Great Dane Puppy food!

[extremepie]

Just wondering if anyone knows of a good food for a great dane puppy? She is nearly 18 weeks and so far has had very runny green poop, don't know why but for some reason her food is not agreeing with her!

Any ideas?

I've also heard that since danes are a giant breed they do better with a normal adult dog food as opposed to a puppy food, something to do with the proteing ratios being better to discourage rapid growth?

Help!

Sorry, can't help as I'm not experienced with Danes - GSDs, Rotts and Mastiffs are as big as they get in terms of handling for me (though not adverse to bigger!).

I'd suggest that you call your breeder and ask him/her. Isn't that what they're there for!

Otherwise call Great Dane Rescue, who I know to be a mine of information. I'm sure they can advise.

You need to get some really good advice on food. Try the great dane forum
http://www.greatdaneowners.co.uk/

I agree that the breeder should be able to help. You need to get the protein levels right.

Great dane adoption society recommend Royal canin, keep bowl off floor, needs to be raised as they are prone to bloat

I definitely second coccyx's advise to do all you can to avoid bloat. Sadly Danes are amongst the most vulnerable. A fellow volunteer lost her dog to the condition a couple of years ago.... she'd gone out to work, leaving the dogs at home with her 16 year old son. Son had seen their 3 year old Dane fit and healthy then gone about whatever he was doing in the home, leaving Dana asleep in her bed.

Two hours later he returned to find their beloved Dana dead in her bed. :( :( :(

This is NOT a condition which can be taken anything but seriously - and that applies to all owners, particularly those of us with large breeds and deep chested dogs.

Great dane adoption have a page on website all about bloat, how to avoid it and signs to look out for. Worth printing it out and putting up on your notice board.
Would love to see some puppy pics

Thanks for the advice, never thought to ask the breeder!
Would really like to chat with other dane owners as it does seem that they have some quite specific requirements by comparison to some other breeds.

Have been scrounging the net for info, it seems that you shouldn't give them more than 24% protein to avoid too-rapid growth.

Already have a raised, adjustable bowl for her to avoid bloat - I watched her constantly the first couple days I was so paranoid, have relaxed a little bit now but still keep an eye out!

Umm, how do I post pics? I'm a bit of a noob at this!

I agree about the breeder. They should have given you all sorts of information about feeding and exercising, amongst other stuff. Did they make it clear to you that you can (should!) contact them with any queries? Were they a reputable breeder? If they weren't, then you are probably wasting your time talking to them tbh.

If you contact the breed club they should be more than willing to give you good advice on the phone.

I do knwo that some brands of dog food do specific giant breed puppy foods, although I can't for the life of me remember which ones they are. Sorry.

I would probably try and avoid cereals as much as possible as these (maize especially from what I remember) can be a factor in bloat.