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An elderly couple in matching sweaters sit on back porch steps, each brushing a fawn Great Dane lying stretched out in front. 19 / 30

When Your Dog Is a Great Dane, Brushing Him Takes Two People

AI imagegreat danegroomingback porch

Grooming day takes two people when your dog is a Great Dane. Harold and Bev sit side by side on the wooden back steps in their matching beige cable-knit sweaters, each holding a wooden-backed brush. Harold works along Duke's back in slow, careful strokes while Bev brushes his shoulder, her expression gentle and focused. Duke lies stretched across the steps below them, long legs splayed out and head lifted, looking utterly relaxed and perhaps a little regal about all the attention. A tennis ball, a pair of sandals, and a pot of dried plants sit by the screen door.

Great Danes have short, smooth coats that are fairly easy to care for, but they do shed, and their sheer size means there is a lot of dog to brush. A rubber curry brush or soft bristle brush used weekly helps remove loose hair and keeps the coat shiny. Grooming time is also an ideal moment to check for lumps, ticks, or skin irritation, and to look at the ears, eyes, and nails. Large dogs need their nails trimmed regularly, since long nails can affect how they walk. Making grooming a calm, rewarding routine from an early age helps a big dog stay cooperative throughout his life.

With four hands working, Duke's coat is going to shine. He seems to agree that this is one chore worth sharing.

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