Grooming is an essential part of care for our pets, and a Great Dane is no exception. Even though they have short, easy-to-manage coats, they still require maintenance to keep them healthy and shiny. Because of their large size, bathing can be quite an experience, but luckily, they don’t need baths very often. Below, we’ll discuss how to groom your Great Dane.
How to Groom a Great Dane
1. Gather Up All Your Supplies
Grooming your dog is vital. Before you bring your dog home, having all the essential supplies on hand is ideal. Here is a brief list of the grooming supplies for your Dane:
- Ear & eye cleaning kit
- Toothbrush
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Brushes
- Doggy-designated towels/cloths
- Dog-safe wipes
2. Brush Your Dane Frequently
Because your Great Dane has short hair, you don’t have to worry about mats and tangles, but regular brushing will keep their fur and skin healthy.
Instead of finding loose hair all over your fabrics and furniture, you can brush your Dane a few times a week to reduce debris and loose hair. You only need a few brushing tools, each with its own benefits.
Slicker Brush
Slicker brushes have even, thin layers of bristles to remove dead skin, debris, and hair follicles from the coat. They are inexpensive, and many have a self-cleaning feature.
Synthetic Bristle/Animal Hair Brush
Both synthetic and animal hair brushes are flexible and tightly bound. Their bristles evenly distribute oils through your dog’s coat, creating a lustrous finish.
De-Shedding Tool
De-shedding tools should be used sparingly since frequent use can cause skin irritation. They are designed to get to the deep undercoat layer, removing loose hair, debris, and dead skin hiding there.
3. Get Your Dane Used to Nail Trimming Early
Your Great Dane is going to get large very quickly. If they want to resist you, getting them to obey will be much harder if they are scared or untrained. Your Great Dane will have very long nails that can do quite a bit of damage, so you don’t want to skip nail trimming.
Introducing and using the nail clipper when your Great Dane is a puppy is best. Some dogs are very sensitive about having their paws touched, so try to meet them halfway. If you’re uncertain about trimming your dog’s nails, consult a veterinarian for guidance.
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4. Buy Proper Shampoos
Great Danes can suffer from allergies related to food and environmental factors. So, the shampoo and conditioner mustn’t irritate or dry out their skin.
To protect your Great Danes’ skin, always buy fragrance- and dye-free shampoo. Synthetic fragrances can cause allergic reactions, even in very healthy dogs. It’s best to choose all-natural formulas when you can.
Luckily, there are several fragrance-free shampoos and conditioners on the market. Some use essential oils and other natural aromas to keep your dog feeling and smelling fresh.
Our Favorite Products Bathing your dog may be challenging, but selecting the right shampoo can help make the process a bit easier. Our favorite products come from Hepper's Shampoo product line, offering natural, pet-friendly solutions meticulously designed to gently cleanse your dog's skin and coat without any risk of irritating or drying them out. These formulas are free of harmful additives such as dyes, soaps, sulfates, and phthalates. The Deep Cleansing Shampoo is a great option for pet owners who have difficulty neutralizing tough doggy odors. Hepper's Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is a great way to treat your pet to aloe vera and oatmeal's calming benefits while you revel in the delightful and refreshing scents! At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!
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5. Wipe Down Between Baths
Many pet parents keep doggy wipes or scent-free baby wipes on hand to give their Danes wipe-downs between baths. You simply take a wipe and wipe their fur to remove debris, dander, or bad smells. If you use this method, you can likely wait longer between sponge baths or full-body baths.
If you are looking for the perfect product to clean your dog's sensitive areas, Hepper's Wash Wipes are our recommendation, plus it's a great on-the-go option. These premium wipes are thick and durable enough for the toughest of paw messes, while still being soft enough to use on your dog's ears or eyes. Formulated with pet-friendly, hypoallergenic ingredients they are the ideal product for all dogs of all ages, skin conditions, or sensitivities.
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company! 
6. Get Creative at Bath Time
Your Great Dane is going to be very tricky to bathe. Most full-grown Great Danes have trouble fitting in a traditional bathtub or stand-up shower. Many owners sponge down their Dane instead of giving them a full body bath.
- Fill up two basins of lukewarm water: one with soap and one with only water
- Get a washcloth designated for your dog
- Wash your dog with soapy water section by section
- Take the basin of warm, clean water, and rinse the soap from your dog thoroughly
- Have a towel nearby to dry your pup
It’s important to put only a little soap into the water. If the water becomes too bubbly, you might have to rinse your dog several times, creating an even bigger mess.
If you can access a hose in the warmer months, you can give your Great Dane a bath in the backyard. We recommend doing this on a wooden deck, large kiddy pool, or cement surface so you don’t make a mess in the large.
If you have a large tub, you can bathe your pup in it, but it’s easier when your Great Dane is cooperative. If you have a rambunctious dog, it will take two or more people just to hold them still while bathing takes place. It can be very complicated and stressful for all parties.
7. Keep Your Great Dane’s Ears Clean & Dry
If you get water down in your dog’s floppy ears, it can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Bacteria cause infections in the inner ear canal, which can be painful and hard to treat. After baths, thoroughly dry your Great Dane’s ears with a soft towel.
It’s vital to avoid using Q-tips, as they can cause severe damage to your dog’s hearing if you go too far inside by mistake.
8. Start Tooth Brushing Early
Dental health is incredibly important for your Great Dane since periodontal disease is common (but preventable) later in life. Brushing your Dane’s teeth daily removes plaque and prevents tartar.
You can also get them teething and tooth-cleaning toys for self-brushing.
9. Take Your Dane to the Groomer
Your Great Dane wants pampering, too! Why should long-haired pups get all the attention? Every so often, taking your pup to the groomer will be a nice change of pace. This is a terrific way to clean your dog and socialize them in a public setting.
Your pup will return feeling and looking their best, and there’s no work in it for you.
Conclusion
Grooming your Great Dane will be a cinch once you get the hang of it. Since they have short hair, they are simple to brush and often enjoy the experience. Remember to get your pup accustomed to grooming as early as possible to create a bond and trust. Plus, teaching a puppy is easier than holding down a full-grown 120-pound adult!
Featured Image credit: verky01, Shutterstock
How to Groom a Great Dane
