Adopting a blue Great Dane puppy is a great step towards having more fun and quality of life in your household. These dogs become excellent friends with their energy and playfulness. However, before adopting one of these charming pups, there are certain things you really should know. Keep reading to inform yourself well on all of that!
Some Numbers (Height, Weight, Lifespan, etc.)
Great Danes are sweet, adorable dogs that anyone loves to be around. They develop strong bonds, making for the most wonderful companions your family can have.
The puppies are even cuter, but they don’t remain puppies forever, so what will be their height and weight when they become adults? And how much will they live?
According to experts, a blue Great Dane’s height will vary between 26 and 34 inches, while his weight can stay anywhere between 110 and 200 pounds.
Now, let’s talk about lifespan. You know that pets such as dogs and cats don’t live as long as we do. Well, Great Danes are expected to live from 7 to 10 years.
This doesn’t seem like much, so enjoy the time you have with your pup!
Appearance
AKC Standard
According to the A.K.C., the blue Great Dane puppy’s coat color must be pure steel blue. Blue Great Dane pups with colorful chest and toe markings are not accepted.
A Blue Great Dane puppy with fawn, brindle, and white markings is not considered to have an authentic pedigree.
Any other dogs that do not conform to the aforementioned breed requirements are ruled ineligible to compete in dog shows.
Appearance
A blue Great Dane puppy has a steel blue coat, blue eyes, and floppy ears. A Blue Great Dane dog is comparable in height to any other coat color Great Dane.
Aside from blue eyes, blue Great Dane puppies might have eyes in these colors: amber, light brown, dark brown.
Even though for dog shows it is required to conform to the AKC standard, blue Great Dane puppies will vary in the color of their coats.
It is common to see blue Great Danes with coats in the following colors: steel blue, deep steel blue, slate blue, and charcoal blue.
In case you might have heard that color has anything to do with these dogs’ temperament, that is silly. Your dog’s temperament will depend much more on the way you treat him.
Personality
A well-bred Dane puppy is one of the friendliest dogs you’ll ever meet. They are peaceful, pleasant, and friendly dogs who like playing and are at ease with youngsters.
They have a strong desire to please, which makes training them a breeze.
The Great Dane wants to be with his family. They adore people, particularly strangers and children, and will gladly welcome guests unless they believe you need protecting.
They may then become ferociously protective.
Certain Danes want to be lapdogs, and they will continue to do so even if you and your lap unexpectedly move.
As sweet-natured as they are, Great Danes absolutely need early socialization—exposure to a variety of people, sights, noises, and experiences—during their formative years.
Socialization enables your Great Dane puppy to develop into a well-rounded dog.
Enrolling them in puppy kindergarten is an excellent place to start. Regularly inviting guests over, as well as bringing your dog to crowded parks, dog-friendly shopping, and leisurely strolls to meet neighbors, can all help your dog develop their social abilities.
Health
Although Great Danes are typically healthy, they, like other breeds, are susceptible to specific health problems. While not all Great Danes may get one or more of these ailments, it’s important to be aware of them if you’re contemplating this breed.
Development Issues
Puppies and young adults may experience growth difficulties. These are sometimes related to an inappropriate diet, most often one that is too heavy in protein, calcium, or supplements.
Hip Dysplasia
This is a hereditary disorder that results in the thighbone not fitting snugly into the hip joint. Certain dogs exhibit pain and lameness on one or both hind legs, while others show no evidence of discomfort. X-ray screening is the most certain method of diagnosis.
Arthritis might occur in either case as the dog matures. Hip dysplasia dogs should not be bred.
Bloat (gastric distortion)
This is a potentially fatal ailment that may occur in huge, deep-chested canines like Great Danes.
This is particularly true if they are given a single substantial meal per day, eat swiftly, drink huge amounts of water after meals, and move actively following meals. Bloat is more prevalent in older canines.
When the stomach is bloated with gas or air and then twists, this condition develops (torsion). The dog is unable to belch or vomit to expel extra air from the stomach, obstructing the normal return of blood to the heart. The dog’s blood pressure decreases and he goes into shock.
Without prompt medical intervention, the dog risks death. Suspect bloat if your dog has an enlarged belly, increased salivation, and retching without vomiting.
Additionally, they may feel agitated, despondent, sluggish, and feeble, with a fast heart rate. It is critical to bring your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible if you see any of these symptoms.
How To Care For Your Blue Great Dane Puppy?
Despite their enormous size when they are adults, Great Dane puppies are peaceful enough house dogs, however, they are not well suited to a small apartment due to their proclivity for knocking into things.
They are susceptible to frostbite in the winter and should not be left outdoors in colder climates—but no dog should. Indeed, they would appreciate a sweater or fleece coat to keep them toasty warm on a winter stroll.
Activity
They are quite quiet inside but need a long walk or a wide yard to play in at least once a day. Adult Great Danes need between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise daily, depending on their age and degree of activity. Puppies and teens need around 90 minutes of physical activity every day.
If you want to keep them in a yard on a regular basis, they will need a six-foot fence, but they are not jumpers.
If you’re a horticulture enthusiast, keep in mind that they take great pleasure in damaging the landscaping—just a piece of quick safety advice with the goal of avoiding human heart attacks.
While you may want a running buddy, wait until your Great Dane is at least 18 months old before taking him jogging. Prior to then, their bones are still developing and are just not up to the job. Indeed, your dog may not be ready to jog until they reach the age of two.
Crate Training
Crate training is beneficial for all dogs and is a gentle technique to guarantee that your Great Dane does not have accidents in the home or get into things they are not supposed to.
A crate—especially a large one—is also a place for them to snooze. Crate training your Dane at a young age can help them tolerate confinement if they are ever boarded or hospitalized.
However, never confine your Great Dane to a box all day. It is not a prison, and they should not be confined to it for more than a few hours at a time save for sleeping at night.
Great Danes are social dogs that should not be confined to a box or kennel for the majority of their life.
Body Care
Brush your Dane’s teeth at least twice or three times a week to eliminate tartar and the germs that live inside. Brushing their teeth on a daily basis is even preferable if you want to avoid gum disease and foul breath.
Trim your dog’s nails once or twice a month if they do not naturally wear down to avoid unpleasant rips and other issues.
If they clack on the floor, they are excessively lengthy. Dog toenails contain blood veins, and if you cut too deeply, you risk bleeding—and your dog may refuse to comply the next time the nail clippers are pulled out.
Therefore, if you are unfamiliar with clipping dog nails, get advice from a veterinarian or groomer.
Their ears should be examined monthly for redness or an unpleasant odor that might suggest an infection.
When cleaning your dog’s ears, use a cotton ball wet with a moderate, pH-balanced ear cleaner to assist in preventing infections. Nothing should be inserted into the ear canal; just the outer ear should be cleaned.
How Much Does A Blue Great Dane Puppy Eat?
One of the things you need to consider when adopting a blue Great Dane is the fact that this puppy will soon become a huge dog. And, as you already guessed, huge dogs eat a lot.
A Great Dane puppy should not be fed conventional puppy food; they need puppy food specifically formulated for big breeds. It is advised to avoid any supplements, particularly calcium.
Assuming your Great Dane is fed a high-quality diet, the quantity to feed your Great Dane varies significantly by age and gender.
Consult your veterinarian or nutritionist for nutritional advice tailored to your dog’s unique needs.
Of course, you might want to know beforehand how much your dog will eat even if the amount is not precise.
Up to six months, your Great Dane puppy will consume up to six cups of dog food if she’s a female, and up to eight cups if he’s a male. Between six months and one year, up to eight cups for females and ten for males.
Do Blue Great Dane Puppies Get Along With Kids?
If you have children, you probably want your dog to play with them and never be aggressive towards them.
A Great Dane is friendly and affectionate with children, particularly when nurtured with them from puppyhood. Bear in mind that they have no notion how large they are in comparison to a little child, and hence may easily knock children down.
As with any breed, you should always educate kids on how to approach and touch dogs and monitor any interactions between dogs and them to avoid biting or ear or tail tugging on either party’s side.
Teach your son or daughter to avoid approaching any dog that is eating or sleeping, or to attempt to steal the dog’s food.
Do Blue Great Dane Puppies Get Along With Other Pets?
Generally, a Great Dane gets along with other home pets, however, some might be violent against livestock or just do not care for the other pets. It’s a matter of personal preference: some Danes will not allow another animal in their territory, while others will nap among the cats and other canines.
How To Adopt A Great Dane?
Many times Great Danes are purchased, but purchasing a dog is not the best option when there are many dogs living in the streets or waiting for adoption at rescue centers.
There are multiple rescue groups across the USA that collect Great Danes and take care of them so they become fit for adoption. Perhaps there is one of them in your city and you can get in touch. If you don’t know where to start, get in touch with the Great Dane Rescue.
Final Words About Things You Need to Know About Blue Great Dane Puppy
Now that you know a lot about blue Great Danes, you are ready to adopt one and make your household more lively! Your children will love it, and when your Dane gets big enough, he can become a partner for practicing sports.
A Great Dane is not just any dog, but a dog that becomes a part of your family, so make sure to keep all info in mind to take care of your new family member.