Want to own a Great Dane or already have one and want to know if Great Dane are hypoallergenic dogs?
No, Great Dane are not hypoallergenic dogs and they do shed and drool.
Usually dogs who have a double coat shed a lot and though Great Dane have a single code with short and smooth hairs, they do shed. They shed average through out the year but shed more during spring time of the year.
Why Great Dane are not Hypoallergenic dogs?
Allergic dogs are the ones that shed a lot of Dander or drool a lot. Contrary to what you may think, allergy due to dogs is not due to the hairs they shed but due to Dander.
Dander is the flake that dogs shed from their dead skin. If this comes in contact with people who are allergic to dogs, it will cause their immune system to over react and that will make them uneasy. This might also happen due to dog saliva from the dog drool. So if you are dog allergic, you should avoid them.
Let us now look at factors due to which Great Dane are not hypoallergenic :
Great Dane shed dander
Great Dane shed at an average rate through out the year and to shed a bit higher during spring season. Along with shedding of dead hairs, they also shed dander which makes them more allergic than hypoallergenic dogs like Poodles.
Shedding of dead hairs is natural to dogs. Hence their is nothing like a 100% hypoallergenic dog. It is only relative and some dogs like Poodles who shed less are called as Hypoallergenic dogs where as Dogs who shed more like Great Dane or German Shepherd are not hypoallergenic dogs.
Great Dane Drool
Great Dane drool a lot. This is due to their facial structure. They have square jaw with loose lips that doesn’t help to keep the drool i.e. saliva with in mouth. The folds in their skin allow this saliva to easily slip out of the mouth. This also becomes the reason why Great Dane are not hypoallergenic.
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How to avoid allergy from Great Dane?
You can avoid the allergy as much as possible by taking care of below factors :
Brushing regularly
Brushing helps in removing the dead skin and hairs that are about to fall off. You can then safely remove them before it comes into contact with any one else. Brushing will also help in making a bond between you and your Great Dane. Brushing once or twice per week may help.
Bathing your Great Dane
Bathing for your Great Dane should be when needed or once in every six weeks. Care should be taken not to give bath frequently as this may lead to dry skin and other related issues. Oatmeal based shampoos are recommended though you should take advise from your Vet on the choice of Shampoo.
Bathing helps to remove any dead or about to fall hair and dander. This also removes dead skin which makes the coat healthy and magnificent.
Keeping Great Dane hydrated
Studies have shown that dehydrated dogs tend to shed more. It is thus advisable to keep the water bowl for the great Dane full all the times so that he can satisfy his thirst whenever required.
Nutrition
Poor diet often leads to shedding in dogs. If your Great Dane is shedding more than normal, consider switching to higher quality food.
Food like Fish and its supplements or Olive Oil are rich in Omega 3 Fatty acids. Omega 3 Fatty acids keeps the dog coat healthy and magnificent. Check if your Dane is not allergic to them and then start with smaller quantities.
Vacuum regularly
Keeping your home clean is essential for the overall health of your family. This also helps removing the dander and hence reduce the chances of allergic person coming in contact with the same. Thus it helps in reducing the chances of allergy as well.
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About Great Dane
Great Dane are massive dogs who may look intimidating but are gentle in disposition. They are also called as Gentle Giants who thrive with humans and enjoy the company of children as well. They are one of the largest dogs. Standing on hind legs, a full grown Great Dane can be taller than an average human.
Great Dane were originally bred to hunt wild boar in Germany. The Ferociousness in them is no more now a days. They are now bred as large family dogs. They may not be suitable for apartment living due to their sheer size. Like other large deep chested dogs, they are also prone to bloating and the parent should be watchful of the same.
Great Dane can grow to a size of 34 in and weigh approx 100 to 200 pounds. The average lifespan of Great Dane is around 8 years.