The Great Dane comes from Denmark in Northern Europe and takes its name from that country. An adult Great Dane can stand more than 80 centimeters tall, making it one of the largest dog breeds in actual body size. In China, however, relatively few people keep Great Danes, mainly because such a large dog needs a lot of living space and has fairly high dietary demands. That naturally makes it a niche breed.
The Largest Great Dane
The Great Dane is often described as the biggest dog breed in the world. A typical Great Dane may stand around 70 to 90 centimeters at the shoulder and weigh about 50 to 70 kilograms. When standing upright, the overall height can approach two meters, and the dog is muscular and powerful. One of the largest Great Danes ever recorded was named Giant George. He stood 109 centimeters at the shoulder, reached about 220 centimeters when upright, and weighed 111 kilograms. He reportedly consumed 81.6 kilograms of food per month and passed away on October 17, 2013, shortly after his eighth birthday.
What Should a Great Dane Eat?
Maintaining such a massive body requires careful attention to food. Great Danes grow very quickly, and if nutrition is poor during the growth stage, it may easily lead to abnormal joint development. For that reason, they need enough calcium during growth. Some owners offer cooked egg yolks or calcium tablets as support. If the family has enough time, it is also possible to make homemade dog food using highly nutritious ingredients arranged in a balanced way, such as chicken, beef, shrimp, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, and cornmeal, all chopped and steamed together.
Because of the Great Dane's size, its appetite is much larger than that of an ordinary dog. Feeding one a whole bowl at each meal is no exaggeration. That means the cost of raising a Great Dane is much higher than that of an average dog. In addition, Great Danes need a lot of exercise and a large living area, both of which raise the overall threshold of ownership and explain why so few people choose this breed.