What's a Great Dane's role, health, and how do they compare to GSDs?

An average life span of a GSD is 12-15 years. Health issues in GSDs include hip dysplasia, bloat, pancreatitis insufficiency, epilepsy, and cancer. Cancer is a middle aged to older dog disease, but it's really hard to see at what age they die from illness as it can vary within the breed. Some GSDs can live longer than others. It's important to make sure Bruno is a health weight, he is exercised daily, is kept up to date with his vaccines, and if you have any health concerns or questions, take him into the vet right away.

The most common diseases seen in the [German Shepherd](https://www.petcoach.co/breed/german-shepherd-dog) breed that can cause death are [hemangiosarcoma](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/hemangiosarcoma/) (cancer of the spleen) or [osteosarcoma](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/osteosarcoma/) (bone cancer). However, there are lots of disease processes (i.e. [Addison's Disease](https://www.petcoach.co/article/addison-s-disease-hypoadrenocorticism-in-dogs), [Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/exocrine-pancreatic-insufficiency/), etc) that can afflict this breed and shorten the lifespan. While [hip dysplasia](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/hip-dyspasia/) is common in the breed, it is rarely fatal but can greatly affect quality of life. This is just what I commonly have seen in my professional experience, it is by no means an all inclusive list. Also[ German shepherds](https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-facts-you-should-know-about-german-shepherds) average life span is about 9-13 years of age. Technically, they are considered senior dogs once over the age of 8.

What a gorgeous pup! Great Dane puppies have a massive requirement for nutrients so I recommend investing in feeding a really good quality food for giant breed puppies. Royal canin does a really good puppy food which I trust for my own dogs. Don't listen to things like not feeding puppy food, there is no evidence for that. It is actually really important to feed puppy food because a puppy has different needs to an adult. Energy level has more to do with the carbohydrate in the feed rather than protein.

It is very important that your dog is fully vaccinated for hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, distemper, and rabies, and should have regular boosters throughout his life. He will need flea treatment, heartworm treatment, and deworming also on a regular basis. GSDs are very active dogs, and they will need at least 45 minutes of vigorous exercise twice a day. He should receive a high quality dog food, such as Royal Canin or Hills, and do not give him any human food, as many are toxic to dogs. The only food he will need be healthy is his dog food, and the only liquid he needs is water.

Great Dane puppies, like many of the giant breed dogs, can often grow vary strangely. As long as they are receiving an adequate diet (standard large breed puppy food) and have adequate space in a crate, they shouldn't have any issues growing unless there is an underlying pathology. This is a tough one to assess without not only seeing photographs, but also seeing your puppy in motion. There are certainly orthopedic and congenital conditions that can cause the kind of stance you are describing, but these could not be positively diagnosed without radiographic imaging. If you are concerned about the way she is growing, I would have a vet take a look at her in person to assess her gait, posture, and bony structures. If you have any other questions in more detail, please feel free to consult with me personally. Hope this helps!

Yes, GSDs are prone to GDV (gastric dilatation volvus). This is because they are large breed, deep chested dogs, which research has shown have an increased risk for GDV. It has been reported in puppies, but risk increases with age. It is life threatening, and it requires immediate medical attention as the dog will die if not treated. That being said, because a GDV is so serious, there is still a risk of death even with being treated. The treatment is to decompress the stomach, and surgery to fix the stomach to the thoracic wall using the ribs to prevent it from happening again. As a preventative measure, you have have surgery done on Bruno to fix his stomach to his thoracic wall now, which would prevent GDV from happening. Yes, I have seen this in GSDs, and when it does occur, it is an emergency.

I actually prefer commercial dog food as it includes the proper balance of nutrition that they need. A lot of raw food diets don’t have the proper studies to back it up and they don’t have the proper nutrients in them. Also, dogs who eat raw food diet are st higher risk for bacterial infections like salmonella. I think as long a syou are giving a high quality large breed or giant breed puppy food like science diet, Iams, or royal canin then he should grown normally. I hope this helps!