Great Dane health: what owners should know

Great Danes are known to be predisposed to gastric dilatation and volvulus (bloat), dilated cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, wobbler syndrome affecting the neck vertebrae, and bone cancer. Their deep, narrow chest is the main reason bloat is so common in the breed. Responsible breeders screen hips, have hearts assessed by a cardiologist, often with an echocardiogram, check eyes and thyroid, and can tell you how long dogs in their lines have lived.

Ask your vet about preventive gastropexy, a procedure that tacks the stomach in place and is sometimes done at the same time as neutering. Treat bloat signs as an emergency: a swollen or tight belly, retching with nothing coming up, drooling more than usual, and pacing mean going to a vet immediately, day or night. Coughing, fainting, reduced stamina or a new limp also warrant a prompt appointment.