Any Great Dane owners????

[Minnie]

Okay... to be honest I really didn't want to post this thread BUT DF and I currently have a disagreement on which type of dog to bring into our home.

A couple months agao I lost the sweetest dog in the world *yellow lab* that gave us 14yrs of truly unconditional love and I miss her every day

We also have a 5yr old Australian Shepherd that is full of energy and extremely well behaved. We live in the country with 10 acres and horses so she has tons of room to run

Some of you might know I have a thread going about toys / minnies so a Great Dane is about as far away from that size as possible BUT as DF says we do have the room

So please tell me your experiences with owning a Great Dane. Those darn "Pergo" commercials

 

[JessicaR]

I have two Mastiffs. I want a harlequin great dane too. Maybe you can get your toy and a dane.

Love those Pergo commercials! I'm interested in this thread too, hope you get some replies. I have a feeling their life expectancy is terrible, but so is my Mastiffs.

 

[AprilShowers]

I don't own one now, but had them growing up. They are VERY loyal, smart, loving, and sweet. Very gentle and tender hearted.
Most Great Danes don't understand their size though, and think they can be "lap dogs" lol!! It's pretty funny because you'll catch them sitting on the couch with just their rear end! All four paws will be on the ground.

They're kinda silly and not at all fierce. Ours was afraid of the neighbor's cat and would try to hide in the grass when he saw kitty go by!

They need LOTS of room, and LOTS of training. Because of their size, they must be trained to OBEY. You don't want a great dane getting excited and "jumping up" on people, or running rough shod through the house.

Most of the time, they only live something like 7-12 years. And make sure you use a reputable breeder. Danes are prone to hip troubles and puppy mills aren't careful enough with that stuff. A good breeder will also make sure the puppies are properly socialized before adopted. You don't want an un-socialized Great Dane puppy!

I wish I could have another great dane.

 

[Jynohn]

We raise and show Great Danes, and I would never have any other dog. When people find out we have four Danes, their first question is, "how do you find the room for them?" To be honest, Danes are much less active than many other breeds, and as long as they get some exercise each day, they are perfectly content to plop themselves down and lie at your feet when they're indoors. In fact, the biggest problem I have with them is that they always want to be with me and follow me constantly from room to room.

Danes live to please their owners, and are relatively easy to train. Because of their size, however, early obedience training is very important. Sometimes it's easy to forget that the 100 pound puppy that wants to jump up on you and play is really only a baby! Hip dysplasia isn't as common in Danes as it is in some other breeds such as labs and goldens, but heart issues, bloat, and cancer can be a concern. Sadly, they do have a relatively short lifespan, seven to ten years is average. But I'd rather spend ten years with a Great Dane than 15 with any other breed!

I'm always happy to talk about Danes and will be happy to answer any other questions you have.

 

[GreatDaneMom]

Oh gosh, you can tell by my name that I'm a Dane lover. We have a 6 year old fawn with a black mask. He's an incredible sweetheart and I can't imagine life without him. I also have two Yorkies so I know the full spectrum!

I had Golden Retrievers for 20+ years but when I remarried I found myself with a man who wasn't much of a dog lover. Eventually I talked him into a Yorkie. "C'mon, she's only 6 pounds. How bad can it be dear?" He fell in love with her and agreed to a second Yorkie. I love my Yorks but I came to realize in time that I really missed having a big dog. Their personalities are just different somehow. So along came Chase, just a little Dane puppy full of energy. My dear husband was shocked when he saw how quickly and how big he grew but by then the dog had won him over.

The first year with a Dane is a little rough. They grow very quickly and they haven't settled down yet. So you find yourself with a gigantic clumsy creature flying through the house. But if you can survive that you find that Danes are truly couch potatoes. They're a lot of dog, they occasionally slobber, they step on your feet and smash your toes, they knock over small children without meaning to, but they are devoted and loving companions that really give back way more than they receive.

Good luck with your decision. It's good to see someone doing their research so they can truly be a forever home for their dog!

Cheryl

 

[jog58]

We raise and show Great Danes, and I would never have any other dog. When people find out we have four Danes, their first question is, "how do you find the room for them?" To be honest, Danes are much less active than many other breeds, and as long as they get some exercise each day, they are perfectly content to plop themselves down and lie at your feet when they're indoors. In fact, the biggest problem I have with them is that they always want to be with me and follow me constantly from room to room.

Danes live to please their owners, and are relatively easy to train. Because of their size, however, early obedience training is very important. Sometimes it's easy to forget that the 100 pound puppy that wants to jump up on you and play is really only a baby! Hip dysplasia isn't as common in Danes as it is in some other breeds such as labs and goldens, but heart issues, bloat, and cancer can be a concern. Sadly, they do have a relatively short lifespan, seven to ten years is average. But I'd rather spend ten years with a Great Dane than 15 with any other breed!

I'm always happy to talk about Danes and will be happy to answer any other questions you have.

Thank you for posting, I have always wanted to speak to someone that is familiar with the breed but I kind of have been afraid to ask due to the fact that I have never had a dog and don't want to sound dumb. I don't mean to hijack the thread but I do have a question.

When hubby and I purchase a home we would like to get a dog. He had dogs when he was younger and I have only had cats. I have done a lot of reading on Great Danes [hours and hours actually] and I decided that I would really love to have one some day. Would you say that it might not be a good idea to get a Dane as a first dog? Should we start with a smaller breed just so we could "get the hang" of dog ownership? Thank you in advance.

 

[Jynohn]

Thank you for posting, I have always wanted to speak to someone that is familiar with the breed but I kind of have been afraid to ask due to the fact that I have never had a dog and don't want to sound dumb. I don't mean to hijack the thread but I do have a question.

When hubby and I purchase a home we would like to get a dog. He had dogs when he was younger and I have only had cats. I have done a lot of reading on Great Danes [hours and hours actually] and I decided that I would really love to have one some day. Would you say that it might not be a good idea to get a Dane as a first dog? Should we start with a smaller breed just so we could "get the hang" of dog ownership? Thank you in advance.

You don't sound dumb at all, and I think it's great that you're doing research beforehand instead of jumping right into Dane ownership. I'm admittedly biased, but I don't think owning a Dane is any more difficult than any other breed. They have their own special concerns you need to be aware of, but that's true of any breed.

As the previous poster pointed out, the first year with a Dane can be a little trying, only because of their sheer size. What would normally be cute behavior in a smaller puppy (jumping, rough housing, etc.) can be not-so-cute when the puppy in question outweighs you! That's why obedience training is so important. I tell my new puppy families never to allow the puppy to do something as a baby what you wouldn't want him to do as a 150+ pound adult. That includes jumping up on people, getting on furniture, etc.

Once a Dane puppy settles down into adulthood, they really are super easy to care for. They do not make good outdoor dogs, however, as they really do get extremely attached to their owners and want to be a part of the family. In making your decision, you also need to take into account the fact that everything for a Dane costs more, food, crate, toys, vet bills, etc. so that's also something important to consider.

Hope that helps!

 

[jog58]

That was extremely helpful. Thank you so much.

 

[GreatDaneMom]

Jog58, I can add that my Dane is WAY easier to care for than my Yorkies. The Yorkies need monthly grooming, they have accidents, and their energy seems boundless. The Dane is only difficult when I need to pass him in a narrow hallway. Not only is he in the way but it's guaranteed that he'll turn as I try to pass so he can follow me.

 

[jog58]

Jog58, I can add that my Dane is WAY easier to care for than my Yorkies. The Yorkies need monthly grooming, they have accidents, and their energy seems boundless. The Dane is only difficult when I need to pass him in a narrow hallway. Not only is he in the way but it's guaranteed that he'll turn as I try to pass so he can follow me.

That's pretty funny. They really seem like great dogs when the time and care is taken to properly train and socialize them. I can't wait!

Another question for any of the dog owners on this thread. How did you balance having a new dog in the house and having a full time job? That is one of the things that I have been thinking about, and aside from doggy day care or having a dog walker come mid day, I can't figure out a way to manage this so the dog isn't home alone and having to "hold it" for 8 hours a day. Ideally when we buy a house it would be close enough to work so that one of use would be able to come home mid day and spend some time with the dog. Any thoughts?

 

[java]

Big dog Big Poop. Little dog Little poop. End of discussion.

We have a yellow lab- the biggest wimp in the world. She is afraid of her own shadow. And a 20 pound french Bulldog with some serious Napolean issues of her own.

I would love to have a great dane. Our neighbors had 2 when I was growing up. They used to run away(they just stepped over the fence) and come to our yard where all the kids were. We would all scream and run from the giant dogs. They would get scared and hide behind tiny bushes- with their backs to us. They thought if they couldn't see us we couldn't see them. They would sit there for HOURS! Oh they were funny dogs.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[kacaju]

We raise and show Great Danes, and I would never have any other dog. When people find out we have four Danes, their first question is, "how do you find the room for them?" To be honest, Danes are much less active than many other breeds, and as long as they get some exercise each day, they are perfectly content to plop themselves down and lie at your feet when they're indoors. In fact, the biggest problem I have with them is that they always want to be with me and follow me constantly from room to room.

Danes live to please their owners, and are relatively easy to train. Because of their size, however, early obedience training is very important. Sometimes it's easy to forget that the 100 pound puppy that wants to jump up on you and play is really only a baby! Hip dysplasia isn't as common in Danes as it is in some other breeds such as labs and goldens, but heart issues, bloat, and cancer can be a concern. Sadly, they do have a relatively short lifespan, seven to ten years is average. But I'd rather spend ten years with a Great Dane than 15 with any other breed!

I'm always happy to talk about Danes and will be happy to answer any other questions you have.

Do you come to NY/NJ to Show??
We were just at a show in Suffern NY and there were A LOT of Danes at that show. We were near their ring waiting for Jr's to start They are beautiful dogs!!
We will be in York PA Sunday and the Edison NJ shows next weekend.
We have a Smooth Collie

 

[iwrbnd]

I was reading in a dog book once that just about the only breed that can be recomended to live in an apartment are Great Danes! I found that shocking!

I love big dogs and my husband knows that when our house is empty of kids I will fill it with a Great Dane!

 

[Jynohn]

Another question for any of the dog owners on this thread. How did you balance having a new dog in the house and having a full time job? That is one of the things that I have been thinking about, and aside from doggy day care or having a dog walker come mid day, I can't figure out a way to manage this so the dog isn't home alone and having to "hold it" for 8 hours a day. Ideally when we buy a house it would be close enough to work so that one of use would be able to come home mid day and spend some time with the dog. Any thoughts?

Ideally someone would be home for the puppy during the day, but that's not realistic for many families (including mine). When we are still housetraining a puppy, we try to arrange it so that one of us comes home mid-day to let the puppy out. We're also fortunate enough to have jobs where we're able to bring the puppy with us occasionally. For times when you can't be home, I highly recommend crate training. Once the puppy is older, he'll be able to "hold it" during the day, and the crate is still a safe and comfortable place for him to be. Our dogs love their crates and go in there voluntarily.

I see you're in Massachusetts too so it's not always an option, but weather permitting, we also have a large outdoor exercise pen that the dogs use during the day when we're not home. This only works if you don't have a barker though, as you don't want to invite trouble with the neighbors!

 

[ElizK]

Thank you for posting, I have always wanted to speak to someone that is familiar with the breed but I kind of have been afraid to ask due to the fact that I have never had a dog and don't want to sound dumb. I don't mean to hijack the thread but I do have a question.

When hubby and I purchase a home we would like to get a dog. He had dogs when he was younger and I have only had cats. I have done a lot of reading on Great Danes [hours and hours actually] and I decided that I would really love to have one some day. Would you say that it might not be a good idea to get a Dane as a first dog? Should we start with a smaller breed just so we could "get the hang" of dog ownership? Thank you in advance.

My in-laws have had several Great Danes since I met/married my DH. Sweet, wonderful dogs. The hardest part about owning one, for me, would be their short life spans. They only live about 9 years. Also, they are very prone to certain problems, like hip dysplasia. And if you get a white one, they are often deaf. (and, as an aside... never spend 12 hrs in the back of a covered pick-up truck with a gassy Great Dane like my DH did! )

 

[Jynohn]

Do you come to NY/NJ to Show??
We were just at a show in Suffern NY and there were A LOT of Danes at that show. We were near their ring waiting for Jr's to start They are beautiful dogs!!
We will be in York PA Sunday and the Edison NJ shows next weekend.
We have a Smooth Collie

We haven't been to the NY/NJ shows yet, but the puppy we're currently planning to show just turned 6 months and we're hoping to get her in the ring in the next month or two. Our handlers are in CT, so I bet they'll be bringing her around to the area. Good luck this weekend!!

 

[jog58]

Ideally someone would be home for the puppy during the day, but that's not realistic for many families (including mine). When we are still housetraining a puppy, we try to arrange it so that one of us comes home mid-day to let the puppy out. We're also fortunate enough to have jobs where we're able to bring the puppy with us occasionally. For times when you can't be home, I highly recommend crate training. Once the puppy is older, he'll be able to "hold it" during the day, and the crate is still a safe and comfortable place for him to be. Our dogs love their crates and go in there voluntarily.

I see you're in Massachusetts too so it's not always an option, but weather permitting, we also have a large outdoor exercise pen that the dogs use during the day when we're not home. This only works if you don't have a barker though, as you don't want to invite trouble with the neighbors!

Since I am on a roll I might as well keep asking questions, if you don't mind. What do you feed your Danes? I have read of folks who do a raw diet, and others that buy really specialized dog food. Also, how much would you say you weekly food bill is?

Finally, if you know of any upcoming shows in Massachusetts where Danes will be shown I would love to hear about it and maybe attend. Thanks again!

 

[Jynohn]

Since I am on a roll I might as well keep asking questions, if you don't mind. What do you feed your Danes? I have read of folks who do a raw diet, and others that buy really specialized dog food. Also, how much would you say you weekly food bill is?

Finally, if you know of any upcoming shows in Massachusetts where Danes will be shown I would love to hear about it and maybe attend. Thanks again!

We feed Costco Kirkland brand, which is a highly rated food for the price (about $25 for a 40lb. bag) We go through about 2 bags every week and and a half, but that's for four Danes. There are some great and no-so great foods out there, so it's important to do your research. The most important thing to remember is that Danes should NEVER have puppy food. The protein level is too high, which can cause disorders associated with rapid growth.

If you go to this website http://www.infodog.com/showinfo/state.htm you can get a list of all upcoming shows in the area.

 

[jog58]

We feed Costco Kirkland brand, which is a highly rated food for the price (about $25 for a 40lb. bag) We go through about 2 bags every week and and a half, but that's for four Danes. There are some great and no-so great foods out there, so it's important to do your research. The most important thing to remember is that Danes should NEVER have puppy food. The protein level is too high, which can cause disorders associated with rapid growth.

If you go to this website http://www.infodog.com/showinfo/state.htm you can get a list of all upcoming shows in the area.

That is a fabulous site. Thanks so much for the link and for humoring me and my questions.

 

[kacaju]

We haven't been to the NY/NJ shows yet, but the puppy we're currently planning to show just turned 6 months and we're hoping to get her in the ring in the next month or two. Our handlers are in CT, so I bet they'll be bringing her around to the area. Good luck this weekend!!

Let me know when you start showing her, I'd love to meet a DIS pup!!
We have a busy familly schedule this spring, so we have to miss many of the spring shows but I do know we will be at the Freehold NJ shows over Memorial Weekend