Great Dane

[nabs]

Whoops... her. I like her, she's pretty.

Would I own a harl? no. Fawn fan here. Followed by mantle (but again, I wouldn't own a mantle unless it was a stunner.)

Ash this bitch is BISS CH Giant Steps Front Page News. I had the pleasure of seeing her go BISS at the Great Dane Club of America National Specialty in 1996 at Fontana Wisconsin. She is a lovely type of bitch beautiful mover although her markings are not perfect. She is the product of colour cross breeding. Fawn X Harle.

She is the type of bitch who could be any colour and still look beautiful.

Thanks for that Michelle. I have often wondered if people did cross colour matings with danes. I know that with cockers it's frowned upon to breed solids to parti colours but with so many new people involved in the breed, it has become quite common (even my mother did a solid to parti mating! Didn't think I'd ever see the day.) There are the inevitable mismarked pups but they are obviously pet homed.

How common is it in Australia?

Sadly it is often done here by inexperienced breeders or puppy millers. It takes courage to do such breedings on a knowledgeable scale. It is fraught with danger regarding colour for many generations to come and one must be prepared to be hard and to cull or desex all those pups who don't make the grade ideally fawn is not desired behind harle lines. It is mainly done to improve conformation. Often at the risk of losing the desired markings. Many of the top winning coloured dogs in the US come from breeders who have crossed the line and done mixed colour breeding. Not all breeders agree as some are colour purists. I take my hat of to those who have been successful.

[Ashanali]

sounds like it's the same as cocker breeding.

[SwaY]

As the saying goes - Your a genius if you can pull it off, and a fool if it fails.

Edited July 13, 2009 by SwaY

[nabs]

As the saying goes - Your a genius if you can pull it off, and a fool if it fails.

You are so right there girl. A path I would not like to go down. We have enough to worry about just with conformation let alone adding colour to the mix. Getting the structure right is hard enough work.

[nabs]

A couple more.

[nabs]

I like him

This was the best photo I could find of her. She is much nicer in RL. I am not fan of 3/4 side on shots. It straightens a lot of angles on dogs. She had a beautiful flat topline and from memory was a lovely free moving bitch with excellent drive. I would have liked to have seen a bit better lay of shoulder (but a lot of dogs suffer this) I found her a quality bitch. There were over 750 dogs exhibited at that National.

I like many of the heads on the photos I have posted. The first picture of the old dog exhibits exquisite breed type, symmetry and beauty. All dogs have a fault to some degree in the photos I have posted. But what dog doesn't? These dogs were all highly successful under their peers in the breed specialty ring. That in itself tells you about the quality of the dogs

[MaKoda]

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)

Owner of 2 Great Danes (had a 3rd but she died)

2. Where and why was the breed first developed?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Dane

4. What is the average lifespan?

7-10 years, some breeders are lucky enough to get slightly more

5. What is the general temperament/personality?

Extremely unique.. very loving, loyal & affectionate. They love cuddles, they even think they are lap dogs at times. Mine have always loved human company over other dogs although they definitely need a freind/playmate with them when left alone.

Great guard dogs just by sheer size & bark, although they are also protective of their loved ones.

Males are more sooky & one-on-one where as females have a lot more spunk & are much more adventurous.

They are indoor dogs, they always need to be near you or at least see you !!

6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult?

Mine dont get huge amounts as we live on a large block. It is important not to excersise Danes too much esp while growing, at least till about 18-24mths. Mine get the basic walks for training/leash work & a trip to the beach once a week (on weekends) for a run, play & frolic in the water.

Watch out & stand well clear when they do "zoomies".

7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?

Yes & No.. You need to be fully aware of what you are getting into. They are very big which also means big expenses (vets, food etc) but they are the most amazing companions I have ever come across. A dane will touch your heart for life & there is never a dull moment.

8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods?

Not in my experience, they need a companion otherwise they become a nuisance &/or can be very destructive.

9. How much grooming is required?

Very little, a good comb & a bath every now & then is sufficient. They dont get that doggie smell, I mainly bath mine after the beach or simply to get the white's clean after being red from digging holes.

10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)?

Training is a must.. especially beacuse of their size as an adult. If you dont want them to do something when 65+kgs then you definitely need to enforce that from the beginning (as a puppy).

Danes are much better with small children if they have been fortunate enough to have grown up with them. Many say when interacted like this the Dane takes on a protector role of your children.

If they arent socialised with children (like mine) then they get very excited at the site of a "mini-human".

11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of?

Yes.. Do lots of research:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Dane

__________________________________________

My boy is 2.5 yrs now & has only just reached maturity.. although mentaly I still dont know about that

[sas]

Shell, were those photos you posted representing dogs you believed not to be 'fine'?

[gsdog2]

Out of interest can I ask what the average daily diet would be for a full-grown male and female Great Dane?

I'm curious because although they're a large breed, they're not as active as some of the "smaller" large breeds (if that makes sense :D ).

[nabs]

Out of interest can I ask what the average daily diet would be for a full-grown male and female Great Dane?

I'm curious because although they're a large breed, they're not as active as some of the "smaller" large breeds (if that makes sense :D ).

It depends on the dog. It can vary. My old desexed girl who is almost 8 has two cups of Eukanuba maintenance and a handful of chicken mince morning and night. Bones and various off cuts during the week.

5 year old show male has 4 cups morning and 3 at night of Euk premium performance his brother has 3+3 plus they get chicken mince etc. I find the older the get the more they taper off their food from about 6 upward.

20 month old show female 3x3 each day of maintenance as well with the meat.

Amounts of kibble can vary according to the quality of the protein in the food.

[gsdog2]

It depends on the dog. It can vary. My old desexed girl who is almost 8 has two cups of Eukanuba maintenance and a handful of chicken mince morning and night. Bones and various off cuts during the week.

5 year old show male has 4 cups morning and 3 at night of Euk premium performance his brother has 3+3 plus they get chicken mince etc. I find the older the get the more they taper off their food from about 6 upward.

20 month old show female 3x3 each day of maintenance as well with the meat.

Amounts of kibble can vary according to the quality of the protein in the food.

Thanks for that riesenhaft.

Your 8yr old girl has the same as my 8yr old GSD boy - he has a lot of elbow and knee problems and therefore exercise is limited. Your younger ones need a lot more that my younger GSD, so now I'm wondering how much exercise do they have a day to require so much more?

And sorry, one more question, I see you still feed your 20mth female three times a day - for how long would she need three meals a day?

[nabs]

It depends on the dog. It can vary. My old desexed girl who is almost 8 has two cups of Eukanuba maintenance and a handful of chicken mince morning and night. Bones and various off cuts during the week.

5 year old show male has 4 cups morning and 3 at night of Euk premium performance his brother has 3+3 plus they get chicken mince etc. I find the older the get the more they taper off their food from about 6 upward.

20 month old show female 3 cups each feed per day of maintenance as well with the meat.

Amounts of kibble can vary according to the quality of the protein in the food.

Thanks for that riesenhaft.

Your 8yr old girl has the same as my 8yr old GSD boy - he has a lot of elbow and knee problems and therefore exercise is limited. Your younger ones need a lot more that my younger GSD, so now I'm wondering how much exercise do they have a day to require so much more?

And sorry, one more question, I see you still feed your 20mth female three times a day - for how long would she need three meals a day?

Sorry not clear was I :D my younger bitch 3 cups each feed. Sorry to confuse. Danes put in a lot of growth as youngsters. Even though they may not be burning up cals via excersise they do grow at a very rapid rate.

Pups we raise on Euk Large breed puppy. Depending on the pup they can eat between 3-5 cups per feed twice per day. Dogs tend to need more than females. Like us people some are fatties and some have hollow legs ;)

[gsdog2]

Sorry not clear was I my younger bitch 3 cups each feed. Sorry to confuse. Danes put in a lot of growth as youngsters. Even though they may not be burning up cals via excersise they do grow at a very rapid rate.

Pups we raise on Euk Large breed puppy. Depending on the pup they can eat between 3-5 cups per feed twice per day. Dogs tend to need more than females. Like us people some are fatties and some have hollow legs

I also use Euk Large breed puppy for my younger GSD, although at 12mth she has one meal of 4 cups which I will maintain at that amount while her ribs and hips are so clearly defined (she's a very active girl ), I am thinking of changing her from the puppy food.

More questions - how long would you be feeding them on 3-5 cups twice a day?

Edited January 2, 2010 by gsdog2

[Danois]

I feed my 17 month old male up to 8 cups of Eagle Pack Fish per day - I spread it over 2 meals also. At night he also gets a mix of beef mince, sweet potato, cottage cheese and flaxseed (3kg of mince, 3 sweet potato and a big pottle of cottage cheese does 7 nights).

Almost every dane owner I know feeds twice a day to minimise the risk of bloat.

Exercise - at 17 months I still do not walk my dog - ie walk around the streets other than maybe a quick one up and down the street if I run out of time in the morning. It is all free exercise - ie in the park. I ensure that this includes running up hills and running on sand to help build the hind leg muscles.

I can easily not walk Boo for 3-4 days and he is not worried about it. He had an hour in the park this morning with another dog and then a couple of hours in the house together and that will keep him happy for 2-3 days now!

Most danes will eat 6-8 cups a day for their lifetime.

[gsdog2]

I feed my 17 month old male up to 8 cups of Eagle Pack Fish per day - I spread it over 2 meals also. At night he also gets a mix of beef mince, sweet potato, cottage cheese and flaxseed (3kg of mince, 3 sweet potato and a big pottle of cottage cheese does 7 nights).

Almost every dane owner I know feeds twice a day to minimise the risk of bloat.

Exercise - at 17 months I still do not walk my dog - ie walk around the streets other than maybe a quick one up and down the street if I run out of time in the morning. It is all free exercise - ie in the park. I ensure that this includes running up hills and running on sand to help build the hind leg muscles.

I can easily not walk Boo for 3-4 days and he is not worried about it. He had an hour in the park this morning with another dog and then a couple of hours in the house together and that will keep him happy for 2-3 days now!

Most danes will eat 6-8 cups a day for their lifetime.

Thanks Danois

I've only ever really known GSD's and it seems to me that to own a Great Dane is a whole other world .

I know someone considering a Great Dane for their next dog and I thought I would come here to find out more about them. I'm learning heaps through DOL about these beautiful giants and certainly appreciate your's and riesenhaft's input

[Danois]

If your friend is serious then get them to join and come and talk to us in the dane thread as the regular posters there can give all different perspectives on dane ownership and also there is some invaluable advice in there re what to look for in a dane puppy/ breeder.

Like many other breeds, unfortunately there are a number of breeders in danes who are not doing great things for the breed and given their size, when things go wrong it can be a very expensive exercise.

I think it is fair to say that owning a dane is quite different to owning most other breeds -both in what is required from an owner to ensure their dane puppy is grown and trained properly to what they are like to live with.

[gsdog2]

If your friend is serious then get them to join and come and talk to us in the dane thread as the regular posters there can give all different perspectives on dane ownership and also there is some invaluable advice in there re what to look for in a dane puppy/ breeder.

Like many other breeds, unfortunately there are a number of breeders in danes who are not doing great things for the breed and given their size, when things go wrong it can be a very expensive exercise.

I think it is fair to say that owning a dane is quite different to owning most other breeds -both in what is required from an owner to ensure their dane puppy is grown and trained properly to what they are like to live with.

I've already forwarded this thread and I will also get them to have a look at the Dane thread . I have mentioned they need to find a good breeder, but having said that you need a starting point to find the right breeder.

As a GSD owner (and a Goldie ) I totally agree with you that a dane is completely different, and to me it's a little scary as far as the responsibility goes to look after these beautifull giants. Before taking that step of owning a Dane a lot of research has to be done to 1. Find the right breeder (who will be there AFTER you have taken you pup home) 2. How to feed them correctly 3. How to exercise them safely - and the list goes on

[Danois]

If your friend is serious then get them to join and come and talk to us in the dane thread as the regular posters there can give all different perspectives on dane ownership and also there is some invaluable advice in there re what to look for in a dane puppy/ breeder.

Like many other breeds, unfortunately there are a number of breeders in danes who are not doing great things for the breed and given their size, when things go wrong it can be a very expensive exercise.

I think it is fair to say that owning a dane is quite different to owning most other breeds -both in what is required from an owner to ensure their dane puppy is grown and trained properly to what they are like to live with.

I've already forwarded this thread and I will also get them to have a look at the Dane thread . I have mentioned they need to find a good breeder, but having said that you need a starting point to find the right breeder.

As a GSD owner (and a Goldie ) I totally agree with you that a dane is completely different, and to me it's a little scary as far as the responsibility goes to look after these beautifull giants. Before taking that step of owning a Dane a lot of research has to be done to 1. Find the right breeder (who will be there AFTER you have taken you pup home) 2. How to feed them correctly 3. How to exercise them safely - and the list goes on

Who the right breeder is will always be subjective dependent on who you ask and the recommendations will depend on what colour dane your friend is after.

The steps to owning a dane - don't forget which model of king sized bed to buy

[gsdog2]

The steps to owning a dane - don't forget which model of king sized bed to buy

I belive that - my GSD boy has a single bed (not a king size though)!!

[Gilypoo]

Hi,

I have a 10 month old Dane girl, she is already 65kilos and 78cm. i have found that when she trys to sit, it looks really awkward and it looks painful. I brought her from a breeder on the dogz online website and has limited register as she is a merle. The vet has checked her out and said it is normal due to her size. Has anyone else had this experience?

Edited January 14, 2010 by Gilypoo