16/11/2022
2: HOW DID THE GREAT DANE GET SO BIG
The Great Dane got its big size from its ancestors. This dog breed is a cross breed of the English Mastiff and Irish Wolfhound, which are both known as giant dog breeds. The purpose of breeding the Great Dane was for it to hunt large animals like deer, bears, and boars.
According to expert advice from the AKC, size is one of the most important factors in determining a dog's lifespan. Big dogs have shorter lifespans than small dogs, regardless of the dogs' breed. This trend is actually seen across all species. While there are many long-lived large species, like elephants, smaller individuals within the species often live longer than large — and scientists aren’t sure why.
While it's unlikely that a Great Dane will ever live as long as a chihuahua, dog owners can take steps to help their big bestie live a healthy life. Here’s what you can do to ensure your Great Dane remains healthy into their golden years:
-Choose a healthy Great Dane puppy: Look for responsible breeders who have earned an AKC Breeder of Merit or Bred With H.E.A.R.T. certification. Or, ask any breeder if they run the AKC's recommended health screenings for Great Danes, including a hip, eye, thyroid, and heart exam.
-Consider spaying or neutering: An in-depth study into canine longevity found that dogs that are spayed or neutered live longer than dogs that aren't. Unless you plan on breeding your Great
Dane, ask your vet about spay and neuter surgery.
-Keep up with dental cleanings, That same study also found that dogs who get annual dental cleaning have longer lives
-Get regular checkups: Make sure your vet gets a checkup at least once a year. This ensures your pet is up-to-date on their vaccines and helps your vet identify potential health issues early, which can give you more treatment options and lead to better outcomes for your dog.
-Feed a healthy diet: Look for high-quality dog food that features a whole protein source as the first ingredient and includes whole-food fruits and vegetables. Avoid feeding grain-free food (for the reasons we stated above), and make sure your Great Dane puppy eats a large-breed puppy formula to promote healthy bone growth.
-Give them multiple small meals each day: It's not just what you feed your dog that matters. It's also how you feed them. If you feed your Great Dane one large meal, they will be at a higher risk for GDV. Instead, feed 2-3 small meals, and be careful about portion size to prevent obesity. According to research, obesity can shorten a dog's life by up to 2.5 years.
-Provide regular exercise: According to veterinary research, regular exercise can help prevent obesity, keep your dog's joints healthy, and allow them to remain mobile into old age. For long-term joint health, choose low-impact exercises, like walking and swimming, instead of joint-pounding high-impact exercises, like running and jumping
-Protect their joints: To keep your Great Dane active and healthy, protect their joints with scientifically proven supplements, like omega-3 fish oil, over highly processed glucosamine supplements. And look for all-natural anti-inflammatories, like a relief supplement with turmeric, black pepper, and green-lipped musseLs.
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