Great Dane or Chihuahua

[Minnie]

If you were considering an addition to your family and could only choose between a Great Dane or Chihuahua which would you chose and why?

Please don't vote - other, shelter dog, ect. I really would like opinions on these two options

Puppy will be purchased from a show quality breeder with excellent recommendations

More info:
- Space is not an issue
- One outside small/medium size dog
- One outside barn cat
- No small children

 

[Dax]

If you were considering an addition to your family and could only choose between a Great Dane or Chihuahua which would you chose and why?

Please don't vote - other, shelter dog, ect. I really would like opinions on these two options

Puppy will be purchased from a show quality breeder with excellent recommendations

More info:
- Space is not an issue
- One outside small/medium size dog
- One outside barn cat
- No small children

LOL, thats almost like asking would you like a pebble...or this lovely boulder we have here..LOL...

I know neither breed(I'm a pug girl!), but I do know Danes have much shorter life span, and can be prone to many health issues. Losing a dog is rough, I just lost a pug who was only 8, and the pug life span is more toward 13-15..So I could only imagine how hard it would be with a Dane..

I dont know lots about Chihuahua's...but I have seen both the sweet cute, to the nasty biters...YMMV...

 

[dislaney]

Chihuahua, but I love small dogs for some odd reason. I'm sure Great Dane's are wonderful dogs too!

 

[Christine]

I've always wanted a Great Dane because they just look like they would be a wonderful pet. The thing that would stop me is the short life span (that would just break my heart) and the possible health problems due to the breed/size.

I like Chihuahuas also but don't like that some can be nervous and hard to train.

Tough choice. Can you get both?

 

[ckay87]

Great Dane, hands down. It's temperament for me.

Although....wait..... do they slobber? If so, I'd have to say neither, hands down.

 

[Carnie]

I knew a family that bred Great Danes and they have had several pups over the years that only lived 2 or 3 years. No neglect or anything, their bodies were just too big for their hearts.

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

I have a chihuahua. She is the sweetest thing. She is trained to go back into her crate so when I say "bed" she knows that her crate is bed. She likes to curl up with me on the couch. She loooooooooves her belly rubbed. When we aren't paying attention to her and she wants us to she starts this little whine, but sometimes barks. Some people I guess could find it annoying, but we think it is cute.

 

[momto3pirates]

Great dane all the way!!
I do have to ask...have you ever spent time with a great dane? I know you say space is not an issue, but if you have never had a great dane in your house, it is an eye-opening experience. They will clear a coffee table with their tails and, until they are trained, grab any and everything left on the kitchen counter. My girl now is almost 1 year old, about 130 lbs and 34 inches at the shoulder. She can easily reach anything on the kitchen counter. She is a horrible counter-surfer and my 3 kids are making it harder to train her. Sometimes I think they leave stuff for her on purpose! Also, if you are going to crate-train, which I really recommend, go look at the size of an XXL crate. Ours is 54 inches tall, 36 wide and 48 long.
I love my danes and think everyone should have one, but know what you are getting into.

 

[minkydog]

Great Dane, hands down. I grew up with giant breeds(Saint Bernards) and I was close with a family who had Great Danes. They are very intelligent, loyal and even-tempered. The biggest downside is that giant breeds don't live very long. Our first Saint lived to be 7. He died of torsion(bloat) and it was HORRIBLE. Our second Saint lived to 6 years old.

I would never have a Chi. They're just too yappy and nippy for me. I have friends who have one, thinks she hung the moon. But that dog barks constantly, bites ankles, growls and shows teeth to relatives and friends and generally rules the household. Oh, and she's not adequately housebroken either. And the great thing is, they can live to be 18-20 years old. No thanks.

 

[saradela]

Have both and a Golden Retriver, I love dearly the three of them, but
I like more the Retriver.
But if I had to chose, between those two, I will go for the Chihuahua, this is why:
1.- You can take it everywhere.
2.-Small poop
3.-Can sleep with you
4.-No health issues
5.-Fits in the car.
6.- Very loyal
7.-very sweet
8.-If you go on vacations, somebody will look after it.
9.-You can dress the dog with nice outfits.
10.-good guardian
11.-less food.

Cons.
1.- No sleeping outside the house, they will die , they get cold very easy.

Great Dane:
1.- Nobody will get close to your house

 

[Deb in IA]

I prefer larger dogs too.

Chihuahua's remind me of overgrown rats.

Great Dane, hands down. I grew up with giant breeds(Saint Bernards) and I was close with a family who had Great Danes. They are very intelligent, loyal and even-tempered. The biggest downside is that giant breeds don't live very long. Our first Saint lived to be 7. He died of torsion(bloat) and it was HORRIBLE. Our second Saint lived to 6 years old.

I would never have a Chi. They're just too yappy and nippy for me. I have friends who have one, thinks she hung the moon. But that dog barks constantly, bites ankles, growls and shows teeth to relatives and friends and generally rules the household. Oh, and she's not adequately housebroken either. And the great thing is, they can live to be 18-20 years old. No thanks.

Canine GDV (Gastric Distention and Volvulus), or "bloat" is horrible. We lost our beloved Lewie, our 11 year old black Labrador, to this and it still hurts to think about it. It all happened so quickly, in one afternoon, and there was nothing we could do about it. The hardest thing we have ever had to do was to tell our kids the next morning the Lewie was not coming home.

 

[dawson5]

I would take both. My sister in law was trying to get me involved in the Dane rescue program back home, we didn't have the space at the time. Sweet dogs, from what I understand, they are huge couch potatoes.

We have a chihuahua now, a rescue. She is protective. Also very loving. I have never had a more affectionate and loving dog. We adopted her when she was about a year old, came from an abused home and was starved. We know the home she came from had smaller children, to this day she is not good with "hyper" children. My youngest has a friend who doesn't seem to have an "off" switch. She can't handle him, his energy, etc. He has other friends, if they are calm and don't try to get in her face or hold her, she eventually comes around. Again, I chalk all this up to her first home.

I just want to add, don't equate poor dog training to a bad breed. If an owner doesn't train the dog, how are they to know they aren't doing right?

 

[acejka]

great dane.

i don't care for small dogs.

 

[mamacatnv]

Dane, the Gentle Giants of the dog world.
I love them.

 

[Pigeon]

Dane. I love big breeds.

Chihuahuas would be right near the bottom of my list. I want a dog, not a hamster.

 

[jsmith]

Dane. I love big breeds.

Chihuahuas would be right near the bottom of my list. I want a dog, not a hamster.

this

 

[jrmasm]

Dane. I love big breeds.

Chihuahuas would be right near the bottom of my list. I want a dog, not a hamster.

I think my guinea pigs are bigger than my Chi!

I think Danes are great dogs but I couldn't deal with the short life span.

 

[look1angel]

I have 3 LC Chihuahua's very [U]LOW[/U] maintenance

I also have 2 very large German Shepherds very HIGH maintenance & costly

I have a huge fenced in yard for the shepherds to run but they are always a work in progress.

The chihuahua's are so easy to care for, true lap dogs.

I typically board my shepherds when on vacation & have the neighbors daughter look after my chi's.

Someting to consider when providing a forever home to a small or very large dog. Good luck

BTW, I have no regrets. My chi's are 10 & 11 yrs old & well trained & my Shepherds are 1 & 2 yrs old (adopted)...still in training but oh so very much loved! I'd take more in if hubby would let me

 

[christiane]

Definitely chihuahua. Love small dogs.

To help you make your decision:

1. Are you ok with a dog that may only be healthy for 5-7 years vs a dog that can be healthy for 15-17 years? There are no guarantees in life, but chances are you will lose your Great Dane before his or her 8th birthday.

2. Can you transport a 120-200lb dog easily if there is an emergency?

3. Are you willing to train your giant dog so he will do anything you ask? Time-consuming & needs dedication.

4. Do you have children? Will they walk your dog?

5. Are you aware of the significant cost difference to feed and provide veterinary care for a giant dog? Medications, surgery, anesthesia etc fees are often based on body weight and costs will be much, much higher. Even boarding costs are based on weight.

6. Will you travel with your dog? Airline travel will be almost impossible due to weight restrictions. Hotels usually have height & weight restrictions.

7. Are you ok with all the general extra care? Bathing, brushing, slobbering etc.

I think Great Danes are a majestic breed but families considering them need to be very realistic about this breed's needs. One of my close friends runs a Dane rescue and the main reasons they are re-homed are related to my above questions.

I'm also curious about the extremes in breeds you are considering. Most people who would like chihuahuas probably don't consider Great Danes as the alternative!

 

[look1angel]

Definitely chihuahua. Love small dogs.

To help you make your decision:

1. Are you ok with a dog that may only be healthy for 5-7 years vs a dog that can be healthy for 15-17 years? There are no guarantees in life, but chances are you will lose your Great Dane before his or her 8th birthday.

2. Can you transport a 120-200lb dog easily if there is an emergency?

3. Are you willing to train your giant dog so he will do anything you ask?

4. Do you have children who will walk your dog?

5. Are you aware of the significant cost difference to feed and provide veterinary care for a giant dog? Medications, surgery, anesthesia etc fees are often based on body weight and costs will be much, much higher.

I think Great Danes are a majestic breed but families considering them need to be very realistic about this breed's needs. One of my close friends runs a Dane rescue and the main reasons they are re-homed are related to my above questions.

I'm also curious about the extremes in breeds you are considering. Most people who would like chihuahuas probably don't consider Great Danes as the alternative!

Research is definitly the key. All dogs MUST be walked on a daily basis. Whenever it's rainy or cold outside I put my shepherds on the treadmill.
Transporting a small/giant breed really is different, trust me I know, still no regrets. I researched everything about my German Shepherds before adopting them...again good luck, either way there will be 1 less homeless pet.