Great Dane or Chihuahua

[Planogirl]

Great Dane. Those enormous guys are so cute and sweet IMO. My Dad always wanted one but he settled for smaller Collies and German Shepherds.

 

[horseshowmom]

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.

I've had two Chihuahuas that were great dogs. Well, in the interest of honesty, my last Chi and my then teen daughter didn't particularly care for each other, but it was because they both thought they were the boss!

I had a friend who had two Danes. They actually broke one of her beds down when they jumped on it. They were adorable and so sweet (brother and sister). One day, one of them laid down in the yard and died. After grieving strongly, a week later the other one laid down in the same spot and also died.

ETA: I currently have 4 dogs (from a MinPin to a black Lab). I never DREAMED how much dog food my Lab would be able to go through. He eats MUCH more than everybody else put together. You might want to factor that into your budget because a Dane will eat even more.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

I have always had large breeds of dogs, many weighing well over 100 pounds, up to 140 pounds. I never had anything smaller than 25 pounds (cockers) until now. The last dog I bought is a yorkie and he is absolutely incredible. I never dreamed I would own a dog this small, let alone fall so madly in love with him. Yorkies have a bad rap too, as ankle biters and yappers. So very not true with my dog. He loves people and rarely ever barks, but he was highly socialized. He's very smart and well trained, but was the hardest dog to house break that I've ever worked with.

So even though a Chihuahua is not my choice in a dog, I have to vote for it anyway since I think you'll enjoy it more. I really like Great Danes but between the health problems, short life span, hard to find a friend or family member to "babysit it" while I'm on vacation, big poop to clean up, huge amounts of food, etc, I would have to pick a Chihuahua if that were my only two choices. But I'd definitely choose a long haired because I feel they're much cuter. And I'd go to a reputable show breeder who health tests all their adult dogs.

 

[PaulaSB12]

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

Personally Great Dane for two reasons

1 I prefer a dog with a proper bark not a yappy thing.
2 I prefer a dog not so small that the cat might think its a cat treat.

 

[jrmasm]

Personally Great Dane for two reasons

1 I prefer a dog with a proper bark not a yappy thing.
2 I prefer a dog not so small that the cat might think its a cat treat.

My 4 lb cat treat backed his 90lb older 'sister' out of the toy box last night. I guess he wasn't in the mood to share.

He may be small but he is sassy.

 

[NikiM20]

Great Dane.... I have 3 and all of them are rescued!! My old man is 7ish, my girl will be 3 in January, and my puppy will be 1 on Dec 1.
They only live 8-10 years, but are wonderful companions.
They are huge, my big male is double my daughters weight and she walks him just fine.
They are not active dogs, you will usually find them on my bed sleeping, on my daughters bed sleeping, on the couch sleeping, etc etc.
There are a few downsides....
Food is expensive
Vets who are truly experienced with XXL dogs are hard to find.
Basically everything is more expensive.

If you have any questions ask

Edited to Add pictures..First one is Carrie,Second one is Ozzy, Third one is the puppy at almost 10 months (he is now bigger), Fourth one is a typical day for the danes.

 

[Rora]

I'd get the Great Dane simply because I adore big dogs!!

 

[NewmanFamily6]

We had a Great Dane a few years ago. They are the sweetest animals on Earth. Big yes and clumsy as puppies but so good natured!

 

[golfgal]

You mention a barn cat, do you live on a farm/out in the country. A Chihuahua is going to make a nice snack for any hawks, foxes, etc. I would get a Great Dane.

 

[scbelleatheart]

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.

If you need to walk you dogs daily then you were not meant to have a large dog. They need space and freedom. I've never had a dog on a leash though. They are trained to heel.
Had to laugh at this thread though. My lab just looked in the patio door and All I did was make a finger motion (point) and she knew I was going to the front door to let her back in. I love my pets and good luck. DS has Chi's and I have big dogs.

 

[danielle79]

A Great Dane for sure, those little dogs remind me of footballs that bark!

 

[Pigeon]

Edited to Add pictures..First one is Carrie,Second one is Ozzy, Third one is the puppy at almost 10 months (he is now bigger), Fourth one is a typical day for the danes.

Gorgeous dogs!

 

[jrmasm]

OP, something to think about. I currently have a Chihuahua and had a doberman puppy years ago. Both were difficult puppies but for very different reasons. The chi was very difficult to house break. The doberman was pretty easy to housebreak but was constantly running into things and breaking them (vases, lamps, tables, doors etc) and the chewing was awful even with bones and toys available. We lost furniture.

Guess it would depend on which problem is easier for you to deal with.

 

[Minnie]

Is there a reason why you have it narrowed down to these breeds?

Friends have a GD that DF thinks is wonderful - but I'm just not sure I would be okay with another large breed after loosing Sammie.... If we go small I want to go with a tiny breed - large personality and the Chi seems to fit the bill - though DF is definitely not convinced......

Edited to Add pictures..First one is Carrie,Second one is Ozzy, Third one is the puppy at almost 10 months (he is now bigger), Fourth one is a typical day for the danes.

Beautiful dogs

You mention a barn cat, do you live on a farm/out in the country. A Chihuahua is going to make a nice snack for any hawks, foxes, etc. I would get a Great Dane.

Yes we live in the country on horse property But not in an area where I would be concerned about those issues.

Pictures everyone - love reading the posts and would love to see pictures!

 

[NikiM20]

Gorgeous dogs!

Friends have a GD that DF thinks is wonderful - but I'm just not sure I would be okay with another large breed after loosing Sammie.... If we go small I want to go with a tiny breed - large personality and the Chi seems to fit the bill - though DF is definitely not convinced......



Beautiful dogs



Yes we live in the country on horse property But not in an area where I would be concerned about those issues.

Pictures everyone - love reading the posts and would love to see pictures!

Thank you both!! We love our spoiled rotten pups Titan, the puppy, was weighed today and he weighs 126 lbs. So they get big fast!!

 

[HelenePA]

Great Dane. I already have 2 cats

 

[look1angel]

If you need to walk you dogs daily then you were not meant to have a large dog. They need space and freedom. I've never had a dog on a leash though. They are trained to heel.
Had to laugh at this thread though. My lab just looked in the patio door and All I did was make a finger motion (point) and she knew I was going to the front door to let her back in. I love my pets and good luck. DS has Chi's and I have big dogs.

I should have added that the larger dogs have the freedom to run in the backyard everyday, but the walking helps socalize them & allows them to go from beyond the fenced in yard. This was specifically stated by our trainer of 20+ years with training GSD. They don't go on the treadmill very often but like I said, for a high energy dog they need to be "worked". Even after I let them in from hours of play being outside, my GS still loves his walks in the neighborhood & park. Plus, he sleeps better at night (me too) He's still a puppy. Big or small they are a responsibility

 

[look1angel]

My 4 lb cat treat backed his 90lb older 'sister' out of the toy box last night. I guess he wasn't in the mood to share.

He may be small but he is sassy.

LOL my 9lb furry chihuahua put my 100lb shepeherd in his place.

I might also add, that although my Chihuahua could not guard me like the shepherds do, that little furball alerted me at 3:00 in the morning once, while I was alone in my house with my 2 younger children, that there was an intruder in the back yard. He jumped off my bed & ran to the back door growling & barking, I looked out my window saw a shadow & immediatly called 911. The police came & took away a drunk 19 yr old who was trying to get into my house thinking he was at his friends back door. My chihuahua was a hero that night. I thank God it turned out the way it did, that poor kid got scolded by the police pretty bad; had him in tears, almost felt sorry for him.

I love my "barking cat" as my husband calls them

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Great Dane.

DH hates small dogs, but that's not why. Chihuahuas are fine, for a nippy, yappy little bundle of cuteness. But I like my cuteness to come in big, gangly, bed hogging style. Plus, I have never in my life felt threatened by a Dane, but I've had a few Chihuahuas I wouldn't approach. Finally, they're just prettier in my opinion.

 

[ilovepete]

We have a Great Dane so that is what I'd choose.