Great Dane dog’ short life span and the related query why do Great Danes die early, are the two most recurrent question on the Great Dane breed. The Great Dane is a canine which is admired universally owing to its extraordinary appearance. These reliable giants have shorter life spans as compared to numerous breeds of dog including small breeds as well.
The heart wrenching thing about a mighty Great Dane dog is its short life span. The Great Dane is estimated to have a life span of 6-8 years at average. Some Great Danes might die before that age. the dogs are reported to have died even at a less age of 5 or 6 years, unfortunately.
Want to know;
How many years a Great Dane dog tends to live??
Why do Great Danes die early??
The Great Dane is one of those giant breed of dogs which are generally adored all over America.
Great Dane is preferred because of its unique personality over other dogs. It has huge and behemoth presence which can reach up to hundred cm. The world’s tallest dog is a Zeus possessing a height of 111.8 cm from shoulder to paw. Great Dane is also friendly and frequently expresses affection towards its owners.
A Great Dane would make a great family pet. An excellent guard and protector, a Great Dane is an ideal dog for you. If you are looking for a canine who is good at almost everything expected of dogs, its no one other than a Great Dane.
Great Dane Life span;
One sad thing about this mighty breed is its short life span. The Great Dane is estimated to have a life span of 6-8 years at average. Some Great Danes have even a less age of 6-7 years, unfortunately. Yet the Great Dane dogs have managed to awe people with their singular profile even within that short life span.
Well if you would be fortunate, your Great Dane might live to celebrate its 9th birthday.
Here is the kicker:
Some Great Dane owners are found claiming that there dog has lived more than the breed’s expected age. Among such owners an owner claimed that his Great Dane was able to celebrate 17 birthdays. But being an unofficial claim it is still to be checked.
Why do Great Danes die early??
Great Dane is an excellent dog to pet when you look at its profile it excels in almost every field. With one exception; which is the dog’s short life span. As aforementioned the Great Dane has an average life span of 6-8 years. The breed is among the giant breeds of dogs who tend to live shorter than many small breeds. This is the only dimension where a Great Dane seems imperfect.
Why do Great Danes die early?
It is a question pondered on by many canine experts. As of now there is no explanation as to why the breed cannot live longer. Generally, the animals which are small have short life spans and those having huge bodies live longer.
But when it comes to dogs, this rule seems to lose its application. Smaller dogs can easily knock out big breeds in terms of life span. So, why do Great Danes die early?
Here is the kicker,
While considering an explanation to why Great Danes die early, dog experts have come to some reasoning.
Dog experts consider that growth rate of the Great Dane puppy is faster than other breed’ pups. It also ages faster and dies sooner than many small breed canines. As if the dog lives its adult life in fast forward, that is why Great Danes die early
It is suggested that the life span of the Great Dane could also shorten from its usual life span. The Great Dane breed has many inherited disorders and diseases which can reduce life of the dog. it can be inferred that this is the major reason for why do Great Danes die early.
Health problems reducing a Great Dane’s life span;
The Great Dane dog is among the large breeds having short life span. The established average span of life for the Great Dane can be shortened further if the dog is suffering from disorders. The health problems recurrent in the Great Danes which can reduce their life span are;
Bloat;
The Great Dane dog breed is most likely to bloat.
It is a perilous and often a deadly condition. In which the stomach of the Great Dane dog gets twisted. This results in breaking off its blood supply.
Once a Great Dane gets effected by bloat, the dog is prone to get it second time. Which could be dangerous for the Great Dane, as it might not be able to make it through again.
Such Great Danes require surgery to avoid the problem in future. Veterinary doctors might suggest a stomach tack to reduce the risk of occurrence of bloat.
Stomach tack is largely practiced for prevention of bloat in the Great Danes. Precisely, in the procedure the dog’s stomach is permanently attached to the abdominal wall. This prevents the stomach from twisting.
If you own Great Dane, a dog prone to bloat, it is advised to consult a veterinary doctor to get informed regarding the problem.
Cardiomyopathy;
The Great Dane breed is among the large breeds which are susceptible to cardiomyopathy. It is second only to Doberman Pinscher in its susceptibility to this disease.
Cardiomyopathy is a heart disease in which the heart muscles of the Great Dane get effected, which induces enlargement of heart.
If,
a Great Dane is detected with Cardiomyopathy, the chances of later abnormalities, such as congestive heart failure, also becomes a worry.
There are other problems originating from cardiomyopathy such as arrhythmia. In this condition the heartbeat of the patient Great Dane is interrupted. This condition could be fatal for the Great Dane except if the normal beats of heart returns briskly.
Hip Dysplasia;
Hip dysplasia is a paralyzing disease that influence the hip joints of the great Dane dog. The breed is more prone to this disease though it is also present in other large, medium, and small sized dogs.
Great Danes who are suffering from hip dysplasia or other bones diseases develop pain and and loses flexibility of joints. This directly mars the activities of the Great Dane dog by making its movement slow, difficulty in getting up or lying down, unwillingness to walk, jump or play, limping, avoiding stairs. Hip dysplasia can change the dog’s eating habits and even its overall personality.
If hip dysplasia grows the Great Dane dog won’t put pressure on its hind legs. Such dogs require human’s support to stand on its legs in severe cases.
Hypothyroidism;
A Great Dane could also suffer from a condition called hypothyroidism.
This condition occurs when thyroid gland malfunction and unfit to produce the hormone ‘thyroxin’ in required amount. This hormone is crucial to the Great Dane’s metabolic rate regulation. The hormone also manages growth and development of the Great Dane.
The dog suffering from hypothyroidism would gain weight without any visible change in its appetite.
If you are an owner of a Great Dane do not let its age factor or diseases associated with the breed dis heart you from getting the dog. But rather, being an inseparable part of the Great Dane’s profile, short span of life calls for multidimensional responsibilities on owner’s part. Great Dane require extra care and attention. The owner’s must try to;
- Make the dog’s time with you happy and
- Strive to provide your Great Dane a healthy life span.
What can you do to have a happy time together??
Dog owners can make the Great Dane their buddy, by engaging it in various activities with themselves. Happy time means a perfect bonding. To develop and foster a unique bond with the dog the owners ought to make sure the dog gets what it needs always.
The Great Dane is a smart breed which learns faster. It also learns affection and care from its owners. It registers and understands your expressions of love and care. Which also assists the Great Dane to decides on its allegiance. Also, if you want to be loved by your Great Dane make sure to express your love for the dog frequently.
Your Great Dane also gets happy when you would give it treats. Reward its good behaviors with toys and stuff. Get a cozy bed, a least bothering collar for your Great Dane right away.
The Great Dane also likes activities like playing in snow.
Why not arrange a trip with your Great Dane and enjoy snow.
How can your Great Dane live a healthy life??
Health ensures to some extent long life span. A Great Dane dog living a healthy life might live longer than those who are not. Here are some tips for you to provide a healthy life for your Great Dane.
Balanced and healthy diet;
Dogs just like humans depend on diet to maintain themselves. A healthy life of the Great Dane directly depends on what you give it to eat. If your dog is getting its much needed nutrients in its food, you are surely assisting your Great Dane to have a healthy span of life. But the food of Great Dane ought to be particularly for the breed. As Great Dane could face problem of fast growth which can be controlled plainly by its food and nutrition.
How much food to give your Great Dane??
The number of meals in which the feed is given is important for the dog. Get all the necessary information regarding Great Dane food in the article The Great Dane food.
If your Great Dane is growing rapidly it might get musculoskeletal diseases like;
- Dysplasia
- Osteochondrosis, and
- Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
All the aforementioned diseases are bone and muscle related problems a Great Dane might suffer from.
Warning:
While you are trying to supply your Great Dane with a full nutritional diet, be moderate in its food. If the dog gets a lot of food your Great Dane can grow out of shape and become obese. Obesity is as damaging for your Great Dane as it is for humans. But one can say obesity might be more dangerous for your Great Dane. The span of life a Great Dane would have is interlinked with the kind of life style you provide your dog with.
Physical activities for the Great Dane;
To ensure healthy life of a Great Dane you can organize various physical activities for your dog. You can make a routine for your Great Dane including of exercises and stroll. Generally, it is said the Great Dane does not require a lot of exercises. Simple exercise would do for the Great Dane. Try to take your Great Dane for a walk daily.
Breeding;
Experts suggest that the Great Dane should get their breeding history in order. This would help veterinary doctor to come up with diet plans for your Great Dane. Such plans are particularly developed for your Great Dane by the vets. The doctor might also be able to check on the latent diseases your Dane could get. Breeding must be done keeping in mind the high potential of genetic diseases a Great Dane has if the dogs involved in the process are not checked beforehand. Be cautious, when it comes to your Great Dane.
Bloating can be lethal for the Great Dane;
When it comes to the Great Dane, one of the health risks this breed possess, is bloating. Bloating is accumulation of gasses in stomach. Though sounds simple but for the dog it can be lethal.
How to prevent bloating of a Great Dane dog? Here are some general tips by canine experts,
- As a Great Dane owner you must give the dog its meal in small portion around the day. A big meal once or twice a day is not recommended for the Great Dane.
- Do not take your Great Dane dog for a walk right after its meal.
Note:
A veterinary doctor would be of help in telling you other ways to avoid bloating of your Great Dane dog.
Regular sitting with a vet;
The Greta Dane is a breed which has high health risks owing to its gigantic size. It is suggested to visit a veterinary doctor regularly to check on the dog’s health. If the dog has altered its activity, food, or overall mood the doctor might be able to find the probable reason behind this change. Mostly, the Great Dane would change is routine due to some illness. At this stage the disease is not that dangerous. If recognized earlier your Great Dane would have great chances of complete recovery.
A veterinary doctor would also be able to guide you if your Great Dane is aging. How to manage the dog when it is getting old?? It is indubitably a herculean task if faced without professional assistance.
Make sure your Great Dane has a sitting with a vet regularly.
Conclusion;
In this article we have discussed the reasons to why do Great Danes die early. In addition to Great Dane life span.
Though, the Great Dane’ life span is shorter than many small breeds. But it is up to you what kind of life your dog would live. Great Dane parents usually strive to provide a happy and healthy life for their Great Dane irrespective of its span. You can ensure your canine’ health and wellness by maintaining its comfort. The supreme way of doing that is giving your dog a cozy lodging holding healthy and nutritious dog food and a comfortable bed to ensure painless sleep.
It is you who can make the Great Dane’s life happier and easier if not longer. Because the span of life does not matter it’s the happiness in life which counts more.
References;
https://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-articles/pet-breeds/5-Things-You-Didnt-Know-About-Great-Danes.aspx
https://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/194083/pets/understanding_hypothyroidism_in_a_great_dane.html
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