Great Danes
- Thread starter Shadow101
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Love them, and I'm considering one as my next service dog... but the potential health problems are so intimidating to me. 
I know you have the potential for health issues in any dog, but it seems multiplied with Danes and along with the increase in health issues is an increase in the cost of treating them. Definitely not a breed to get if you're strapped for cash... =/
I know you have the potential for health issues in any dog, but it seems multiplied with Danes and along with the increase in health issues is an increase in the cost of treating them. Definitely not a breed to get if you're strapped for cash... =/
What does he do, drool on them?
My Dane is definitely intimidating with her size and bark, but REAL protection? I do want to take her down to our PP club and see if she passes the evaluation. I don't think she would.
My Dane is definitely intimidating with her size and bark, but REAL protection? I do want to take her down to our PP club and see if she passes the evaluation. I don't think she would.
I don't know how he would perform if actually confronted with a threat, but at the same time I don't know if there is anybody out there stupid enough to push him.
I think people underestimate their gaurdian abilitites...There are danes out their trained for PP...though, if i'm not mistaken it is illegal in some European countries to do so.
Both of mine are excellent gaurdians..but I would never do any PP work with them. As doofy as they act and look, I know they would not just sit there an watch someone hop into our yard. But hey, if someone is stupid enough to enter a yard with two 140lb dogs..i'd say let them..my dogs need the exercise.
Both of mine are excellent gaurdians..but I would never do any PP work with them. As doofy as they act and look, I know they would not just sit there an watch someone hop into our yard. But hey, if someone is stupid enough to enter a yard with two 140lb dogs..i'd say let them..my dogs need the exercise.
I think that's more the Dane trait than having a true protection dog that you could send on someone- guarding is more their thing. I know Daisy is very defensive of our house. She has a huge bark and an intimidating size/presence. Recently she wouldn't let 2 repairmen in and I had to physically restrain her. Meanwhile, Gunnar let them in because I allowed them in, but he didn't take his eyes off them the entire time they were here. But I don't think the temperament of most Danes would fit into the PP training style, they are too laid back.
And I agree, if someone wants to come in my house or yard with a 110lb Dane and 90lb GSD, more power to them!
And I agree, if someone wants to come in my house or yard with a 110lb Dane and 90lb GSD, more power to them!
Lucy is Super Protective
Lucy is super protective of both me, which is silly since I am 6'3" 225 lbs. Plus she is super protective of the house. I have no doubt that she would go after someone if they came by the house or the yard unannounced.
She actually caused a stampede the other day because we had this herd of cattle grazing behind our house. She ran out the back yard, barking her head off and about ten of them just took off.
I have never seen that muh beef move that fast all at the same time before.
Lucy is super protective of both me, which is silly since I am 6'3" 225 lbs. Plus she is super protective of the house. I have no doubt that she would go after someone if they came by the house or the yard unannounced.
She actually caused a stampede the other day because we had this herd of cattle grazing behind our house. She ran out the back yard, barking her head off and about ten of them just took off.
I have never seen that muh beef move that fast all at the same time before.
I LOVE them we had a beautiful Harlie named Duke when I was about 13. He was great calm, sweet, lazy, and also just good loyal company. We got him from a family who was moving and couldn't take him with them. Unfortunately he was never trained properly and had a horrible recall. One day he got loose and was hit by a car and killed. I miss him to this day and maybe someday I'll have anouther Dane they are great dogs.
But lol Duke was so big he had some unique habits. He could steal off counters and even the top of the fridge. Also he had a talent for opening up doors and the fridge to find food lol. We had to bungee cord everything shut. But we had a sense of humor about it.
But lol Duke was so big he had some unique habits. He could steal off counters and even the top of the fridge. Also he had a talent for opening up doors and the fridge to find food lol. We had to bungee cord everything shut. But we had a sense of humor about it.
I had a room mate who had 2 harlequins, one male w/an incorrect muzzle?, and a female.
One day my roommate did a "noogie" to me on the head and she big time growled at him- LOL
He was very offended by that, of course I found it charming, don't know if it was correct or not but she & I were friends so....The boy was still a puppy and a young goof so I don't know how he turned out.
I think danes are stunning and beautiful.
One day my roommate did a "noogie" to me on the head and she big time growled at him- LOL
He was very offended by that, of course I found it charming, don't know if it was correct or not but she & I were friends so....The boy was still a puppy and a young goof so I don't know how he turned out.
I think danes are stunning and beautiful.
Hej people..
I have a question.. Do you have problems bathing your dogs or that is just my problem. I know that the great dane doesnt like to swimm but my Kjara oh my.. I just had to bathe her and it was very on the edge of incident.. She was so scared of water i just dont know what to do.. We never pushed her to take a swim but today she was smeling so FUJ..I had to bathe her..
So do you have that kind of problems?
I have a question.. Do you have problems bathing your dogs or that is just my problem. I know that the great dane doesnt like to swimm but my Kjara oh my.. I just had to bathe her and it was very on the edge of incident.. She was so scared of water i just dont know what to do.. We never pushed her to take a swim but today she was smeling so FUJ..I had to bathe her..
So do you have that kind of problems?
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Dan, I used to have a huge collection of Great Dane Reporter magazines. I remember an article about a black dane (can't remember his name but I think it was Thunder) and his trainer, Tony something, who specialized in protection training. It was a great read. I wish I could remember the specifics because Thunder was quite the accomplished dog.
Incidentally, I've read another article elsewhere that a lot of protection trainers, military, police etc would not use danes, not because of their temperament, but because of the fact that all dogs jump when they bite their subject. A GSD, Rottie, Dobie are perfect size for their target (the arm) during their training, whereas a dane in full bite mode easily reaches the subjects neck or face. They found it too risky to use danes for this reason. That may not be the case for all trainers, obviously, but I found it an interesting perspective.
I know from previous experience that I'd rather not share, that two of my danes have risen to the occasion and not only threatened but backed that threat up against a violent person.
Since they were used as estate and chamber guardians in their earlier years, it would makes sense that some retain their protection capabilities. It was only a little over 100 years ago that they were banned from dog shows due to their aggression as well. Not that aggression equals protection but just saying that to show that they aren't always as soft as people think.
I do know a couple people that dabble in PP with their danes, but I've not seen them in action, only read their stories.