2007-01-10 09:42:23 · 8 answers · asked by ELAINE F 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
CONGRATULATIONS!!
They take 3 years to mature. Their growth is Very Rapid in the first year and it is important NOT to fee him/her puppy food.
With a giant breed dog, there are misconceptions or "old school" mindsets of the % of protein. Most studies show because of the rapid bone growth too much protein can be harmful and cause bone defects..."problems". Most breeders advise a Regular adult dog food. I chose to mix with Sr. dog food for the glucosamine etc….”read your ingredient percentages. Raise the bowl off the floor for Gastric reasons. I started with just phone books till we got to a point where I designed a special raised feeding station.
"Missing Link" added is a great supplement and the large breeds do well when adding an Enzyme to their food. Again to avoid the Gastric issues like "torsion".
NO JUMPING! Their bones are still growing and the size of your pup can hurt him while growing so rapidly.
Walk your dog and socialize him. Everyone thinks Danes are laid back and they should be. If not socialized, the Dane can become shy/scared and this turns to an aggressive dog. It is mentally not balanced for its nature to be that way + No one needs that big of a dog to be aggressive.
Let me point you to some helpful websites to study. MacDanes~ http://www.macdanes.bigstep.com/generic.html?pid=28
Article: WHY WE DON’T FEED PUPPY FOOD TO GREAT DANE PUPPIES
By V. Louise Feddema
And Dane Outreach ~ http://www.daneoutreach.org/Files/Care_of_Your_Dane_Puppy.pdf
Danes love to lean and sleep ON YOU. IF you do not have a big bed, I advise you to Crate the puppy for sleeping purposes. This is a very critical decision you must make.
My 1yr. Dane Danzka sleeps on the bed and it is not the most comfortable experience.
She, like most Danes, has a need to sleep on top and or up against you...imagine a dog over 100lbs. with you in bed.
Hope some of this gets you pointed in the right direction . . . wish we could talk more.
You are in for fun times, Another Dane Mom
2007-01-10 10:48:03 · answer #1 · answered by Ms.T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's the 2006 list from the Whole Dog Journal. These are highest quality foods. Most of these are not carried at large chain stores but you can usually find them at small pet stores, feed and grain stores, etc.
Artemis: www.artemispetfood.com
Azmira: www.azmira.com
Back to Basics: www.beowulfs.com
Bench & Field Holistic Natural Canine: www.benchandfield.com
Blue Buffalo: www.bluebuff.com
Burns: www.bpn4u.com
by Nature BrightLife: www.bynaturepetfoods.com
California Natural: www.naturapet.com
Canidae: www.canidae.com
Canine Caviar: www.caninecaviar.com
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul: www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com
Cloud Star Kibble: www.cloudstar.com
Drs. Foster & Smith: www.drsfostersmith.com
Eagle Pack Holistic Select: www.eaglepack.com
Evolve: www.evolvepet.com
Firstmate Dog Food: www.firstmate.com
Flint River Ranch: www.flintriver-pet-food.com
Foundations: www.petcurean.com
Fromm Four Star Nutritionals: www.frommfamilyfoods.com
Go! Natural: www.petcurean.com
Hund-N-Flocken: www.solidgoldhealth.com
Innova: www.naturapet.com
Innova Evo: www.naturapet.com
Karma Organic: www.karmaorganic.com
Lick Your Chops: www.healthypetfoodsinc.com
Lifespan: www.petguard.com
Limited Diets: www.royalcanin.us
Merrick Pet Foods: www.merrickpetcare.com
Mmillennia: www.solidgoldhealth.com
Natural Balance Ultra Premium: www.naturalbalanceinc.com
Natural Choice Ultra: www.nutroproducts.com
Newman's Own Organics: www.newmansownorganics.com
NutriSource: www.nutrisourcedogfood.com
Organix: www.castorpolluxpet.com
Performatrin Ultra: www.performatrinultra.com
PHD Viand: www.phdproducts.com
Pinnacle: www.breeders-choice.com
Prairie: www.naturesvariety.com
Premium Edge: www.premiumedgepetfood.com
Prime Life: www.ompetproducts.com
Royal Canin Natural Blend: www.royalcanin.us
Timberwolf Organics: timberwolforganics.com
VeRUS: www.veruspetfoods.com
Wellness: www.oldmotherhubbard.com
Wellness Simple Food Solutions: www.oldmotherhubbard.com
Wenawe: www.wenawe.com.uy
Wysong: www.wysong.net
Zinpro: www.lincolnbiotech.com
2007-01-10 17:45:44 · answer #2 · answered by chris 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully you bought him from a responsible breeder who health tested the parents (OFA/PennHip, CERF/PRA, Thyroid), showed the parents, etc.and was one who is well versed in the protein requirements of Dane puppies.
One very important thing do NOT EVER feed a Dane puppy puppy food of any kind and that includes large breed. Make sure the food you feed is a good quality food with no more then 24 % protein. Some good foods are:
Chicken Soup large breed adult formula or regualr adult formula, Canidae all life stages, Wellness, Solid Gold, Innova, Timberwolf, California Natural, Eagle Pack..
Stay way away from supermarket brands such as Pedigree, IAMS/Euknauba, Purina Dog Chow.
Vets are wonderful. I've worked for/with them for 34 going on 35 years, however when it comes to nutrition and feeding they are sadly lacking in that area. Vets get nutrition classes, however they are only general studies from cats to rats, dogs to hogs. Vets tend to recommend those foods they are familiar with and those foods aren't the best as a rule. Vets don't have the time to pursue all the foods out there.Most vets also are very sadly lacking in knowledge of feeding giant breeds and tend to lump them all in with large breeds which is a big mistake. The protein and calcium requirements are very different as are the growth patterns.
Vaccinations should be given according to AAHA/AVMA and GDCA protocol.
Rabies try to wait until the puppy is at least 6 months old if at all possible.
I recommend getting the book The Great Dane, Model of Nobility by Jill Swedlow..it is a fantastic book with real, honest info from an experienced Dane person who knows exactly waht she is talking about. Also check out the GDCA site for some more useful info.
2007-01-10 13:14:22 · answer #3 · answered by Great Dane Lover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have bought an exceptional dog that requires a lot of care , i breed staffordshire bull terrier`s but used to breed great dane`s nearly 25 year`s ago , i used to feed mine twice a day tripe in the morning , and mixture of vitalin meal ( or similar ) mixed with hot water & oxo and left to cool ( by this time the mixture has swelled ) at around 4 pm .Don`t think that because it is a large dog that it need ton`s of food because it does`nt it is best to check with the breeder as to what they recommend ( it`s been 20 odd years for me and now i have small dog`s ) so i would only be guessing on an amount of food .
But one tip i would give you is when you feed it place the feeding bowl ( i used to use an old washing up bowl so the dog could eat it`s food properly , but don`t fill it up with food ) place it on a chair or stool so the dog doesnt have to " splay " it`s legs to have to reach the food as this can have an effect on the dog later in life . and make sure you worm it regular . ....Good luck
Oh nearly forgot make sure you take some bin bag`s and a shovel when you take it for walk`s for the poop a scoop . lol
2007-01-10 10:35:34 · answer #4 · answered by charlotterobo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The pup should at least be started out with the food that the breeder was giving.
Dane pup should not be given a protein level over 23%. Too high a protein level can result in bad hips and other bone problems. Large breed puppy chow is the same as adult dog food so feed either, but keep that protein level at 23%.
2007-01-10 10:23:22 · answer #5 · answered by A Great Dane Lady 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm tempted to suggest you ask the breeder what they would recommend, but then - if they were responsible/knowledgeable then I'd have hoped they would have provided you with a diet sheet along with your pup, so you wouldn't have this problem.
It might be an idea to speak to the breeder anyway, just to see what food was being given, then consult with your vet. Your vet should be able to give as good advice as anyone on here, plus you'll KNOW the advice is coming from someone who KNOWS their subject.
Good luck.
2007-01-11 06:23:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Now I don't know crap about what percent of this and that he is sposed to be getting but...I babysat 2 lil girls for 2 summers and they have 2 great danes... they had one of those feeders that look like the water despensers where they pretty much had food whenever they want it... and they give them those dried pig ears as treats... their dogs are healthy and not at all fat... They are a good weight!
2007-01-10 12:36:06 · answer #7 · answered by luvsick143 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they breeder will be more than happy to assist you with this..
2007-01-10 10:18:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋