Great Dane
Great Danes are giant breed dogs, standing at about two and a half feet tall at the shoulder and weighing over a hundred pounds. Despite their intimidating size, Great Danes are loyal family dogs. They are good with children and other pets. Given their intimidating size, they are also very good watchdogs and can be very protective of their home. Great Danes have a shorter life expectancy than most dogs.
Caring for Your Great Dane
Great Danes have a short and smooth hair coat that doesn’t shed much and requires very little maintenance. They tend to be lazier than a lot of dogs but still benefit from daily walks and short bouts of play. A well-padded bed is important to keep their elbows and hocks from developing calluses and pressure sores.
Common Health Issues in Great Danes
Due to their large size and stature, the life expectancy of a Great Dane is only seven to ten years.
Gastric Dilation and Volvulus (GDV): This condition is the number one cause of death in Great Danes. A GDV, or bloat, occurs when the stomach fills with air and twists. This causes severe shock and leads to death without treatment. Even with immediate and excellent treatment, some dogs won’t survive.
Bone Cancer: The increased pressure on the bones makes Great Danes more likely to develop osteosarcoma, an aggressive type of bone cancer. Although bone cancer can develop on any part of the skeleton, in Great Danes it is most commonly seen “away from the elbow and towards the knee”.
Heart Disease: Dilative Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a heart condition in which the muscles of the heart are not able to contract properly. The muscles stretch causing heart enlargement and inability to adequately pump blood. In Great Danes, DCM can be a genetic trait.
Thyroid Disease: Great Danes can develop antibodies against their thyroid gland. Over time, these antibodies destroy thyroid tissue so that it can’t produce enough thyroid hormone, causing hypothyroidism. Signs of hypothyroidism include weight gain, a thin, dry hair coat, and lack of energy.
Nutrition for Your Great Dane
Great Danes grow a lot during their first year of life, Proper nutrition is especially important during this time. A large-breed puppy food is essential for proper development. If these puppies have rapid growth spurts, their bones and joints do not have time to form properly, which can lead to orthopedic issues. A large-breed puppy diet is lower in calcium, phosphorus, and calories to slow down the puppy’s growth.
Elevated food and water dishes are also important, especially in adult Great Danes. Bloat is a common condition in these large dogs and swallowing large amounts of air as they eat is a potential cause. Placing the food at the level of their head so they don’t have to bend down greatly reduces the amount of air swallowed as they eat.
Pet Health Insurance for Your Great Dane
If you are looking for pet health insurance for your Great Dane, you should ensure that many health issues that are commonly seen in Great Dane are covered. You will also want to find insurance with short waiting times for treatment and surgery. If you prolong these procedures, your dog could have permanent health issues.
Many times, certain health conditions are considered genetic or are a pre-existing condition and they may not be covered for your Great Dane.
You could also consider enrolling in Mint Wellness. This pet wellness plan includes membership in Pet Assure, a low-cost pet insurance alternative and veterinary discount plan. This plan has no exclusions due to age, breed, or hereditary conditions. Even pre-existing conditions are covered! Get a quote today. It's perfect a Great Dane!
Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Shepherd, DVM
