Great Dane

Patellar Luxation

Legg-Perthes Disease

Hip Dysplasia

Heart murmurs

Monitoring your Great Dane puppy's diet is more critical than with other breeds. Danes go through a growth sprout as puppies and it's recommended to feed your Dane puppy with puppy food specifically made for big breeds and avoid taking any supplements, particularly calcium.

The Dane's special giant-breed dietary requirements have to be followed otherwise orthopedic issues can develop.

The amount you can give your dog varies considerably depending on his age and gender, so it is best to consult your vet or a nutritionist to ask for feeding advice.

Great Danes shed an average amount, though the volume can appear higher due to their sheer size.

They shed almost the same amount all year, except in the spring or autumn when it can become more intense.

Brushing them once a week and bathing them when needed is the best way to minimize shedding and get rid of any excess hair.

While the Great Dane's short, sleek coats sheds less fur than double-coated dogs, the Dane is the largest breed in the dog kingdom. As such, more dog means more potential for shed fur. They are classed as moderate to heavy shedders.

Brushing the dog with a medium-bristle brush, a rubber grooming mitt or a hound glove once a week can help minimize shedding.

Hair loss is abundant during shedding season, which occurs once or twice a year, this is when they'll need to be brushed more frequently. Your dog's bathing frequency will depend on its daily activities. The Great Dane's nails should be clipped frequently if not worn down naturally to avoid discomfort.

While Great Danes are generally laid-back and quiet indoors, they still need physical exercise that is suitable for their age. They will need a good stroll at least once a day and will enjoy a large yard to play in.

They make excellent jogging and hiking partners, but owners should wait until the dog is two years old to avoid damaging a young puppy's developing joints.

Many Great Dane owners become paranoid about exercising their puppy because they are a fragile breed when young. Exercise needs to be appropriate for the breed and age of the dog.

This breed has a great sense of smell, so it is advised to keep them on a leash in places that are not secure.

Agility, obedience, tracking, weight pulls, and sports like flyball are all popular activities for Great Danes.

Adult and senior Great Danes are content with sleeping on the couch for most of the day and then going for a walk a few times a day. Owners should spend about 30 minutes to 1 hour twice a day exercising your Great Dane as a baseline for activity.

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), also known as bloat, is the leading cause of death in Danes. Owners can learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of bloat and what to do when it happens. Many breeders and owners are using a treatment known as a prophylactic gastropexy (also known as a ''preventative tack'') to help reduce the more severe symptoms of GDV.

Other health issues that may affect the breed include eye and cardiac defects, hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis, and Hip Dysplasia.

Visting your vet at least every six months is highly recommended to make sure your dog is healthy and happy in all its life stages.

A Great Dane is gentle with children and loves them, especially if they have been raised with them since puppyhood. Parents should note that they generally are not aware of how large they are, and they will need to be trained on how to behave around smaller children.

Like any other breed,, teach children how to approach and play with dogs and always keep close supervision when they are together. Teach your child not to touch a feeding or resting dog or attempt to steal the dog's food. The Great Dane is known as a benevolent giant, affectionate and playful with his family.

Early socialization and puppy care classes are recommended. For a breed as large and powerful as the Great Dane, obedience training is essential.

Great Danes are friendly, respectful, and eager to please dogs who respond well to consistent, firm training.

They need human contact, affection, and socialization with other people and animals to thrive.

They get along with other dogs and domestic animals. Great Danes get along with other animals in general, mainly if they've been raised with them, but some members of the breed may become violent toward dogs they don't recognize. In general, they are social beings.