My Great Danes

Question
I adopted my Dane last summer he is now believed to be a little over a year old, when I first got him he had bald spots here and there and itchy.  It was not mange as I thought.  The vet send is a conditioning lotion but never mentioned allergies. I started doing research and determined on my own it had to be food allergies. Long story short, I tried various dry kibble (good quality %26 so, so quality) and he is now on Purina One Sensitive Systems and the itching is down to a minimum, his coat, amazing (I put Olive Oil or Canola in his kibble). But I don't know what else to do to make him as comfortable as possible.  Any suggestions?

On another note, I have another Dane 9 months old. I've noticed that my boy dane and her have very different coats.  Her coat is thicker and sheds way more than my boy dane, his coat is thin tapered and he rarely sheds.  Are there differences in Danes coats? She is part euro? Would that have anything to do with it?  

Thank you.

Answer
Barbara,

It seems that you are doing everything that you can to make him comfortable. Have you tried a holistic food? These foods usually do not have corn, corn gluten and other chemically formulated additives that can be the cause of allergies. You can also supplement with probiotics in his food, this can be purchased at a feed store or a GNC. This is something that is genetically passed down and is most likely the cause of bad breeding. I assume since he was adopted that he is neutered...but if he is not, this is something I highly encourage you to do.

To answer your question about your female Danes coat, I have never owned a Euro Dane, but I would assume that there is no difference as far as the genetics are concerned, some dogs just seem to shed more then others. I will however ask around and talk to a few of my other breeder friends to see what they have to say about coat type and I can get back to you on that one.

If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask!

Have a good one!