Do
- Remember unlike smaller breeds Danes are puppies until 18 months of age.
- Basic obedience is important – An untrained Dane can be more than a nuisance once fully grown.
- Vaccinate puppies.
- Consult your vet about worming and heart worming treatments.
- Do feed a good quality biscuit.
- Always have fresh water available.
- Provide soft thick well padded bedding to support your puppies elbows and joints.
- Remember puppies chew. Supply enough safe toys so they are not eating your furniture.
Don't
- No forced exercise – No jogging or road work until 2 years and bones are set.
- Do not feed standard puppy or performance food as they are high in calories and promote accelerated growth. It is important these dogs grow slow and even, so that the bone develops at the same rate as the muscle. High protein/fat/calories food does not mean a bigger dog.
- Do not encourage jumping on your shoulders as it is damaging to the dog's legs and muscles.
- Do not exercise for 1 –2 hours after meals.
- Do not feed chicken mince for the first 12 months because it is too high in protein. The occasional wing or neck is acceptable.
- Do not play tug of war games, no chasing games or wrestling on the floor games with your puppy, their bones are more delicate than you would think.
- Don’t put your Great Dane in the backyard and forget about him/her. THEY NEED HUMAN COMPANIONSHIP.
- Do not let young puppies climb up and down stairs as it is very hard on their shoulders and can cause serious injury.
- Do not overfeed. Dane puppies need to be on the lean side.
NOTE: The content of this website has been compiled by the committee of the GDLAWA, with many of the Dane photos provided by Simon Duggan, and while mimicry is often deemed a compliment, we do require that anyone wanting to copy or use any of the text or images, contacts us. We are usually happy to give our permission for the information to be utilised so long as the source is referenced. Please send us an email with your request.
The GDLAWA appreciates and acknowledges the long-term and ongoing support of Morley Vet Centre and Applecross Veterinary Hospital for providing care & advice for Great Danes in our Rescue Programme.
Morley Vet Centre:
Ph: 9275 3000
www.vetcentre.com.au/
Applecross Veterinary Hospital:
Ph: 9364 7666
www.applecrossvet.com.au
Champion Lakes Vet Centre:
Colin Sherry – Champion Lake Vet Centre, 121 Westfield Rod, Camillo WA 6111
championlakevet.com
Melville Animal Hospital:
34 Rome Rd, Melville. (08) 9317 4177 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.melvet.com.au
Murdoch University Vet Hospital:
90 South St Murdoch. (08) 9360 6454
theanimalhospital.com.au
Western Australian Veterinary Emergency & Specialty (WAVES):
640 Beeliar Drive, Success 6164. (08) 9412 5700
www.wavets.com.au
Perth Vet Emergency:
Wanneroo Rd and Royal St Yokine 6060 (PVE) ph 1300 040 400
www.pve.net.au
Emergency Vet Hospital:
Chokolich Street, off Prindiville Drive, Wangara (EVH) 9200 4460
www.emergencyvethospital.com.au
Perth Vet Specialist (previously PVE):
305 Selby St, Osborne Park 6017. (08) 9204 0400
perthvetspecialists.com.au
Obedience training and the socialisation that comes with it is highly recommended by the GDLAWA and we have shown a list of some of the Obedience & Training clubs that we know of in Western Australia below. None is recommended more than the other by the GDLAWA. Obedience Clubs wishing to be added to this list, please send us an email via the Contact Us page.
Perth Training & Obedience Dog Club Inc
Northern Suburbs Training & Obedience Dog Club
Southern River Agility & Obedience Dog Club
Albany All Breeds Dog Club - 0418 989 054 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The GDLAWA is a pet-owners club and is not a Breeder/Show club and cannot recommend one breeder over another. People looking to become Great Dane owners are most welcome to contact the club to learn generally about the breed or attend a walk but you should contact the Breeders directly regarding when they may have litters planned. The details for some Western Australian Breeders as well as national breeders are listed at www.dogzonline.com.au.
Please find below links to other Great Dane sites of interest. If you would like to add a link to this page, please email the association at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Great Dane Club of NSW Inc.
http://www.greatdaneclubnewsouthwales.com/index.htm
Great Dane Society of Queensland
http://www.greatdane.org.au/
Great Dane Club of Victoria Inc
http://www.greatdaneclubvic.org/
Great Dane Breed Council in the UK with information about Dane health issues
www.danecouncil.org.uk
A UK Great Dane club.
www.thegreatdaneclub.com
Australian site full of information on the Great Dane
Greatdane.com.au
Very useful information on feeding Danes and Dane diseases.
The Great Dane Lady
Australian Dane Resource Site is an Australian Great Dane Community with information available on the following titles: Double Digit Club, Hip and Elbow Scores, Registered Litters, Show Results, Results by Judge, Breed Standard, Health Information, Great Dane Rescue.
Australian Dane resource site
Great Dane Rescue. A website bringing together Great Danes available for rehoming across Australia and created by Great Dane Rescue and Rehoming (NSW).
Great Dane Rescue
Services for Great Dane owners and their dogs in Western Australia may advertise in this section for a nominal cost per year. The business or service should be applicable to the Great Dane world and the GDLAWA holds final veto on which advertisements will be added. A small screed of information about the business or service must be provided and a link to your website or contact details. Please approach us via the Contact Us page for further information and costs. Directly competitive businesses to our sponsors will not be included while those arrangements are in existence.