Can anyone tell me at what age a Dane Should reach his full height.Is there a stage when he's younger that you can have a fairly accurate guess at his final height? It's just that i met a Dane in the park a week back that was about 8weeks older than my boy and he was absolutely huge,as big as a fully grown adult male.My boy is about 26" at shoulder now.Is this about on track for his age.
thanks Rachel

Hi Rachel

I don't know about Danes in particular but would have thought the slower and steadier they grow the better. From a totally illogical point of view if a plant grows too fast then its stem is not generally very strong and I would wonder if the same thing happens to a dane with its bone growth. I am aware that some Dobes who grow very fast as pups seem more prone to lameness whilst growing

Christine

Hello Rachel,
We used to have a blue dane bitch several years ago, who we got from Ida Wheeler at Bullaine Danes in Maidstone. It was always our understanding that the colour was a factor in the eventual size - the blues and blacks being the smallest and the brindles and fawns being the biggest.Of course it also depends on the size of the parents.I can't really remember but I think Cleo was easily fully grown in height before 1 year.
The problem with dogs (a bit like kids) is that they haven't read the 'owners insruction manual', and grow (or not!) regardless.
We were told to expect Cleo to live until she was about 9 years, but in fact she lasted till she was just short of her 14 b'day! :)
I hope you will be very happy with your Dane - they are such lovely gentle creatures,

Regards
Clare