Things You Need to Know about Dental Care for Great Danes

The Great Dane, also known as the 'German Mastiff' or 'Danish Hound',is one of the tallest breeds. Formerly used as guard dogs and hunting dogs, the Great Dane is a domestic breeds, known for their giant size and elegance.

Great Danes have a squarish appearance, with a well-proportioned and well-balanced body. They are a domestic, short-haired breed with triangular, floppy ears. The Great Danes can be distinguished on the basis of different coat colors. Some breeds may have jet black, glossy coats, mantle, or black and white coats in which they may have solid black color extending over the body with a white muzzle, collar, and chest. Alternatively, they may have white in only some parts of the body such as the legs. A Harlequin coat, also known as 'Merle gene'describes a base color of white with irregular black patches spread throughout the body. Finally a fawn coat is one which is yellowish, golden, or tan in color.

The Great Dane is relatively easy to groom and require only occasional grooming and bathing as they are a low-odor breed. Their smooth short-haired coat is also quite easy to groom, and often requires onlyan everyday combing and brushing to keep their coat clean and to fleas and tick free.

Dental care for dogs is one of the most overlooked aspects of health care. Similar to humans, dog's teeth have a tendency to develop tartar, plaque, and gingivitis. Plaque is the initial stage of tartarand can build up in between the spaces of the teeth and gums if not removed. It also leads to the formation of tartar also known as calculus. Tartar is the cause of bad breath and also causes inflammation of the gums, thereby leading to gingivitis. This inflammation of the gums may further lead to the reddening and bleeding of the gums. If you notice your dog is whining or crying or has a loss of appetite, it is important to check your dog's teeth to examine for any signs of infection or mouth odor. Similarly, ensure your pet receives a thorough dental examination from a veterinarian.

Great Dane's teeth are much easier to maintain as compared with the other breeds, as they have larger mouths making it easier to clean their teeth. It is also important to ensure thorough cleaning of the rear molars. However, Danes fed with raw food or with good marrow bone to gnaw on, most likely never need anything else. Brushing the teeth may take some practice, however, if started early such as when they are puppies, it can make the process easier when they become adults. Dog's teeth must be brushed at least twice a week. Toothpastes and toothbrushes, which are specially made for dogs, are available on the market. Along with the specially made toothpastes and brushes, tartar-control biscuits and hard kibbles are also available to help control the tartar formation, and thereby help to keep the teeth clean and healthy. Even wipes are known to be used to brush/clean the teeth and can take less time than brushing.