Grooming
Do you dream of spending hours a day bonding with your pup as you brush their luxurious locks? If so, you might want to check out the Lhasa Apso. But if there are other things you’d rather be doing, you’re in luck! Great Danes don’t take a lot of time to groom. Brush them about once a week, and you’ll find that a good curry comb is your best friend. Even with their short coats, they do shed, but the weekly brushing should help keep that under control.
While you’re brushing your pup, this is a good time to check their eyes and ears. If your dog has any “crusty stuff” around their eyes, use a damp washcloth to keep their eyes clean. Look at the ears for any signs of debris, redness or swelling, and contact your vet if you notice those signs. If your vet recommends at-home ear cleaning, follow our guide.
Be sure to brush your pup’s teeth daily to help keep their teeth and gums healthy. Once a year, schedule a professional cleaning with your vet.
Nail trimming can definitely be more challenging with this breed—even their nails are XL! Use heavy-duty nail clippers about every four to six weeks to keep them in shape. If you’re not comfortable with this task, a groomer or your vet can do it. You’ll know it’s time to trim when you hear them clacking on hard surfaces.
A good bath every couple of months is also ideal, but your dog may need one more frequently if they have skin issues or decided to play in the mud. You can knock off the dust in between baths with a damp washcloth or shampoo wipes.
Pro tip: Great Danes are known for occasional drooling, so you may want to keep a towel around to keep their faces (and your furniture) drool-free.
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Training
When it comes to their intelligence, you’ll find that your Great Dane is very smart, but you might also notice a strong-willed streak once you dive into training. That means a Great Dane often needs a pup parent with experience. But if you’re a first-time pup parent who is confident and calm, you, too, can have a well-mannered Great Dane.
Great Danes tend to pick up basic obedience commands—sit, stay, down, come—quite quickly if you start when they’re puppies. So don’t put off training. It’s also physically easier to train them while they’re puppies—they’re easier to manage than when they’re fully grown and weigh as much as you!
The best type of training is one that uses your pup’s favorite treats, toys and lots of praise as motivation (aka positive reinforcement training). And who doesn’t like to be rewarded for a job well done?
Don’t forget about your Great Dane’s social skills! While they’re puppies, start introducing them to new people and other dogs. Take them on walks and enroll them in puppy school (a great way to learn the basics and meet new friends).
In their late “teenage” period, many young Great Danes experience a brief stage of fearfulness, so you’ll want to help them through this by making a positive experience out of visits with people and other animals. A great way to do this is to reserve special treats for when you’re out and about and reward them as they interact with new people (in the neighborhood or dog-friendly stores, for example). Your Great Dane may never be a social butterfly; some may prefer the company of their families over social situations, and that’s OK, too. It just means they’re saving all their love for you.
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Diet
Great Danes typically do well on a high-quality commercial dog food that is designed for large-breed dogs. Be sure to factor in your dog’s age and choose a formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, senior). Look on the packaging for a statement that says the food meets Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional standards to ensure it is complete and balanced. Your veterinarian can assist you in selecting a food that is best for your Great Dane’s nutritional needs.
When you first bring home your Great Dane puppy, it’s best if you can keep them on the food they ate at the breeder’s home. Reputable breeders will often give you a detailed food and diet sheet with your puppy. They may also recommend a few commercial puppy food brands they’ve used and liked.
As you’re planning your pup’s meals, don’t forget to count the treats! Whether used in training or just because you love them, those calories count, too. So, be sure to balance treats with mealtime portions to keep your pup at a healthy weight. If you have any questions, check with your vet. They are in the best position to help you pick the right food for your dog based on their individual needs.
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Exercise
The Great Dane breed needs about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day. This can include a mix of walks and playtime in a fenced yard. As adults, Great Danes enjoy long hikes, but you’ll want to wait until they’re 2 years old to avoid injury to their growing joints. You might also find them to be a good jogging partner; they can be quite speedy. Another great way to bond with your adult dog is through dog sports. Danes are good at agility, obedience, tracking and even flyball.
Don’t forget to exercise their mind, too! Use interactive toys and food bowls to engage their sharp minds and give them puzzles to solve.
Despite enjoying long walks and the occasional case of the “zoomies,” their energy levels are fairly low. Doggy play dates or trips to a dog park are great for mental and physical exercise, but many Danes are happy to spend the rest of the day just chilling at home.
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Environment
Do you think you have to have a big house for raising a Great Dane dog? Think again! Great Danes are adaptable to city life and can even thrive in an apartment setting as long as you’re there with them for most of the day. Obviously, a big dog takes up a lot of physical space in a small home or apartment, but if you’re OK with it, they are, too. Just make sure you’ve got a place to take care of their exercise needs.
Great Danes do best with an experienced pup parent; their massive size and stubborn streak need a confident and calm leader. How about Great Danes with kids and babies? Their personalities contradict their massive size. In reality, these truly are placid dogs who love their smaller humans. One common Great Dane trait is to “lean” affectionately against the people they love; so, you want to supervise them around small children and babies—your pup may knock them over. Also, be mindful of their tail; it packs a powerful swing, so keep breakables out of their tail’s reach.
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