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Great Dane


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QUESTIONS

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)A- I am on to my second great dane now.

2. Where and why was the breed first developed? A- Germany for hunting and fighting, because of it's harsh temperament and combative nature.

3. How common is it in Australia? A- I think the great dane in Australia is as common as anywhere else

4. What is the average lifespan? A- being a large dog their life span isn't as long as others they average to live around 8-10 years but there are dogs that have lived to 13 plus.

5. What is the general temperament/personality? A- Treat a dane like your child. They are full of personality, love and companion-ism, they don't like to be yelled at, and their heart is broken easy.

6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? A- A dog cant be healthy if not permitted adequate exercise, (considerable) they need plenty of space to move freely as well as daily walks

7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? A- Quite easily, they are a dream to own

8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? A-No dog should have to, they are our pets for a reason so therefore they should be given all the attention they deserve and is possible to give them

9. How much grooming is required? A- Brushing at least once a week, cleaning their ears trimming their nails, and a bath.

10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? A-No, not if brought up around kids, my 2 nad 5 years old love ours to bits, and they are very patient with children.

11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of? A- Yes there are, bloat hip displasia all of these things and problems most large dogs are susceptible to

12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be A- Ask about the parents of both parents of your pup. If they have had testing done, and for what they have been tested for.

to answer the question it is to prevent bloat, i use raised feeders as i too believe it is more comfortable for them, and there is no proof that raised feeders to cause bloat therefore you have nothing to loose by using them and if it prevents it in the meantime then you win. :)

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  • 4 weeks later...

I lost a great dane about 6 months ago now, and have been blessed by a mate who nows of a litter due at christms, that are willing to give me a free pup. My only worry of this is that the parents are Dad- Merle and Mum-Harlequin, not sure if i am right but always thought that these two colours bred is a no no??????? Is this correct and if so what are the repercussions of this mating????

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I lost a great dane about 6 months ago now, and have been blessed by a mate who nows of a litter due at christms, that are willing to give me a free pup. My only worry of this is that the parents are Dad- Merle and Mum-Harlequin, not sure if i am right but always thought that these two colours bred is a no no??????? Is this correct and if so what are the repercussions of this mating????

Hi Mando, Im sorry for your loss. I'm sure you miss your Dane alot. You are right to be worried about this potential litter as the merle sire will be on Limited Register as it is not a recognised standard colour. Limited register is not for showing or breeding. This then means that the litter will not be registered with the states canine council as both sire and dam must be Main Registered. You will not have a pedigree pup.

Your main concern with this would be that if the breeder is not complying with canine council regulations and standards then it would be highly doubtful that they would be health testing their dogs either.

All colour choice aside, your sire and dam should be hip and elbow scored (very low scores preferable!), thyroid cleared as normal, and heart tested for cardiomyopathy. A vet check doesn't cut it ;) A good breeder can easily show you all results and will infact be quite proud of them! Alot of money and thought will have gone into this testing and then any subsequent mating to ensure healthy pups are produced.

A free pup from an unregistered litter will be exactly that. Free....at the time. How much are you willing to spend for veterinary treatments because the parents have passed on problems that should have been tested for prior to breeding? How many tears are you willing to shed as you watch your new puppy struggle with health problems?

Your new best friend and family member deserves the best start in life that it can get, and you are only going to get that in a pup who is from a registered litter and with health tested parents. The bonus is lifetime support as well!!

Good breeders spend at least 2 years worth of worrying, and testing and spending what amounts to a large amount of money for testing and showing so they know their dogs are the best they can be before they think of breeding their dogs. They do this so you dont have the worries or heartache or expenses that could have been avoided. And they do this with pride.

Do some more research, and email and phone registered breeders. Be a pest with your questions, because the more you ask the more you learn. And a good breeder should have the answers ready for you with paperwork to back that up. You have started out the right way with your questions :D Now keep asking more ;)

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Thanks heaps titianium, you have been very helpful. I knew i was right. At the end of the day like you said, i just want a healthy baby.

You are welcome! Feel free to ask any question, any time :D

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  • 1 month later...
  • 5 months later...

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

Owner (not first time), and future Exhibitor

2. Where and why was the breed first developed?

Commonly believed in Germany, as boar hunting dogs. I have no information to the contrary!

3. How common is it in Australia?

Low-medium...sadly becoming more common...

4. What is the average lifespan?

7-10 years although much older and younger is also common.

5. What is the general temperament/personality?

Giant smooches. Danes are loveable clowns...needing your attention and companionship. At the same time they also can have high prey drive (need to chase) and be very slow to train and stubborn (particularly bitches)

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

10-20 minutes a day, dependant on age. Pups should only be given free play time parks until 6-9 months...from then on they can be taken for short walks (no longer than 20-30 minutes) until 12-18 months old. I realise that is a wide range however all dogs are different...Early socialisation is a must as this breed can be skittish amongst unknowns!

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

No (although there may be exceptions). A dane owner needs to be prepared to ensure that they are the leader of the pack, otherwise their dane will walk all over them! Plenty of training and socialisation is required of a puppy that will reach 65K+

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

I do not believe so, however it is all in the training. If your dane has been gradually left for longer and longer periods and is well acclimatised and exercised (and has enrichment programs/options in place) , then perhaps it is possible...however they are a 'people' dog...

9. How much grooming is required?

Not much, nails are the biggest issues...however the do shed, so the more you brush, the less shedding!

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

Yes, they can be...as a puppy they are very unaware of their size, so can be very boisterous until 2 years old, however as anything if adequate training is practised, then it can be managed.

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

Very many - firstly, backyard breeder stupidity and lack of knowledge! Breeding various colours together than can lead to blind and deaf danes.

Skin allergies

Hypo-thyroidism

Cardio Dilated Myopathy (heart problems)

Bloat

Temperament issues

Wobblers

Hip & Elbow Dysplasia

Ectropion

Entropion

12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)

Hip & elbow scoring

Heart

Eyes

Thyroid

see other posters for acceptable results...

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  • 3 years later...

Hey :)

I am picking up my pup who is a rescue so she is a great dane x german shorthair pointer (maybe mixed with another breed - they weren't 100% sure) and I currently feed my 9 year old Boxer Pet mince with veggies, oats and salmon oil. I was just wondering if this is ok for a 12 week old puppy?

Thank you

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Hey :)

I am picking up my pup who is a rescue so she is a great dane x german shorthair pointer (maybe mixed with another breed - they weren't 100% sure) and I currently feed my 9 year old Boxer Pet mince with veggies, oats and salmon oil. I was just wondering if this is ok for a 12 week old puppy?

Thank you

These threads in the 101 section aren't often visited. You might get some more replies if you start your own thread in the either the Health and Training or Puppy section smile.gif

That diet is not a complete diet for a growing puppy, especially not a giant breed mix. I suggest posting in one of the sections I mentioned above and flagging down a Giant breed person who might have some suggestions for some appropriate foods.

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I think this is the thread you were looking for Laura:

http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/188608-the-great-dane-thread-part-2/page__st__22590

Thank you, I found them just after I posted in this :)

No worries - I felt bad that you kept getting re-directed :) Hope you'll share some pics of your pup once you have her!

Haha thanks took me a while to find them put finally did it :) Here is one of my two together - Best friends after a night ahah

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I think this is the thread you were looking for Laura:

http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/188608-the-great-dane-thread-part-2/page__st__22590

Thank you, I found them just after I posted in this :)

No worries - I felt bad that you kept getting re-directed :) Hope you'll share some pics of your pup once you have her!

Haha thanks took me a while to find them put finally did it :) Here is one of my two together - Best friends after a night ahah

post-53723-0-46990800-1434412565_thumb.jpeg

post-53723-0-99735500-1434412587_thumb.jpeg

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