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CIRCLE RM DANES
GREAT DANE F.A.Q.’S
Great Dane Breed Standard:
http://www.gdca.org/standard.htm
Great Dane AKC accepted Colors:
http://www.gdca.org/colorcode.htm
History of the Great Dane:
All dogs are descended from
wolves, having been domesticated 12,000 to 15,000 years ago. Selective breeding
has produced the many different breed types of dogs that exist today.
The Great Dane was developed
primarily in Germany and England out of mastiff-type and Greyhound stock. The
principal purpose of the breed in early years was to hunt wild boar. At that
time, ears were cropped to prevent the boar's long, sharp tusks from shredding
the Dane's ear during the hunt. However, the Great Dane as we know it today was
developed in Europe during the 1800's and declared the national breed of Germany
in 1876. As a boarhound, the Dane of yesterday was very different both in
structure and temperament from the Dane of today. When no longer used for
hunting, the breed changed to one of a companion and estate dog.
Wrong Reasons for purchasing a dog:
The acquisition of a dog should not be an impulsive
action. Shelters and Rescue groups are full to bursting with dogs bought for the
following wrong reasons.
1) Your children want one. Young children are not
responsible enough to take care of a puppy, and older children have very full
social lives and will soon be on their own in the world or going to college.
This means that the parents will initially and always bear the responsibility
for feeding, grooming, training and cleaning up after the puppy. Only buy or
adopt the pet if YOU want it.
2) You are in the midst of emotional upheaval, such as a
divorce, move, marriage or death, and you want a companion. Once things settle
down and life becomes normal again, you may not have time to take care of a dog.
Wait until the dust settles and then decide.
3) You are giving it as a gift. If you want to give
a Dane as a gift the reciepant should have a part in picking out his/her
dog. At the very least discuss this with the recepiant to be sure this is
the breed and what sex, he/she wants. Then we can provide a gift
certificate for you to present to him/her so he/she can pick the pup that is
right for him/her.
Dogs are living creatures with needs very similar to our own: food, shelter,
love, and family. Give owning a dog as much thought as you would to having a
baby, or buying a house. All these actions make profound changes in your
lifestyle and you should be as prepared as possible to deal with the changes.
Most of the dogs bought on impulse or given as surprise gifts are dying by the
thousands every day in shelters across the country
Should I adopt a puppy
or a mature dog?
This question is best addressed in 2 parts.
First, let’s talk about puppies. Yes, we agree,
“They’re so cute”. Even so, there are a number of issues you should
consider. In many ways, adopting a puppy is like bringing a baby home from
the hospital. There is a lot of care involved and the time commitment is
substantial. Other issues to consider are crying at night, housetraining
(we all know what that means), teething, diet considerations, vaccinations and
related health care, and of course, training your new pet from scratch. To
be fair, we also know there is a special satisfaction that comes with raising a
puppy and seeing that animal grow and mature in your care. We simply want
you to know that raising a puppy is a considerable commitment of time, love and
patience. Other considerations are the age of children in your home and
the responsibilities you have to the fragile physical nature of any young
animal.
If any of the above seems overwhelming, you have the
option of considering a mature dog. Mature dogs offer a number of
advantages and may be a better fit for your lifestyle. Obviously, the
issues listed above are normally not a factor when adopting a mature animal.
When we say mature, keep in mind that we are generally speaking of animals 6
months or older so you have a lot of options. Mature animals offer a
number of advantages. First, they are usually housetrained and generally
don’t cry at night. Just as important is the fact that their personality
is more defined, which allows you to choose an animal that is a good match for
you. If you have an active lifestyle, consider that a mature animal is all
grown up and ready to join in your activities. A last item to consider is,
if you have young children, a mature animal can be better matched to the home
environment and ready to keep up with the children as well. When purchasing a
mature dog you have the advantage of knowing that health or behavioral problems
will have already emerged.
Are you ready for a
puppy:
A major reason for dogs
ending up in shelters is owner/dog mismatch. Before you wonder what kind of puppy, the question you need to
answer is whether you can honestly provide what the puppy needs. Then you need
to carefully select the puppy so that it makes a good match for you and your
family.
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Time: You need to
have plenty of time to spend with a puppy. A puppy takes more time than a dog.
It is a lot of work to teach a puppy all the things it needs to know to be a
fun, healthy happy dog. How much time? Let's start with what an adult dog needs:
The average adult dog needs you to play with it, exercise it, teach it good
manners, groom it, feed and water it, and let it relieve itself. Count on at
least half an hour every morning, and an hour every evening. Some dogs will take
more time than that.
The younger the dog the more time you have to add. For very young puppies
(8-10wks) you will want to take them out to relieve themselves about every two
hours. That is one reason why busy people often start with an adult dog instead
of a puppy.
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Responsibility:
You can't forget, and you can't leave it until later. Playing, exercising,
teaching, grooming, feeding and watering, and letting it relieve itself is an
everyday thing. Some dogs need more of one thing, and less of another, but
they all need you every single day. Your dog counts on you. Taking care of all
the needs of a puppy is not all fun. Sometimes its boring. It can get old. Do
you have trouble getting all your chores done without being reminded? If so,
it might not yet be time for you to get a dog. Having a dog is a
responsibility.
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Patience: Puppies
are babies. They will do things that make you mad, just because they are
learning. And as they grow up they act just like teenagers. They try to get
away with doing what they want, instead of what you want. And adult dogs often
were not properly taught, they need help learning. Being firm is OK getting
angry is useless, and can make things worse. Teaching them in a way that makes
them healthy and happy, instead of afraid or angry, takes patience and
understanding.
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Consistency: Dogs
don't speak human. They learn by what we do, not by what we say. So if you
sometimes mean "sit" when you say "sit", and other times mean "go away" when
you say "sit" don't be surprised if the dog never learns what "sit" means to
you! Dogs love routine. They love getting up at the same time every day, and
you coming home at the same time, and having same word mean the same thing
every time they hear it. They like knowing whether when you use a word whether
you mean "you must" or whether you are saying "you may". Does the word "sit"
mean "You must sit" or does it mean "sit if you want to, otherwise don't
bother"? The dog wants you to mean it the same way every time.
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How to Ask for Help:
There are times when you need to ask questions. Even though you might be shy, feel
silly or stupid, don't worry, the stupid questions are the ones that you never
ask. If you ask, listen, and read, that is the right thing to do.
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Cooperation: You
need help. Everyone who shares the house must feel OK about having a dog in
the house. There should be one person delegated to be "The trainer".
Everyone who shares the house must be willing to learn how to help teach the
dog good manners, and not confuse the dog by using the same words to mean
different things or using different words than what the trainer uses for
commands. You will need help if you are sick, or if you need to be
away for a short time.
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Planning:
You always need to be one step
ahead. What will change for you and the dog in the future; will you be going
away to school? going to work? changing jobs (with extended hours) and if you go away can you take the dog? if the
dog can't go with you what will happen to it?
Always think about what comes next. Find out about puppy kindergarten before
you get the puppy, find out about dog training classes before your puppy gets
out of kindergarten, think about fun things to do with your dog to keep both
of you busy and active.
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Choosing: All dogs
are not alike. The dog that is right for me might not be a good dog for you. I
believe that dogs that are taught good manners have more freedom and are
happier than dogs that are not taught good manners. If you have never taught a
dog before you will be happier if you get one that is easy to teach. Some
dogs have short hair that needs just a little brushing, some people enjoy dogs
with long hair that needs careful care every day. A short hair dog might shed
a lot or hardly at all. The same with a long haired dog.
Is a
Great Dane the right dog for you:
Great Danes make wonderful family
pets for a household which wants a large, affectionate short-haired breed who
will offer a measure of protection. They are a very people-oriented breed and
need to be a part of the family. Great Danes do not do well when crated or caged
for long periods or where they are exclusively outdoor dogs. They need and crave
human companionship. Most Danes do enjoy a romp in the snow, however their coat is not sufficient to keep them warm in the
winter, so they must not be left outdoors for long periods in colder climates.
Great Danes are loving, easy to housebreak & train, simple to groom, and of average to
exceptional
intelligence. Proper early training and socialization are very important. Puppy
kindergarten classes are recommended, beginning at about three (after puppy
shots) to six months of
age. These classes should be followed with a basic obedience class.
Danes should never be encouraged to be overly protective or aggressive. Their
large size is sufficient to scare off most intruders. Their natural tendency is
to protect if needed. It is the responsibility of the Dane owner to socialize
his Dane properly so the dog can learn good judgment.
Although
Great Danes are usually very gentle, they are
much larger than small children. You should teach your dog from day one never to
jump. Because accidental injuries can occur, even with
very well mannered Great Danes;
small children should never be left unattended
with your puppy or dog. If there are children in the household, they must be
taught the correct way to interact with a puppy and parents need to monitor
correct behavior on the part of the child and the puppy.
The household considering a Dane should have a secure enclosure and preferably a
large, fenced yard. Chaining, staking out, tying or allowing your Dane to roam
free are dangerous and unacceptable practices.
Most Danes are not jumpers, so a five to six-foot fence is sufficient. Many growing
puppies are highly destructive to landscaping, so if a beautifully landscaped
yard is a priority for you, perhaps you should consider having one yard for your plants and another yard for your dog.
Training:
Great Danes should be taken to Training classes as soon as they have completed
their third set of puppy shots. Shelters are full of untrained,
disobedient Great Danes. If you have children, teach your pup from day one
not to jump as your pup will quickly out-grow your child. Owners of Great Danes should recognize that some people are very frightened of
large dogs. Therefore, Dane owners need to always act in a responsible manner,
keeping their Danes leashed and under control when in public places and confined
within fenced yards when at home. You should not take your Dane to
dog parks, or public areas unleashed, if he/she is not properly trained
(does not respond to your commands) or socialized.
Expense:
Compared to other breeds, Great Danes can be
expensive to maintain. Providing
proper food, veterinary care, crate, grooming tools, toys, training classes, fenced yard
and a dog house can
quickly add up. Everything is "more" with a Dane because of its size.
How big do Danes get?
The AKC Standard for Great Danes states:
"The male shall not be less than 30 inches at the shoulders, but it is
preferable that he be 32 inches or more, providing he is well proportioned to
his height. The female shall not be less than 28 inches at the shoulders, but it
is preferable that she be 30 inches or more, providing she is well proportioned
to her height."
Males grow to an avg. height of 33"
- 36" inches and weigh an avg. of 140lbs - 170lbs as adults. Females grow an
avg. of 30" - 33" tall
and weigh an avg. of 110lbs - 140lbs as adults. Generally speaking your pup will end up
somewhere between the size of his/her Dam & Sire. Females are usually
smaller than the males in any given litter.
Where do Danes need to live?
Great Danes should live indoors.
This is both because of their short coat and their disposition. They are family
dogs and need lots of human companionship. A large apt. or condo can work as
well as a house, however, a fenced yard is desired. Danes get sick just
like humans, a large Dane with diarrhea could be disastrous in an apt. When outdoors an
air-conditioned/heated house (depending on climate you live in), shade trees,
clean water & food, should be available. A Great Dane
should never be permanently housed outdoors. They may become, destructive,
aggressive and depressed when bored and alone for long periods.
We have large air/heated houses outside for our girls,
they take turns staying in the main building with the boys and us. All of
our dogs are well socialized.
How much room does a Dane need?
They need very little room, they do as well in an apt./condo
(be sure they receive Dailey exercise) as they do in a large house. "Adult" Danes sleep most of the day, they
are often described as "rugs". Although as noted above, fenced
yards are desired.
How much exercise do they need?
When living in an apt. or condo with no yard, they can be taken out for a couple
of 20 minute play/running/exercise periods per day for proper muscle development
and peace of mind. Take them with you where ever you go, as much as
possible for socialization and to keep them from getting bored. Many
cities have dog parks that are a wonderful outlets for Danes.
How long does
teething last?
A puppy should have all of their permanent teeth by 7 to 8 months of age.
Young puppies love to chew. Chewing serves to ease the discomfort of teething
and sometimes relieves boredom, It is also a form of play as well as a
puppy's way of exploring the big new world he's fascinated with. Puppy owners
should accept a certain amount of chewing, even as the dog matures. However, in
order for Puppy to live in harmony with the family, his urge to chew must be
controlled and directed in positive ways.
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Provide your puppy with plenty of exercise and play
time with you. This will help prevent boredom. Train your puppy not to nip or
mouth your hands. If he does, give a loud, high-pitched ‘no’ and stop playing
immediately. Totally ignore him for a few minutes. Over time, he will learn
that playing too rough causes the fun to stop. Don’t ever hit or slap
a puppy as this can come back to haunt you in the form of
aggressiveness or hand shyness.
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Provide plenty of chew toys for your puppy that
don’t resemble items that are off limits to him. Make sure they are safe and
not something he can choke on. Good choices may include rawhide chewies (the
crumbly kind; not the leathery kind), toys that can be filled with treats, and
large rope toys. You may wet and freeze rope toys, or even a
carrot, to help relieve sore teething gums. Rotate his toys so he doesn’t
become bored. If you catch him chewing on your shoes or the T.V. remote, give
him a stern ‘no’ and replace it with one of his chew toys.
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Remove temptation by keeping children’s toys,
valuables, garbage, and hazardous items, such as electrical cords, out of
Puppy’s reach.
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Make use of a pet gate or a
crate when you have to
be away but leave your puppy plenty of his own toys to occupy his time.
Hiccups:
Puppies quite commonly get hiccups. When puppies eat and drink, they tend
to ingest large quantities of air. Air, as it enters the esophagus and
stomach, tends to trigger the hiccupping response. Hiccupping is normal
and common in dogs, and especially in puppies less than eight months of age.
There is
really nothing you can do for a puppy with hiccups, other than have him rest
quietly until the hiccups are gone. If you find certain circumstances such as
extreme excitement seem to trigger the hiccups, you can try to avoid those types
of situations, or calm the puppy by placing him/her between your legs and pet
him/her while speaking in a low, slow, calm reassuring voice.
Crates:
A crate (properly used), or a
dedicated room such as the kitchen with a pet guard gate, large laundry
area,
or yard with an air/heated dog house,
will help assist in housebreaking a young puppy and prevent major destruction
from a chewing adolescent when left alone.
The best crate size
for a male Dane is 28 inches wide by 36 inches tall by 48 inches long, the
foldable, wire crates work well.
When using open wired crates I throw covers over them to make them dark for easy
sleeping. Crates should only be used at night and for very short periods
during the day (not 8 to 9 hours). Crates should never be used for
punishments.
How Long do Danes Live?
The most negative aspect of the
breed is a short life span, typically about 7 to 10 years. There are more and
more Danes living longer (10-14 yrs) in recent years, thanks to better breeding, disease awareness, and nutrition. We have a male
that is currently 12.5 yrs. old.
How much grooming does a Dane need?
Very minimal grooming is needed.
Danes are short haired dogs so there is no required daily brushing, trimming,
stripping etc. A bath (I prefer an oatmeal shampoo) can be given apx. once
monthly, judge this by how dirty they are or by their smell as they are usually
good about grooming themselves. I do not usually bath them in the winter
(especially pups). Nail trims (use a dremmel tool for fast painless nail trim)
are a must as the nails can grow so long that they can break off and end up with
a serious infection. The teeth should also be cleaned (if you feed
raw beef leg bones the teeth rarely need cleaning) and brush them once in
awhile. Shedding happens in the spring
and fall and though not heavy, can be messy. You can wiped the coat off once in
awhile with coconut oil for a sheen. A Balm can help soften calloused
elbows (provide pillows around the house for them to
"flop" down on to also help prevent calluses) and rough paws.
To clean a Danes ears (especially
needed for Natural Eared Danes), make a 1/2 and 1/2 mixture of rubbing alcohol
and white vinegar. Dampen a cotton ball with the mixture and squeeze afew drops
of it into the
ear canal. Rub the base of the ear for a few seconds then let the Dane shake his
head. Swab out the remainder of the wax and dirt with a dry cotton ball or
q-tip (Do not probe deeply into the ear...just where you can see).
Health:
Great Danes, as with any large
breed, can be predisposed to the following health problems: HOD, Pano, OCD, Hip Dysplasia and Gastric
torsion (bloat) are primary concerns. Certain types of cancer, thyroid, heart
disease, wobblers and eye problems also may appear in the breed. Spaying or neutering pets is a good idea for the health of the
dog and is required by most ethical breeders.
Health Tests*: As per the Great Dane Club of America; All dogs and bitches to be bred,
should be x-rayed prior to breeding and declared free of hip dysplasia by a
knowledgeable Veterinarian, the OFA or Penn Hip.
It is also "encouraged" that
any and all technology available be used to screen all animals to be used for
breeding, according to known problems within the breed (e.g. OFA, cardiac check,
thyroid check, vWD, PRA, etc.).
*
All of Circle RM's Danes have approved hip x-rays by our vet (Mark Richardson DVM/Bandera Vet Clinic).
Most of our dogs have been
rated by OFA (either preliminary or official ratings) or Penn Hip. Results available upon request. Thyroid &
Heart testing to be done in 2009.
Credits: GDCA, Dane Logic,
Suite101, pet education, Dog Play, caretakers network.org,
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