Diet is important for a rapidly growing giant-breed puppy like a Great Dane, more so than for most breeds. A Great Dane puppy should never eat regular puppy food because it's too rich for him; he needs the puppy food designed for large breeds. It's best not to supplement with anything, especially not with calcium.

Assuming a high-quality food, the amount to give your Great Dane varies greatly with age and gender. However, generalized daily amounts are:

• Three to six months: females, 3 to 6 cups; males, 4 to 8 cups
• Eight months to one year: females, 5 to 8 cups; males, 6 to 10 cups
• Adolescents: females, 8 cups; males, 9 to 15 cups
• Adults: females, 6 to 8 cups; males 8 to 10 cups

Until the age of four to five months, a Great Dane puppy should have three meals per day. After that, give him two meals per day for life. He should never have only one meal per day.

For more on feeding your Great Dane, see our guidelines for buying the right food, feeding your puppy, and feeding your adult dog.

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