Great Dane

Health

Great Danes, like most giant dogs, have a fairly slow metabolism. This results in less energy and less food consumption per pound of dog than in small breeds.

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Great Danes have some health problems that are common to large breeds. Bloat (a painful distending and twisting of the stomach) is a rare but critical condition that affects Great Danes and results rapidly in death if not quickly addressed. It is a commonly recommended practice for Great Danes to have their stomachs tacked (Gastropexy) to the interior rib lining during routine surgery such as spay/neuter if the dog or its relatives have a history of bloat. Another problem common to the breed is in the hips (hip dysplasia). Typically an x-ray of the parents can certify whether their hips are healthy and can serve as a guidline for whether the animals should be bred and are likely to have healthy pups.

Related Topics:
Bloat - Gastropexy - Spay - Neuter - Hip dysplasia - X-ray

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Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) and many congenital heart diseases are also commonly found in the Great Dane.

Related Topics:
Cardiomyopathy - Congenital

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Great Danes also suffer from several genetic disorders that are specific to the breed. For example, if a Great Dane lacks color (not white) near its eyes or ears then that organ does not develop and the dog will be either blind or deaf.

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