Considering Great Danes

[Payge]

Hello, i'm new here though i've been browsing for a while. I'd like to introduce myself. I am 26, live in Nevada, and am about to buy my second home with my Fiance, otherwise known as The Best Man On Earth( I can say this honestly after being with him for almost 3 years). We currently own 3 cats, Envy (Bengal) Chaos (rescue Siamese) and Kharma (show/breeder Bengal) I have my own cattery for breeding Bengals. It's very small as 1. I just started out and 2. I don't believe in BYBing and it's easier to manage a smaller cattery.

All my life I have been enamored with large dogs. I even had a St. Bernard when I was married to my ex-husband (also known as The Worst Man on Earth- I can say that after 5 years of marriag). You would probably be wondering by now what happened to my wonderful St. My ex-husband had him euthanised after I left him. I will NEVER forgive him for that, he promised to look after him for one week while I secured a place for Beauregard(the Saint) and me to live. I went to visit Beau 3 days later and found out what had been done. That was four years ago and I still cry over my baby Beau (he was just a puppy! HOW could someone DO that?!!!).

On a happier note, my Fiance and I have decided we want to get a dog. We both agree Great Danes are our top pick. Our new house has a large yard that is fenced front and back with 6ft fence (4 1/2 ft in the front but front is seperate from back fence). We want a dog that prefers to be inside with us, not extremely active but not a couch potato either, is large but not a "guard dog" type (we figure just its size would scare most people away, and its not like our new home is in a bad neighborhood or anything). The breeder we purchased Kharma from had Great Danes and we were both enchanted. We would prefer to rescue, hopefully one about a year or two old (neither of us thinks we can handle a puppy and with rescue we would be getting to not only save a life but get exactly what we want, an older dog). We go on walks daily, Kharma is leash trained and loves taking walks with us (what a sight that would be hehe, a Bengal and a Great Dane being walked on leashes together).

I was hoping some of you might have experience with Great Danes and could help me out with some more information. The biggest thing for us is they get along with the cats but that concern was pretty much gone after we met Kharma's breeders dogs. I've read that they have great loving personalities and I guess I just was hoping to hear some personal stories about them. If anyone thinks there are any major drawbacks to them (other than their size, to us thats a plus, and yes we know it means bigger poopy to clean up, and more food to buy).

We treat our pets like our children, even our pufferfish Kerysma is part of the family. Oh, also forgot to mention i'm a CVDT (certified veterinary dental technician) so don't forget to brush your pets' teeth! They need it too!

 

[bubbatd]

Welcome and I'm so sorry about your SB !!!!! I really don't know that much about Danes, but sure many here will help you. Good luck !!!

 

[Fran27]

Welcome! So sorry about your St Bernard, your ex really deserve the title of worst man on earth

I don't know anything about great danes either, just wanted to say hi.

 

[greatdane girl]

Hi there,
Im owned by 2 great danes, and honestly ill never regret that decsion ever.
Danes are people orientated, and love and thrive to around you all the time. They are NOT outside dogs at all.
They are so eager to please, and basically love any attention.
Feeding a dane can be expensive as they need the right nutrition during there growing period. Once they have reached 12mths old and most of the major growing finished you can switch them to a cheaper food.
The only thing i really want to stres to you is to do your research, many danes end up on death row right around the world, as people dont relise how BIG they get, you might even consider rescuing one.
Also do your research on breeders. Many come accross as registered, but they arent, so check out heaps and heaps of breeders and ask sooo many questions,
An ethical breeder will be happy to answer any question you have and help you through out the danes life.

Sorry for rambling, this breed is just amazing, and so many dont relise that. If you would like anymore info about them or anything else, please feel free to email or pm me about this amazing breed.
Youll never regret getting a dane

 

[Babyblue5290]

greatdane girl is right! They are wonderful dogs!! The one in my sig is named Chloe and she is a wonderful girl, loves attention and is pretty calm. I got her from the Humane Society and I would suggest you try to look for one in a rescue or shelter.

And of course do your reasearch.

 

[showpug]

Where do I start...let me first say that I am so sorry about your saint I too love giant dogs because their hearts are like that of no other. My husband and I just lost our great dane when he was 4 years old back in February. I can honestly say that he was one of the greatest most tender, loving, protective, goofy and down right amazing dogs to walk the earth. We miss him dearly. Great danes are not nicknamed the "heartbreak breed" for no reason. As a whole, at least here is the states they are plagued with many health problems as was mine. It is so sad. The average life span for a male is six years...far to short for such wonderful creatures. Don't let lifespan discourage you if your heart truly wants a dane, but PLEASE do your research on breeders and the health problems that plague this breed. Trust me, they are a very hard loss to live with when you love them so much. I would not change any moment I had with our dane, but I will never own another. He was just too much of a heartache and I don't think I could do it again. I am not saying that they are all unhealthy. but a lot of them have so many issues. Make sure that whatever breeder you choose does health screens and follows color ethics etc. Here is a list of pros and cons that I have come up with from MY experience. Good luck and keep us posted!!

Pros:
Biggest heart on earth
great protector
calm and gentle
lazy
always there to cuddle
beautiful
usually good with children
loving, loving, and hmmmm...loving!!!
makes you feel safe

Cons:
Can be VERY unhealthy
short lifespan
drool...drool...and you will have drool rags all over the house and dried drool on your walls
Usually expensive to feed...I always fed expensive top quality food (this is not an option to feed cheap IMO) we spent $100 per month
does not fit well in the car
vet bills multiplied by 100!!!
if there is an "accident" in the house it is huge...i.e the great lakes!!
a bath took me 1/2 hour to 45 minutes to complete and danes generally don't fit in the tubs at the do-it-yourself dog wash.

Okay...I am tired now so I am going to bed. Hope this helps a little, they are great dogs!!!

 

[BigDog2191]

Are the guard dogs? Or watch dogs?

 

[Babyblue5290]

Are the guard dogs? Or watch dogs?

I don't know about most danes, but Chloe barks whenever she hears someone to warn me they are there, but it isn't aggressive at all. She LOVES people, but I think if it came to someone hurting me she would try to protect me.

 

[Renee750il]

Danes aren't guardians by nature, but their sheer size frightens most people.

I'm so happy to hear you are considering rescuing. Puppies are wonderful and darling and cute, but an adult rescue is so special - they know how their lives have changed and want to return the kindness and love.

Now your ex is another matter entirely. Don't EVEN get me started on him!

How wonderful that you have a Kharma too! Here is mine: http://www.chazhound.com/pictures/showphoto.php?photo=1407&cat=500&ppuser=148

She was a baby then. She weighs about 120 pounds now . . . She's got another year or so to finish maturing and filling out.

 

[Payge]

Awwww! your Kharma is just as adorable as mine!
Here is my Kharma at 10 weeks old:

 

[Babyblue5290]

Wow that cat's gorgeous!!
Seriously!! I saw in the first post she is a bangal....lol I should've read more closly the first time.
Anyways she is very cute!!
I wish you luck on finding a new doggy

 

[Barb04]

Awwww! your Kharma is just as adorable as mine!
Here is my Kharma at 10 weeks old:

How adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish you all the best in your decisions regarding adopting a great dane. They are magnificent looking dogs.

 

[Fran27]

So cute! I love those cats!

 

[showpug]

Are the guard dogs? Or watch dogs?

My dane was a guard dog...Renee is right, they are not aggressive by nature, but he truly knew who was okay and who was not and I know that if someone were to break in without our welcome the rest would be history. I loved him because I always felt safe. So yes, mine was a "guard" dog more so than a watch dog

 

[Renee750il]

Awwww! your Kharma is just as adorable as mine!
Here is my Kharma at 10 weeks old:

I wonder which Kharma gets into more trouble Sometimes we have Good Kharma, and sometimes we have Bad Kharma . . . and the odd person who drives up the driveway to the farmhouse finds we have Instant Kharma . . .

 

[BigDog2191]

I found a Great Dane breeder near me, so I was just curious... thanks for answering.

 

[showpug]

I found a Great Dane breeder near me, so I was just curious... thanks for answering.

No prob...anytime

 

[showpug]

I wonder which Kharma gets into more trouble Sometimes we have Good Kharma, and sometimes we have Bad Kharma . . . and the odd person who drives up the driveway to the farmhouse finds we have Instant Kharma . . .

Love it!

 

[Payge]

I'd be willing to bet mine was the naughtiest, at least at this point in time. She's just turned 16 weeks old so she is still very much in the kitten phase. Her favorite activity is attacking our feet at night. Her second favorite activity is knocking things off our desks.

 

[poodlesmom]

I have had the pleasure in years past of sharing my home with 2 wonderful Great Danes. Both were rescues approx. 1 yr old when I got them.

The 1st one, Samson, a fawn, I got from our local human society - he had been picked up as a stray. The only problem I had with him was that he was dog aggressive which I think possibly developed while he was loose. He was great with our other dog but not any others. We lost him to bloat when he was about 11 years which is actually a truly ripe old age for a dane.

The 2nd one, Elgin, I got after we lost Samson. His original owner got him as he was going to breed danes but then decided he would have more buyers if he bred pit bulls. I actually wanted a puppy but when I saw there was a Harlequin for sale locally I just had to go look even though he was a year old. When I saw him & how scared he was of the jerk who had him, needless to say, I folded him into my 2 door Duster & home he came! He was fearful of men and from what I saw I surely couldn't blame him. With alot of love, patience & consistency he learned to trust men again and was a great addition to our home. By 10 yo he was blind and was severely losing his mobility. When he was no longer my happy, tail wagging impish furpal we helped him to cross the bridge. It was one of my saddest days.

I found with both that training is a definite must - with the size of the breed you need to be able to control them, as I am sure you are aware of having had a large breed in the past. They did, however, seem to have in inborn sense of knowing they needed to interact differently with each in the family. They were extremely gentle with my young daughter, would play a little more roughly with me and would go all out with my hubby.

I have always had cats and both got along OK with them. I used to have 1 cat whose favorite spot was to lay on the ironing board so as Samson walked by he was at the ideal height to get in a swat to the head. Samson would just look at him & keep on going.

Here are some of my other experiences with this delightful breed:

1. Our TV was on a high microwave stand so we could still see it when they walked through the room.
2. Forget having anything on a cocktail table, etc. because their long tails will wipe it off onto the floor in a second. This goes for drink glasses, etc.
3. Beware of where the dog's tail is when you are both coming in from outside. The tip of Elgin's tail got caught by the screen door and over $600 later with multiple vet visits, stitches twice, I ended up with a dane with a docked tail.
4. Be prepared for black & blues on your legs - again, those happily wagging tails are dangerous!
5. You will be bringing in a dog who truly believes he is the perfect specimen of a lap dog! Mine would sit on the couch, my lap, picnic table bench with their back feet still on the ground. Warning - Elgin once went to sit on the picnic table bench but he scooted back a little too far & folded up and fell down with his butt to the ground between the bench & the top of the table with 4 paws pointing to the sky. It was quite difficult to free him while laughing hysterically (luckily he wasn't injured)
6. Don't assume something is safe put up on top of the refrigerator - there is no guarantee that it will be!
7. Drool - did someone say drool? When we had the Duster my daughter would refuse to ride with me unless she had a bath towel to put over her head because he would drool all over her head while she sat in the front seat & he sat in the back seat watching out the front window. She was very pleased when I got a mini-van.

Others have told you about the increased vet bills (meds cost much more than the average dog because of the increased dosage), higher food bills.

You will, however, get one of the most loveable, goofy companions you could ever ask for! Can you tell I absolutely love this breed?

Although I will admit I am another who has made the decision not to have another one because I know how lucky I was having my 2 for the number of years I did. However, I probably shouldn't say never - who knows!