There is always more to love with the Great Dane. These dogs are extremely large and strong, but those who know and have them in their homes think of them as “Gentle Giants.” Read on to learn why we love them, examples of the comic relief they give us and important information about how to keep them happy, healthy and active .
It seems one famous Great Dane recently had a big birthday: Scooby Doo turned 50! How is this possible? Well, he's animated. But also, it just seems crazy that this cartoon character has been around this long. That said, what better way to honor Scooby Doo than by celebrating his breed: Great Danes! Families who love Great Danes know they are simply the best breed to have. The list is long and if you love big, loveable dogs like Scooby Doo, this breed is for you. Here’s why:
Currently, there is a family in Florida trying to get their Great Dane in the Guinness Book of World Records. Their dog, Atlas, stands at 104 centimeters, or over 40 inches tall. The current world record holder was another Dane who stood at 101 centimeters. Atlas is currently 6 years old, and a big bundle of love for this family. Surprisingly, this Great Dane is still much taller than most. We just loved the adorable story and great photos of Atlas with their son and mom sitting on the couch. Check out the news story here!
AKC said it best: “The breed is indeed Great, but not a Dane.” Turns out, Great Danes are from Germany, not a Danish colony. Most likely this belief came from the fact the name “Dane” is associated with Scandinavian countries. We think it was just a part of the humor that comes with the Great Dane this mistaken identity happened. Here are some other funny things about Great Danes.
These dogs are naturally funny. Their inquisitive looks are priceless. They are large enough to be a member of the conga line dance and they seem to enjoy stomping on sunlight. And, you get these great nuggets:
Surprisingly, this breed comes in 7 colors. The most common color is Fawn. Here are the AKC-approved colors you might see on a Dane:
Giant dogs sometimes have giant health problems. The Great Dane’s main health issues are in part due to their size.
The unfortunate fact is that really no dog lives nearly long enough. The Great Dane’s lifespan is even shorter than an average-sized dog. According to the AKC, Great Danes live between 7 – 10 years. It is very important to be sure that you keep your Great Dane as healthy as possible with key preventative measures. But first, here are the key health problems to know about when it comes to your Great Dane:
The health problems most encounter with a Great Dane can be protected against just by planning. Here are the top ways to keep your Great Dane healthy:
This is said for all dogs but is certainly true for giant breeds. Great Danes grow fast but their metabolism slows more than most breeds, even other giant breed dogs. Feeding your dog an appropriate diet is very important. Obesity is a serious health risk for giant breed dogs.
Regular exercise will help keep your Great Dane happy and healthy and living longer. Because of their size, they need to be able to move around and go for occasional walks. Of course, they have nice long legs which are perfect for the runners out there.
As most of the Great Dane’s health problems are joint-related, plan to do what you can to protect and strengthen their joints safely and naturally by adding a joint supplement to their diet. Most dogs need joint supplements by age 8. But since the Great Dane’s life expectancy is much shorter, they should begin taking joint supplements even earlier, by age 4 or earlier. Joint supplements can promote joint health and cartilage development which keeps dogs active and youthful, longer.
Unfortunately, there is nothing that can prevent bloat as scientists still do not know exactly what causes it.
Parnell Living Science is the expert on osteoarthritis (OA) or arthritis in dogs and cats. We created a unique formula with key anti-inflammatory ingredients to combat the signs of aging. Glyde uses natural, gluten-free ingredients to promote healthy joints to let your dog do everything he or she loves to do! Glyde is the only nutraceutical that contains proven levels of three key components that work to relieve the painful signs of arthritis.
Glyde's proven formula has all-natural ingredients and high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin, plus Green Lipped Mussel (GLM). The proven levels of these key ingredients are what makes the formula unique:
There is a reason there are so many famous Great Danes that became beloved canine comic heroes: they are so big and lovable! Here are our a few fan-favorite celebrity Great Danes:
Scooby-Doo. Jinkies! Scooby-Doo is over 50! The famous canine detective debuted on CBS on September 13, 1969 with the Mystery Machine gang and has been developed into a successful franchise. Do you remember this classic intro?
Astro from the Jetsons. Even in the year 2062, Great Danes are popular because the Jetsons had a lovely blue Dane named Astro! Interestingly, Astro and Scooby-Doo were both voiced by Don Messick, a veteran voice actor. There were only 24 episodes of the Jetsons when it aired in primetime on ABC from September 1962 - March 1963. Syndication resurrected the series and it was revived to add an additional 51 episodes from 1985 - 1987.
Marmaduke. A messy but lovable Great Dane, Marmaduke was introduced to the world in 1954 in the Sunday comic strips in newspaper syndicates. Marmaduke is still in some newspapers to this day. Marmaduke came to life in 2010 as a motion picture with the comical life of his family, the Winslows, as they moved across the country.
These adorable breeds have a fun personality and everyone falls in love with their easy-going demeanor. Every day is a GREAT day with a Great Dane! Now just be sure to keep them protected, happy, and healthy as you go through life with the laughs they provide. What else do you know about Great Danes? Share this post or let us know by commenting on our Facebook page.