HEIGHT & WEIGHT DATA FOR DANES
When reading the below, remember that all pups follow their own guide, and grow at their own rate--other guides (listed below chart), are better for knowing what is "right" than just ht/wt data.
That said, Here is a general guide:
Birth weight: 1-2 lbs
Week 1: 2-3 lbs
Week 2: 3-5 lbs
Week 3: 4-7 lbs
Week 4: 5-8 lbs
Week 6: 10-20 lbs
Month 2: 15-30 lbs (13-17")
Month 3: 30-45 lbs (17-22")
Month 4: 50-65 lbs (21-25")
Month 5: 65-85 lbs (25-30")
Month 6: 70-100 lbs (27-32")
Month 7: 75-110 lbs (27-33")
Month 8: 80-115 lbs. (27-34")
Month 9: 85-120 lbs. (28-34")
One year: 90-135 lbs (28-36")
Full grown: 100-190 lbs (28-38")
For males: 140-170 lbs. & 33-36" is typical.
for females: 110-140 lbs. & 30-33" is typical.

NOTE: Some danes may actually weigh less/be smaller than this chart indicates & a few may weigh more--but more in this case may mean the pup is being overfed &/or growing too fast. If not, he is may be overboned-so then he *really* then needs to stay slim, as heavy boned dogs are more prone to joint & bone problems. **Remember the only requirement under the standard is 28" for females & 30" for males (and that was generally intended to apply specifically to adult danes).** When there was a weight guide in the standard, that 28" adult female was expected to weigh 100 lbs. & that fully mature 30" male would weight around 120 lbs. Balance is what the standard calls for, not just bigness!

LESS IS BETTER when it comes to growth in the first year. All Danes fed adequately will eventually reach their genetically programmed height & weight; don't rush to own the biggest dane baby on the block & don't forget that most people exagerate the size of their pup when measuring & telling others how big s/he is." (And some people are not above using these charts to be able to exagerrate, or answering your "stats" with bigger stats, just to "beat" you.) Also---correct exercise (calories out) is as important (esp. in this sedentary society!) to remember as food (calories in) choices.

Chick Newman (Ph.D, DVM) has a very readable article on the general topic: http://www.newmanveterinary.com/large.html#Large%20Breed%20Puppies

Lyn Richard has a site with much info on feeding Danes: http://www.doglogic.com/feeding.htm

Jill Swedlow also has an easy to follow feeding guide for Danes: http://www.sunstrike-great-danes.com/feeding.html

And here's another (Dane-related) take on the same topic: http://www.eng.clemson.edu/~jshea/feeding.html

Keep in mind the feeding chart is only a rule of thumb, some pups eat more, some less. It depends on the food you're feeding, the exercise the pup is getting and the individual metabolism of the pup. It's a better guide than food amount to watch & keep a puppy "ribby" & slightly "flanky" (a little on the lean side, with the ribs, but hipbones not in evidence), as roly-poly puppies are prone to all sorts of growth problems. AFAIK the problem with growing giants as to food revolves around too many calories and too much calcium. See the above links for more information.

This message written and prepared by JP Yousha for the purposes of education.
All copyrights © remain with the author. However the author is willing to allow reprints/links upon request for educational purposes.
CHROMADANE 1998. Updated 2002.