Todd’s Comeback: How One Great Dane Beat Joint Issues And Got His Zoomies Back
When you bring home a giant breed puppy, you sign an unspoken agreement: this will be a shorter ride than you want, but you will make it count.
That was the case for Jennifer and her dog Todd – a 7.5 year old Harlequin Great Dane with a goofy heart and a bulldozer build. He was not just a dog. He was the one they waited seven years for. Their heart dog.
Todd had always been an athletic, thickly built Great Dane, built like a pit bull in a Dane body, bursting with energy and enthusiasm. But around six years old, the shift began.
What started as occasional stiffness became a daily struggle: hesitation to get up, difficulty getting into bed, limping after play, and a body that looked stiff and uncomfortable with every step. His joyful spark started to fade.
When A Senior Great Dane Starts Slowing Down
Like many Great Danes and giant breed dogs, Todd was at higher risk for:
- Early onset joint issues and mobility changes
- Stiffness after exercise or play
- Trouble getting up, lying down, or using stairs and beds
- Weight gain from moving less
Over about a year, Todd went from running and playing to needing help with basic things. His family put two ottomans next to the bed so he could climb up in stages. He needed help getting into the SUV for vet visits.
They Tried Other Joint Supplements First
Jennifer and her vet did what most big dog parents do when joint issues show up:
- Standard glucosamine and chondroitin dog joint supplements
- A more expensive, heavily advertised joint product
- Hyaluronic acid from the feed store
- Prescription carprofen, an anti inflammatory, to help manage his discomfort
Some of it helped a little. The carprofen made Todd more comfortable. The hyaluronic acid seemed promising at first, then plateaued. The joint supplements were expensive at his weight and still did not get him back to himself.
They eventually settled into a new normal and thought, “This is probably as good as it gets for a senior Great Dane with joint issues.”
Todd was getting by. But he was not really living.
What Finally Changed: A Joint Supplement Made For Giant Breeds
Then Jennifer found Giant Breed Hip & Joint, a joint supplement formulated specifically for giant breed dogs 100 lb and up.
“You have expectations,” she said, “but when something blows them out of the water... I mean, I am going to get emotional.”
Because what happened next was fast and undeniable. (Click here to listen to her story in her own words).
Within about a week of starting the giant breed joint supplement, Todd was different:
- His eyes were brighter
- He looked happier and more engaged
- His body moved more freely, with less stiffness
- He started playing tag with his bloodhound sister again
- He jumped on the bed without using the ottomans
- He even stood up on his hind legs to investigate a possum on the fence – something he had never done before
“The change we saw in him was incredible. Seeing him act like he did when he was two years old – seeing him be a puppy again – was the greatest gift.”
The Emotional Side Of Big Dog Pain
The biggest transformation was not just physical. It was emotional – for both Todd and his family.
Todd went from staying in the living room when his people moved to the kitchen, to following them room to room again. From cranky and easily annoyed with the younger dog, to playful and patient. From checked out and distant, to involved in everything.
“He looks better than he did three years ago. And it is just crazy to me.”
Then came the guilt many big dog owners know too well.
Jennifer realized how gradual the decline had been, and how easy it was to miss just how bad things had gotten because she saw him every day.
“There is almost even a little bit of guilt. He could not tell me how bad it was. I did not realize how much discomfort he was in until I saw the difference. Just because they are getting older and slowing down does not mean they cannot still have the same incredible quality of life they had when they were younger.”
Why Giant Breed Specific Joint Care Matters
Before finding a joint supplement for giant breed dogs, Jennifer ran into the same problem again and again:
- Products “for all dogs” that only dosed up to 50 lb
- Vague labels that said “50 lb and up” with no guidance for dogs over 100 lb
- Formulas that looked fine on paper, but did not move the needle in real life
- Costs that skyrocketed when you did the math at Great Dane weight
“If I gave him one of the popular dog joint supplements on the market, it would literally be about sixty dollars every nine days for his weight,” she said. “People see a higher price tag and do not realize that a properly dosed supplement for giant breeds can actually be more cost effective than under dosing a smaller one.”
When she brought Giant Breed Hip & Joint to her vet, the reaction was immediate. After scanning the ingredient list and dosages, her vet said she was going to switch her own Cane Corsos to it.
“She was blown away not just by the ingredients, but the quantities. You are always waiting for the ‘gotcha’ moment, but it never came.”
Todd Today: A Happier, More Active Senior Great Dane
Today, Todd is back to doing the things that make him, him:
- Jumping into bed without steps
- Running laps in the backyard
- Playing with his younger bloodhound sister
- Following his people everywhere, fully part of the family again
He even lost the extra weight he put on when discomfort kept him from moving, and now needs more food to keep up with his increased activity. His vet sees the difference at every visit.
Jennifer calls it “life changing.”
“This is the single greatest thing you could do for the quality of life of a Great Dane or giant breed dog. Every Dane owner says, ‘It is so expensive to own a Dane and they do not live very long.’ If those are the two biggest issues, why would you not do the one thing that helps with both?”
For Every Big Dog Still Waiting To Feel Better
Jennifer now recommends Giant Breed Hip & Joint to anyone who will listen – not because we asked, but because she cannot not share what she has seen.
“I think people think I am part of the marketing team at this point. I have to start every message with, ‘I swear I am not making any money from this.’ If my experience is what it is, and someone else has even half of that, I would still tell them to try it.”
Todd’s story is why we do this:
- For the senior Great Dane who still has zoomies left in him
- For the giant breed dog who is slowing down earlier than you expected
- For the heart dog whose person promised to always do everything they could to keep them comfortable and happy
To Todd. And to every big dog still waiting to feel better.
If you are seeing early signs of joint issues or mobility changes in your Great Dane or giant breed dog, you do not have to wait until “it is just old age.” You can learn more about Giant Breed Hip & Joint and how it supports big dog joints [link this to your product page] so you can enjoy more, better years together.
FAQs About Great Dane Joint Issues And Giant Breed Joint Supplements
1. How do I know if my Great Dane is in pain or having joint issues?
Some of the most common signs of joint issues in Great Danes and other giant breeds include:
- Hesitating to get up or lie down
- Struggling with stairs, couches, or the bed
- Limping or favoring one leg, especially after play
- Stiffness when they first get moving, then “warming up”
- Slowing down on walks or choosing to stay in one room instead of following you
With Todd, his family noticed he needed ottomans to get onto the bed, had trouble getting into the car, and looked stiff and uncomfortable with each step. If you are seeing similar changes, it is worth talking to your veterinarian about joint health and support options.
2. Do joint supplements really help giant breed dogs?
Todd had tried multiple joint products before, plus other support like hyaluronic acid and prescription anti inflammatories. Those helped a little, but his family did not see a true transformation until they tried a joint supplement specifically formulated for giant breeds, with ingredients and dosages that made sense for a 100 lb+ dog.
For giant breed dogs, look for:
- A clear dosing chart for large and giant breed weights
- A comprehensive ingredient profile (not just a tiny amount of one popular ingredient)
- Transparency about milligram amounts per serving
- A brand that is upfront about quality and offers a strong guarantee
It can be helpful to loop your vet in and bring the label with you so they can review the ingredients and dosages, just like Jennifer did.
3. How long does it take to see results from a joint supplement in a big dog?
Every dog is different, and you should always give any new supplement enough time to work. Many brands suggest allowing 60-90 days for full effects.
In Todd’s case, his family started noticing changes in about a week: brighter eyes, more enthusiasm, more movement, and eventually full-on zoomies and bed-jumping again. Over time, those improvements continued as the supplement stayed part of his daily routine.
For best results:
- Give the full recommended dose based on your dog’s weight
- Be consistent with daily use
- Track changes in your dog’s movement, mood, and activity level
- Work with your veterinarian to adjust the plan if needed
If you do not feel you are seeing results after a reasonable period of consistent use, many brands (including ours) offer a money-back guarantee so you can try it with less risk.
