I got to go to a Great Dane dog show. Not only that, I got to step into the show ring for the first time with a beautiful Harlequin Dane puppy by my side.
If you’d asked me 2 weeks ago, I would have told you that I was completely intimidated by dog shows. They have a reputation for being elitist, snobby, and comprised of cliques who talk behind each other’s backs.
The Great Dane community is pretty amazing, though. Everybody at the dog show was helpful, friendly, and welcoming.
Glacier Danes with one of their stunning Mantle dogs.
I’m New to the Show Ring
I had never shown a dog before, let alone attended a dog show.
The breeder of one of my Danes wanted to show two of her puppies. She asked me if I’d be interested in learning the ropes. I jumped on the opportunity!
After just two lessons with an experienced Great Dane show handler (Carol from Rocwind K-9), I was tasked with taking a very wiggly and inexperienced puppy into the ring.
I didn’t know what to wear, didn’t know what to expect, and knew that I’d be rubbing elbows with some BIG names in the Great Dane community.
What we attended was a Great Dane specialty. That means that the show was exclusively for Great Danes.
People who want to show their dogs and obtain titles will travel to these events, even if it means crossing multiple States to do so.
The show area was an outdoor covered pavilion. Our local Great Dane club set up a raffle table and even bought everybody lunch on the first day of the show!
(I got something from the raffle, read to the end to see what!)
The people who came with their dogs had all kinds of gear, including crates and fences to help them contain their dogs. It was clear that the dogs comfort was of utmost importance: the dogs all had food, water, nice bedding, and opportunities to relax or play.
There were beautiful Great Danes everywhere!
All of them were intact, well kept, and incredibly well-behaved.
One by one, numbers are called and Great Danes enter the show ring based on their class.
What Happens in a Dog Show Ring?
The judge directs each dog and handler to a place in the ring and then begins their assessment. This assessment is all about conformation, which in Great Danes means that they adhere to this standard.
The dogs want to be there! They prance, perk their ears, wag their tails, and engage happily with their handlers.
One at a time, the judge gives the handler a moment to stack their dog. Good handlers are ready and waiting before the judge walks up.
A stack is a stance that a show dog takes to show off their structure. For Great Danes, this means that their rear hocks are perpendicular to the ground, and the front legs are stacked directly under the shoulders.
Teaching a dog to stack on command takes practice, however, dogs that are built correctly with excellent structure will stack easily and naturally!
Here is an image from the Great Dane Standard (U.S.) showing the male and female dogs in a stacked position.
Once stacked, the judge will evaluate adherence to breed type and the way that the dog is built. They may also ask to look at the teeth.
This is not a beauty contest! Great Danes are giant breed dogs and having the correct structure means they are more likely to live long, pain-free lives.
After the judge has evaluated the dog, they will ask the handler to run “out and back”, which means to take the dog out to the corner of the ring and then turn and come back. After that, the dog is once again stacked for evaluation before the judge asks the handler to run around the ring and go to the end of the line.
Doing this requires a bit of skill. If you go too fast, the dog will enter a run. If you go too slow, the dog will become bored and start wandering. If you are sloppy with your own leash skills and steps, the dog will be sloppy, too.
When the dog is moving, the judge is evaluating reach, drive, and overall movement.
A properly built Great Dane will almost look like they are floating! They are graceful and powerful, not clumsy, slow, or lumbering.
The extension of the front limbs and placement of the feet in the gait pattern are just some of the things the judge is looking for.
Sometimes the judge will single out a few dogs and ask them to run or stack again.
Eventually, the judge will be satisfied and will calmly and quietly indicate the winners with a hand signal that can be easy to miss. Watch for it!
The winners will line up for their ribbons and the rest of the dogs’ exit the ring, ready to try again another time.
A Brindle Great Dane at the 2020 National Dog Show. SOURCE
How Dog Show Judging Works
This is an age-old question that is best answered by attending dog shows.
Did you know that dog shows are a family-friendly spectator sport, and most of the time there are no entry fees?
There are actually several awards that a single dog might earn during a dog show. Here are a just a few:
These awards count for points and over time, some dogs are able to earn their CH (Champion) and GCH (Grand Champion) titles. This is a major badge of honor for a breeder!
A Black Great Dane being Judged in the Show Ring. SOURCE: AKC
Showing a Great Dane Puppy
I stepped into the ring with a beautiful little Harlequin puppy named Clementine. At 4 months of age she was just excited for life and pretty clueless about the process! Both of us were, actually. Remember, neither of us had done this before.
The great news is that the beginner puppy class gives breeders a chance to practice in their ring with young dogs, without the stress of actual competition.
I did my best to stack her (a process that she’d not yet spent enough time practicing) and she did a beautiful gait out and back in the show ring. She had FUN and that was the most important thing.
I had fun too! When the judge flashed two fingers at me, I couldn’t believe it. Clementine was awarded the “Puppy Class Best of Opposite”.
Dog Show Myths, Busted
Many people think dog shows are snobby beauty contests. My experience was anything but that, and I cannot wait to go back!
The people were friendly, welcoming and complimentary.
The dogs are all so well kept. Not only did they have excellent body condition (healthy weight covered in muscle), but their nails were short, their teeth were clean, and they were robust and shiny. Show dogs are very well cared for.
Most of them have already obtained their CGC (Canine Good Citizen) title. They are friendly, confident, and obedient. Not timid, fearful, protective, or anxious as we see all too often in Great Danes.
Dog shows were created to help breeders and breed clubs sort out the best candidates for breeding.
Do not be afraid to approach a show breeder for your next Great Dane puppy! You can meet them at dog shows, and most of them love to answer questions. The dogs they breed will likely be excellent examples of the breed and will have stability in structure, temperament and health.
After our win in the beginner puppy class, we got to take a photo. Clementine has a lot to learn, and so do I! When we took this photo she was bouncing off the walls, as puppies do, and uninterested in stacking or standing still. The photographer was amazing and grabbed her in a split second when she was at least “sort of” in a decent position.
All we can do is laugh.
Our goal in the next 2 months is to make stacking the most valuable thing she can do. Treats for days. Praise, love, and attention.
I’m officially hooked and cannot wait to someday have my own stud to show in the ring.
Remember how I said there was a raffle? I fell in love with a piece of handmade art that looked just like my Mantle Great Dane.
Winning this became the cherry on top of an already amazing experience.
Have you ever wondered about male Great Dane weight, how much an adult Great Dane will weigh, the average weight of a male Great Dane, or what a healthy weight for large breed dogs is?
If you have, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll be discussing male Great Dane weight and all things related to it.
The average weight of a full-grown male Great Dane is 120 to 200 pounds. However, there are some individuals that may weigh more or less than this. Generally speaking, the larger the dog, the heavier they will be.
Great Dane on gray background
When it comes to large breed dogs like the Great Dane, their weight can vary greatly based on their height and build. A taller dog with a leaner build is going to weigh less than a shorter, stockier dog.
MALE GREAT DANE WEIGHT IN GIANT BREED DOGS
Healthy weight for large breed dogs is often determined by their body condition score (BCS). This is a scoring system that ranges from one to nine, with one being too thin and nine being obese.
A healthy weight for a male Great Dane would be somewhere in the middle of these two extremes, around a four or five on the BCS scale. If your dog is at either end of the spectrum, it’s important to talk to your veterinarian about ways to help them reach and maintain a healthy weight, which can impact the lifespan tremendously.
The average weight of a Great Dane depends on sex, height, age and build.
GREAT DANE BREED SIZE DEPENDS ON GENDER
There are a few things that will affect the average weight of a Great Dane. The first is sex. Males are typically going to be larger than a female Great Dane dog.
Males can grow, on average, to be about two to three inches taller than female dogs and can weigh anywhere from 15 to 25 pounds more. This is a significant difference and something you need to take into account when considering the average weight of your dog.
GREAT DANE ADULT FEMALE WEIGHT: The average weight for giant breeds who are male is 120 to 200 pounds.
GREAT DANE ADULT MALE WEIGHT: The average weight for an adult female Great Dane is 100 to 130 pounds. This is a 20 to 30-pound difference from the males of the breed.
Female dogs are going to be shorter and have a smaller frame than their male counterparts. Female dogs are also going to be much shorter than males.
HEIGHT OF GREAT DANES DETERMINES DANE GROWTH AND WEIGHT
Another factor that will affect the average weight of your Gentle Giants is their height.
The taller the dog, the heavier they are going to be. This is because they have more mass and more bones.
A Great Dane that is two feet tall is going to weigh more than a Great Dane that is only one foot tall. This is why it is important to know the average weight of your dog so you can be sure they are at a healthy weight.
THE AGE / WEIGHT CORRELATION OF GREAT DANES
The last factor that will affect the average weight of a Great Dane is their age. A puppy is going to weigh less than an adult dog. This is because they are still growing and haven’t reached their full size yet. An adult dog is going to be at their full size and weight.
Great Danes typically reach their adult height at about 24 months old because their growth plates remain open until 2 years.
However, all throughout the puppy stage and into both male and female adulthood (24 month+) giant dogs will continue to fill out and have ‘Great Dane growth spurts’.
GENETIC BUILD OF A GREAT DANE
Every giant dog has a genetic predisposition that they get from their parents. This will affect the size, weight, and build of your dog.
If you have a male dog breed that is from a smaller line of dogs, he is going to be smaller than a male dog breed that is from a larger line of dogs. This is something you need to take into account when considering the average weight of your dog.
Backyard breeding has majorly impacted the giant dog breed. Backyard breeders advertise Great Dane dogs as ‘EURO’, claiming that they will sell you a Great Dane puppy that is ‘thicker’ and ‘bigger’ than the average. The word ‘Euro’ is a major red flag.
Oddly enough, the standard for a Great Dane puppy and adult in America and Europe, looks strikingly similar.
See below for a photo of the breed standard for Great Danes in Europe.
EUROPEAN GREAT DANES AND GENETIC HEALTH PROBLEMS
Backyard breeders are are having a major, negative impact on Great Danes, and other dogs. Breed standard is getting lost, and it is causing MAJOR issues.
Backyard breeders are trying to sell Great Danes as ‘EURO‘ Great Danes, advertising them as ‘bigger’ Great Dane dogs. A Great Dane puppy should not be sold as a ‘EUROPEAN‘ Great Dane puppy unless it has proven lineage that traces back to Europe.
The word ‘EURO‘ is a major red flag and is often used by backyard breeders to sell Great Dane puppies that have not been health tested or cleared of genetic defects.
Backyard breeding has caused an increase in congenital and hereditary health problems in Great Danes, and other dogs. Some of these health problems include:
The best way to avoid getting a sick Great Dane puppy is to do your research, and buy from a reputable breeder who health tests their dogs. A reputable breeder will be able to provide you with health clearances for the parents of your Great Dane puppy.
There is NO competition for who’s Great Dane is biggest! The leaner, skinnier Great Danes are the HEALTHIEST, and least likely to develop conditions like hip dysplasia, arthritis, cancer, bloat, and others.
The best way to avoid getting an obese Great Dane is to feed them a high quality, breed appropriate diet, do not OVERFEED your Great Dane, make sure they are getting proper Great Dane growth, and to make sure they get plenty of exercise.
HOW MUCH DOES A GREAT DANE PUPPY WEIGH?
A Great Dane puppy is usually born weighing between two and four pounds.
Great Dane puppies grow at different rates, however the top most important thing to note is that the slower a Great Dane puppy grows, the better.
Fast growth in a Great Dane puppy causes many problems, including but not limited to:
Great Dane growth is one of the most important things during the critical first 12 months, and entire first 24 months. A Great Dane puppy has growth spurts all the way up until 24 months of age, when its growth plates will close. You can generally tell the health of a Great Dane and its growth by looking at its feet.
Knuckling is one of the most important things that can impact Great Dane growth. Unfortunately, when a puppy is between 0-24 months of age, their growth is extremely fragile.
Knuckling occurs anytime between about 3 weeks to about 24 months of age. Knuckling happens when rapid growth occurs and a Great Dane’s growth plates have not closed yet.
Painful movements, inability to hold their paws correctly
WHY DOES IT MATTER IF GREAT DANES KNUCKLE
The first 24 months of a Great Danes life are some of the most important. As the largest dog breed, Great Danes have a lot of growing to do- and they grow quickly.
When a Great Dane knuckles, it means that their bones are not growing correctly. This can lead to all sorts of problems later on in life. Severe knuckling in a Great Dane can even put too much pressure on a Great Danes bones, impacting the normal Great Dane growth and requiring surgery, permanent implants of metal into the bones, or even amputation.
However, every Great Dane owner likes to have a Great Dane growth chart for their dog’s age so that they can see if their gentle giant is maturing according to the ‘average’ or ‘normal’.
Growth charts should be used as a guide for large dogs, and if your Great Dane doesn’t fall within the Great Dane growth chart, you shouldn’t panic. Instead, you should examine your Great Dane and its body condition, rather than trying to make them fit into a growth and weight chart. Remember, it is almost impossible for a Great Dane to be too small, but very easy for Great Danes to be too big/overweight.
To view and read more about the growth chart of a Great Dane, including a growth and weight chart for you to print, click here. For more information about feeding a Great Dane, including a feeding chart, click here.
If your Great Dane is not falling into the Growth Chart, you should not worry. A growth chart is only meant to be a guide, and there are many factors that can impact a Great Dane’s growth. For example, if your Great Dane is not growing as quickly as the growth chart says he should be, it could simply mean he will be a smaller than average size for his breed, which is perfectly normal.
Use the weight chart as a resource for your Great Dane dog, not a bible.
On the other hand, if your Great Dane is growing too quickly, it could be a sign of something more serious, like a rapid growth issue. No weight chart should outweigh the opinion of a Veterinarian. This is a disease that can occur in any large breed dog, and Great Danes are no exception. If you think your Great Dane may have a growth disease, please take him to the vet immediately.
Click below for resources, including a Weight Chart:
A female Great Dane will be about 23.0-30.0 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh about 110-200 pounds when full grown.
The average weight of a female Great Dane is about 150 pounds, but some can be as small as 110 pounds or as large as 200 pounds.
Female Great Danes, like males, should be kept at their smallest healthy weight in order to be in optimal adult shape.
Any excessive adult weight can put extra strain on their joints, causing issues such as arthritis and hip dysplasia as they grow into their adult weight.
Female Great Danes are also more prone to obesity than males, especially after spaying, so be sure to keep an eye on your female’s weight and don’t let her get too heavy.
Feeding a Great Dane dog is one of the biggest priorities that a Great Dane owner should consider. A Great Dane dog requires specific dietary considerations during their typical growth phase (0-24 months) and their subsequent growth stages (24 months plus), as they are different than other breeds in the way that their bodies are formed, grow, and develop.
GREAT DANE PUPPY FOOD
A Great Dane puppy should be on a large breed puppy food, NOT just a regular puppy food. Great Dane growth is incredibly different than needs than small dogs. Large breed puppy formula will support the typical growth of a Great Dane and allow the growth stages to occur in a healthy, slow manner.
Puppy kibbles that we recommend for a growing Great Dane:
Great Dane temperament can be a difficult thing to predict, as it is not always clear what sort of temperament a particular dog will have until he or she is fully grown.
The best way to ensure that you are getting a Great Dane with a good temperament is to get your Great Dane from a reputable breeder who can guarantee that their dogs have been bred for good temperament.
Some things to look for in a Great Dane with a good temperament:
Even disposition
Calm around other animals and people, including children
Adding any dog to your family is a commitment and responsibility. But, getting a Great Dane is an even bigger responsibility because of the size of a Great Dane, the cost of a Great Dane, and the health issues sometimes associated with a Great Dane.
If you are looking into adding a Great Dane to your family, here are some things that you should consider:
Can you afford a Great Dane?
Are you prepared to deal with potential health issues?
Do you have the time to commit to training and socializing a Great Dane puppy?
Do you have the patience to deal with a dog that may be difficult to potty train?
Do you have the space for a dog that may grow to be over 100 pounds?
Do you have another dog that can handle living with a Great Dane?
Are you prepared to deal with potential damage to your home caused by a large, rambunctious puppy?
Do you understand the grooming needs of a Great Dane?
Do you have the time to commit to walking a Great Dane every day?
If you are prepared to deal with all of these things, then a Great Dane may be the right choice for your family. But, if you are not sure that you can handle all of these things, then you may want to consider another breed of dog.
There are many wonderful breeds of dogs out there and each one has its own unique set of needs. Be sure to do your research before adding any dog to your family.
What other things should I consider before getting a Great Dane? Are there any other breeds that might be a better fit for my family?
The best way to find out if a Great Dane is the right breed for your family is to talk to other Great Dane owners and get their input. They can tell you what it is really like to live with a Great Dane and help you decide if this is the right breed for you.
With big Great Dane responsibility, comes HUGE Great Dane love.
Are you wondering if Great Danes are good with kids and babies?
They are MASSIVE dogs, but are they really gentle with children?
We believe that Great Danes make great pets for families with children, but you might want to learn a bit about this huge dog breed before committing.
They are gentle giants and love to play and cuddle, chase, run, zoomie, and…steal kids’ stuffies.
In this blog post, we will discuss the temperament of Great Danes and whether or not they are good with kids and babies.
We will also provide some tips on how to raise a Great Dane if you do decide to get one!
Are Great Danes Good with Kids and Babies?
Let’s dig in! We’ve included a helpful table of contents below:
All About Great Danes
If you are new to Great Danes, you might be wondering what they are all about.
This breed is loyal, loving, and protective of its family. Danes are an affectionate breed that is also very intelligent.
Many people believe Danes are couch potatoes. This is a myth! A lot of Great Danes are actually very active, athletic dogs. What they DO have, however, is an off-switch!
When they aren’t running and playing, they love to lounge and keep the couch (and your lap) warm.
Great Dane Temperament
You may have heard from others that Great Danes are timid, aggressive, shy, or scared of everything.
This is simply not true!
Great Danes are gentle giants who love nothing more than to cuddle with their humans. They are also playful and silly and will make you laugh on a daily basis.
The Great Dane is an intelligent, gentle, breed and they can be easy to train if you start young and help them understand proper behavior.
The truth is that a timid, aggressive, fearful or overly anxious Great Dane is not normal. We’re providing resources below on how to find a Great Dane that will be a great fit for your family!
Great Danes are the tallest of all dog breeds, and they are also one of the heaviest.
Males can weigh up to 175 pounds (79 kg) and females can weigh up to 150 pounds (68 kg).
Their height ranges from 28-34 inches (71-86 cm), with males being taller, averaging as tall as 37″ at the shoulder!
Because they are so big, it is important to work on obedience training so that your new Great Dane and your kids can interact safely. There is nothing worse than having a human-sized dog pull on the lead or jump on guests (or your kids)!
Danes are highly intelligent dogs that thrive on human interaction. Well-bred, well-socialized, and well-trained Great Danes generally love being around young children and will be calm, friendly, and tolerant.
We’ve included Dane puppy training tips below so that you can raise a good family dog that is loved by everybody in the house, including the young kids.
Don’t be afraid of their size, Great Danes truly are gentle giants.
Finding the right dog for your family may take some time and effort on your part. It’s important that you do your research to find a reputable breeder who health tests their dogs and raises them in a loving home environment.
We’ve put together some tips on what to look for when choosing a Great Dane puppy that will be a good fit for your family.
Choosing an ethical breeder
If you are looking for a Great Dane puppy to add to your family, choosing the right breeder can mean the difference between an excellent family pet and a nightmare.
A well-bred Great Dane puppy will be confident, friendly, calm, mature, and easy to train.
A poorly-bred Great Dane puppy will be timid, nippy, destructive, anxious, and riddled with health problems.
Choose a breeder that meets the following criteria, with no exceptions:
Full health testing of both parents, including heart, hips, eyes, and thyroid. Verify this at www.ofa.org (Pro Tip: MOST breeders will fail at this key point!)
Keeps puppies with litter mates until 8-10 weeks of age and utilizes ENS and puppy culture to socialize them
Has excellent parents who are beautifully structured and proven in dog shows, obedience/training, or therapy work
Will support you and your puppy for the life of the dog
Raises the puppies around other animals, children, etc. Not in a barn or on a tile floor with no interaction outside of that.
There are many great family dogs of all ages in need of homes, and reputable rescues will be focused on finding you the right fit.
When adopting a Dane, look for a rescue that:
Takes the time to get to know you and your family before placing a dog with you.
Has resources to educate you with modern information about owning, loving, and caring for Great Danes, including proper training techniques, nutrition and more.
Will support you and your dog for the life of the dog, including if things don’t work out for some reason.
We aren’t here to scare you, but you should know why this happens and how to prevent dog bites. Most Great Danes are exceptionally tolerant and gentle, however, they can still accidentally hurt a child.
Your children’s safety matters most.
It’s so important to teach your kids how to be safe around dogs, even if the dog is a family member. It’s also important to understand dog body language, so you can intervene before anything bad happens!
Here are some tips on keeping your kids safe around dogs:
Teach your children to never sit on, lay on, or climb on your Great Dane. While this may be cute, it can be harmful to your dog and may result in growling, nipping, snapping, and even bites.
Make sure your kids never take food, bones, or toys from the dog. They should not be playing in the food bowl or trying to pet your puppy while your dog is eating.
Do not allow your kids to approach a dog that is sleeping, as a startled dog may respond aggressively.
Encourage your children to maintain a calm presence around dogs. Squealing, screaming, and throwing things can make puppies see them as a threat, or as if they are other dogs to play with and tackle.
Did you know that the idea of ‘nanny dogs’ is a myth?
While Great Danes are often gentle and loving with children, you still need to supervise when they are together.
‘Nanny Dogs’ is something of a marketing term, used to sell Great Danes (and other powerful breeds) to families with small children.
The bottom line is that all dogs are individuals. Some will be better with kids than others, and some will have zero patience for them.
It’s important that you do your research before getting any dog, especially if you have small children in the home!
If you are bringing a baby home, it’s important to get your house (and your Great Dane) ready!
Make sure your Dane has a dedicated space to get away from loud noises (such as babies crying).
Put a plan in place to make sure that your dog receives enough exercise and enrichment during the first few weeks of having the baby home. You can hire a dog walker or ask a friend for help.
Before the baby comes home, play baby noises on your phone at low volume, and toss high-value treats on the ground.
Your dog will have a positive association with this sound by the time you bring the baby home!
When it comes time to introduce them to each other, keep your Great Dane on a leash and allow a quick sniff, then redirect, reward, and praise. Do not allow hovering, licking, pawing, or whining.
It is important that you work on your puppy training from day one. Never let your new Great Dane practice behaviors that you don’t want to see when they weigh 140lbs!
This includes jumping, running away, chasing the kids, pulling on a leash, stealing, and counter surfing.
Remember that good training is 90% YES! If you are spending a lot of time shouting ‘NO’ or STOP’, think about how you can flip that around. Teach more YES behaviors.
We believe that for Great Danes and kids to coexist beautifully, it’s important the dog is taught a few key things. Great family pets are part genetics, part training. Unwanted behavior from large dogs can actually be dangerous!
A bored, under-enriched, poorly trained giant breed dog with pent-up energy will be difficult to live with, no matter what. So get out the treats and start working with your new pet.
We recommend teaching Great Danes from an early age, the following obedience commands:
Down (so they don’t hover over and intimidate children)
Leave it (so you can redirect them away from children, food, and toys)
Off (so you can tell them to get OFF the couch of OFF your lap)
Place (so they have a safe spot to go where they aren’t chasing your kids)
Come (so they can be off-leash and enjoy family life with you)
The more time you can spend rewarding these behaviors, the more times your puppy will repeat them and respond enthusiastically to your commands.
This is how you create dependable dogs who love being with you and become incredible members of the family. It’s all about repetition, training, and positive socialization (check out our popular Great Dane socialization guide below).
Crate training your Great Dane puppy means that your puppy will be given a safe, kid-free space and YOU will be given a safe, dog-free space, too!
Overtired puppies will chase, nip, and rough house with children. Positive crate training means that your puppy will have a place to be where everybody is calm and safe.
Not all dogs love the crate at first; we recommend starting slow and encouraging positive experiences in the crate. Never allow your new puppy to ‘cry it out’.
Truly calm dogs are secure and confident, not shut down and frustrated!
Do not let your puppy practice incorrect emotional behavior in the crate. Instead, take a step back and start with shorter, more rewards-focused training sessions.
Great Dane puppy biting catches a lot of family members off guard.
They are so big and their mouths are so BIG!
The first thing to remember is that puppies bite. It is developmentally appropriate for them as they are teething and exploring the world with their mouths.
That being said, there are things we can do to help redirect this behavior:
Encourage your puppy to nap! Over-tired puppies tend to roughhouse and become inconsolably wild. See above where we talk about dog crate training; this is a major reason why!
Make sure your puppy is getting enough calm socialization, exercise, and mental stimulation throughout the day.
Provide your puppy with age-appropriate chew toys and bones. This will help redirect their need to mouth on you and your clothes.
Be consistent with rules and boundaries. Keep your puppy on a leash and redirect them away from puppy biting and playing rough.
Teach your children (and yourself) to cross your arms, sigh, turn your back, and WALK AWAY from a wild nippy Great Dane puppy!
The puppy will quickly learn that the biting game means nobody wants to play with them, and the behavior will go away.
Great Danes make excellent family dogs but you have to get past the rough play stage.
While your kids play in the yard, you may find that your puppy wants to chase, nip and jump on them. A puppy must be taught how to behave properly in this situation, as large dogs like this can accidentally hurt children (without meaning to).
We recommend that you keep your puppy on a leash while they are outside during training. This will help you to control them and stop them from chasing after your kids.
You should then use LOTS of positive reinforcement to reward calm behavior!
Practice releasing your puppy to play with the kids gently. As soon as rough play starts, say ‘uh-oh’ and bring your pup back to your side on a leash. After a few repetitions, most Great Dane puppies are smart enough to understand the rules.
Harnesses, collars, and long leashes can cause frustration or worse, orthopedic damage. A dog that is responsive off-leash will be safer on-leash, too! This kind of obedience will keep you, your kids, and your dogs safe.
When you E-Collar train your Great Dane puppy (don’t worry, it’s not a shock collar and we have TONS of resources for you) you won’t have to stress about the kids leaving a door or gate open.
Pulling on the leash, bolting out of doors, chasing after kids in the neighborhood, and jumping the fence will be a thing of the past!
Not to mention the fact that Great Dane dogs benefit greatly from being able to move and explore freely and naturally without physical restraint. 10/10, highly recommend.
Here are some additional resources on E-Collar training!
Do you like modern positive+balanced off-leash dog training, science-based information, life with Danes, educated ownership and chatting with other like-minded people?
Are Brindle Great Danes Rare? If you are in the market for a Great Dane but are unsure which color will best suit your family, you may consider a Brindle Great Dane.
While all Great Danes are typically seen as gentle giants and are known for their calm, loving demeanors, not all coat colors are created equal. By the end of this post, you will be able to identify the different variations of Brindle Great Danes, familiarize yourself with health issues and AKC breed standards, and learn a few interesting facts!
Origin of the Color: Are Brindle Great Danes Rare?
“I’ve never seen them come in THAT color!” is something Dior and I hear on nearly every outing.
The tiger-striped pattern of Dior’s coat is so unique, you can see why people might snap their necks trying to get a good look at him. Whether we are in the car, or at the grocery store – he really does turn a lot of heads.
But how uncommon is the brindle color REALLY!?
Brindle Danes- Are They Rare?
In short – no, Brindle coat colors and patterns have been around for as long as dogs have walked the earth.
An article written at Simply Dog Owners states, “The term [brindle] comes from an old French word for the striped animal: brin d’he (meaning “whisker”), which was later shortened into English usage with just one letter dropped off – hence today’s spelling: `BRINDLE.’
A brindle striped coat can contain several colors, but you will most typically see a solid brown base color with overlaying brown stripes. The brown stripes can vary in color which makes for another way to categorize the coat.
FUN FACT: White is actually the most rare coat color of the breed because of its increased susceptibility to health issues and genetic defects. You can read more about double-merle Great Danes here.
Brindle vs Reverse Brindle: Which is Which?
Nowadays, you may or may not have heard these terms thrown around, however the differentiation between the two coat colors is not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
BRINDLE
Brindle refers to a darker brown coat with hints of lighter stripes throughout. Usually these dogs appear black or dark brown in color with hints of tan and red markings. (Read more: All Things Brindle)
REVERSE BRINDLE
On the other hand, a reverse brindle coat is the opposite. The coat appears to be light brown with hints of darker stripes throughout. According to these two terms, Dior is referred to as a reverse brindle Great Dane.
Interestingly enough, all brindle-coated dogs technically have a black or dark brown base coat with lighter stripes – but sometimes there is less pigmentation from the base coat and more from the stripes (hence the reverse brindle).
Before I confuse you further, let’s dive into the genetics behind this fascinating coat.
Genetics Behind The Brindle Color
Gregor Mendel, also known as the Father of Genetics, is the one who proved that an offspring of any kind is a product of two parents. While he illustrated his theory with pea plants, the science behind genetics applies to all forms of life – including dogs.
According to the VCA Animal Hospital, “…the mother and father each randomly contribute one allele from each locus, giving each allele a 50% chance of being passed on to the pups.”
Dogs contain 39 pairs of chromosomes (or genetic material), that is passed down from their mother and father. These genes determine the sex of the dog and everything else that makes them unique from the color of their eyes down to the pattern of their coat.
The brindle trait itself can be either dominant or recessive, but it is important to note that they come from the same color family as fawns. (Fawn Great Danes)
“Brindle is caused by a complex gene process and is technically a form of mosaicism, where some cells express one allele (KB) and some express the other (ky),” says Dog Genetics. If you are interested in a more in-depth overview of the science behind the brindle coat and all of the variations throughout, I encourage you to check out this article!
Health & Breeding
I would like to preface this by saying I am not a veterinarian and you should not use this section as medical advice.
Furthermore, there is a lot more that goes into breeding Great Danes then just mixing colors to see what you’ll get – therefore, I would suggest you read this article about the dangers of backyard breeding.
Great Danes are prone to a variety of health issues like Gastric Tortion / Bloat (GDV), Wobblers Syndrome, Hip Dysplasia, and different forms of Cancer. Be that as it may, brindle Great Danes are not specifically susceptible to any of these conditions in particular just based on their coat color.
If you are concerned for the health of your Great Dane, please consult your veterinarian. If you’re in the process of bringing a Great Dane into your home, it is my recommendation that you request health tests to the parent Danes to see if your dog might be at greater risk of developing any of the above conditions.
Can You Breed Brindle Great Danes?
As previously mentioned, I would discourage you from breeding your dog unless you comply with the AKC Responsible Breeding StandardsBUT yes, brindle Great Danes can be bred.
Brindle is one of the nine colors that are deemed acceptable for show in regards to AKC standards but there are several other variations to the brindle coat that include:
It is uncommon for an ethical breeder to breed outside of the color family (brindles & fawns), but that doesn’t always mean it doesn’t happen. If we take a look back at genetics, recessive traits are not always present in adult dogs and therefore some can be passed down through generations (even if undesirable).
The AKC Brindle Standard
Don’t let the word ‘undesirable’ turn you off bringing home a brindle Great Dane. The color of their coat does not influence their demeanor or personality – but if you are looking to show your Great Dane the AKC standards will be something to consider.
They are as follows:
Brindle Color:
COLOR: the base color shall be yellow gold and always be brindled with black cross stripes
Brindle Patterns:
PATTERNS/MARKINGS: Brindle shall have a black chevron pattern with a black mask. Black should appear on the eye rims and eyebrows and may appear on the ears and tail tip. The more intense the base color and the more distinct and evenly brindled, the more preferred will be the color. Too much or too little brindling are equally undesirable. White markings on the chest or toes; black fronted; dirty colored Brindles; are not desirable.
If competing with your Great Dane in show is something that interests you, you can find the full article here.
Brindle Great Danes: Interesting Facts
There is no doubt that the brindle coat contains the most unique color combinations. The tiger-striped pattern is not like any other, but are there any secrets behind the breed?
Unique Traits I’ve Noticed Regarding My Brindle Great Dane:
I mentioned before that I have raised three Great Danes from just a few months old, but Dior is my first brindle. My first Dane, Opal, has a blue coat and my second, Dymond, was a lightly-marked harlequin – but there are few differences I’ve noticed between the three…
3 Interesting Facts about Dior:
Dior is a spitting image of his father, but his mother was a black mantle Great Dane
His skin appears to be pale under his lighter stripes and darker under his base coat
In the summer Dior spends a lot of time outside, making his lighter skin tan (if you will). This causes his coat to appear darker in the summer and lighter in the winter
Other breeds / animals that carry the Brindle gene:
There are several other breeds of dogs that can possess a brindle coat like Boxers, Mastiffs, Greyhounds, French Bulldogs, Akitas, and many others – but did you know dogs aren’t the only ones that ‘come in that color’?
Cattle, guinea pigs, cats and rarely, horses can also be tiger-striped!
Are Brindle Great Danes Rare?
Whether you are looking for a Great Dane of any color, be cautious about where you are getting him/her from (regardless if it be a rescue or reputable breeder), and don’t be afraid to ask the breeder for health tests to the parent Danes.
Though there are no health issues with brindle Great Danes specifically, they are prone to other conditions you should be aware of.
Brindle Great Danes can be bred within the color family of fawns and other brindles, however several other variations can appear depending on the genes they inherit from their mother and father.
No brindle Dane is superior to the other, but you should familiarize yourself with the AKC show standards if you are looking to enter your Great Dane in competition.
The brindle coat is not rare at all! In fact, there are several other breeds of dog and animal species that carry the brindle gene like cattle and guinea pigs.
Of the three Great Danes I have raised, Dior is my first brindle and I have noticed his coat change color intensity with the seasons and the color of his skin corresponds directly with the color of his fur!
If you’ve found this post about brindle Great Danes interesting, I suggest you check out my Instagram or TikTok where I uncover a lot of Dior’s personality and what it is like to live with a Great Dane! Additionally, if you are a first time Great Dane parent or a seasoned owner, come check out my blog where I upload new posts every Tuesday and Thursday!
CHECK OUT THE AUTHOR: Hey there, my name is Haley and this is my Great Dane, Dior! We currently reside in Houston, Texas.
I’ve raised three Great Danes from the puppy stage and have developed an unconditional, profound love for the breed.
I’ve been sharing the good, bad, and ugly of being a Great Dane owner on my social media accounts since 2016, but have recently started compiling all of my knowledge into my own personal blog to help educate and inform past, present, and future Dane owners!
Do you love BIG dogs? Today we’re talking about the American Great Dane. How are they different from other dogs?
We’re diving into that, as well as giving you information about Great Dane lifespan, health, and temperament, plus, how to find a Great Dane breeder!
What are American Great Danes
Before we dive into the details here, it’s important for you to know something.
‘American’ is actually just…a label.
When it comes to Great Danes, there is only one actual type! The Great Dane!
Great Danes are giant breed dogs who can weigh between 115-195 lbs. There is a written standard for the breed, written by the Great Dane Club of America or the FCI (European club) that covers everything from their temperament to their size.
Some Great Danes are labeled as ‘American’ because they have more refined features. We will dig into this below in the history section!
The American Kennel Club (AKC)
The AKC is the main national breed club that recognizes and registers Great Dane dogs in the United States.
While there are other kennel clubs around the world, the AKC is among the most well-known and respected. Most dog owners know what the AKC is, but may not be aware of how it’s important.
Beware of U.S. Great Dane Breeders who register their dogs with the ‘CKC’. There are two CKC:
Continental Kennel Club – Not reputable. Any dog can be registered, low quality.
Canadian Kennel Club – Reputable Canadian registry for dogs born and bred in Canada
So, when people talk about ‘American Great Danes’ they are simply referring to the Great Danes that are registered with the AKC.
Just because a dog is “AKC registered”, doesn’t mean that it’s an ethically bred or well-bred dog! There are many poorly structured, aggressive, off-standard “AKC Registered” “full-blooded” Great Dane dogs.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s move on!
Great Danes are a popular giant dog breed that was originally bred to hunt wild boar! With popularity comes, well, problems.
Backyard breeders jumped at the chance to breed their AKC-registered Great Danes, without consideration for how genetics may affect the structure, health, and overall conformation of the puppies.
These careless breeding practices have shortened the lives of Great Danes and perpetuated devastating health issues.
Over time, many pet Great Danes were being seen with more refined features. Their appearance was noted as “greyhound-like”, as they had a smaller build and more dainty features than the “European” Great Danes.
For the most part, these dogs and the breeders they came from have not (and do not) participated in sanctioned AKC dog show events. So there are no checks and balances.
Generally, when people want a Great Dane, they want a HUGE DOG. So it’s not surprising that many dog owners, thinking all Danes in the U.S. look like greyhounds, flocked towards breeders that were producing the heavier, droopier, stockier “Euro” hyper-type (more on this below)!
Dog shows are an opportunity for breeders to prove that their dogs meet the written breed standard set by their respective breed club (in the case of Great Danes, it’s the Great Dane Club of America).
The Great Dane (even one labeled as ‘American’) is no different! In order for a Great Dane to be shown in an AKC dog show, it must first be registered with the AKC, and second, be of structure and stature to compete against other dogs that were carefully and thoughtfully bred.
Danes that are being shown in AKC events and winning actual titles in the conformation ring display the robust, correctly-built nature of well-bred Great Danes.
Dogs that are too refined, or that could be labeled as ‘American’, do not perform well. This should be an indication to breeders that they don’t have the correct genetics to pass on, however, backyard breeders do not care.
They don’t show their dogs, because if they did, their dogs would fail.
In other words, ‘American Great Danes’ are nothing more than a classic symptom of, you guessed it, American greed.
That’s not to say that every single dog deserves love, they do. It’s not their fault. It’s the fault of the breeders. Love the dog in front of you, please!
As above, we love all Great Danes no matter what they look like or where they come from! Just because you don’t have a show dog doesn’t mean you don’t have an ideal pet for your life and home.
It’s important to keep in mind, however, that these ongoing deviations from the one Great Dane breed standard will affect the overall ‘look’ of Great Danes for years to come.
Breeders who intentionally breed for these traits should not be celebrated.
Despite their more refined look, Great Danes that are labeled as ‘American’ are still giant breed dogs!
They have specific needs when it comes to their nutrition, exercise, and overall care.
We do not recommend purchasing an ‘American’ or Miniature’ Great Dane to save space in your home.
The practice of intentionally breeding smaller dogs is unethical and may result in health problems that can be expensive and heartbreaking to deal with.
If you’re looking for a more compact dog, there are plenty of options in smaller breeds! Please do your research before bringing home a new pet, especially a giant breed one!
There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that American Great Danes are any healthier than other Great Danes. In fact, due to their often poor lineage, they may be more prone to health problems!
Miniature or ‘American’ Great Danes are still prone to:
Just because a dog is smaller does not mean it is healthier. In fact, many of the health problems listed above are common in small breeds as well!
The best way to ensure your Great Dane’s health is to purchase from a reputable breeder who health tests their dogs before breeding and focuses on the written breed standard.
Do American Great Danes make good family pets?
We love Great Danes and believe they make excellent family pets!
Great Danes that are labeled as ‘American’ or ‘Miniature’ are often the product of poor breeding and may have health and temperament problems that can make them poor family pets.
So it’s important to be diligent in your search for a Great Dane Breeder! Great pets come from excellent breeders who are focused on health, longevity, and confident, stable temperaments.
Many ‘American’ Great Danes from backyard breeders are timid, fearful, snappy, unpredictable, and even aggressive. This is hardly the ideal dog for a family with small children!
If you’re looking for a Great Dane puppy, please do your research here. We’ve included some helpful resources below for finding an ethical breeder!
All Great Danes are considered giant dogs, even ‘American Great Dane Dogs’.
They must be fed a large or giant formulation dog food, from a company that meets WSAVA standards and ethics.
We recommend Purina Pro Plan and Royal Canin, however Hills, Iam’s and Eukanuba also make appropriate foods.
Many boutique dog foods will use marketing to make you believe that their foods are healthier and of higher quality. It’s important to know the difference.
Secondary DCM, for example, is an issue where the dog’s heart fails. It often happens suddenly without warning and is seen in dogs that may be otherwise healthy, shiny, and active just moments before. Nutritional (secondary) DCM is caused by poorly formulated boutique dog foods.
A European Great Dane is a dog that was bred and born in Europe. Dogs who are bred to the European Great Dane written standard are nearly identical to those who are bred to the GDCA (American) written standard.
Which brings us to the ‘EURO’ Great Dane!
Is a ‘Euro’ Dane and a ‘European’ Dane the same thing?
No. A ‘Euro’ Dane is a Great Dane that has been bred with larger, droopier features. They are considered hyper-type Great Danes.
Many Great Dane Puppies that are sold with the ‘Euro’ label have very little, if any European lineage.
These dogs are often intentionally oversized, and their health and temperament can be questionable.
‘American’ and ‘Euro’ Great Danes are not actually a type or variation of Great Danes. Both are simply labels that indicate dogs who were bred out of standard.
A ‘European Great Dane’, on the other hand, is simply a Great Dane that was born in Europe!
GDCA vs. FCI written standard
The Great Dane Club of America breed standard and the FCI (Europe) breed standard for Great Danes are nearly identical.
What does this mean? A Great Dane dog who is thoughtfully bred, from either Country, should be comparable when it comes to structure, stature, and temperament.
Are European Great Danes healthier?
It can depend on the breeder!
While it’s rare for ‘EURO’ Great Danes to be healthier by nature, dogs bred to the FCI standard from health-tested parents will be much more robust, long-lived dogs in general.
This is because the marketing terms ‘American’ and ‘Euro’ are hallmark traits of backyard breeding.
A ‘Euro’ Great Dane that is planned for breeding. Notice her extremely bad feet and lack of angulation.
Why do ‘Euro’ Danes have droopy eyes?
This is a trait that is considered a significant fault in both the American and European written standards for Great Danes.
Droopy eyes are associated with:
Entropion
Ectropion
Dry eye
Glaucoma
Cherry eye
These problems can be painful and expensive to treat. Some of them can even lead to blindness!
‘Euro’ Great Danes are often bred with this fault intentionally, as it is considered a ‘ stylish’ look.
European Great Dane Temperament
The temperament of a well-bred European Great Dane should be no different than the temperament of a well-bred American Great Dane.
Both are gentle giants, who are patient and loving with children when they are bred from excellent parent dogs and socialized well. They are also intelligent, loyal, and low-maintenance dogs that make great family pets.
The only difference in temperament may be due to the fact that European Great Danes are often not as widely available in the United States, so they may be less familiar to American dog owners.
This can make them seem ‘exotic’ or ‘different’, when in reality, they are just the same wonderful breed of dog!
The written standard for Great Danes in America and Europe is nearly identical!
A well-bred Great Dane from either Country will be comparable in terms of structure, stature, and temperament.
They will be friendly, courageous, confident, strong, lean, and well-muscled. They will have the angular brick-on-brick heads that Great Dane dogs are known for, with almond-shaped eyes (not droopy) and large, tight feet.
Good angulation means that they will move in a graceful, reaching way.
Well-bred Danes do not lumber around with their droopy heads hung down; they will glide, reach, and move forward as if they are weightless.
A well-bred Brindle Great Dane and puppy that could compete in the show ring in Europe or the U.S.
American vs. European Great Danes
The written Great Dane breed standard in both countries indicates that Great Danes should:
Have excellent front and rear angulation (for drive, reach, movement, and to lower the risk of orthopedic damage)
Have robust muscle and bone
Be lean, muscular, and graceful, not be stocky or refined
Have nice tight almond-shaped eyes free of droop, with no haw showing
Be friendly and courageous
While there may be some slight variations in appearance between them, overall, American and European Great Danes are very similar!
In other words, there is very little difference between American and European Great Danes, other than where they were born!
Both are gentle giants that make great family pets.
Here is a European Great Dane photo, from an ethical European breeder:
American and European Danes are…identical.
Where did Great Danes come from?
Great Danes originated in Germany! All Great Danes have European lineage, decades down the line, as a result.
The first recorded appearance of a dog that resembled a Great Dane was in Germany in the 16th century.
These dogs were known as ‘Boar Hounds’, and they were used for hunting wild boar.
While there are many different theories about how the Boar Hounds came to be, it is certain that they were bred from a mix of different hunting dogs, including the Irish Wolfhound, the English Mastiff, and the Greyhound.
The Great Dane we know and love today began to take shape in the 19th century.
Great Danes were originally bred to be large and imposing dogs; however, over time, breeders began to focus on developing the dog’s gentle and loving personality.
Today, Great Danes are still bred in Germany; however, they are also popular all over the world, including in the United States!
Great Danes are one of America’s favorite giant dog breeds!
A “well-bred” Great Dane is a dog that was bred ethically, thoughtfully, and carefully for health, structure, and temperament.
This means that the breeder:
Has a robust pedigree that has been proven in AKC or FCI sanctioned events for conformation (dog shows), obedience (Canine Good Citizen, for example), sports (scent, dock diving, etc.), or work (therapy, search and rescue).
Carefully chose both parents
Can prove that the pedigree is free of bloat, DCM/heart disease, blood clotting disorders, genetic aggression/fear/shyness, cancer, and wobblers (all genetic and all early killers of Great Danes)
Obtained a CHIC number for both parents, indicating that both were tested for hips, heart, eyes, and thyroid (check your breeder’s attention to detail here! Search the OFA Database where health testing results are registered. Is your breeder not listed or only did a few tests? Congrats, you’ve found a backyard breeder!)
Breed scams are RAMPANT. Many fake breeders are out there with cute puppy photos, trying to get you to place a deposit so they can “ship” you a puppy.
These people are scammers and have no puppy to sell you. Know the signs. Thousands of people each year fall for this scam and once the money is gone, it’s gone.
The only place to find an ethically and well-bred puppy is by starting your search with your local breed club.
You can search for a Great Dane breeder in the U.S. here! Note that many of these breeders have pretty terrible websites.
That means they are spending more time raising puppies than they are marketing themselves. This is an important distinction.
Reach out and ask questions! If they don’t have a litter available, they may know up-and-coming breeders who do.
What should I ask my Great Dane Breeder?
It is very rude to send emails to breeders with a list of questions that you want them to answer.
Instead, begin your communication with some information about you and your family, including your experience with Great Danes and why you are looking to purchase an ethically bred puppy.
Once the conversation is rolling, you can ask questions to determine if you are the right fit!
Many pet owners find, in speaking with a well-established and reputable Great Dane breeder, that they aren’t a good fit, and this is ok!
It’s better that you make the right decision before you bring the puppy home, rather than making a mistake and realizing you have to re-home your dog when they become too big for you to handle.
The relationship you have with this breeder will be for the life of the puppy, so it’s important that you and the breeder share the same values.
You can then ask the breeder, as part of the conversation:
What should I know about raising a Great Dane puppy?
Great Danes are giant dogs, which means they have some special considerations. It does not matter if they have been labeled as an “American Dane”, “Euro”, or are a European Great Dane.
For example, Great Danes must be fed a high-quality diet. Puppies are prone to a number of painful growth disorders, such as knuckling, that can cause permanent deformities if they are fed the wrong food.
They are also susceptible to hip dysplasia and other joint problems, so it is important to keep them at a healthy weight. This means that they should be kept lean and muscular!
Can I deal with slobber, water drips, heat cycles, smegma, huge hairy balls, slime, and giant farts?
How do I feel about having a dog in my home that can take up an entire couch, may not fit in my car, won’t be able to travel on an airplane, and might scare the neighbors, children, and other dogs just because of its size?
Am I prepared to exercise my dog regularly, preferably off-leash with training (off-leash exercise is ideal for Great Danes!)?
Do I have a huge pooper scooper, and can I handle giant piles of mushy, slimy poop if the situation arises?
Have I read up on the difference between a dog that is a true guard dog, and a dog that is simply fearful, timid, and unstable?
Did I teach my children to respect dogs’ space, and did I give them tools and information on how to safely interact with puppies and dogs?
Am I ok with responsibly keeping a giant dog intact until 18-24 months of age (best for orthopedic development), even when people are ‘grossed out’ or shocked by it?
Will I put time and effort into understanding dog body language, so that my Great Dane never intimidates, hovers, or is rude to people or dogs?
Will I keep the nails short, brush my dog’s teeth, get my dog vaccinated, use parasite preventatives, clean my dog’s ears, and talk to my veterinarian?
Do I really need a Great Dane, or are other large dog breeds a better fit for my lifestyle?
Do you like modern positive+balanced off-leash dog training, science-based information, life with Danes, educated ownership and chatting with other like-minded people?
There is a lot of advice and marketing floating around in the world of dogs. A lot of it is dated and much of it is actually dangerous! Misconceptions in the world of dogs are rampant and we’re going to clear up some big ones today.
These are 5 common ideas in the world of dogs that are actually a big fat scam! These misconceptions are meant to make you buy more things or do things that could actually hurt, frustrate or even kill your dog.
Read on, friends.
Allergy Testing for Dogs
Many people whose dogs have loose stools, itching, and other symptoms of allergies will turn to blood or saliva allergy tests for answers.
These tests prey on desperate dog owners!
Here is how it goes down:
The results will show a list of things the dog is supposedly “allergic” to. This list most often includes things like chicken, corn, grains, and grass or pollen.
Feeling validated, the owner will then choose a boutique “Limited Ingredient” dog food and spend insane amounts of money on expensive diets, supplements, washes, and more.
When that diet doesn’t work, the owner will switch the diet, again and again, further destroying the dog’s gut health (which of course, leads to more sensitivities, allergies, or even heart failure, YIKES!) while trying to find something that ‘works’).
There is no good evidence to support any type of blood serum or saliva allergy testing in dogs! As a matter of fact, studies have shown that these tests are wildly inaccurate.
A food elimination trial using hydrolyzed protein diets is still the gold standard for diagnosing legitimate food allergies in dogs.
This means taking your dog off of all food sources, including treats and counter surfing, except for a highly hydrolyzed protein diet (think Hills z/d or Purina HA) for at least 12 weeks.
If the symptoms improve, then you can slowly add things back in one at a time to see if there is a true allergy.
But beware, these diets are expensive and not all dogs will eat them!
This is, of course, assuming that a food allergy is actually what is happening. Actual allergies to specific proteins in food are exceptionally rare, and there are more often environmental factors at play.
Choosing an appropriate, well-balanced diet (correctly formulated raw and/or quality non-boutique kibble, see below) and addressing environmental allergies with robust gut health and possibly medications (including Benedryl) will be much more effective and healthy for your pet.
The second discussion point in our ‘dog world myths’ series will likely bring us some heat, and that’s ok!
Some dog trainers out there claim to be “Force-Free” and will use marketing to imply that they are the only “humane”, and “science-based” option.
They often spend a lot of time bashing other dog trainers, tools, and methods, too.
But here is the thing:
It’s scientifically impossible to be “Force-Free” or to use only “Positive Reinforcement”.
All dog trainers use some form of positive reinforcement (rewarding the dog for doing something) and negative punishment (taking something away from the dog to decrease a behavior).
The problem lies in the fact that a “Force-Free” dog trainer will always choose, without exception, no matter the situation, isolation and physical restraint (yes, force) in lieu of just saying NO.
For many dogs, this becomes a compounding source of frustration that leads to anxiety, reactivity, frustration, and over-excitement.
This is especially true when it comes to dangerous and rude (but easily correctable) behaviors such as running out of doors, chasing cars or wildlife, humping, ignoring recall, or jumping the fence.
These are behaviors that “Force-Free” dog trainers will often choose to manage for months or years at a time with, you guessed it, force in the form of physical restraint and isolation.
“Force-Free” is a marketing term that misleads dog owners into thinking they are doing something “positive and humane” for their pets.
Positive Reinforcement in Dog Training
We believe in and use positive reinforcement in dog training! That should always be the primary way to install new behaviors and guide dogs towards making the correct choice.
Dogs should have fun learning and never be subjected to intimidation or harsh, forceful corrections.
However, we recommend avoiding extreme, one-sided dog training methods such as “Force-Free” that are restrictive (and frustrating) to you and your dog.
Communicating mostly YES with an occasional NO as needed is the most humane thing we can do for our pets!
Boutique Dog Foods: Killing our Wallets AND our Pets!
This is a big one, and I’m sorry I’m going to ruffle some feathers here.
I’m talking about those “Grain-Free”, “Natural”, “Human Grade”, “Holistic”, and “Super-Premium” Boutique dog foods.
Before we dive in, here are some simple facts about boutique dog foods:
They are quite often formulated by people who are grossly under-qualified to do so (for example, FROMM foods are formulated by a chemical engineer. Yikes!)
The nutritional minimums outlined by AAFCO are simply met on paper, but the foods themselves are not actually subjected to legitimate feeding trials or ongoing research
There is very little if any, actual research and science being put into the formulations; it’s all made up to appeal to dog owners
The belief that they are of higher quality is perpetuated purely by dog owners, influencers, pet store reps that stand to profit, and people with no credible background in canine nutrition
Every day expensive new “holistic” dog foods hit the market. It’s a huge money-maker and influencers, pet food reps and dog food companies all stand to profit.
Many (though not all) of these boutique dog food brands are manufactured in the same facilities that make and pack other “super-premium” dog foods. It’s often the same thing, with a different label.
Here are some common boutique dog foods:
They use a lot of marketing to make you feel that you are making a healthy choice for your pet, including the addition of “fairy dust” to make the ingredients list look healthy. (Fairy dust is the addition of fruits and vegetables that are unlikely to add any nutritional value).
These marketing terms are unregulated and meaningless:
Human Grade
Holistic
Super Premium
High-Quality
Family-Owned
What is ingredient splitting?
Ingredient splitting in dog food is the process of splitting one ingredient (example, peas) into multiple ingredients on the label to make the diet look better on paper.
For example, let’s say you have dog food that contains peas. The peas may be split on the ingredients list into peas, pea protein, and pea fiber. This is done intentionally to make it more difficult to determine how much of each ingredient is present in the diet.
Ingredient splitting can make dog food look like meat makes up the bulk of the kibble (by pushing the meat product to the first thing in the ingredients list), when really, what you are buying is an over-priced bag of meat-flavored peas. YIKES!
DCM is a silent killer that often results in sudden death where no prior symptoms had been seen. For this reason, it is unfortunately grossly underdiagnosed.
It’s not just secondary nutrition-related DCM, though. Chronic loose stools, itching, bone growth disorders, and problems with the liver, kidneys, or pancreas are common.
Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists agree that “holistic” boutique diets, sold to us at higher prices using unregulated marketing terms, are harming our pets.
Enter the Great Danoodle. The Bernadoodle. The Sheepadoodle.
Designer dogs are mixed-breed dogs, marketed to you as the perfect family pet that is “hypoallergenic”, “great with kids” and “easy to train”. This is a huge scam in the pet industry right now.
Here is the truth about designer doodles!
Mixing two dogs together does not guarantee that you will get the best traits of each. That’s not how genetics work.
Poodles are high-energy, intelligent working breeds that require a lot of mental and physical enrichment. Doodle puppies who take on more of the poodle genetics are often the same. They may become aggressive, nippy, destructive, or neurotic when lacking appropriate training, socialization, and enrichment.
Poodles have a much different orthopedic structure than Sheep Dogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Great Danes. Breeding them together produces a mixed bag that can result in weak hips, roached backs, flat feet, and more.
Doodles are never bred from excellent breeding stock; no ethical preservation breeder will contribute their dogs to a mixed-breed doodle program.
Doodles are not hypoallergenic. They have a mixed coat type, each one is different, and some puppies will produce more dander and irritants than others.
They have intense grooming needs. Doodles require DAILY (yes, daily) brushing and regular trips to the groomer, which can run upwards of $125 or more every 4-6 weeks.
FUN FACT: Many groomers will no longer accept doodles because too many owners neglect their dog’s coat maintenance and then become upset when their doodle has to be shaved because of pelting and matting.
Very few, if any doodle breeders will fully health test the dogs they breed. Ethical testing would include doing all of the required tests on both parents, recommended by the respective breed club of each breed in the pairing.
Why are Doodles so popular?
Doodles have been made popular by, you guessed it, marketing and influencers! Look past the marketing before making a decision about purchasing a doodle for your family.
Make sure that both breeds in the doodle mix have the temperament and coat type that you would want to live with, as your puppy could turn out either way.
However, the average friendly backyard breeder is the biggest problem in the world of dogs right now!
These breeders often do not know what they are doing, nor do they care.
They mislead pet owners into believing they are ethical, and THAT is an issue.
They will often have nice websites and adorable photos of puppies who appear to be well-cared for. You might hear them say that their dogs are ‘genetically clear’ or ‘vet checked and health tested’.
These friendly backyard breeders, however, do not participate in full, proper health testing or screenings (choosing instead to cherry-pick one or two so they appear reputable). They don’t prove their dog’s structure or temperaments by obtaining titles and participating in the breed’s parent club, and many of them do not support puppy buyers for the life of their dog.
For example, Great Danes should have hips, heart, eyes, and thyroid screened at a minimum, prior to breeding. A “friendly backyard breeder” may only do hips.
These unethical breeders tend to breed dogs together based on their color or features, not because of temperament or correct structure.
They will sell you a puppy who appears healthy, but may:
Be timid, shy, or even aggressive
Develop serious behavioral problems
Have problems with growth
Suffers from a poor orthopedic structure that could eventually lead to ACL tears or early arthritis
Die young from genetically linked disorders such as bloat, blood clotting disorders, DCM, or wobblers
Don’t get scammed. Go through your breed’s parent club to find a truly responsible, ethical breeder.
The Great Dane is a breed of dog known for its GIANT size. Today we are discussing the Great Dane breed standard!
This standard is the official illustrated guide that outlines the breed structure, temperament, movement, and features. It was created to help owners, breeders, and judges identify the ideal Great Dane.
WHAT DOES THE GREAT DANE BREED STANDARD MEAN?
The Great Dane illustrated standard covers all aspects of the breed including:
The history and origins of the Great Dane
The physical features that make up the Great Dane Breed Standard
The structure and movement of a well-built Great Dane
The ideal temperament of the Great Dane
The differences between a Dog (male) and a Bitch (female) Great Dane
When incorrect structure, health, and temperament find their way into a pedigree, it can be difficult to get rid of.
We all want healthy, robust, loving family dogs. By adhering to a breed standard, ethical breeders are able to create sound, beautiful, healthy dogs for years to come.
The standard covers everything from physical appearance to temperament and movement. Because Great Danes are so large, having proper structure is key.
When you see a Great Dane with a sway back, no angulation, droopy red haws (eyes), flat feet, or cow hocks you are looking at a Great Dane that was not bred with the written standard in mind.
The written standard keeps the breed that we love healthy and strong!
Great Danes at Dog Shows
Dog shows are one way that breeders can share how they are intentionally and thoughtfully breeding dogs who meet the standard.
Close attention is paid to choosing parents who have excellent structure, movement, angles, and temperament.
Not all pets are show dogs, but all show dogs are pets!
Pat Trotter, BIS Judge 2021 Westminster Kennel Club
If you are interested in showing your Great Dane, you will need to find a reputable breeder who is knowledgeable about the breed standard and the general appearance of a thoughtfully bred Great Dane.
Unfortunately, many Great Danes are bred by breeders who are more focused on profits, designer color, or ‘EURO’ hyper types than they are on health, structure, and preservation of the breed. This can have a serious effect on the health of the dogs being bred.
Dogs from those breeders will not typically do well in dog shows, as they may have poor structure, unstable temperaments, and other significant faults that mean they don’t meet the written standard.
A good breeder will be able to help get you started on the right foot. They can provide guidance on nutrition, socialization, training, conformation handling, and more.
A breeder who shows their dogs is a breeder that is 110% dedicated not only to the breed but to the owners of the puppies they produce.
Not all puppies from a litter will be ‘show quality’, and will need to be placed in great pet homes.
Don’t be afraid to talk to a show breeder about purchasing a Great Dane puppy or getting into showing (and breeding) dogs yourself! These are the breeders who are at the top of the field.
One of the most striking features of the Great Dane is the head. Many people call the Dane head ‘brick on brick’, meaning that it should be angular and strong with a well-defined ‘STOP’ from the forehead to the bridge of the nose.
A round dome-shaped head, short muzzle, and/or excessive jowls are faults.
The ideal ratio of muzzle to the skull is 50/50. This is different from many other breeds, which often have longer muzzles.
Great Danes should have a strong jaw, with a complete scissor bite. This means that the top teeth should just barely touch the bottom teeth when the mouth is closed.
The eyes of a Great Dane should be large and dark, with an almond shape. They should be fairly deep-set well into the skull and give the dog an intelligent and alert expression. Some colors may have lighter eyes, however, most will have amber-colored eyes.
Photo Credit to Tina Schneider at https://www.facebook.com/tina.siegel1
The ears of a Great Dane can be either cropped or left natural. If they are cropped, they should be done so at an early age, before the cartilage has set.
The natural ears should be medium in size and set high on the head. They should be triangular in shape, and taper to a point.
When natural, the ears should be soft and hang close to the head. When cropped, they should be erect and point forward.
The body of a Great Dane should be long and rectangular. They should have well-sprung ribs and a deep chest. The top line should be level, with a slight rise over the loin.
The Dane’s underline should be slightly tucked up. This gives them the ‘waist’ that is characteristic of the breed. Great Danes are a lean breed that should never be stocky or bulky.
Great Danes should have well-angulated hindquarters.
Danes should have round, firm cat feet. The toes should be well-arched and close together.
The nails should be short and dark on most colors, however light nails are acceptable on Harlequin, Mantle, and Merle Great Danes. Dewclaws are typically removed.
Danes should have a long, strong tail that is set high on the rump. When the dog is in motion, the tail should be carried level with the back, or slightly above.
A ‘hook’ tail or tail carried high above the back are faults.
Photo Credit to Tina Schneider at https://www.facebook.com/tina.siegel1
Great Dane Size
Great Danes are a large breed, with a height range of 28-32 inches for males and 26-30 inches for females.
The weight range for Great Danes is 100-180 pounds for males and 80-140 pounds for females.
While these are the ideal heights and weights, many Danes will fall outside of that range.
Great Danes fed an incorrect diet, or overfed can become too tall or too large. This is bad for their orthopedic health and may also cause problems for their bones, heart, thyroid, or pancreas.
Danes should be kept lean with good muscle, and be fed an age-appropriate, highly-researched diet.
There are seven recognized colors of Great Dane. Click on any heading to see the color in more detail!
Black. A black Great Dane should have a shiny, even black coat without any fading. The only acceptable white markings are on the chest and toes.
Blue. A blue Great Dane should have a pure steel-blue coat with no fading. The only acceptable white markings are on the chest and toes.
Merle. A merle Great Dane is just like a harlequin, but with a dark or light grey base coat. Torn black patches are scattered over the entire body. An ideal version of merle includes solid merle or the ‘mantle merle’ coat pattern. The white blaze is optional.
Fawn. A fawn Great Dane should have a stunning light golden coat and a black mask on the face. There should be no white markings.
Brindle. A brindle Great Dane should have a fawn coat with dark stripes all over, and a black mask on the face. Ideally, there are no white markings.
Harlequin. A harlequin Great Dane should have a white base coat with large black patches evenly distributed over the body. The ideal harlequin has as much white as possible, and the white collar is preferred.
Mantle.A mantle Great Dane should have a solid black blanket extending from the neck to the tail with a white chest, neck, blaze, and white-tipped black tail. The rest of the body should be either all black or predominately black with small amounts of white.
ALL ABOUT OFF-STANDARD AND DESIGNER COLOR GREAT DANES
Great Danes do come in many, many other colors, however! Only a few are recognized and accepted by the breed club.
Some of the more unusual colors include lilac, blue fawn, fawnequin, brindlequin, blue harlequin, chocolate, and tan point.
For more information on the ethical breeding of Great Danes, and on designer colors, read here.
Ear Cropping in Great Danes
As mentioned before, Great Danes can have either cropped or natural ears.
The practice of cropping ears has been around for centuries. It was originally done as a utilitarian measure, to help protect the dog’s ears from being torn and shredded by wild boar during hunts. Great Danes were originally bred to hunt wild board!
Nowadays, ear cropping is done purely for cosmetic reasons.
The practice is controversial, and many countries have banned it outright. In the United States, it is still legal but must be performed by a licensed veterinarian.
When done by a highly qualified veterinarian with an excellent portfolio of cropping (showcasing talent and experience), the procedure is humane.
People believe that there are two types of Great Danes: American and Euro.
They believe that the American Dane is smaller and more refined, almost ‘greyhound like’ in their appearance.
They also believe that the ‘Euro’ Great Dane is stocky, beefy and droopy with a more ‘mastiff like’ appearance.
When comparing the written standard for Great Danes from both America and Europe, the dogs should be nearly identical.
‘American’ and ‘Euro’ are essentially made up terms.
There is only one Great Dane breed, in other words. A Great Dane that is either too refined (‘American’) or too exaggerated (‘Euro’) is a Great Dane that was bred outside of the written standard.
When looking for a Great Dane breeder, it is important to find one that adheres to the breed standard. This can help ensure that your Great Dane puppy comes from genetics that have been proven for structure and temperament.
For ethical reasons, it is important that we are only breeding well-structured Great Danes! Poor structure leads to orthopedic break down including wobblers, pain, arthritis and injuries.
Temperament is genetic!
A Great Dane that meets the breed standard for temperament will be confident, friendly and courageous. Not timid or fearful.
Aggressive and fearful behavior has genetic roots. Your breeder should be proving that they are creating sound, stable dogs that enjoy activities, people and socialization.
A well-bred Great Dane will be easy to train, friendly, calm and ready for anything.
It’s a myth that Great Danes are timid and fearful!
One way that you can ensure you’ve chosen an ethical breeder is to ask them if they do ENS or Puppy Culture. These proven early-socialization practices take stable, well-bred puppies and turn them into excellent companions and family pets!
Ask the breeder about titles. We recommend that in the pedigree that are titles for conformation, obedience, and/or sports. Former puppies may carry these titles, or the parents might as well (ideal).
These titles are earned at sanctioned AKC, FCI and Canadian Kennel Club events.
Common titles you might see include (but are not limited to):
When they are correctly built and have robust, well-angled structure they are very athletic dogs that love to run, move and play.
Great Danes benefit the most from off-leash exercise, being allowed to freely explore varied terrain. We recommend that all Danes be reliably off-leash trained for this reason.
Walks on hard pavement are not ideal for the joints, nor do they do much to help build muscle and stamina. While there is nothing wrong with ‘walking your dog’, we highly recommend balancing regular walks with off-leash play.
Mature Great Danes should be lean and muscular, not bulky, lanky, unstable, or slow.
Puppies especially benefit from free play on varied outdoor terrain!
We do not recommend fetch, running or long leashed walks for puppies.
Great Danes are prone to a number of health conditions, most of which are genetic, and all of which contribute to the so often ‘shorter lifespan’ seen in Great Danes.
A responsible breeder will have health clearances for their dogs as well as knowledge about how to avoid or minimize the impact of these disorders on the puppies they breed.
It’s also important to speak with your veterinarian about choosing an appropriate food for your Great Dane! There is a lot of misinformation being spread, and that information is unfortunately hurting our breed.
Now that you’ve read about the Great Dane Breed Standard, everything you need to know, we hope you’ll consider this amazing breed when looking for your next furry family member!
If you have any questions that weren’t answered here, please reach out and we’ll be happy to help!
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!
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.
