First, let me make it clear: A Dane raised right will have a long healthy life.
So, why do so many Danes have health problems? Very, very few Danes are raised right.
All the reasons why many Danes (including pups from health-checked parents) have health problems later, can be avoided with proper breeding & diet. Unfortunately, many breeders just mate a male with a female, the females would nurse a large litter for a few weeks, and they send the uncared for pups to the victim homes thinking that since the parent Danes are healthy (at the time of breeding, in their young breeding years) so the pups will be OK. Not so.
A USA breeder just called me last week interested in a breeding female from me. I am not too fond of selling pups for breeding purpose for this reason: the uneducated breeding. In fact, I priced my breeding pups high enough to discourage it. The American breeder confirmed my fear again, a house wife producing pups for extra income by mating a couple of Danes with no understanding to the special needs of Danes. It's the new pup's home that will regret it a few years later.
More importantly, the issue of corrective and preventative care prior to and during pregnancy and during the pup's early 8 weeks is a very delicate matter. You can't just take multi vitamins and minerals and give the Dane a tablet. Even specialty dog supplements are not good enough for a Dane, Hound or Mastiff. The Dane needs a different mix as well as different ratios at different stages of age development. If the Dane is not cared for with the exact needed supplements at the different stages of his life, he'll live the life considered by some to be normal or expected which is what the Danes would end up with if they were in the wild; a short few years life and health problems starting as early as 2 or 3 years old. In fact, it can be even worse because in nature, the wild dog's diet is mainly raw meat and grass. Raw meat is a major factor in their development, especially fresh kill with all the enzymes and buffers in the blood of the fresh kill. I have a native supplier who gets me freshly killed whole deer for my Danes. Now "perfect" that with an educated supplementary diet designed specifically for each stage of Dane growth, and you will have a very long and healthy Dane life.
You may say, I know of a Dane that lived a long healthy life without supplements. Well, there are cases when people drank fatal poison and survived to live a long life. There are heavy smokers and alcoholics who lived a long life. This is the exception, not the expectation. To prove it, I had two pups from two breeders in over two decades, and a Dane I currently have; in all three cases the parents and other pups of the same litter died between age 5-7 years mostly at 4-5 years of age. My pups, whose brothers and parents died before age 6, lived twice the life span of his parent and brothers, one made 10.5 years and was hit in a farm by a tractor, the other made 12+ years. So why would a Dane live twice as long as his brothers and sisters and parents? I can prove this fact. Think about it.
And because a wrong supplements ratio can cause more harm than good, most vets would tell the "common" breeder or owner not to administer supplements. It's safer, though not good enough. If a breeder didn't know what he is doing, your the pup's home will be the one to suffer a year later.
My Danes have always enjoyed a long healthy life? I had a healthy 14 years old Dane and several 11 and 12 years olds. Not one pup I ever sent to a home had a health problem. I don't care who will listen, I don't care who will see this as egotistical or commercial bragging, I don't care who will believe it. I had enough of the narrow-minded people who still think "just leave it to nature." They never learn from what happens; Danes die at age 5 or even 4. They develop heart and and hips problems at age 4 ... and some people argue that since the parents were tested at young age, 1-2 years and were healthy at the young breeding age, they must be healthy and will produce healthy pups. You'll find breeders telling you that.
In fact, while breeders may offer a few months guarantee, may be a conditional one year or two: How did I dare provide, in writing, on a legal document and with references, 10 years full replacement guarantee? I never had a refund request.
I listed 3 emails with names and contact info of 3 different families who purchased 3 different Dane pups from 3 different breeders, all of whom had their adult Danes OFA listed, i.e. health checks were done on them at age 1 to 2 years and were at acceptable level. Yet, all 3 families had nothing but health problems. Why?
I explained with references and contact info in the health checks page that having a Dane pup from a breeder just because his Danes were tested, though testing is good, it is not good enough and it does not mean that the pup will be healthy or the Danes themselves (parents) will have a long healthy life. They were tested at a pup age of 1-2 years old. I explained that in Europe these tests are done at 3-4 years of age because potential problems may not be detected at the young pup stage of 1-2 years old. But, this is not all.
Present Danes also have a tendency to develop health problems - which is common - unless:
Present Danes are a special man-developed breed different from it's ancient root. As a result, there are some chemical imbalances that take place during certain developmental stages and result in health problems, to put it simply. If this chemical imbalance is corrected, the negative result would be prevented and the problem would be corrected. That simple. This issue has been studied by many veterinarian researchers in Europe and your truly has offered a recognized contribution in this field as a chemist back in Ontario at Barringer Research and EPL, dealing with the ultra trace analysis of bone and tissue samples.
Let's understand a very important Dane fact many breeders and families don't understand.
Unlike many breeds, especially small breeds, if you leave it to nature, simply by breeding two presently healthy adult Danes, you'll still get the problems they would get if they had lived in the wild. When we crossed the breed with the Mastiff and the Hound, we ended up with more than just floppy ears, we developed a unique chemical complexity in some of the function enzymes and buffers in the cell.
But these negative formations can be corrected. This is a simple fact. I could get specific and scientific and draw molecules illustrations and chemical compounds and formulas but it would be silly. To the educated breeder, I presented a very extensive paper on this topic to EVRC and it has been well-recognized. The bottom line is, backyard breeders of blue collar and house wives do not understand this and they think they can get two good looking Danes, test them at age 1-2 years and they mate and give pups. Not the case.
To have a healthy Dane, the father and the mother must undergo a specific supplementary diet for 2-3 months prior to mating. The mother must be on 3 specific supplementary diets for 3 stages of pregnancy: zygote, fetus and pup. Then the pup must be on 3 other specific diets.
I offered 2 breeders consultation and training on this topic. It is not about getting some multi vitamins and minerals. NO. This can do a lot more harm. If fact, the wrong combination and ratio can cause problems later in the adult Dane. Two vet friends of mine told me they simply tell the clients not to use any supplements because the common client will do more harm than good not doing it right.
Having said that, one vet friend commented in a moment of honesty over a dinner and a drink, that the common dog owner expects some health problems, expects only so many years as a life span, is willing to pay for expected vet care, and ... a few health problems are good for vet business and are good for dogs. Of course he didn't expect to be quoted, and I haven't mentioned names any way.
If a vet tells you never mind any care beyond dog food: either the vet is ignorant or is motivated by business interest, or he/she is appealing to the client's ignorance.
I know this will irritate some common breeders who will feel they are made to look ignorant. This is not the purpose of this writeup. I am willing to work with them. I am sure some people will not understand the extent of this factor, will not see it, will not accept it because they don't want to admit it, and will continue to offer pups that will later result in the suffering of the family and the Dane. Once again, I have no motive. I no longer breed.
I utilized my scientific background (my advantage is that I attended medical school first, switched to animal health research then the graduate research at the Masters and later a doctorate were in ultra trace analytical chemistry.) No, this is not childish bragging. I am just trying to get your attention, to get you to listen. I also consulted with friends who are bio-chemists also with Ph.D. in a very specific research area, utilizing my lab and theirs, and my love for Danes (I had a Dane since age 3) which was a major drive. I have data supporting over 200 blood, tissue and bone samples with the GC, ICP and AAS graphs.
When I produced the technical paper on "corrective diet in Danes" it was met specially in Europe with incredible support. I utilized my analytical laboratory at EPL & EPC in Toronto, my inorganic ultra trace analysis (Ph.D. thesis) specialty and the experience of another doctor of chemistry (friend) in organic ultra trace analysis and I did a lot of monthly GC sample analysis follow-up both as diagnostic and therapeutic measures using Dane samples of tissues and blood for 8 years and comparing it to peaks of other Danes of the same litter. It's a paper that could have earned a graduate veterinary degree. Since then, I offered consultations to many vets on the issue (unfortunately many of whom had to be just told what to do and how much to add, as their chemistry background is rather limited). Vets don't like to hear that and I got a few of them defensive.
Any way. The point is, the targeted active compounds of several vet products available now such as glucosamine, chondroitin, folic acid, methyl sufonyl methane (or msm), several specific B vitamins such as riboflavine, chlorthydate, cyanoncobalamine as well as several vitamins, Omega 3 Vs Omega 6 acids, special chondroprotectives enriched with buffers and minerals and other elements are designed for general use to dogs in general. The Dane is not a general dog. In fact it would take 2.5 kg (about 6 Lbs) daily of the best puppy food to provide a Dane pup with what they need for just a daily glucosamine dose. And, it is very critical to use the exact ratio between these elements. If you just give a Dane a couple of multi elements tablets you could cause a lot of harm to him in the near future. I don't know what else to say but it kills me to see how ignorance and greed hurt Danes.
Another example is the major difference of Omega 3 Vs Omega 6 ratio for Danes and the ratio between calcium - magnesium and manganese at different stages of the Dane growth. Another example is the need to help the young Dane produce more collagen. This reinforces the fiber in the cartilage. Also, helping the young Dane produce hyaluronic acid and synovial fluid. As well, help the Dane with the right chondroitin ratio to inhibit white blood cell enzymes, which prevents them from causing damage to the cartilage. It also stimulates cartilage synthesis and improves the cartilage’s absorption of nutrients. What the Dane gets in nature without educated help would be equivalent to what children in 3rd world countries suffer without proper pregnancy care and early childhood care. Mother's milk is only the minimum requirement and for Danes it has only 20% value and need after just one week and almost 0% "<1%" after 4 weeks. Mother's milk will not even help with a simple need such as blocking out the production of prostaglandin molecules in the pup. It'll take our help to develop the Dane's future health.
Another common problem is the deficiency of either cortisol or aldosterone hormones which causes the levels of potassium and sodium levels to become abnormal and results in serious health problems. This would happen to any dog, any breed at any age if we just leave things to nature - just like if we don't take the right multi minerals supplements when we need them,
The Dane has a very special and simple need in terms of compensation with some elements at certain ratios at certain stages. If this is done, and done exactly right, the Dane will have a very healthy, very long life. I know this for a fact. Every Dane I had has enjoyed it and every single pup I produced has enjoyed it as well. Again, please, this is not self promotion. Please listen. Just compare this to the horror stories out there about Dane health problems as young as 6 years old.
Unfortunately, many breeders don't understand. In fact, a young mother has just contacted me to purchase a pup to breed to make some money on the side. Not only she has no idea what breeding costs, she has no idea about proper breeding and will make many families a few years later suffer with the suffering Dane.
The problem today is that there are way too many breeders who have a few females and a male in a kennel and produce low cost, low maintenance pups and people buy them mainly because they are cheaper, not knowing the potential risk they bought.
So, to help you get a healthy Dane, hoping that breeders will make use of the experience and research I acquired, we'll advise you what breeders have consulted with me and are using the supplementary diet I am recommending as a must. This is a must to raise a healthy Dane. A bold claim I know, but I also know it is very true indeed.
Do not believe for a second that Danes or large breeds in particular have unavoidable health problems. Breeders do. In fact, several other toy and small breeds have much more higher risk to suffer specific problems. For example Dachshunds, Keeshonds, Carin Terriers, Miniature Pinchers, Miniature Poodles, and Pulis, are more likely than other breeds to have diabetes. And, Wheaten Terriers, Rottweilers, Portuguese Water Dogs, Standard Poodles, and West Highland White Terriers are much more likely to develop certain diseases such as Addison’s disease than Danes. As well, Poodles, terriers, and dachshunds are particularly susceptible to Cushing’s disease. So it is not the Danes as a breed, it is the breeding of the breed. How else did I manage to repeatedly enjoy and produce an average 12+ years old healthy Danes and how could I offer a minimum 10 years full and free guarantee? Of course it is understood that unconditional does not mean ridiculous neglect or abuse of the Dane such as we saw in the attached video when the Dane had to have a major surgery to remove a plastic bag he swallowed.
Another concern, Hypothyroid disease, or hypothyroidism, a deficiency in the thyroid hormone, thyroxin hormone. The hormone can be excited or depressed with proper supplementary care. All breeds need supplementary support. Danes need it differently.
It's all about educated care. Another fact is the development of dilated cardiomyopathy which is only common in poorly bred Danes without early supplementary care and it is common in toy dogs who usually are assumed to need no more than a can of dog food. It is the same reason why the average man in 3rd world countries suffers a short unhealthy life while rich European average and the super stars enjoy much healthier and longer life.
The bottom line is:
Commercial breeders with unhealthy adult Danes from parents with history of heart, shoulder or hip problems, will live about 4 or 5 years, even less, and will produce pups with major problems and with average under 5 years life span, and potential major health costs and agony.
Without special supplementary care: a pup bred from certified healthy parents will have a high risk of developing problems his parents will likely develop soon. His average life span is 5 years. The 6-7 is considered exceptional and the 7+ is rare. A good pup, with a good diet and supplements, will live 12+ healthy years.
I have seen it. With special supplementary care: a pup bred from certified healthy parents: The potential risk is corrected and the Dane is compensated. His common life span is 10+ healthy years with potential or longer. Only a pup produced from healthy Danes that have had full life supplementary diet, have been proven to have had corrected - compensated growth, only those Danes will have a long healthy life and have been balanced enough to now produce healthy pups. Again, while I get all horror story emails from strangers who obtained pups from supposedly reputable breeders with supposedly healthy Danes (presently healthy) yet the pups became sad stories; yet, not one pup developed under my breeding diet and supplementary programme - not one - had any problem. Surely, scientifically, this must be accepted as supportive evidence.
And having said all this, you don't have to be a chemist or a scientist. I'll explain and will give you the specific formulas to use. Simple.
With proper, educated care, your Dane will live a very long and very healthy happy life.
by: Paul Gouda, CChem., P.R.MD., Ph.D.
