Editing Great Dane (section)

== Health ==
Great Danes, like most giant dogs, have a fast metabolism. This results in more energy and food consumption per pound of dog than in small breeds. They have some health problems that are common to large breeds, including bloat ([[gastric dilatation volvulus]]).<ref name="Great Dane Dog Breed Information">{{Cite web|title=Great Dane Dog Breed Information|url=https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/great-dane/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=American Kennel Club|language=en|archive-date=17 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817045341/http://www.akc.org/breeds/great_dane/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Nutrition plays a role in this breed's health. Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is the greatest killer of Great Danes.<ref name="Great Dane Dog Breed Information"/> To avoid bloat, a rest period of 40 minutes to one hour after meals is recommended before exercise.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/great-dane/|title=Great Dane - Dogs 101 - Animal Planet|website=www.animalplanet.com|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315025350/https://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/great-dane|archive-date=15 March 2018}}</ref>

A 2024 UK study found the average life expectancy of the breed to be 10.6 years, compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for [[Mongrel|crossbreeds]].<ref>{{cite journal | last1=McMillan | first1=Kirsten M. | last2=Bielby | first2=Jon | last3=Williams | first3=Carys L. | last4=Upjohn | first4=Melissa M. | last5=Casey | first5=Rachel A. | last6=Christley | first6=Robert M. | title=Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death | journal=Scientific Reports | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=14 | issue=1 | date=2024-02-01 | issn=2045-2322 | doi=10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w | page=531| pmid=38302530 | pmc=10834484 | bibcode=2024NatSR..14..531M }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=McMillan|first1=K. M.|last2=Bielby|first2=J.|last3=Williams|first3=C.L.|title=Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death|journal=Scientific Reports|year=2024|volume=14|issue=1 |page=531|doi=10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w|pmid=38302530 |pmc=10834484|bibcode=2024NatSR..14..531M }}Supplementary Table 3</ref> A 2005 Swedish study of insurance records found 83% of Great Danes died by the age of 10, higher than the overall rate of 35% of dogs dying by the age of 10.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Egenvall | first1=A | last2=Bonnett | first2=Bn | last3=Hedhammar | first3=å | last4=Olson | first4=P | title=Mortality in over 350,000 Insured Swedish Dogs from 1995–2000: II. Breed-Specific Age and Survival Patterns and Relative Risk for Causes of Death | journal=Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica | volume=46 | issue=3 | date=2005-09-30 | pages=121–136 | issn=1751-0147 | pmid=16261925 | pmc=1624818 | doi=10.1186/1751-0147-46-121 | doi-access=free }}</ref>

[[Dilated cardiomyopathy]]  and many [[congenital]] heart diseases are also commonly found in the Great Dane, leading to its [[nickname]]: the heartbreak breed, in conjunction with its shorter lifespan. Great Danes also may carry the merle gene, which is part of the genetic makeup that creates the harlequin coloring.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eyecareforanimals.com/animal-eye-conditions/canine/296-merle-gene.html|publisher=Eye Care for Animals|title=The Merle Gene and Multiple Ocular Abnormalities|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212182621/http://www.eyecareforanimals.com/animal-eye-conditions/canine/296-merle-gene.html|archive-date=12 December 2013}}</ref> The merle gene is an incomplete dominant, meaning only one copy of the gene is needed to show the merle coloring; two merle genes produce excessive white markings and many health issues such as deafness, blindness, or other debilitating ocular issues. Great Danes can also develop [[wobbler disease]], a condition affecting the vertebral column. Since these dogs grow at a rapid rate, the bones in their vertebrae can push up against the spinal cord and cause weakness in the legs. This can be treated with surgery or may heal itself over time.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.vin.com/doc/?id=6693870|title=World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings, 2004|website=Vin.com |date=30 March 2015}}</ref>

Like many larger breeds, Great Danes are at particular risk for [[hip dysplasia (canine)|hip dysplasia]].{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}