5720 Menchaca Road, Austin TX 78745

Opening Hours : Mon-Fri - 7am to 6pm, 1st & 3rd Sat 8am to 2pm
  Contact : (512) 442-6744

“Lizzy” Hughes

Lizzie Hughes is a six year old Great Dane. She was adopted from a Dane rescue group in Fort Worth. She had been abandoned at the age of 5 months, at an animal control building. She was left tied to a pole, was malnourished and had mange. After much love and tender care, she now has a wonderful life as part of the Hughes family. During her visits to Manchaca Road Animal Hospital, we love finding excuses to help spoil her.

Lizzie loves to go for walks through the neighborhood and enjoys riding in the car to go to Sonic Drive-In for an occasional bacon treat! She has an interesting way of talking to her family using a variety of expressive vocalizations. Although she is 6 years old now, she still loves to play with her stuffed animal toys. It is so funny to watch her hop and pounce on her toys – she resembles a frolicking giraffe! Lizzie is a loyal family member. She loves to tuck her head and lean hard on the person she is “hugging.” She’s a tender-hearted soul, who like most dogs, just wants to be inside with the family. She is very careful about the way she moves through the house. She co-exits beautifully with 2 other dogs, 4 cats, a Cockatoo and 3 humans.

The Great Dane has many names around the country which all mean “a giant dog with heavy head used for fighting and hunting”. Chinese literature dating from 1121 B.C. may be the earliest description of a dog resembling this breed. The Germans originally used this large dog as a boar hound. They needed a “super-dog” to tackle these savage creatures. Great Danes range in color from brindle, black, and the classic fawn with black mask, to the more exotic looks of blue and harlequin. The American Kennel Club’s official temperament requirement for the Great Dane is “spirited, courageous, dependable, always friendly, and never timid or aggressive.” The minimum size of a Great Dane should be 30 inches for males and 28 inches for females. A person interested in this breed should also consider some of their less desirable qualities. The Great Dane’s life expectancy is an average of 8 years. They can also suffer from heart disease, hip dysplasia, and arthritis. A key to helping them live a healthy life is keeping their body condition slim through balanced diet and exercise. Danes are known to do well with children and other family pets. They are easily trained and known by many as Gentle Giants.

As a pampered house dog with a very indulgent family, Lizzy says she doesn’t even know what a savage boar looks like!