Any Great Dane experts out there?

[pinkcatkin]

We are rehoming a 6 month old Great Dane bitch this afternoon. My OH found her last week on his way somewhere, she was so weak and think she could hardly stand and the police believe she had been dumped by a disreputable breeder - another 6 month old found in nearby village too.

She has in the meantime been at rehoming kennels and has put on quite a bit of weight, seems happy and playful.

Just wonder if anyone has any advice on Great Danes generally, i.e. feeding, how much exercise, tips, etc.

We have an old lab and an old springer at the moment and we are very doggy, just not had a GD before.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

 

[BBH]

What a lovely story, I could never turn my back on a dog in need either but if I happen across a dog in distress I hope its a JRT as I wouldn't have the room for a great dane.

Good luck, she's a lucky lady.

 

[pinkcatkin]

[ QUOTE ]
What a lovely story, I could never turn my back on a dog in need either but if I happen across a dog in distress I hope its a JRT as I wouldn't have the room for a great dane.

Good luck, she's a lucky lady.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well our house isn't exactly huge but we will all fit in somehow!!!

 

[harkback]

Look at this site http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=672
As GD's were one of the breeds studied for the 5 yrs.

The http://www.gdca.org/ and http://greatdaneclub.danemoor.com/ are good site to learn about the breed. The UK club may want to know about these dogs being dumped, they could have a good idea of the breeding from colour / kennel type depending on the area the dogs were found in.

We have a large breed and raise all ours from birth to adult on Royal Canin maxi breed formula. Yours would be on RC Giant Junior from now to 15 months old. It is very important with maxi and giant breeds to have a size formulated feed at the growing stage, particularly for the calciumhosphorus ratio. NO connection to RC but having used it for 15 yrs it is brilliant. We switch ours to CSJ feeds as adults. Have alot of breeder friends who use RC and have used other brands but find the RC the best. http://www.royalcanin.co.uk/

This girl was so lucky to have been found by kind and caring people, thank goodness for people like yourself and your OH.

 

[woolly]

http://leansnslobbers.proboards.com/index.cgi?

 

[mik]

well done you, my dane is the most loving sweet and soft, if not the most clumsy lump in the world, she is 1 and 1/2 now and I adore her, she is also our first dane, she never chewed, had accidents, she is respectful of horses and little doggies and good with stupid kids that charge up to her and shot woof, woof, you will be very happy if yours is anything like ours, best of luck, agree with above on phosphorus calcium levels and not too much exercise when very young.

lucky dog.

 

[MurphysMinder]

No advice to offer on Danes generally (although my grandmother used to breed them in the 1930s

) just wanted to say well done on taking her in and good luck. I am sure some of the links given above will give you all the help you need.

 

[CAYLA]

The links will prob give u all the advice u need, but a good large breed growth food for her and start with a bland diet if she is in a bad way, chicken and rice then introduce you new good quality food.
They suffer bloat which is expensive, so insure her and take measures to lessen the risk, which im sure will be in the links, but very important, no exercise for a good few hours after food.
Re exercise start gradual and u can increase as she grows.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

My experience of Great Danes only comes from Dog Shows, as with other breeds it has mostly mattered who was in the other end of the leash. I've noticed though that some seems to have a tendency to, hm, well simply if they don't want to go somewhere, they don't try to turn around and run away or strive and struggle at the spot, they just back away at high speed (without one look where they're going). But I don't know if they do the same at home?


Good luck and I hope you have lots of fun with her.

 

[Onyxia]

[ QUOTE ]
I've noticed though that some seems to have a tendency to, hm, well simply if they don't want to go somewhere, they don't try to turn around and run away or strive and struggle at the spot, they just back away at high speed (without one look where they're going). But I don't know if they do the same at home?

[/ QUOTE ]
Oh yes! Ours did.
Another trick was to plant themselves,no way in hell you could move the beggers,lmao!

I am sure the links have given you plenty of good advice.
Would only like to add they are a brred big ni personality as well as pure size,so it may be an idea to have somewhere your older dogs can go when she gets a bit much for them.
Ours always insisted on going in the car with a dolly too

bloody great ninnys that they were