Health and Lifespan of Great Danes

Lifespan: The typical lifespan of a Great Dane is between 7 and 9 years.

 

Nutrition: Great Danes are a large breed that needs large breed dog food. It is best to give Great Danes a complete and balanced dog chow. The better quality of the food, the healthier the dog will be.

 

Maintenance: Since Danes are a short hair breed they are low maintenance. Great Danes should be walked at least 3 times a week. They also should be taken to the vet yearly for check-ups to prevent common diseases often seen in Danes.

 

Diseases:

• Hypothyroidism: "Typically inherited, affects the Great Dane's immune system. This condition is a result of the thyroid gland not producing enough hormones to keep-up the dog's metabolism. This condition is easily detected by a simple blood test. The disease is manageable with thyroid replacement therapy. Treatment typically continues over the rest of your Dane's life. Some signs of Hypothyroidism are skin problems, excessive shedding, hair loss, loose eyes, and frequent infections." (http://www.all-about-great-danes.com/dog-illnesses.html)

Diseases Continued:

• Bloat: "Bloat can occur in many deep chested breeds and is one of the most troubling dog illnesses. More common in Great Danes, this extremely painful condition can take a Dane's life very swiftly. The cause remains somewhat of a mystery, possibly inherited or line related. When a dog suffers from bloat, the stomach swells and/or rotates cutting off blood supply to other vital organs. This is the number 1 killer of Danes and one of the most serious dog illnesses. A dog suffering from bloat may die in a matter of hours if left untreated. Some warning signs for bloat are; swelling of the abdomen and abdominal pain, rapid breathing and excessive salivation. If you suspect your Dane has bloat you should rush for emergency veterinary care. In most cases surgery is required to correct this problem." (http://www.all-about-great-danes.com/dog-illnesses.html) 
• Hip Dysplasia: "This is an inherited condition in which the thighbone doesn't fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but others don't display outward signs of discomfort. (X-ray screening is the most certain way to diagnose the problem.) Either way, arthritis can develop as the dog ages. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred--so if you're buying a puppy, ask the breeder for proof that the parents have been tested for hip dysplasia and are free of problems."  (http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/great-dane)