Newsletter Issue 5

Danes Delight Newsletter Issue 5

Yeti being Proud

🦴 Trivia

  • When is National Great Danes Day?
  • Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

🦴 Great Dane Video

 https://youtube.com/shorts/jK_LAMfiC84?si=pJTW_oVzmki235CC

🦴 Danes Delight Podcast

🦴 Yeti’s Corner

Look, I know you think I’m obsessed with licking everything in sight. Your face when you wake up, your legs when you’re trying to watch TV, that weird salty spot on your arm after you exercise. But here’s the thing – there’s method to my madness!

Sometimes I lick because I’m trying to tell you something. Maybe my tummy hurts, or I’m feeling anxious about that thunderstorm rolling in. Other times, I just really, really love you and want to show it. Your face tastes like home, and that makes my tail wag like crazy.

But I get it – sometimes even I go overboard with the slobber fest. When I start licking the same spot on my paw for hours, or won’t stop giving you a “bath” even when you say stop, that’s when you humans need to step in and help me out.

The good news is we make a pretty awesome team! You have the big brains to figure out if I need to see the vet or if I need more walks and playtime. I’ve got the love and the world’s biggest tongue to share it with.

So let’s work together to keep me happy and your furniture a little less soggy. Deal?

🦴 The three most common Great Dane health concerns (and how to actually prevent them)

 

Great Dane at the vet

Hi fellow Dane guardians! Yeti here—your resident gentle giant and master of both drool and wisdom. Let’s talk about something all Great Dane families NEED to know: the top health concerns that sneak up on us big pups, and exactly how you can help keep your four-legged couch potato happy (and on your couch) for years to come.

The 3 most common Great Dane health concerns (and how to actually prevent them)

1. Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus)

The real talk: Bloat isn’t just being a little gassy after dinner—it’s one of the scariest, fastest-moving emergencies for Danes. Our big chests and love of food make us super prone to it. If you ever see me pacing, drooling, or trying to throw up but nothing comes out—GET ME TO THE VET, FAST!

How to help:

  • Feed me 2-3 small meals a day (not one giant feast)
  • No wild zoomies right after eating (let me chill for 30-60 minutes)
  • Use a slow-feeder bowl if I’m a food gobbler
  • Learn the bloat warning signs and keep your vet’s number handy

2. Joint and bone issues (hip dysplasia, arthritis, Wobbler’s Disease)

The scoop: My long legs put a lot of pressure on my growing bones. Hip dysplasia and arthritis are common, and Wobbler’s Disease can make us walk wobbly (no, not from spinning in circles chasing our tails!).

How to help:

  • Give me high-quality dog food—especially as a puppy. Keep me lean, not chunky!
  • Use joint supplements if your vet says so (glucosamine is my friend)
  • Skip too many stairs and don’t let little pups jump off the couch
  • Keep up with regular vet checkups for early detection

 

A Great Dane walking outdoors

3. Heart problems (dilated cardiomyopathy)

The facts: Up to 40% of us can develop heart disease. Yikes. Sometimes, symptoms don’t appear until it’s serious—so regular vet visits are essential.

How to help:

  • Annual (or more) cardiac checkups with your vet
  • Watch for tiredness, coughing, or trouble breathing
  • Keep my exercise regular but not extreme
  • Listen to your gut—if I’m acting off, get me checked!

Quick checklist for a healthier, happier Dane

  • [ ] Feed smaller, frequent meals
  • [ ] Rest after eating
  • [ ] Maintain a healthy weight
  • [ ] Regular joint/heart vet checks
  • [ ] Know the emergency signs (especially bloat!)
  • [ ] Give me a comfy bed—those big bones need support

Want the full deep-dive and some good dog humor?
Check out the latest Great Dane Tips Blog for stories, checklists, and true tales from Dane families. Or listen to my (Yeti’s!) Danes Delight Podcast for owner Q&A, vet interviews, and everything you wish you’d asked before bringing home a gentle giant.

Bottom line: Knowing these 3 health risks can add years (and a lot of snuggle time) to your Great Dane’s life. Stay smart, stay prepared, and give your Dane an extra ear scratch from me!

See you next week with more real-life tips from the Great Dane front lines!

Yeti 🐾

P.S. Do you have a burning Dane health question? Reply to this email or visit GRDane.com—I’m here for you (and your sofa)!

🦴 Facebook Page & Group

Visit our Facebook page and join our group for tips or to share info or pictures of your awesome Great Dane: @danesdelight.2025

Group: Yeti the Great Dane

Thank you for reading Danes Delight Newsletter. Visit GRDane for more info and past newsletters, podcasts, and over 100 blog articles:

 https://grdane.com/

Answer to Trivia: June 12