Hi

My great dane has been feed on complete food since we got him at 6 weeks. He is now lossing all his wait and isnt eating much... can anyone sujest a good diet to help him gain weight quickly as he is worrying me?

How old is he?

What food is he on?

I have 2 danes, a dog and a bitch - they are both fed on a low protein complete but supplemented with eggs and tripe and beef mince (raw)

Let us have a bit more info and we'll try to help

When was he last wormed? What are you feeding him? How old is he? What was his breeder feeding him? How come you got him so very young? What does the vet have to say?

Hi JG - I got Willis at 6 weeks - some breeders will let danes go then, and to be honest, he has been a better dog for it - although I wouldn't recommend it unless you are experienced with pups :)

Fair enough, then! My babies never go before 7 weeks at the earliest, though.
:)

Personally, I wouldn't let a pup go before 7/8 weeks either...but *some* dane breeders raise their dogs outside, because of the size and amount in a litter - at which point (IMO) you are better off getting your pup earlier to socialise them and get them integrated into the family :)

Good point - pups in a kennel are wasting good learning time - in a house they are getting that essential socialisation to the radio/TV/washing machine/hoover etc etc. And I bet a litter of danes would pretty much fill a kitchen!

hi

thanks for the response, he is 11mths old. I feed him on complete dog food which he has had since he came too us. he was last wormed three months ago but have wormed him again today just in case. He is booked in at the vets on thursday to get checked over and for the snip (ahhhhhhhh) haha ... this is our first experience of buying a dane However it has not put us off and we have now been looking for a fawn puppy dog for him a friend but knowone seems to have one at present. Can anyone help me with this also.

Hi

email me privately - its probably easier: [email chloe@iscario.com]here[/email]

I'd suggest a completely different diet, and i certainly would NOT get another at the moment - certainly not a young puppy. As your dog puts more weight on and fills out, it could be dangerous to have a young puppy around - I would wait until he is at least 18 months. I also wouldn't castrate him until he is up to proper weight.... My boy is ten months and is about 11 stone.

Chloe

Edit to say that in my opinion just feeding a growing dane on chappie complete is downright dangerous - I suggest you get some help and advice sharpish! Grace will be along soon, and she has more experience than me, she will also help you :)

Just here to put my two penneth in :D

JG, I reared my litter in the house. Granted there were only four of them but it wouldn't have mattered if there were twelve, I wanted them to be raised in a home environment with all the sights and sounds that it brings and I think they are better for it. My adult Danes do live out, but spend a fair bit of time in the house with the family. I personally wouldn't let any of mine go so young either.

Feeding any giant breed is a complex thing and isn't just a case of chucking a complete food down their neck. Most complete foods designed for giant breeds have too high a protein level for Danes and this can lead to growth problems. I use a complete food for mine, but they have mince and raw tripe as well as wholemeal biscuit, so they do not rely on the complete as their main diet.

I would agree with Chloe and wait to have the Dane boy done. Hee needs to put weight on and be healthy before an operation. He will be going through a growth phase at the moment so this could explain the weight loss, seeing as he is being wormed.
Anyone that wants to can mail me direct, my addy is in my profile. I am more than willing to help if I can.

Grace :D

Well said mate :)

hi

thanks for your information. What colour dogs do you breed and do you have a website. After my dog is up and putting weight on again I plan on getting another greatdane however I am undersided whether to get a dog or bitch. I wanted a dog but have been told if I have to dogs in the house they would end up fighting all the time

Hi,

Firstly I would wait until your dog is at least twelve months before you consider getting another Dane, give him chance to grow up, and for you to get used to his adult size before committing yourself to another. As regards what sex, if you plan to get your boy neutered then it really doesn't matter. If there are no bitches in the household there is no reason why two males should fight, especially if the second one in is a puppy, so grows up with your dog you have now. If you were to get a bitch, you really would have to get either her or your boy neutered. So it will be your choice :D
I have mailed you privately, but it is the fawns and brindles that I show and I have a neutered black boy Dane.

Grace

hi people

Thanks for you help and advice i had the dog to the vets for a check up and the vet said he is fine he is almost eleven stone and the vet said this is about right. Since the cooler weather yesterday and today he has started to eat like a horse again so think it may have been the hot weather