You love your Great Dane dog but not the smell that seems to waft around him (or her). I hear your cry! You are about to discover five reasons your Great Dane stinks, and what you can do about it. Welcome to the Big Dog Den, I’m glad you’re here!
In my ongoing quest to make owning a big dog breed as pleasant an experience possible, I decided to tackle the problem I hear so much about from Great Dane dog owners… the smell that seems to cling to their beloved furry companion(s). Petting your pet shouldn’t be a smelly encounter, but a time for strengthening the bond you share with your dog.
I’ll only offer you the most up-to-date and accurate information because your time is valuable to me. I’ve gleaned my knowledge from the most trusted and reliable sources like the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Great Dane Club of America (GDCA), my own dog’s Veterinarian, and from the countless forums I’ve visited hosted by Great Dane dog owners. Today I’m sharing everything I’ve learned with you, right here in one convenient place!
In This Article, You’ll Discover:
- 5 Reasons Why your Great Dane Stinks
- How Often to Bathe Your Great Dane
- The Role Diet Plays in Your Great Dane’s Odor
- What it Means When Your Great Dane Smells Like Fish
- If Your Grea Dane’s Odor is Cause for an Appointment with a Veterinarian
- How to Care for Your Great Dane’s Stinky Ears
- What You Can Do to Prevent Your Home from Smelling Like a Dog Lives There
…I’ll even throw in some interesting Great Dane Facts you might not have known!
I would be remiss not to mention an important factor concerning your Great Dane’s smell. Your dog is never going to smell like a human because he (or she) is… well… a dog! Dogs do have a distinctive odor that is never completely gone. Their hormones, pheromones, and diet all affect a dog’s over-all odor. That being said, a dog odor should be barely discernable to our human noses, and it shouldn’t linger in the air when your dog is in another room.
Today we’re discussing excessive and offensive odors. There’s a lot of information to comb through here, so let’s dig in…
5 Reasons Your Great Dane Stinks
- Improper Grooming: Underbathing and overbathing your Great Day dog both promote body odor. Continue reading to discover how you can know you’re bathing your dog with the correct frequency.
- Inadequate Diet: Imagine if you fed yourself a steady diet of junk food. Did you shudder? It would yield terrible results! The same is true for your Great Dane dog! There are “bargain” brands of dog food that claim to be nutritionally sound, but here’s the thing: they are lying! A little further along you’ll find out just what to look for on your Great Dane’s dog food label.
- Digestive Issues: Some digestive issues can increase your Great Dane’s body odor. Food sensitivity is most often the culprit for digestive issues, but if a change in diet hasn’t improved your dog’s body odor, a visit to the veterinarian may be in order. Today we’ll go over when it’s time to involve your dog’s veterinarian as it pertains to body odor.
- Bacterial Infections: Your Great Dane’s skin is susceptible to bacterial infections, as are his (or her) ears. Most skin infections will be visible, and many are treatable with an over-the-counter anti-bacterial treatment. Simply follow the product instructions “to a tee”. If you don’t see an improvement in three days, consult your dog’s veterinarian. However, if you suspect an ear infection, don’t attempt home-treatment. Rather, please have it diagnosed by a veterinarian immediately!
- Secreting (or Clogged) Anal Glands: Yep, anal glands. Learn everything you need to know about these glands a little further along in this article.
So there you have it. All the reasons (other than a chance encounter with a skunk) your Great Dane might be a stinky dog. Let’s “clear the air” and find out what to do about it…
DID YOU KNOW? The average lifespan of a Great Dane dog is 8-10 years.
Do More Baths Make a Great Dane Smell Better?
Absolutely NOT! In fact, too many baths can make your Great Dane stink as much as too few baths can. When readers ask me how often they should be bathing their dog, my answer is always the same: “As often as he (or she) needs a bath!”
Use common sense when deciding how often to bather your Great Dane. A dog who spends a lot of time outdoors on the lawn is going to need to be bathed more frequently than a dog who is only outside on sidewalks for walks.
A general rule of them is to bathe a dog that is frequently outside about every ten days or so. Of course, if the dog has access to, and enjoys playing in, dirt or other muck, he (or she) might need a bath more often.
If your dog spends the majority of the day indoors, monthly bathing will likely be sufficient. Even less often if there are no problems with odor or dander building up on your dog’s coat or skin.
Bathe your dog in tepid water with an all-natural and conditioning shampoo formulated for dogs. Use bathtime to examine your Great Dane’s skin both visually and with your fingertips. Follow up on any irritations, sores, or bumps that you may discover, any of these things may contribute to bad body odor. If you take your dog to a groomer to be bathed, the groomer checks for these things, as well.
Dry your dog thoroughly with a clean towel, and shower him (or her) with praises and affection. Every encounter you have together is a chance for you to reinforce training, bond, and mentally stimulate your Great Dane! Your dog is intelligent and susceptible to boredom and even loneliness.
Trimming your Great Dane’s toenails is easy after a bath! Make it part of your routine if you intend to groom at home. Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed and smoothly helps eliminate your dog scratching him or herself. Scratches can promote a skin infection, and that can stink! It doesn’t hurt that trimmed nails also prevent scratches on humans and furniture, too!
Bath-time is also a good time to check the integrity of your dog’s collar and to clean it too, if necessary.
DID YOU KNOW? Your Great Dane’s sense of smell is at least 10,000 times better than yours, and scientists believe it’s actually closer to 100,000 times better. I wonder if dogs wish they could make their humans smell better, LOL!
How Diet Can Make your Great Dane Stink
A low-quality of dog food, incorrect portion sizes and even feeding your Great Dane foods that were designed for human consumption all have one thing in common: they can cause stinky digestive issues (including halitosis). Did you know that the first five ingredients listed on a dog food label are the primary ingredients inside the package? Unfortunately, dog food companies aren’t strictly governed when it comes to advertising.
Take pedigree for example. All their advertising leads you to think the food is nutritionally sound, but a closer look at the label reveals otherwise.
What you want to see in your dog’s food (in order of importance) are the following things:
- A Dog Food Formulated for Large Breed Dogs: Food that’s been formulated for large breed dogs is calorically balanced for a big dog’s specific needs and helps regulate growth, allowing joints, bones, and muscles to grow at a more balanced rate.
- Protein from a Single Meat Source as the First Ingredient: Although there are some plant sources with great protein content, dogs are omnivores, meaning they eat from both the animal and plant kingdom. Turkey, lamb, and salmon are great options for a primary protein.
- Complex Carbohydrates: Complex carbohydrates are digested at a more even rate, keeping your dog’s energy and hormone levels balanced. Simple carbohydrates burn fast and there is a “crash” associated with consuming them for dogs just like there is for humans.
- Fat from a Good Source: Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish and fish oils like herring and salmon, and Omega-6 fatty acids come from animal fat and oils like sunflower and safflower.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Your Great Dane will require a plethora of vitamins and minerals to live a long and healthy life. High-quality dog foods contain the essential vitamins and minerals your dog needs to promote good bone, joint, and heart health. Please discuss this with the veterinarian and follow the guidelines he or she gives you for your dog’s specific needs.
I do not advocate one dog food brand over another, but do advocate for top-quality ingredients in dog food. In the comparison graphic just below, Blue Buffalo was one of many brands to chose from that put Pedigree brand dog food to shame, ingredient-wise. Just look at the top five ingredients of each food while I “drop the mic”.
DID YOU KNOW? In adulthood, a Great Dane can weigh up to 200 pounds (about 91kg)!
Why Does My Great Dane Smell Like Fish?
992-Something smell “fishy” about your Great Dane? The answer is right under his (or her) tail! Your dog has two anal glands. These glands are vestigial, much like the human appendix. This means that the glands likely served an important bodily function, but the function became unnecessary over the evolutionary process.
Experts believe the horrible smelling mucous-like liquid the glands produce may have once been used to mark territory in the wild, and that dogs may have secreted it in a foul-smelling act of self-defense (like skunks do). These days, it serves no purpose beyond allowing other dogs to discover who is leaving droppings behind on their walk through the neighborhood. This is because the glands secrete a little fluid when the dog’s stool passes by them, leaving the stool coated.
Sometimes the anal glands can malfunction and over-produce their fishy-smelling fluids, or they can become blocked and become infected, a painful condition for your dog. In either circumstance, a veterinarian can help.
DID YOU KNOW? Even though the breed is called Great “Dane”, it did not originate in Denmark, but in Germany.
When Your Stinky Dog Needs a Veterinarian
Infected anal glands aren’t the only smelly situation that should be addressed by a veterinarian. Any of the following conditions should also be evaluated by your dog’s veterinarian:
- Stinky and/or Overly-Sensitive Ears
- Fluids seeping from Anywhere on Your Dog’s Body
- Diarrhea or Constipation that Lasts Three Days
- A Skin Irritation/Infection that Doesn’t Clear Up with OTC Treatments Within 7 Days
- Perpetual Halitosis
DID YOU KNOW? Although your Great Dane’s ancestors were highly-efficient boar hunters, as the sport lost popularity and the breed gained popularity, Great Danes had the “vicious” bred right outta them, making them the “gentle giants” we know today!
Why do My Great Dane’s Ears Stink?
There are two conditions to be aware of concerning your Great Dane’s ears. These are (1) Ear Mites and (2) An Ear Infection. Either condition should be diagnosed by a veterinarian, and either condition holds the potential to make your dog’s ears stinky.
If ear mites are the issue, your dog’s veterinarian will likely recommend sweet oil which you can apply yourself at home. However, an infection will need to be treated with antibiotics.
Either condition is painful for your dog so be careful when touching his (or her) ears! Additionally, pain can prompt a dog to lash out or even be snappy. Muzzle your dog when treating the ear condition is you are concerned you may be bitten.
DID YOU KNOW? The Great Dane has been the only breed in history to have officially “enlisted” the United States Military Service! A Great Dane named “Just Nuscience” was enlisted in the United States Navy in the 1940s. When Just Nuisance had lived the full number of his days out, he was laid to rest with full naval honors at a former SA Navy Signal School.
Controlling Great Dane Odor in the Home
So far we’ve discovered some great ways to make a Great Dane smell better, but what about the odors that ave lingered in your home? How can you live with a dog in a way that your house doesn’t smell like you live with a dog? Here are 5 Helpful Tips for Controlling Dog Odor in Your Home:
- Buy a Robot Vacuum: Trust me on this one! Although Great Dane Dogs aren’t big shedders, they do shed. Odors cling to hair, as well as to dust and particles that collect on the floor. A robot vacuum eliminates this accumulation of scents.
- Use Washable Furniture Covers (and Pet Beds): Some furniture is made from a material that absorbs odor. Tweeds and suedes are particularly susceptible to holding onto odor. Using a washable furniture cover, pet blanket, and pet bedding can help! Not only do these washable items help keep a room smelling fresh, but washable pet bedding and furniture covers also help keep airborne dander to a minimum and help prevent flea infestations.
- Utilize Air-Freshening Filters: Most central heating and air conditioning units offer system filters that are scented and hepa, which means they are designed to remove 99.97 percent of airborne particles. Modern vacuum cleaners, including robot vacuumers, also have hepa filters.
- Air Out Your Home on a Regular Basis (or Buy an Air Purifier): If you could see odor, it would become evident that odors dissipate quicker with ventilation. Nothing tops fresh air when it comes to freshening the indoor air! If your windows open and climate permits, try to air out your house about once a week. Not only will fresh air help cut down on pet odors, but it’s also really good for you, too! In the event that you cannot air out your home (some apartments and condos have sealed windows) consider investing in an air purifier, specific to the room size it (they) will be in.
- Freshen Your Great Dane Between Groomings: A daily wipe-down with a moist towelette designed for pets or even a wash-cloth that’s been moistened with a deodorizing pet product can be very helpful in the war again pet odors in the home. Yes, there is such a thing as doggie cologne, LOL!
DID YOU KNOW? Great Danes were once believed to ward off evil spirits. Perhaps it’s no coincidence Scooby-Doo was a Great Dane!
I sincerely hope today’s article got to the bottom of your Great Dane’s odor dilemma! The information provided here is your arsenal in the attack again stinky odors that cling to your dog (and furniture!). The Big Dog Den is always expanding our library of knowledge regarding raising big dogs like your Great Dane, so stop in often! And make sure you didn’t miss the helpful article, “Do All Great Danes Drool?”.
The more you know about your four-legged best friend, the more enjoyable your experiences together will be! Take care and stay safe 🙂
*This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.
