Giant breeds, like the Great Dane, have a life expectancy of no longer than 10 years and large male Danes may only live for 7 or 8 years. They have inherited health problems including: musculoskeletal disorders like hip dysplasia, Wobblers syndrome, and panosteitis; heart diseases such as cardiomyopathy and aortic stenosis; eye disorders such as cataracts, ectropion, entropion, glaucoma and retinal atrophy; hypothyroidism, cancer and bloat. Potential owners should consult breeders about the results for hip dysplasia, congenital heart disease and thyroid disease and a recent ophthalmologists report for both sire and dam.
Reference
Mathews, M., (2009), The gentle giant Great Dane, http://avery.madpage.com/2009/06/the-gentle-giant-great-dane/, accessed June 12th 2009.
No comments:
Post a Comment