Who'll Be A Big Boy When He Grows Up Then?

[Kerosene]

http://www.mirror.co....eus-the-great-1336958

Phew.......hope he doesn't pull on the lead???

[B00]

At 3 i'd have thought he was already fully grown?

But yes, he's a big 'un alright! He's a beauty isn't he?

[ojread2]

he looks very thin IMO

[pastafreak]

He is rather thin looking...but his coat is shiny,and he looks healthy otherwise.

[ladybirder]

That thought occurred to me as well OJR. They say he gets through 15lb of food a week - is 2lb and a bit food a day enough for a dog that size? The GHD looks the correct weight.

[China Doll]

I think he's very thin looking too which I don't actually like. But then I guess that's to his great height which is impressive.

[ojread2]

Well, pics can be deceptive but you should not be able to see a dogs back bone like that or his hip bones when viewed from the rear
2lbs of food for a dog that size? Not enough IMO
Just looking at the general food allowance for a great dane and it says on average 6 -7- cups a day
200 g per cup is 1400 grams per day which is over 3lbs of food per day
And given that this GD is bigger than your average GD, 2lbs per day is no where near enough

[ojread2]

and look at the GD's here
http://www.great-dane...-dane-colours-en.php/

A couple of leaner dogs still have a lot more muscle and no ribs or back bones showing

[divegirl]

That dog is incredibly under weight!

I have two Danes one standing a 35'' on the shoulder and he weighs in at 11 and a half stone and he's a slim looking boy!
I know American Danes generally have a finer look to them [to out more mastiff type] but that is taking the pee.

Lisa x

[woofgang]

I agree, he looks starved and that hunched posture looks wrong too

[RATTER15]

I really dont like the look of that Dane, its legs are out proportion to its body, its very thin and I think the dog will have a short life span and probably plagued with joint problems.

[ladybirder]

Very worrying. He looks awful in that picture of him on the sofa.
Lisa, 11 stone is nowhere near enough for him then? Hopefully now that he has been plastered all over the papers, somebody who can do something about it will act.

[divegirl]

No Lady B, no where near enough. The problem once again comes from the breed standard, both here and in the US [where that dog is]. There is a minimum height but no maximum, so idiot breeders try to breed taller and taller dogs and they end up looking like that. IMO that dog should be carrying at least another couple of stone but then as Ratter pointed out it's joints would not be able to bear it.
I have had people say to me that my Danes aren't very big [they always seem to know someone who owned a taller one], but I just point out that they are fit healthy dogs likely to live a long and pain free life as they are just the right size.
I'm sure Ratter will back me up here...yes we love our giant hounds but not for how tall they are....just for the breed over all.

Lisa x

[China Doll]

I'm sad to read that your comments divegirl. I'm actually not a big fan of dogs, (well strange dogs, I'm perfectly ok with dogs that my friends/family have), but one of the few breeds I just like are great danes, I think they're magnificent looking. When I worked in a betting shop in twickenham, a fella used to come in with one and he encouraged me to come out and stroke it because I was a bit daunted by the size but liked the look of the dog, I'm glad I did and wasn't a complete wuss about it!

[divegirl]

Between you and me.... I still get a buzz when I walk my two as I know how impressive they look together, they are perfect on the lead and people just stop and stare when they see them. I'm approached all the time by people wanting to stroke them and ask about them. The only problem with their size and this is every movement is exaggerated and small kids can get a bit upset. Lola is a bit aloof and so I encourage smaller kids to stroke her....then all of a sudden she'll turn her head and 'bam' screaming kids with a face full of slobber [ I never laugh....honest].

Lisa x

ps lovving the new hair do CD...suits you ;)

[FredPuli43]

Hope he doesn't pull on the lead? LOL. I have Irish wolfhounds. Believe me, you have to stop them pulling when they're 'babies', and that takes a lot patience, persistence, and quite a long time. Then they're fine and walk along like a horse would. You still have to keep an eye open though. If they see a hare, they'll be off without warning; instinct being stronger than you are; so you have to anticipate that and get control before it happens.

Danes will be a bit easier; they weren't bred to chase; but still a bit of a handful to start with. And they're great big softies, lovable and very loving.

[wolf63]

They do look skinny. But if you just have to get the biggest dog in the world ....

There is a guy who brings two bull-mastiffs into town. They are drop dead gorgeous and very well behaved. It is really nice to see them. It's the smaller dogs that are dangerous - wonder how many people have tripped over one of those little hairy rats and hurt themselves.

[petal54]

the cat next door's proper name is Zeus,now called Bruce(siamese)don't see mane great Danes about

[cupid04]

That's some big dog. You can see all its ribs though!

[divegirl]

Erm... Danes were bred to hunt boar and deer. My bitch has, unfortunately for me, a very high prey instinct and though trained to walk perfectly to heel if she sees a rabbit, squirrel or deer is off like a bullet! The only time I have ever been pulled over was her chasing a blasted squirrel.

And for the record, just got back for a walk where she took out yet another small child, parents thought it was hysterical!

Lisa x

ps...Fred, is that your Puli in your avatar

[RATTER15]

>>I'm sure Ratter will back me up here...yes we love our giant hounds but not for how tall they are....just for the breed over all. <<

Totally agree, when we researched looking for wolf hounds, we looked at longevity of the breeders dogs and body shape, certainly not the size, there are many Wolf Hounds around that tower over ours but ours will probably live a longer healthier life with fewer joint problems. We are not big into showing but in the case of Wolf Hounds, breeders have got a lot to do with working to with extended the life of these great dogs through selective breeding programmes.