Are you interested in the intelligence and the sharp but trustworthy character of an athletic Doberman? Perhaps you see yourself in the countryside, nurturing the even-tempered nature of a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog as it protects you and your property. Or maybe you’re an experienced owner, ready for a strong-willed, dominant and protective hunting dog like the Akita? Big dogs offer both big possibilities and responsibilities.
Are Big Dogs Harder to Take Care of?
Many large breed dogs were hunters and protectors, making a yard with a fence a preferable choice over an apartment. They usually need vast spaces and vigorous exercise to reach their full potential and so do you, so be prepared to train with them. Moreover, large breed dogs are more prone to certain health problems you should look out for. In fact, giant dog breeds have an average lifespan of 8 years versus 10.8 years for a medium-sized dog.
How Do You Take Care of a Large Breed Dog?
Get Larger Dog Products
How would you feel if your bed was too small and your clothes were too tight? Optimise your household for your gigantic friend. Start with its most basic and undeniable needs: sleep and shelter, food and entertainment.
Most dogs spend about 50% of their day sleeping. Puppies, large-breed dogs, and older dogs may sleep more. Larger dogs put in much more effort in movement hence they need more recovery time. Clearly, the place of rest needs to be as best as it can be.
Nowadays, you can choose from a large assortment of large beds for dogs designed to bring comfort to the biggest of the biggest. A large dog bed with top and bottom memory foam will support the dog’s weight properly. As it moulds around the dog’s body, it offers even support. The lower impact is optimal for heavy dogs and dogs with joint problems.
Choose a large dog bed with an easily removable, machine washable and water-resistant cover to simplify your life. Also, make sure the dog bed has a wide-open front so your big friend can slide in and out with ease. Some large beds for dogs offer both orthopaedic and psychological support. An ortho sofa with a foam base can provide a stable base while its soft filled bolstered walls add protection and serenity for more anxious dogs.
Lush plush is not reserved only for the tiny sleeping beauties but also for bigger beasts. A cuddler big enough to nest large breeds and with its faux fur and soft raised walls can be the sleeping fortress of doggy dreamland.
The right collar can keep your dog protected but the wrong one can inflict pain and stress. Make sure you pick a dog collar that’s wider, ensuring enough space for movement and prevention of injuries. Large breed dogs like Rottweilers, German shepherds, Newfoundlands, Mastiffs and Saint Bernards or those weighing 35kg or more should wear a large dog collar that’s at least 3.8 cm wide. For a larger breed that weighs 50kg or more, get a large dog collar that’s about 5 cm wide. There are even ones that go above 7cm in width, a necessity for the true giants that are over 70kg.
Although raised feeders (elevated food bowls) were recommended for large breed dogs due to their possible benefit for bloat (gastric torsion), the results are contradictory. A regular bowl in an extra-large size will suffice.
And finally, don’t forget about the toys! You don’t want something that can be eaten and destroyed in a day or it’s not even on your dog’s radar. Go big or go home.
Get Large Breed Dog Food
High-quality pet food with the right balance of protein, minerals and vitamins is necessary for all dogs, no matter how big or small. Even so, large breed dogs grow bigger and much faster meaning that their skeletal system should get extra support for optimal development and growth.
Proteins are imperative for growth, but how much protein does a large breed dog need exactly? For adults, a minimum of 18% is recommended while large and giant breed pups need at least 30% high-quality protein and 9% fat. Younger pups need the extra fuel during their growth sprouts.
Moreover, large breed dogs are more prone to joint issues due to their growth patterns, stressing again the importance of greasing up their joints. Calcium is a prerequisite for strong bones but is harmful in excess, especially for younger dogs who can’t yet regulate the calcium absorption from their gut. The calcium content of food for large breed puppies should be around 1.5% (or 3 grams/1,000 kcal). In addition, glucosamine is used as joint support while fibre blends and prebiotics boost gut microbiota, allowing optimal digestion.
Learn More About the Unique Large Breed Health Problems
Some of the most common large breed dog health problems include hip and elbow dysplasia, osteosarcoma, aortic stenosis, hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. Big dogs like Rottweilers are especially prone to arthritis due to their growth patterns and weight. Large breed dogs with deep and narrow chests are at risk of gastric torsion. Obesity is a serious overseen problem because owners are more likely to mistaken the additional weight as normal for a larger breed.
Focus on Training
Some things that smaller breeds can get away with in the household could be dangerous or even disastrous when done by larger ones. If you want to keep your home intact or preserve the garden you invested so much in, a huge commitment to daily training is a must. If you are not managing as well as you should, you can always ask a professional for help.
