animals.
GREAT DANE DOGS TEMPERAMENT
A Great Dane and their temperament, like most dog breeds, highly depends on a few things:
Breeder/breeding
How they are raised in the litter
Socialization
Training
Exposure to new things as a puppy
Vaccine schedule/health issues
Diet
All of these things play a vital role in how a dog will turn out when they are fully grown.
BREEDING
A Great Dane that is raised by a responsible and reputable breeder, who gives them the proper socialization and training is going to be an excellent dog.
On the other hand, if a Great Dane is raised in a neglectful or abusive home, chances are they will not be the best dog.
A ‘backyard breeder’ is not always someone who abuses dogs, neglects dogs, or hurts dogs. A backyard breeder can be someone who does not health test their dogs, produces many litters of unhealthy Great Danes, and does not care to produce the best natured dogs that they can, which ultimately impacts the owners of that Great Dane for the entirety of the Great Danes life. Backyard breeders might even have their litter registered with the American Kennel Club.
SOCIALIZATION
A Great Dane that is properly socialized will be outgoing, friendly and love people.
They should also be good with other animals – including dogs, cats and small mammals.
Great Danes who have not been socialized may be skiddish, anxious or experience separation anxiety.
Great Danes are great family pets, but owners often find themselves in terrible situations when their dog is very young as they have neglected to provide them with the right amount of training while they are growing up.
EXPOSURE TO NEW THINGS AS PUPPIES
Great Dane owners should be mindful of their dog’s age and begin proper training and exposure ASAP!
These dogs grow up faster and quicker than others, and exposure to new experiences is a must while they are impressionable.
Puppies should be taken on car rides, to the park, on walks around different neighborhoods and to as many places as possible.
This will help them become well-rounded dogs who are not afraid of new experiences.
FAILURE TO DO THIS can result in a Great Dane that is anxious or fearful of new environments and situations – which can be very dangerous for both the dog and their owner.
VACCINE SCHEDULE/HEALTH ISSUES
Another important factor in a Great Dane’s temperament is their health.
Great Dane puppies or dogs should NOT be given all of their vaccines at the same time.
These big dogs have a tendency to not tolerate vaccines as well as small dogs and it can be dangerous to provide multiple vaccines at the same time.
Some dogs will have reactions and long term illness or issues when given multiple vaccines at once. Some dogs can have temperament issues that lag on and on.
When giving vaccines to your puppy or dog, speak to your Veterinarian and request veterinary guidance on creating a vaccine schedule for your dog that allows you to give 1 vaccine at a time.
DIET
It is common sense to think that a diet can have an impact on all dogs and other animals, too.
Humans will admit that diet plays a huge role in the health of people, but it is very little talked about how diet impacts their dog.
Diet plays a huge role in the temperament of any Great Dane.
An obese dog is not a happy dog, and often their temperament will reflect that.
Poor diet can also lead to health problems down the road, which in turn can impact a Great Dane’s temperament and personality. Since Hip Dysplasia, Arthritis, Bloat, Cancer, etc, all have an impact on the Great Dane breed, diet is something that should NOT be ignored.
Great Dane puppies face issues such as knuckling or Panosteitis when they are growing, so helping them to grow VERY slow and steady is CRUCIAL. Every Great Dane who is less than 24 months old should be on a Buffered Esther Vitamin C supplement
Full-grown Great Danes can range in size from 100 to 200 pounds and stand anywhere from 28 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder.
Their large size means that they require a lot of food and their appetites can be larger.
A full-grown Great Dane will eat anywhere from four to eight cups of food per day, so be prepared to spend a pretty penny on their food bill each month!
Honestly, Great Danes truly do not need a whole ton of space. However, having said that, there are some things that they require that other dogs just do not.
The size of the Great Dane can also be more intimidating to some people than other dogs, which is why it is important that they are socialized and trained.
No animal can go without a bed, and Great Danes need BIG ones.
Our favorite is the Big Barker, which has a 10 year guarantee and provides benefits to large puppers by keeping their hips and joints off of the hard surface, which can help to prevent joint disease like Arthritis and Hip Dysplasia.
Sometimes people do not think about the fact that if you plan to drive your dog around, and you are getting a Great Dane, you’ll need a lot of room for them.
Invest in an SUV bed from Big Barker, or get a nice car hammock. Plan on your Great Dane taking up the entire backseat.
Great Danes make wonderful family dogs because of their gentle and loving nature.
They are patient with children and have the ability to bond with multiple people.
While they may be large, they are extremely gentle and typically can understand the difference in situations from running around with their peer-sized friends to interacting with a small child.
From their humble beginnings as a hunting dog, to their popularity as a family pet – the Great Dane has truly come a long way.
While they are no longer used for hunting, Great Danes have found a new purpose as gentle giants and loving companions.
Do you have a Great Dane? We would love to hear your stories about your furry friend in the comments below!
Everybody wants to take amazing photos of their pet. Today we are sharing our 5 top phone photography tips for dogs!
Here is the good news: you don’t need a fancy camera. Most cell phones take great photos, once you know the tricks of the trade. We are here to help!
Good photography is all about lighting and the story being told. Are you ready to learn how to take better photos of your dog? Let’s get started. ?
Dog Phone Photography 101: Lighting is Key
The difference between an ‘ok’ photo and a great photo of your dog is lighting!
If you are indoors, get near a window and put the window behind your back. The light coming into the window will help illuminate your pet and make their eyes shine bright!
If you are outdoors, here are some other dog photography lighting tips:
On sunny, bright days find a patch of open shade. Avoid harsh shadows and squinting by finding nice spots under trees and next to buildings!
On cloudy days, hold up your hand. Is it gray and dull? Turn your body around until the skin on your hand looks nice and warm. That’s where you want your dog to be when you take the photo!
On snowy days, get out and play! The bright snow and clouds consistently make for gorgeous, well-lit photos!
Use natural light as much as possible. Lightbulbs put out a color that will make your images look too warm, dingy, green, or pink. One exception is daylight-balanced LED lighting, which can help illuminate your indoor dog photos!
Put the window behind your back to illuminate your pet when taking a photo indoors.
Train Your Dog to Stay for a Photo
All of this beautiful lighting won’t matter if your dog won’t sit still for a minute!
We recommend starting small with lots of positive reinforcement. Reward even the smallest ‘stay’ position and work your way up to stepping back with your phone in your hand.
You can also use a toy as a reward!
Teach your dog that in order to get the toy, they must SIT or WAIT! Practice this several times: sit, toy, sit, toy. Gradually increase the length of the sit, then reward with the toy.
Once your dog can sit and stay, politely waiting for their toy or treat reward, for 5 seconds, add the camera. Make sure to be fun, upbeat and positive.
When you are done taking photos (quickly, of course), say ‘FREE’ and praise your dog for a job well done.
When your dog is REALLY good at this, you’ll even be able to use the toy to get their attention. This is how you will get those adorable dog expressions!
Choose the Right Mode for Dog Portraits
We recommend portrait mode for the best dog photos.
This mode on most modern phones will identify your subject while blurring the background, giving your images a professional finished look.
If you don’t have portrait mode, play with ‘flower’ or ‘macro’ mode and see what you can come up with!
We also love to use wide-angle photos to capture the scenery and tell a story.
Don’t be afraid to stray from the auto button, especially once you’ve got your head wrapped around how to use light when taking photos of your dog.
How to Get Your Dog to Pose
There is almost nothing worse than taking a beautiful, well lit portrait of your dog to see that their body language is well, stressed.
Pinned ears, lip licking, stiffness, hunched back or shoulders, and tucked tails are signs that your dog is not wanting its photo taken.
If you want your dog to perk their ears and look adorable in photos, follow these simple steps:
Don’t overwhelm your dog! Asking for a photo when they are already stressed is a recipe for disaster
Find a low-distraction area to work in
Be gentle with pressure. Don’t scold, physically handle or get too excited around dogs that are nervous about having their photo taken.
Remember that a little patience goes a long way
Make kissing and squeaking sounds, or use a toy
Say your dog’s favorite words, such as “treat” to get their attention (and be ready to click!)
Use high-value treats and reward often. Make this a fun experience and part of your routine!
Catch them in action, instead of asking them for a pose
How to Edit your Dog Photos
One of the biggest ways to improve your dog phone photos is to edit them!
I highly recommend the Adobe Lightroom mobile app.
You can use this app to adjust everything from the basics to individual colors, and you can even remove distracting objects from your photos!
This app does have a learning curve but it’s incredibly functional, fully featured and free of junk and ads, too.
Presets (in Lightroom) can help you apply a cohesive look to every image that you take, too. This will make your IG Feed look amazing!
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Dog Iphone-ography Summary
If you follow this formula you will notice an immediate improvement in your dog photos!
Lighting – Pose – Editing – Patience
Want more phone photography tips for your dog? Here is another great article we found:
Fawn Great Danes are some of the most magnificent dogs in the world. Here are ten essential items that you will need to buy for Fawn Great Danes and your Great Dane puppy:
Fawn Great Danes will need a really nice, orthopedic dog bed.
The Great Dane dog breed needs to be on a joint supplement that is proven to work.
Great Danes require crates, and large ones!
Fawn Great Danes need toys: lots of them!
Your Great Dane needs items to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Look into the right diet that will help your big dog with health or developmental issues
Great Danes need engagement toys to help them stay non-destructive
FAWN GREAT DANES AND THEIR ORTHOPEDIC NEEDS
Great Danes have health issues that require them to have specific products, but most specifically a bed.
Prevention is the best medication to take care of the breed and its disposition for joint issues such as Arthritis or Hip Dysplasia.
The Big Barker bed is the only bed for big dogs that is proven to prevent and treat potential health issues like joint pain, Arthritis, or Hip Dysplasia.
If your Great Dane is potty training, invest in the waterproof liner that will help protect the bed from puppies and their accidents.
The sooner you can get them used to taking it and the routine of taking it, the better!
However, depending on the age of your dog, the supplement itself will be different.
DANE PUPPIES AND JOINT SUPPLEMENTS
If you have a growing Great Dane pup, you should put them on a Buffered Esther Vitamin C supplement in order to avoid limb conditions like Panosteitis or HOD while growing.
Every Great Dane owner wants their Danes to grow into well mannered, socialized dogs, but unfortunately many Great Dane owners are unfamiliar with the requirements of training these dogs.
The monthly toy box is not only adorable, but your Great Dane won’t be able to destroy the toys!
They boxes are pretty affordable for the amount of indestructible toys that it comes with.
It’s just not clear who will like receiving these absolutely adorable toys more- the human or the Great Dane! Whatever the case is- we have tried and tested these and its definitely an investment worthwhile.
Bark Box offers Super Chewer monthly themed boxes delivered to your door with adorable toys and best of all- they are made for SUPER CHEWERS! Click here to check them out.
GREAT DANES NEED ITEMS TO KEEP THEM COMFORTABLE IN THE WEATHER (BOTH HOT AND COLD)
Although your Great Dane has a short coat, it can be pretty uncomfortably hot in the Summer. And keeping Great Danes warm in the Winter is important too!
CARHARRT WINTER JACKET FOR A FAWN GREAT DANE
There are some absolutely beautiful coats out there for a Fawn Great Dane, or any Great Dane colors.
But, prioritize ones that are going to fit well and keep your dog warm.
Whether you’re going out for a romp in the snow or hoping to snap a picture of your baby in their coat, this jacket really is going to keep them warm so that they can continue to get their exercise throughout the snowy months.
AFFORDABLE AMAZON COAT FOR BIG DOGS
Especially while your dog is growing, you want to make sure the products you buy are affordable.
You don’t want to have to keep buying new sizes in super expensive products.
This Amazon jacket is one that we have tried and works well for Great Danes.
Car fans are an genius way of cooling down your Fawn Great Dane in the car.
Some car fans even have misters that will spray your dog lightly while you drive them, so that they can remain comfortable.
This fan, for example, can be strapped on to any part of your car and will mist your dog while you drive.
Another great fan is this double fan that straps on to the back of your seats.
SUNSCREEN FOR DIFFERENT COLORS OF GREAT DANES
Some Great Danes need to be wearing sunscreen, depending on their coat color.
If you have White Great Danes, they are super predisposed to getting sunburnt. Double Merle Great Danes who are a completely solid white color should be protected in the sun with a dog-friendly sunscreen.
White Great Danes are more predisposed to getting burnt as they lack pigment that Black Great Danes have. However, a Harlequin Great Dane will burn on the white spots of its coat. Harlequin Great Danes should be sun-screened on any of their skin that lacks black pigment / black patches. (Read more about Harlequin Great Danes here)
If you change up a Great Dane puppies diet too much while they are growing, it can cause stomach issues and digestion problems. (Help- stomach problems!)
So, you want to do your research before your pup comes home so that you do not have to figure everything out while they are already here.
Here is a great article discussing what to feed your Great Dane puppy and when to switch them over to an adult food.
Fish oil has a plethora of benefits for dogs including a shiny coat, healthy skin, and reducing inflammation.
Great Danes are especially susceptible to developing hip dysplasia, so adding a joint supplement to their diet is a good idea.
This supplement has glucosamine and chondroiton which are both great for Great Dane joints.
Another common supplement that growing Great Danes thrive on is called NZYMES. Nzymes are a sprouted Granule that contains Superfood Nutrition that can help build the immune system and improve digestion.
As always, speak with your veterinarian before adding any supplements to your Great Danes diet.
They will be able to help you determine if your Dane needs any supplements and which ones would be best for them.
GREAT DANES LOVE TO STAY ACTIVE BOTH MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY: ENGAGEMENT TOYS CAN HELP!
Engaging your Great Dane will help both you and them stay happy!
An active dog, both physically and mentally, is less likely to get into trouble and be destructive.
A Blue Great Dane runs outside and plays. Blue Great Danes are known for their solid blue coat, which resembles the Blue of a Weimaraner. Blue Great Danes are a striking color in the breed and can come in a lighter blue or a darker shade of blue.
INTERACTIVE PUZZLE TOY FOR DOGS
Puzzles are one way to keep your Great Dane happy and not bored.
Puzzles work by hiding treats or food in the toy and letting your dog figure out how to get the food out.
This is a great way to engage your dog’s brain and give them something to do.
DOG TREAT BALL
Treat balls are another great way to keep your Great Dane engaged.
Treat balls work by putting treats or food in the ball and letting your dog play with the ball to get the food out.
Treat balls are great because they can be used both indoors and outdoors.
WHAT OTHER COLORS OF GREAT DANES ARE THERE?
The Great Dane breed has more colors of coat than just the Fawn Great Dane. The breed standard colors are:
Some off colors like Blue Fawn Great Dane or ‘Fawnequin’ do not raise as big of a health concern as a coat type that is completely white which is called Double Merle. Double Merle Great Dane dogs are riddled with issues like being blind and/or deaf and raise significant red flags about the breeder who bred them.
Harlequin Great Danes are white dogs with black markings and are NOT the same as Albino dogs, although they do carry one merle gene- DM Danes carry two.
SHOULD I ADD A FAWN GREAT DANE TO MY FAMILY?
So, whether you are looking for a Brindle, Harlequin, Fawn, or Mantle pattern, you will realize that Great Danes are beautiful dogs who are gentle giants.
Fawn Danes are especially striking and can easily make best friends with their calm temperament.
If you are adding a Fawn dog to your family, be sure to invest in some of these top 7 items we recommend when bringing home a new family member.
