Breed Description

This extremely popular breed is a gigantic dog with great courage and spirit. The Great Dane is among of the most elegant and distinguished giant dog breeds. This giant dog weighs anywhere between 120-200 pounds, and grows at an average from 30-34 inches. Despite their huge size, they are devoted, loving, and gentle breed that makes a wonderful companion dog.

Coat

The Great Dane has a short and dense coat that lies close to the body. This breed has a naturally deep gleam in all the color variations. They are commonly seen in solid white, solid black, black with white legs and face, solid blue, irregular black patches, and fawn.

Activity

The Great Dane is usually inactive indoors, but is capable of exercising by it when left alone outdoors. They do well with structured exercise regimen, and should never be over-exercised as puppies. They are prone to weight gain, and if not given enough exercise and balanced diet, obesity could be a problem. Any sign of weight gain should immediately be reversed.

Temperament

Alert, happy, and lively breed, the Great Dane loves to play, and are generally great with children. This affectionate and loving gigantic breed is content in lying around in their households with their family. Their amiable personality reflects their desire to belong to a group. They are friendly, spirited, and never timid.

Overview

Widely recognized as the "Apollo of all breeds", or the "King of dogs", the Great Dane exudes a strong but elegant appearance, along with energetic and friendly personality. They are remarkable in show rings, and are also popular as family pets.

Care

The Great Dane has a short and smooth coat that is easy to care for. Combing and brushing should be done regularly with a firm bristle brush. Since bathing this huge breed can be quite a task, it is a good thing to minimize their need of bathing by daily grooming this dog.

Training

The Great Dane is generally a calm and placid breed that is easy to train. For easy handling, training should start while they are still puppies, as adults can be challenging to work with if they don't have foundation training.

The Great Dane is normally somewhat easy to train, but some can be a little dominant, thus, training them requires consistent, and firm, but gentle owner. In cases like these, professional trainers could help the owner and dog to work together as to prevent authority issues. Due to their gigantic size, it is imperative to solve these behavioral issues as soon as they are evident, and bad habits should never be established.

This breed should be leash trained and be always kept in a securely fenced area. Although they are not aggressive, they can be quite intimidating, and may frighten people that do not recognize this breed.

Character

The Great Dane is a very reliable and responsible breed, attributes of a wonderful family pet. This breed should be trained intensely as puppies so they do will not have any behavioral issues later on.

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They say dogs are man’s best friend. What is better than having a best friend who is big and strong enough to protect you against every sort of danger that lurks all around you? If you want a dog that you can count on for its size and toughness, your best option is to go for any breed in the mastiff family.

There are some pointers that you should remember before owning this heavy dog however. It is one thing to know what is the heaviest breed of dog, but it’s another thing to know how to take care of it. Mastiffs, or all big dogs for that matter, eat a lot. They need to be fed big servings and need to be exercised as well to keep them healthy. And to better serve their purpose, you also need to train them extensively.

If you think you are still up to the task, take a look at the following big dog breeds and take your pick.

The Bernese Mountain Dog

This dog is traditionally the farmer’s best friend, as it helped them pull their loaded carts across the fields. The breed is characterized by thick double coat that helps it to stand and survive in cold climates. But underneath the thick fur are strong and sturdy muscle sets that require exercise and training. Grooming requires that you brush its coat regularly.

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The Bernese Mountain Dog grows up to 27 inches in height and 110 pounds in weight. It lives up to a maximum of eight years. As to personality, expect this giant to be gentle and calm, and generally good-natured, especially to children.

The Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff is packed with muscles but is at the same time lithe and sprightly. Traditionally, bullmastiffs were tasked to guard properties from trespassers and thieves. To this day, they are a famous breed for families who want guard dogs, although they are not advisable as pets for those who have sleeping problems because they are loud snorers. You also have to forgive them for slobbering all over the place. After all, their endearing personality makes up for these imperfections.

Bullmastiffs can grow up to 130 pounds and 27 inches in height. They can up to 10 years, and would not require a lot of brushing or grooming throughout their lifetime.

The Great Dane

Everyone who loves Scooby Doo will have fun having a Great Dane for a pet. It is a behemoth of a dog, to say the least. But behind this greatness is a cuddly personality. Great Danes love leaning against their owners, but you can address this behavior through proper training. Great Danes are also late bloomers. They become adults after they turn one.

Great Danes can grow up to a whopping 200 pounds, and a towering 36 inches tall. They can live up to 10 years, and can be expected to be gentle all throughout. Although they are primarily indoor-type dogs, you will need to take them out regularly to exercise. The coat will also need occasional brushing.

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They say dogs are man’s best friend. What is better than having a best friend who is big and strong enough to protect you against every sort of danger that lurks all around you? If you want a dog that you can count on for its size and toughness, your best option is to go for any breed in the mastiff family.

There are some pointers that you should remember before owning this heavy dog however. It is one thing to know what is the heaviest breed of dog, but it’s another thing to know how to take care of it. Mastiffs, or all big dogs for that matter, eat a lot. They need to be fed big servings and need to be exercised as well to keep them healthy. And to better serve their purpose, you also need to train them extensively.

If you think you are still up to the task, take a look at the following big dog breeds and take your pick.

The Bernese Mountain Dog

This dog is traditionally the farmer’s best friend, as it helped them pull their loaded carts across the fields. The breed is characterized by thick double coat that helps it to stand and survive in cold climates. But underneath the thick fur are strong and sturdy muscle sets that require exercise and training. Grooming requires that you brush its coat regularly.

]]>

The Bernese Mountain Dog grows up to 27 inches in height and 110 pounds in weight. It lives up to a maximum of eight years. As to personality, expect this giant to be gentle and calm, and generally good-natured, especially to children.

The Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff is packed with muscles but is at the same time lithe and sprightly. Traditionally, bullmastiffs were tasked to guard properties from trespassers and thieves. To this day, they are a famous breed for families who want guard dogs, although they are not advisable as pets for those who have sleeping problems because they are loud snorers. You also have to forgive them for slobbering all over the place. After all, their endearing personality makes up for these imperfections.

Bullmastiffs can grow up to 130 pounds and 27 inches in height. They can up to 10 years, and would not require a lot of brushing or grooming throughout their lifetime.

The Great Dane

Everyone who loves Scooby Doo will have fun having a Great Dane for a pet. It is a behemoth of a dog, to say the least. But behind this greatness is a cuddly personality. Great Danes love leaning against their owners, but you can address this behavior through proper training. Great Danes are also late bloomers. They become adults after they turn one.

Great Danes can grow up to a whopping 200 pounds, and a towering 36 inches tall. They can live up to 10 years, and can be expected to be gentle all throughout. Although they are primarily indoor-type dogs, you will need to take them out regularly to exercise. The coat will also need occasional brushing.

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It's important for every dog owner to recognize dog health problems and symptoms as your furry pal relies on you to be his or her "first responder" when they have a problem.  You can tell when they aren't feeling all that well but do you really know what to do?  Listed below are the symptoms for some common dog health problems ranging from the everyday to the very serious.

Dog Diarrhea

The symptoms of this condition are pretty obvious.  Your canine buddy is probably going to express some pain when defecating because that strain is just magnifying the pain in his stomach.  The stool will be runny and may be an abnormal color.  The odor will be more intense.

Diarrhea in dogs is quite common thanks to a dog's complete lack of discrimination in what he eats.  If it smells okay and doesn't hurt his mouth then it is potential food.  As a result they eat stuff that makes them sick.

Symptoms Of Lyme Disease In Dogs

Lyme disease is a bacterium known as Borrelia which is transmitted to your dog through a tick bite.  Unfortunately, there are no symptoms until weeks after the infection and when they do show they are often mistaken for other ailments.

The most common symptom is one that appears to be arthritis.  Joints and lymph glands can become swollen making it very painful for the dog to walk or even get comfortable laying down.  Your pal will become listless, may refuse to eat because the effort hurts too much, and may revert to using the inside of the house as his bathroom rather than going outside.

The giveaway that this is Lyme's and not arthritis is that the affected limbs will change.  When arthritis develops it doesn't move around.  With Lyme's disease one side of your dog can be affected one week and then suddenly it heals and the other side is affected.

Symptoms of Distemper

Distemper is an airborne virus that is highly contagious and affects the dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems.  Distemper will first show itself with cold like symptoms with watery eyes, runny nose, a cough and sometimes diarrhea.  Later in the development of the disease the dog will suffer from disorientation, twitching and even convulsions.  Unfortunately there is no effective treatment for this disease.

Symptoms of Ear Infections

These infections are fairly common particularly with dogs that have heavy earflap like Bassets and Dachshunds.  The infection is caused by bacteria or yeast that appear when there is a change in the dog's ear like an infestation of ticks or mites.  Symptoms of an ear infection include the shaking of the head, a pawing of the ears, pain and a foul odor coming from the ears.

Of course there are many more ailments that can affect your canine friend but the thing to remember is prevention.  It's really not so different from taking care of a kid.  Keep their shots up to date, keep them well fed and clean and provide clean bedding.  Parasites cause most of the problems and if you can limit your dog's exposure to strange dogs you are limiting the possibility of exposure to disease.  If you notice dog health problems that do not go away after a few days, take your pal to the vet.

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If you are feeding your dog a homemade dog food diet, or are considering doing so, it's vital to use the correct portions of the right ingredients and make homemade dog food that is correctly formulated to ensure your dog stays healthy.

That's why using any old recipe you stumble across on the Internet to prepare your best friend's homemade dog food can be troublesome. Be sure to carefully assess any homemade dog food recipe you are thinking of using to make your dog's food and ensure that it includes the right amount of the right ingredients to in turn ensure that your dog will be eating a well-balanced, healthy diet that totally meets their nutritional needs.

So what key ingredients should you be on the look out for in healthy homemade dog food recipes?

The standard formula for well-balanced nutritious homemade dog food is about 50 percent protein, 25 percent vegetables (finely chopped or pureed for ease of digestion), and 25 percent grain (like oatmeal or brown rice). Add in some supplements of vitamins, minerals, and oils rich in omega-3 for healthy skin and coat as well.

And exactly what kinds of foods should be included?

Excellent candidates for inclusion in your homemade dog food recipes include both raw and cooked meats, cooked grains, cooked eggs, cooked veggies and most fruits are fine to include as well. Be sure to stay clear of grapes though. To be even more specific...

1. Chicken, turkey, fish and beef - Dogs need heaps of protein, and meat is a terrific way to get it. As mentioned previously, meat should be the bulk of your dog's diet. Want to make your own dog food as promptly and easily as possible? Then choose ground beef or turkey as they are already conveniently chopped up for you. It's best to cook all meats, but this is specially important for ground meats as there are lots of surfaces in ground meat upon which dangerous bacteria can grow.

2. Eggs - Eggs are an amazing protein source and they are as good for your dog as they are for you. Raw eggs frequently carry harmful bacterial growth, so be sure to scramble them or hard-boil them before inclusion so as not to contaminate your homemade dog food recipe with an ingredient that may potentially be unsafe for your pooch.

3. Chopped Fresh Veggies - Essential and trace vitamins and minerals of all sorts are waiting within vegetables, and you want to make sure your dog gets a wide variety of them. As mentioned earlier, finely chop or puree them to enable easy digestion. Winning veggies to include are kale, celery, carrots, cucumbers and zucchini. Peas and spinach are also popular puppy pleasers.

4. Starch – While many people fail to include it, homemade dog food recipes should contain some starch. Don't forget about some energy-producing items like baked or boiled potatoes and boiled or steamed brown rice. Carbohydrates like these provide sustained energy that will help ensure your dog has plenty of energy between meals.

Are there any ingredients that should be avoided in homemade dog food recipes?

Yes! Don't include onions, chocolate, avocados, nuts or garlic. Never include grapes or raisins either. For a variety of reasons and in a variety of ways, these foods can make your dog sick. But there's lots more you need to know about what to avoid.

Click on the more information link at the bottom of this page to access a complete list of 33 human foods that are toxic to dogs.

If you want to skip the learning curve, or you just don't want to take any risks when it comes to your dog's health, then ideally you should get these expertly-developed homemade dog food recipes now.

Will your dog be glad to switch to homemade dog food?

Sure, but you'll need to do it gradually. Without question your pooch will soon be very appreciative of the extra tasty, super high quality food you are serving him or her up, made from healthy natural ingredients, prepared using wisely selected safe, nutritionally-balanced homemade dog food recipes.

Please note though, it's quite common for dogs to encounter a temporary stomach upset throughout a diet switch. If that's the case, it could mean you're trying to make the switch too fast. For most dogs, though, you can make the change in three or four days, but don't be afraid to play it safe and take longer, mixing a little more homemade dog food in with your pet's regular food each day.

Select the best ingredients you can find, avoid things that are harmful and make the change over go as smoothly as possible. When you start using healthy homemade dog food recipes for your pooch's meals, you'll have a happier, healthier dog that will live longer than those whose owners feed them chemical-laden commercial dog foods.

If you haven't done so already, make the change to healthy homemade dog food today and relish the additional years you'll have with your precious pooch.

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Dog health care must include regular rabies shots, although many dog owners do not keep their pets' vaccinations up to date. The misconception is that since the dog doesn't run free, it's not important.

Even though you keep your dog restrained on a leash or in a yard, you can never guarantee he will not come in contact with this deadly disease.

Did you know that your dog can pick up the rabies virus simply by licking the ground? If a rabid animal has left saliva or other body fluid shortly before you passed, your dog is at risk.

Much of the focus for many owners is on obedience training. Dog health care is often only an issue when the dog first arrives at the home or when it becomes ill.

Rabies shots are essential if you want to ensure your dog stays healthy. But that's not the only reason. If your dog comes in contact with a rabid animal, such as fighting with a raccoon, skunk or an infected dog, your pet could be euthanized.

And if that isn't enough to get you to the vet, consider that rabies is a threat to your family as well.

What can you do to protect your dog and your family?

Rabies vaccines gradually lose their effectiveness over time. The longer it is since your dog was vaccinated, the more at risk he or she will become. In fact, within as a little as six months, your dog could be at risk. The maximum length of time the vaccine lasts is about two years, but by that time it's effectiveness has deteriorated significantly.

Many people use this two-year point as the period when they give their dogs booster rabies shots. This is an unsafe practice.

For the best protection, you must have your dog vaccinated every year. Any good vet will send you a reminder every year that your dog's shots are due.

Dog health care is important, but preventative health care is more important. It ensures your dog is protected against dangerous and painful diseases. Rabid animals suffer terribly. The disease affects their entire nervous system causing death. There is no cure.

Regular dog health care measures can protect your family from the rigors of taking the 'cure' if your dog does come in contact with the rabies virus.

And rabies dog health care can save your dog's life.

Recently, two dogs in North Carolina suffered after fighting with a rabid fox. One was quarantined for 6 months, the other was euthanized. That state also had a cat and a raccoon that were rabid.

You can never be sure when rabies will be present. Infected neighborhood cats, raccoons and skunks can wander into any yard without your knowledge and leave rabies-laden saliva.

If you seldom hear about rabies, do not think that your dog is safe. Every year somewhere in the country there are reported cases of rabies in wild animals. Unprotected dogs have been euthanized after fighting with those rabid animals.

Protection is far better than treatment after the fact. There is no reason for your family or your dog to suffer. It takes about 15 minutes a year to get your dog vaccinated against rabies and other serious diseases.

Make sure your dog health care includes regular rabies vaccines to ensure your dog's and your family's safety.

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