Wolf
What is a dog?
The first evidence of the dog has genetic links
to the wolf. True wolves were found and dated in Europe to about a million
years ago and in the Americas about 700,000 years later. Dog remains were found
in Idaho, and were estimated to have been deposited about 10,500 years ago, and
about 9,000 years ago in Britain and Turkey.
Wolf
With time these were domesticated and happened at
different times but in all areas of the world. The first dogs appeared in
Eurasia, and was thought to resemble the present-day dingo, the wild dog of
Australia. History exists which show the European dogs such as the British
hounds, terriers, and shepherd dogs. One of the oldest known breeds is the
basenji, which originated in central Africa and is still used as a hunter by
certain tribes in that region. Several breeds were known in ancient Egypt and a
Mastiff like breed was found in the history of Babylonian illustrations
from 2200 BC. This dog also resembles the the Kurdish dog in present-day
Iraq.
Dingo
Basenji
Egyptian Temple Dogs
Kars Dog of Turkey
Dogs today are a carnivorous, domesticated mammal
(Canis familiaris) of the family Canidae, to which the wolf, jackal, and fox
also belong. Canine traits are are a long muzzle, large canine teeth, and
long tail. However, the term dog usually refers only to the domestic
species, or the Canis familiaris.
Canine Teeth
Two characteristics distinguish the dog from
other canids and all other species of animal life. The first is that they can be
found worldwide, and have a close bond or friendship with humans. The
second is they have common genetic similarity and traits within the species, so
we categorize them in different breeds. For example, the Irish wolfhound
may stand as high as 39 in. (99.1 cm) at the shoulder, while the Chihuahua's
shoulder is usually no more than 6 in. (15.2 cm) from the ground. The
silky coat of the Yorkshire terrier may be 2 ft (61 cm) long, while a few breeds
of dog (such as the Mexican hairless) are entirely without hair.
Irish Wolfhound
Chihuahua
Yorkshire Terrier
Mexican Hairless
The evolution of breeds has been strongly
influenced by breeding choices of humans, and natural evolution. Dogs have
been selectively bred through the centuries for special purposes. One
breed may have qualities that make it best at chasing and retrieving game,
another may be better as a Guide for the blind deaf or disabled, and almost all
are great to have as companions or friends.
Hunting
How can dogs help the handicapped?
A Therapy Dogs job is to help people in various places such as nursing homes, hospitals and schools, to bring happiness and cheer to people who need something to hold and love. A visiting Therapy Dog can often trigger memories of animals they use to own. The regular visits also give nursing home residents something to look forward to.
Dogs for the blind
Dogs can be trained to guide blind people so that they are
able to negotiate the world without being assisted. They serve as the eyes
for their owner. The training for such dogs is quite demanding, as the dog must
be able to navigate sidewalks, streets, stairs -- avoiding all obstacles,
including overhead ones that may injure its owner. They must be able to ignore
all distractions while doing their work. They are most commonly
called "Seeing Eye Dogs" or "Guide Dogs," and are usually yellow and black
Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherd Dogs, but others can
be used.
Guide dogs are chosen for their temperament, intelligence, versatility, size and
availability. Dogs trained as guide dogs must be intelligent, willing workers,
large enough to comfortably guide in harness and small enough to be easily
controlled and fit comfortably under restaurant tables and on buses and other
forms of public transit.
Children are usually preferred as puppy raisers for many Guide Dogs, so many coordinate with 4-H programs. Interestingly enough, the puppies raised by kids are more likely to make it through the formal guide dog training. The difference is not drastic, but is "significant." Volunteer puppy raisers are encouraged to expose their charges to as many new experiences as possible, observing the pups' reactions and providing positive reassurance and security for the puppies as they experience crowds, cars, strange buildings, other animals and much more. They also teach the dogs some of the basic obedience commands such as "sit" and "down," but the dogs' instructors will insure that the dogs know these and other obedience commands in addition to instructing them in guide work, itself. The formal training takes about 6 months.
There are 15 established programs in the US which train dog guides for the blind (as well as several in Canada and in other countries around the world.
Hearing and Signal Dogs
Other dogs are trained to assist deaf people. They alert their owner to a
variety of sounds, usually by coming up to the person and going back to the
source of the sound. They will signal on door bell and knocking, phones, smoke
alarms, crying babies and much more.
Assistance Dogs
Here is a large category of dogs who assist their owners in ways other than the
traditional guide dogs or hearing dogs do. These dogs might help pick things up,
open and close doors, pull wheelchairs, and dozens of other physical assistance
tasks.
 Guide Dogs |
 |
 Assistance Dogs |
 |
A breed of dog is produced by selecting and mating dogs
with certain desired characteristics. The offspring of such matings are then
bred with litter mates or close relatives. The offspring of these are called
inbred. After about eight generations, the breed line usually breeds true and
the offspring resemble each other. This is how standard traits can be
established for the new breed. A purebred dog is one that meets the standards of
a certain breed and whose lineage, or pedigree, has been recorded for a certain
period of time. The American Kennel club is here to maintain the records of
lineage of individual purebred dog breeds, and preserve those standards. Dogs of
mixed origin or whose parentage is unknown are called mongrels or mutts.
In the United States, the classification system used by the American Kennel Club, has more than 200 known breeds. These are grouped into classes for Working, Herding, Hounds, Sporting, Non Sporting, Terriers, and Toys.
These are feisty, energetic dogs whose sizes range from fairly small, as
in the Norfolk, Cairn or West Highland White Terrier, to the grand Airedale
Terrier. Terriers typically have little tolerance for other animals, including
other dogs. Their ancestors were bred to hunt and kill vermin. Many continue to
project the attitude that they're always eager for a spirited argument. Most
terriers have wiry coats that require special grooming known as stripping in
order to maintain a characteristic appearance. In general, they make engaging
pets, but require owners with the determination to match their dogs' lively
characters.
Airedale Terrier American Staffordshire Terrier
Australian Terrier Bedlington Terrier
Border Terrier Bull Terrier
Cairn Terrier Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Fox Terrier smooth haired Fox Terrier wire haired
Irish Terrier Jack Russell Terrier
Kerry Blue Terrier Lakeland Terrier
Manchester Terrier Miniature Bull Terrier
Miniature Schnauzer Norfolk Terrier
Norwich Terrier Scottish Terrier
Sealyham Terrier Skye Terrier
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Welsh Terrier West Highland White Terrier
Most hounds share the common ancestral trait of being used for hunting.
Some use acute scenting powers to follow a trail. Others demonstrate a
phenomenal gift of stamina as they relentlessly run down quarry. Beyond this,
however, generalizations about hounds are hard to come by, since the Group
encompasses quite a diverse lot. There are Pharaoh Hounds, Norwegian Elkhounds,
Afghans and Beagles, among others. Some hounds share the distinct ability to
produce a unique sound known as baying. You'd best sample this sound before you
decide to get a hound of your own to be sure it's your cup of tea.
Afghan Hound Borzoi Greyhound
Ibizan Hound Rhodesian Ridgeback
Saluki American Foxhound Basenji
Basset Hound Beagle Black and
Tan Coonhound
Bloodhound Dachshund English
Foxhound Harrier Irish Wolfhound
Norwegian Elkhound Otterhound
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Pharaoh Hound
Scottish Deerhound Whippet
Naturally active and alert, Sporting dogs make likeable, well-rounded
companions. Members of the Group include pointers, retrievers, setters and
spaniels. Remarkable for their instincts in water and woods, many of these
breeds actively continue to participate in hunting and other field activities.
Potential owners of Sporting dogs need to realize that most require regular,
invigorating exercise.
German Short-haired Pointer German Wirehaired Pointer
Pointer Vizsla (or Hungarian Pointer)
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon English Setter
Gordon Setter
Irish Setter Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Curly-Coated Retriever Flat-Coated Retriever
Golden Retriever Labrador Retriever
Weimaraner American Water Spaniel
Brittany Clumber Spaniel Cocker
Spaniel English Cocker Spaniel
English Springer Spaniel Field Spaniel
Irish Water Spaniel Sussex Spaniel
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Non-sporting dogs are a diverse group. Here are sturdy animals with as
different personalities and appearances as the Chow Chow, Dalmatian, French
Bulldog, and Keeshond. Talk about differences in size, coat, and visage! Some,
like the Schipperke and Tibetan Spaniel are uncommon sights in the average
neighborhood. Others, however, like the Poodle and Lhasa Apso, have quite a
large following. The breeds in the Non-Sporting Group are a varied collection in
terms of size, coat, personality and overall appearance.
American Eskimo Dog Bichon Frise (or Teneriffe)
Boston Terrier Chinese Shar-Pei
Chow Chow Dalmatian Bulldog
Finnish Spitz French Bulldog
Keeshond
Lhasa Apso Löwchen Poodle
Schipperke Shiba Inu Tibetan
Spaniel Tibetan Terrier
Although dogs have advanced hearing abilities and can hear
much better than human, they have an even more acute sense of smell. It is
the sense they use most. Beyond the traditional hunting and tracking, the
dog's sense of smell has been put to many other uses, such in the country
borders to detect exotic foods, drugs and explosives.
Customs Dogs
Did you know the maximum life span of a DOG is estimated to be
about 27 years & yet the average dog lives only approximately 13 years? If
we choose to keep a dog as a pet, we become responsible to feed and love them.
We must also protect them from diseases such as distemper, canine hepatitis,
leptospirosis, and rabies. We can do this with vaccines that are available
in stores and from the Veterinarian.
Canine Pests and Diseases
The flea is the dog's most common pest. Washing the dog with special soap can
remove fleas. Flea-preventive collars are also available to protect dogs with
thin coats. Flea collars, however, should not be used on short-haired,
single-coated dogs--such as greyhounds, whippets, and pointers--because of skin
irritation.
The tick poses a greater danger to the dog. This pest attaches itself to the
dog's skin and sucks its blood. It also carries certain canine and human
diseases. An owner can remove ticks from his dog by first dabbing alcohol on the
infested area and then picking the parasites off with tweezers, making sure that
the entire tick is removed.
Worms and other intestinal parasites often infest puppies. A puppy's fecal
stools should be checked periodically for them. If worms are detected, take a
sample of the infested stool to a veterinarian so that the type of parasite can
be determined and the proper treatment rendered. Commercial deworming medicines
should be avoided unless prescribed by a veterinarian.
A dog is obviously sick when it becomes listless and hardly eats. Its bowel
movements may be irregular. It might also have pale, whitish gums and tongue,
dull eyes, and a dry coat. A sick dog often runs a fever. A dog's temperature is
best taken with a rectal thermometer. Normal body temperature of a dog is 101.5
degrees F. A dog's pulse can be taken by pressing your finger against the blood
vessel in the V formed where the undersides of the hind legs attach to the body.
Normal pulse rate of a dog is between 75 and 100 beats per minute.
A dog can be infected by several viruses, including those that cause distemper,
canine hepatitis, and rabies. A spirochete-caused ailment called leptospirosis
is also common among dogs. Puppies should be vaccinated against each of these
diseases. If any of them should arise, however, the suffering dog must be taken
to a veterinarian for treatment.
Distemper affects the mucous membranes of the dog's respiratory tract. The
symptoms resemble those of human influenza. Distemper causes the dog's
temperature to rise two to three degrees above normal. Canine hepatitis affects
the dog's liver and abdominal organs. It is marked by a fever as high as 105
degrees F., thirst, diarrhea, and vomiting. A dog with hepatitis may hump its
back and try to rub its belly against the floor to relieve the pain.
Rabies is a disease that can pass to humans who have been bitten by infected
dogs. Rabies is almost always fatal when the virus gets to the brain. Brain
inflammation causes the erratic behavior that is sometimes seen in a rabid dog.
Leptospirosis is sometimes confused with hepatitis. However, leptospirosis is
characterized by discolored and abnormal-smelling urine. At the onset of the
disease, the dog's body temperature might soar as high as 105 degrees F..
The following table is a schedule for the Puppy Immunization Series:
| Age | Vaccine |
| 6 weeks | Distemper measles or Distemper measles, hepatitis, parainfluenza |
| 9 weeks | canine parvovirus |
| 12 weeks | Distemper, hepatitis, leptopirosis, parainfluenza |
| 15 weeks | canine parvovirus |
| 17 weeks | Distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza |
| 19 weeks | Canine parvovirus |
| 6 months | canine parvovirus |
| 12 months | Distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza |
| 12 month 2 weeks | Rabies |
| 12 months 4 weeks | canine parvovirus |
CARING FOR A DOG
Dog owners are responsible for feeding, housebreaking, and cleaning their pets. They should also oversee the health of their dogs. It's best to consult a veterinarian at the first sign of a dog ailment.
A dog can be fed either the dry meal, biscuit, semimoist and cellophane-wrapped, or canned type of dog food. Whichever type is selected must contain the carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, and vitamins essential for the animal's well-being. As a rule, the cost of feeding a large dog can be kept low by giving it the inexpensive dry meal type.
A puppy should be housebroken as soon as possible. When the puppy takes its first water or food, note how long it takes for the puppy to urinate or defecate. When you discover the schedule, take the pup outside when the prescribed time has elapsed after feeding or drinking. Soon, the puppy will associate the outdoors with toilet function and will no longer soil the house or the newspapers that have been spread around its living area.
Young puppies should not be excessively groomed. A daily brushing with a soft brush is sufficient to remove surface dust and dirt. Some authorities believe that to conserve its natural skin oils a pup should not be completely bathed until its first birthday. Mud and deep dirt in its coat, however, can be removed with a damp, warm washrag. Afterward, the puppy should be completely dried with a rough towel. A dog can then have a complete bath when it is old enough, but it must be kept in the house until thoroughly dry, especially during winter. Dog nails should be trimmed periodically. Cut only the transparent part of the nail past the foot pads. Close clipping can cut into the "quick"--the portion of nail that has nerves and blood vessels--and hurt the animal. Special clippers can be purchased for trimming dog nails.
CHOOSING A DOG
An important thing to think about when buying a dog is if it will fit comfortably into your home when it reaches adult size. Having young children in the family should also be a factor when deciding. A dog for a growing family must be able to stand rough treatment. A toy dog would be a poor choice for such a family because its tiny bones are fragile enough to break when children handle it roughly. In general larger dogs, such as Labrador retrievers or German shepherds, are better adapted both physically and temperamentally for a young family.
A dog can be acquired from a number of sources. It can be bought from a reputable pet shop or from a kennel. Newspaper advertisements describe pups for sale from private parties. Local humane societies have dogs available, too. From whatever source you get a dog, however, make certain it is healthy. Ask for proof, if possible, that it has received all the necessary immunizing shots.
You should always get get a written log of whatever shots and other care the pup has had or will need after you take it home. Even if a puppy has had shots against distemper and hepatitis, it will need booster shots. Later, it will need a rabies shot. A reputable pet shop or kennel ordinarily will have taken care of these details, but get a signed verification from a veterinarian anyway.
Males are usually larger, stronger, and more aggressive, and they make excellent watchdogs. On the other hand, females are usually more affectionate and gentle, and if they are purebred dogs and are mated with males of their breed, their pups can be sold for profit. The female has a strong maternal instinct and will guard children as well as she does her own pups. Dogs of either sex, however, can be neutered. Castration, the removal of the testes, makes a male dog infertile and more docile. Spaying, or removal of the ovaries, makes a female dog infertile.
Should you buy a purebred or a mongrel? This question is hard to answer because a purebred dog sometimes turns out to be less desirable pets than we expected, while a mongrel can often make an alert, intelligent, and delightful family pet.
As a rule, a purebred pup inherits the traits of its breed. As a result, few surprises in body form and temperament arise when the pup reaches adulthood. If you want to buy a purebred but are unfamiliar with the breed, first look at a full-grown dog of the breed. The puppy will grow to resemble it. If you want to buy a mongrel, try to see its sire and dam. The sire and dam will display any unwanted trait that may lie hidden in the puppy.
Ideally, children and puppies should grow up together. Caution should be taken, however, when dog owners bring a newborn baby home. Pampered dogs sometimes resent the newcomer because the baby receives most of the parents' attention. They should make an effort to pay attention to the dog, too.
A puppy should be at least eight or nine weeks old before it is taken from its home kennel. By this time it will have been weaned and eating regular food. At first, the puppy must be fed four times a day. By the time it is mature, feedings should be down to twice a day or even once a day in the case of a dog that gets little exercise. Diet and feeding instructions should accompany the puppy. If it was eating a prepared dog food at the kennel, the same diet should be maintained until the puppy shows its dislike of it by "going off its feed," or refusing to eat. Several types of dog food may have to be tried before the dog settles on a favorite. If it refuses all the choices offered, however, consult the breeder or a veterinarian for help.
TRAINING A DOG
Any young dog can be trained to understand commands and to do simple tricks. When correctly trained, it is conditioned to respond to your commands, noises, or gestures.
Once an owner decides to train his puppy, however, he must be willing to stick with the job until the puppy learns the task. First, the owner should select a simple "call" name for the animal. The call name should be used frequently so the puppy can learn to recognize the sound of it.
A training session is best begun when the puppy is hungry because it is more alert at that time. Also, the owner can reinforce the dog's correct responses to commands with a dog biscuit or meat tidbit. The hungry dog is more apt to associate the correct performance of a task with a food reward.
To get the puppy into a collar at first, entice it to you by extending your open hands, pet it and say "good dog" (and include its name) when it comes, and finally slip the collar around its neck. Then attach a leash to the collar. If the puppy has confidence in you, it will walk along with you even though it is wearing the leash. A metal chain leash is usually best because the puppy will not be able to chew and play with it.
Wait until a puppy is at least six months old before trying to teach it tricks, but do teach it the meaning of "no" at an earlier age. The young dog must be corrected vocally each time it does something that you disapprove of. If you are consistent, it soon learns by your tone of voice what pleases you and what displeases you. Formal training sessions should entail no more than ten minutes of work at a time, and they should never tire the dog.
To teach the command "sit," keep the dog on your left side and pull up on its leash with your right hand while gently but firmly pushing its hindquarters to the floor. While doing this, say the command "sit" with authority. Reinforce its correct actions with a tidbit.
To teach the command "stay," work with the puppy after it has learned to sit. While it is sitting, raise your palm to the dog and order it to "stay." It will probably try to get up, so tell it "no." Whenever it remains in the sitting position after you have given the "stay" command, reward the dog with a tidbit.
More effort might be needed to teach the command "come." When the dog has learned to stay, command it to "come" and call it by name. When it comes to you, lavish the dog with praise and give it a snack. A very stubborn dog might have to be pulled with a cord tied around its collar while the command is given. If this is necessary, be firm but accompany the command with a friendly hand gesture. Many tugs may be necessary until the reluctant dog learns the meaning of "come." Do not be impatient with a puppy when teaching it simple tricks, and never get angry. If the training sessions are not going well, break them off and resume them later in the day or even on another day. In addition, give praise and tidbits to the dog only when they are earned.
The two most famous dogs were...
Lassie.
Any of a line of popular collies in movies and TV series. The first Lassie starred in the 1942 movie 'Lassie Come Home'.
Rin Tin Tin. A German shepherd who was an all-time famous
canine stars. "Rinty" was in 19 movies before its death in 1932.
Great Danes-Harlequin
Great Dane
Dane Personality
There is just something about a Great Dane.
Being a very large dog is just part of it! A Dane is a "people dog" that
is sensitive and affectionate. They can be elegant and dignified one
moment, and then playful and silly the next. They were originally
developed in Germany to hunt wild boar. Today the are known as the "Gentle
Giant" of the breeds and are no longer used for that purpose, yet still have the
confidence that made them suitable for that work. Because of their temperament,
and the fact that they are generally clean and quiet, they make ideal
inside-the-house pets. They do not make good "yard" dogs, because when kept from
human companionship, they can become very unruly and destructive. If
you are going to buy a Great Dane, you should always be sure to see at least the
dam of the litter, and the sire if possible. Puppy temperament is influenced by
both heredity, and by environment.
Size, Color, Ears
The AKC Official Standard 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." It is common for males to
stand about 35 inches at the shoulder, and to weigh about 150 pounds. Females
are commonly about 32 inches tall, and weigh about 120 pounds.
There are five colors that are described by the AKC, and permitted to be
shown in the breed ring. They are:
BLACK "Glossy black..."
BLUE "Pure steel blue..."
BRINDLE "Base color shall be yellow gold and always brindled with strong black
cross stripes in a chevron pattern. A black mask is preferred..."
FAWN "Yellow gold with a black mask..."
HARLEQUIN "Base color shall be pure white with black torn patches irregularly
and well distributed over the entire body..."
Boston and merle are colors that are often seen in harlequin litters, and while
these colors are not permitted in the conformation ring (in the U.S.),
individuals of these colors can make fine pets, and can also participate in
other types of competition like obedience, tracking, agility, flyball, etc.
Ears
Danes are born with ears that should be "high set, medium in size and of
moderate thickness, folded forward close to the cheek. The top line of the ear
should be level with the skull." Ears may also be cropped. If cropped, the ear
length is in proportion to the size of the head and the ears are carried
uniformly erect. Ear cropping is a optional cosmetic surgery which enables the
ears to stand. Aftercare is also necessary to ensure that the surgery will be
successful. If you choose to have your puppy's ears cropped, please contact your
breeder, or your local Dane club, for a referral to a Veterinarian in your area
who is proficient at performing this surgery and after-care.
Grooming
The Dane is a short-haired breed, and requires little in the way of coat
care. Most do well with weekly brushing and more often during periods of heavy
shedding and bathing as needed. The Dane also requires ear cleaning, dental
care, and toenail trimming like any other breed.
Health Concerns
The Great Dane, like many other breeds, is prone to a variety of health
problems - some hereditary. Here are the steps of a Responsible breeders.
OFA Certification
Hip Dysplasia is a poly-genetic hereditary disease which can cause pain and
lameness - even to the point of being crippling. The Orthopedic Foundation for
Animals will review radiographs on dogs (two years of age or older) and certify
the hip joint conformation as normal (free of Hip Dysplasia) with grades of
Excellent, Good, or Fair.
THYROID TESTING
Hypothyroidism can cause a variety of medical problems, and has been linked to
auto-immune disorders. It is diagnosed with blood screening.
VWD TESTING
Von Willebrand's Disease is a bleeding disorder (similar to Hemophilia in
people), and is diagnosed with blood screening.
CERF CERTIFICATION
The Canine Eye Registration Foundation will certify a dog to be free of apparent
heritable ocular disease based upon examination of a veterinary opthamologist.
The dog must be re-examined and re-certified every 12 months.
CARDIAC SCREENING;
This testing is done to determine hereditary heart disease, including
Cardiomyopathy. It is generally performed by a veterinary cardiologist.
When interviewing breeders, a puppy buyer should ask for proof of (the above
listed) screenings, and should also ask about other health problems including
Gastric Torsion (Bloat), Seizure Disorders, Wobblers, and Orthopedic Disease (OCD,
HOD, etc.). Breeders who deny any knowledge of any possible hereditary disease
in their lines, as well as those who are not familiar with these diseases (and
the screening process), should be avoided. Dogs who have been diagnosed with any
heritable disease should NOT be used in a breeding program.
Longevity
The Great Dane is unfortunately not a long-lived breed. Their lifespan is
generally 7-10 years. Longevity can be promoted by breeding healthy individuals
(whose ancestors were long-lived), and by practicing good health management.
But, even though the Dane is not long-lived, Dane lovers would agree that they'd
rather have eight years with these dogs than twenty with another breed.
Care and Training Exercise
Danes need a moderate amount of exercise. If you do not have a large fenced
area, a long walk each day will suit most Danes just fine.
Training
Danes can also be trained to participate in very
athletic activities, such as competition obedience, tracking, agility and
flyball. Because of their size, an un-trained Dane can be a very serious
hazard. Dane puppies should be started in a puppy training and socialization
class at about three months of age. At that stage, they are very impressionable,
and a relatively manageable size. For their own safety, and for the safety of
their owners (and others), all Danes should be taught not to bite (even in
play), and not to jump up on people (unless invited). They should also learn (at
a minimum) the five basic obedience commands: heel, sit, down, stay, and come.
Danes are a very sensitive breed, and (for the best results) should be taught
using motivational/inducive methods.
Is the Dane the Right Breed for You?
Our Dane puppy was small at birth and was about 25 pounds at
the age of eight weeks old. He grew to about six times that weight
by 10 months old. You must take special consideration
for a large breed dog and its needs before acquiring a puppy. Dogs are abandoned every day because
their owners didn't realize that their cute little puppy would grow up to be a
very large dog with real needs. Therefore, anyone considering a Dane as a pet,
should first spend time with adults of the breed, and then ask themselves the
following questions:
Will I be able to provide enough food for a giant breed dog? They eat about
three to six cups of high quality dog food twice each day.
Can I afford the other expenses involved with owning a dog of this size?
Medication, crates, bedding, equipment, supplies, toys, etc., all cost more for
a giant breed dog.
Am I prepared to provide a Dane with the companionship and exercise he requires?
Am I able, and willing, to provide positive and consistent training, beginning
as soon as my Dane enters my home?
If after considering all of these questions, you are still determined to add a
Great Dane to your family, then you will be as happy with your pet Dane as we
are!
At birth
8 weeks old
13 months old