The Great Dane - Breed Nutrition - Royal Canin

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C o n t e n t s The history of the Great Dane… The breed standard 1 – Key points of the Great Dane, an exceptional dog A big appetite but a fragile digestive system The Great Dane: a very muscular giant A skeleton that requires special care throughout the Great Dane’s life Dilated cardiomyopathy and giant-breed dogs 2 – Best balance nutrition for the Great Dane A food to improve digestive security Maintaining a healthy weight and an optimal body composition Nutrition that targets the joints Taurine and L-carnitine: heart nutrients References Scientific glossary Key innovations for dogs in the history of Royal Canin 4 6 8 8 13 14 19 20 20 23 24 25 26 28 29 Vasco des Terres axonaises © J.-M. Labat INTRODUCTION Knowledge is the mother of precision Ever since Royal Canin was founded by a veterinarian, the improvement of scientific knowledge, especially of large-breed dogs, has always been one of our key commitments. As a pioneer in cataloguing the characteristics of large-breed puppies, Royal Canin developed a food exclusively formulated to meet their requirements, AGR 36. Since then, Royal Canin scientists and nutritionists have never stopped deepening their expertise with the aim of further improving nutritional foods adapted to the individual requirements of dogs, according to their size, breed, age, lifestyle and physiological condition. This unique know-how has enabled the identification of a separate class within the category of large-breed dogs – giant dogs – weighing more than 45 kg as adults and with particular characteristics: a growth stage that extends to 18-24 months, large jaws and teeth, constraints imposed by their joints and early signs of ageing. In studying large dogs, as part of their commitment to ensuring the dog is always given the best nutrition based on the latest knowledge, Royal Canin’s veterinary nutritionists have discovered that Great Danes have unique characteristics that require a specific nutritional response. Studies have shown that Great Danes have a particularly elevated energy requirement, much higher than most dogs in the same category. To keep a Great Dane at its ideal weight, the quantity of food needed is on average more than 50% above the theoretical feeding amount. Some studies even mention an increase of 74% or more. There are at least two reasons for this elevated energy requirement: a short coat that provides little insulation and a very large muscle mass, which makes up at least 80% of the body composition! It is not enough to simply increase the amount fed. Great Danes are sensitive dogs that do not tolerate too high a volume per meal, as this can create the conditions leading to dilatation of the stomach. To reconcile digestive security along with nutritional responses perfectly adapted to the skeleton, musculature and life expectancy of the Great Dane, Royal Canin is now proud to present a specially formulated food: Great Dane 23. Ingredients selected for their exceptional digestibility, nutrients that protect cartilage, a blend of antioxidants to promote health and vitality with age, a specific kibble texture and shape that is perfectly adapted to the breed’s large jaws and strong teeth… everything has been done to help protect the health and beauty of this exceptional dog. This nutritional innovation, developed by the Royal Canin Research and Development Centre, has not only already won over many Great Dane breeders, but is evidence of our deep commitment to developing Health Nutrition, and to promoting and preserving the health and beauty of this emblematic breed together with you who share our passion. Alain Guillemin Chief Executive Office Royal Canin Group 2 3 Unick des Terres axonaises © J.-M. Labat
© P. Psaila The history of the Great Dane… One breed, many names The Great Dane’s immediate ancestors are depicted in many Babylonian, Assyrian, Egyptian and Roman monuments, proof of its long history as a hunting dog, particularly for wild boar. Historically, its morphology placed it somewhere between a mastiff and a large greyhound. The breed is also known as the German Mastiff and initially Mastiff designated any large powerful dog not belonging to a particular breed. Later, the different types of mastiff began to be distinguished: Ulm Dogs, English Mastiffs, Great Danes, Siberian Dogs, Hatzrüdes (a large male for hunting) and Saupackers (pack dog), depending on the colour of their coat and their size. In 1878, a committee of seven breeders and judges chaired by Dr Bodinus took the decision to bring together all these different types under a single name, the Great Dane. It became the national emblem of the German Empire under Bismarck (1815-1898), who never went out without one. The first Great Dane standard was established in Berlin in 1880. The “Deutscher Doggen Club 1888 e.V.” was founded in Germany in 1888 and it is this club that has developed the standard ever since. 4 The breed was wiped out in Germany during the Second World War, but fortunately some including stud dogs had been imported into the USA and the UK and breeding started again in the post-war period. The Great Dane had already become a very big dog by the start of the twentieth century, although it was not as stocky or imposing as it is today with a more delicate head. Originally the coat was usually brindle or harlequin with Fawn coming later, while black – typically with white marks – and blue are the newest colour additions. The Great Dane is found around the world and the importance of the dog is shown by its different name in every language. In Germany they are Deutsche Dogge, with the French Dogue Allemand a direct translation, while the Italian Alano preserves the German connection. In English the German link is severed in favour of a Danish one, which is mirrored in the alternative French name Grand Danois. The reference to Denmark is said to come from the breed’s spotted coat, which is termed danoisée in French. The Western European countries Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands continue to be the benchmark for breeding, but North America has the larger population. The population is increasing in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and Central Europe (Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary) too. Indeed, the Hungarian police have traditionally used Great Danes. The Japanese bought European champions some fifteen years ago to begin their own lines, something that the Chinese have now also started to do. Character and behaviour As the calmest of the mastiffs, the Great Dane is affectionate and attached to its human companions, especially children. It is a docile, well-balanced breed that does not bark much, although it does have a sense of its territory and it is distant with strangers. As such it is the ideal watchdog. It must be trained firmly from an early age, although its obedient and receptive nature means that this is generally straightforward. Longevity Its life expectancy of around eight years (Michell, 1999) means that the Great Dane only lives longer than the Saint Bernard, the Irish Wolfhound, the English Bulldog and the Bernese Mountain Dog. Thirty-seven per cent of Great Danes live until four years of age, while nine out of ten die before they reach ten years of age (Deeb & Wolf, 1996). 5 Breeding of the Terres axonaises © J.-M. Labat
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The Great Dane - Breed Nutrition - Royal Canin

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