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Last week, I’ve written on how long do French bulldog lives and lifespan of a yorkie. They are all very well received by reader with more than 100 social shares each. Today, let me bring to you another interesting lifespan of a great dane. Without further ado, let’s dive in.
What Is A Great Dane?
The Great Dane is a giant breed which is also known as “Apollo of dogs”. They are gentle dogs and can be easily attached to other dogs, animals and humans. Their size and power bark can scare people. A Great Dane is elegant and has a muscular body. Moreover, they are not highly energetic dogs but their large size can cause problems.
Other than their huge size, they are affectionate companions and love to play. They are very kind and gentle with children. Great Dane does not need a large amount of food as you would think. They need a room to move around and exercise. It is considered that Great Dane dogs are easy to train but some people say that Great Dane alone can be a stubborn learner.
How Long Do Great Danes live?
The average lifespan of Great Dane is 8-10 years. The sad thing about this breed is its short lifespan. When we compared this giant breed to shorter dogs, which live longer than Great Danes, this barely seems fair. It is possible for Great Dane to live longer than their average lifespan. Some Great Danes can live more than ten years but the average lifespan is up to 10 years.
Common Health Problems That Reduce Great Danes Lifespan
Giant, brave and beautiful Great Danes have a special place in our heart. There are some common health problems that are the main cause of early death of Great Dane.
Cardiomyopathy:
Great Danes are also famous for their big hearts but it has a darker meaning. Older Great Danes can suffer from heart diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy in which the heart grows bigger. In this disease, heart muscles get thinner and are not able to perform normal functions.
Common signs related to cardiomyopathy are:
- Persistent coughing
- Heart murmur
- Shortness of breath
Bloat:
Bloat is a scary and dangerous condition for this breed. In this condition, the stomach fills with gas and then twists, cutting off the blood supply of the stomach and can be fatal for Great Danes. Dogs that suffer from bloat once have a chance to get it a second time, so veterinarians recommend tacking procedures to minimize the risk of bloat in future.
Common signs of bloat are:
- Abdominal pain
- Hard and bloated abdomen
- Increased heart rate
- Excessive drooling
Thyroid issues (Hypothyroidism):
Great Danes can also suffer from hypothyroidism in which thyroid glands are unable to produce the proper amount of hormone “thyroxine”. This hormone controls the growth and development of dogs. Great Dane with hypothyroidism can gain weight without any visible sign of change in appetite.
Check your dog to the veterinarian because your veterinarian can easily monitor your dog’s thyroid gland and treat it with medications.
Bone cancer:
Bone cancer which is also known as osteosarcoma, common cancer seen in Great Danes. Dogs develop swelling around the knee, shoulder and wrist. The affected areas are very hard to touch and can be seen as painful. Osteosarcoma is treated by removing the affected lead, chemotherapy or radiation.
Tips To Help Your Great Dane Live Longer
There are some tips that help your Great Dane live longer, better and happier life.
Choose a good breeder:
It is important that you can buy your Great Dane from a good and reputable breeder. A good breeder can screen the genetic health of the dog and assure you that there is no problem in your Great Dane. Those Great Danes that have less genetic problems are capable of living a long life. So, buying a Great Dane with no genetic issues can be able to live a longer and healthier lifespan.
If you get the Great Dane from a rescue organization, it will be difficult for you to access the dog’s pedigree. But you have a veterinarian to examine your Great Dane.
Healthy diet:
A healthy life of the Great Dane depends upon a healthy diet. If your dog is getting all required nutrients, your dog will have a healthy and longer lifespan. Great Danes also have some special requirements of foods to prevent them from growing too fast.
If your dog is growing too fast, it will lead to musculoskeletal diseases such as hip dysplasia and osteochondrosis.
Obesity is also a great risk in giant Great Dane that can lead to diabetes, osteoarthritis and orthopedic diseases. So, feeding your dog an appropriate diet can make sure that your dog will live a healthy life.
Preventive care:
Veterinarians recommend many meals a day instead of one large meal because it can prevent bloat. In many cases, examining a disease early can improve your dog’s chance of recovery.
Regular veterinarian visit:
Great Danes are a giant breed, it means that they have bigger veterinary bills. So, the bill is not the reason to skip your Great Dane’s regular checkups. In these visits, you have to inform your veterinarian about any new change in their activity levels, attitude and appetite. Mostly, Great Danes change their routine or habit because of some illness. As these changes are related to illness, so your vet can manage it.
Moreover, your vet can properly guide you, if your Great Dane is ageing.
Physical activities:
Physical activities help your Great Dane to live a healthy life. You can make a routine of exercise and strolling for your pup. Generally, Great Dane does not require a lot of exercise. A simple walk can make them fit and healthier.
Final Words on Great Dane Life Expectancy
Great Dane can be a good companion, unfortunately they have a shorter lifespan than many small breeds. If you get Great Danes from a good breeder and fulfill all their requirements then there is a chance of their long life. There are certain ways that can prevent them from many fatal diseases. Diseases such as bloat, heart disease and joint problems can cause early and unexpected death of Great Dane. If you provide your dog special care, affection and attention, the Great Dane will live longer.
