Hi there!
After months of searching for the right Great Dane puppy I've finally found one and get to bring her home in 2 weeks time(when she's 8 weeks) I'm both excited and nervous at the same time. I want to do the best I possibly I can for her and that's where I'm stuck. Diet, what is the best for her? I've been looking and researching diets for danes and am at a cross roads. Do I go BARF -totally natural or dry food. I'm not interested in giving her tinned or cheap food. The dry food I would opt to give her is James wellbeloved or Roayl Canin. If I feed BARF how do I know she's getting the right quantity of vitamins,minerals,proteins, fats etc? Is there anyone out there who combines these diets? I was thinking of JWB with a little yogurt/raw egg for breakfast, JWB with raw/cooked meat for lunch and maybe raw veg and rice for dinner. Any help, advice and personal experiences are greatly appreciated!
Jade xx
PS. I know when we first get her she must stay on what she's used to and any new food/diet must be introduced gradually over time. I'm really after advice on her long term diet

What is the pup currently being fed on by the breeder?
The breeder has usually got pups weaned on to a food that they think is suitable for their breed and litter. Why not stay with the breeders choice for a few months and see how your pup developes. then you can decide whether to change the food or not.
she might already be on the best food for her :)

"If I feed BARF how do I know she's getting the right quantity of vitamins,minerals,proteins, fats etc?"

You don't! It is pure guess work. Correctly balanced food is important for all puppies, especially getting a proper balance of calcium and phosphorus, but it is even more vital for giant breed puppies who grow at an enormous rate. Somehwere I have a post mortem photograph of an IW puppy weaned onto a BARF diet. Along with the rest of the litter his front legs are bent back on themselves due to dietary imbalance.

I've reared litters and raised giant breed pups on various good quality complete foods including JWB. Hand on heart I've never seen any difference on any of the foods - they've all done very well. So if JWB is your choice imo its as good as anything else. I wouldn't recommend adding anything to it though. The whole point of a complete dog food is that it IS balanced and provides everything that the pup or dog needs. Adding stuff to it doesn't do anything except disturb the balance of the food.

You should talk to your breeder about feeding in the future.  I will not sell a puppy to anyone who intends to feed a BARF type diet. A good breeder will not only be concerned that you keep the pup on his present diet for a while, he or she will want the best for the puppy throughout his life and (s)he will know about the idiosyncrasies of Danes if any. For example my own breed seems to do better on a higher fat diet than average (here I make an exception to not adding stuff to complete foods and do add some fat) and there may be something similar for Danes.

Best of luck with your puppy.

My danes get:

Morning:
Pasta and or Burns plus Naturdiet

Evening:
Pasta and or Burns plus raw green tripe

They then get all the kitchen and table scraps, and a tin of tuna in the night time meal a few times a week.

I would see what your breeder recommends :)

I have Newfies and would recommend Nutro, they only use pure Lamb, with the right supplements, no additives and guarantee the quality, all the best, Dawn.

PS. I agree with earlier posters on not changing too quickly and maybe follow advise of the Breeders...presumably they have quality dogs, which is why you are buying one from them surely??? :D ENJOY!

I would also advise to stick to what the breeder has recommended! She knows whats best for her lines and unless your pup goes off or doesnt do well on what their on, only then would i change to something that you think would be more suitable :) What colour is your pup and have you a name yet??? Bet your sssooooo excited!! :D

DEFINITELY consult the breeder of your pup on this one. Giant breeds can need specialized feeding and seeing as the breeder has probably raised at least one Dane to adulthood and in fit enough condition to breed, they probably know what they're doing.