Mostly I want to know what they're like as guardians or with strangers in and out of the home, and what it's like to train them. Also perhaps their playfulness and energy level.
They are a guardian breed. Not hardcore like some breeds, but they notice things, alert bark, and without proper socialization can be very suspicious of strangers.
Properly socialized they are just more alert. Our two are perfectly fine with strangers, gregarious even, but they know who their humans are and can be protective if need be.
Training a dane is fun
They are not border collie biddable, but they’re not bull terriers either. They are several danes I know who do agility, rally, obedience and my friend in Germany does SchH (IPO) with her dane and trains with a gal who’s dane competes at the national level.
I don’t know that I would call them soft dogs - “soft†and “hard†mean different things to different people anyway, but traditionally I don’t consider danes a “soft†breed. They were originally bred to hunt boar after all. Not a job for a dog who would be easily deterred by a cornered boar.
Speaking of, many people seem to be surprised at how prey driven some danes can be. They are a hunting breed and prey drive is definitely something many danes have their full share of.
Our girl is prey driven, agile, and FAST. She can and does catch rabbits and field mice in our fields. I keep wanting to get her out to lure course, I think she would love it!
Lunar is less interested in little stuff, but goat sized and bigger peaks his interest. He’s an old man now and knows what he can and can’t catch, so he’s not as big of a pain as Breez, but they both are definitely hunters.
Energy-wise... eh... medium? As puppies they are notoriously energetic, rearrange the house with zoomies giant puppy PITA energetic. And they are puppies for a LONG time. At 3 and a half, Breez is slowly growing a brain. But she’s not like Bates in that she won’t make her own fun is she misses a walk or two. I’d say once you get them out of puppyhood, their energy levels will match whatever suits yours - unless you’re a triathlete or something! If you want to chill they’ll chill, but if you want to go for a hike they’re game too.
Playfulness - total goofballs. They have no dignity LOL! IME most are very mouthy. I can’t tell you how many owners report their dane has to have something in their mouth to play or when excited. Both of mine do. They also are boxer-ish in liking to use their paws to slam things. Teach a dane “target†with paws with care!
As you can see, I can talk danes all day! :banana: