Okay, so my grandma needs a dog...?

Question

and i was wondering, which one should i get her: a Great Dane, or an Alaskan Malamute?

Here are some facts:

She's short (like 4"9 or so), and i want something that looks big and bad, but is gentle enough for her to handle

She lives in New Jersey, and not the best area

Nj has cold winters, how would that be for the Great Dane?

Nj also has very hot summers, can the Malamute handle that?

My grandma lives by her self

I just don't want anything to happen to her, because me and my family live in NC

I only want your votes on one or the other, please no crap about Labs or Golden Retrievers. Also i would like to hear from people that have had either for a pet, because i have only worked with both breeds, that is how i know that they would be good and kind to her.

Thanks a Load!!

My grandmother's decision, would be no dog at all because she feels she doesn't need one. Me and my parents dissagree. my dad (her only son) agrees with me that she'll need someone else with her because my aunt (her daughter) is moving to africa. We don't want my grandmother that far away from us with no one else. A dog would look after her. Although a great dane might not look mean, if you saw a short person with a dog bigger than her walking down the street though, you would think twice about approaching her, right?

And my grandma is a dog lover (like me), so whatever dog we get her, she'd fall in love with!

also, my grandma isn't a old type old person. She's spunky. and very active. She can handle a large dog, just not a crazy one.

German Shepards are punks

Answer 1

the best thing to do is a Grate Dane. They are very watchful, loyal,smart, strong, and gentle.

Becuase 1, even though it gets cold in nj, its not like shes going to be outside dancing in the snow, well neither will the dog.

2, its only like cold for a few months up north, and malamute has to be in the hot weather for the rest of the months, and i have been to nj a zillion trillion times. It gets HOTT. That poor doggie would like die of the heat. But a dane could take it. and a dane can take the cold weather too for quick walks, and a potty break.


And i have Dobermans so i know what its like to have a short haired strong dogs, and i travel all over the world and the dogs do fine in the cold weather for a short period of time.


And both dogs would be pushy and pulling when they are puppies, but you will have to get them socialized, and trained properly. thats the best thing to do, with either dog.
and if she lives by herself a dane would be perfect becuase what if she falls, and the malamute wont help her up so much, if you think about it she would be crouched over, but with a dane, she can pull herself up by the neck of one of them, and pull herself up high enough to reach a phone. and also you should check in with rescue groups for a service dog, a dane would be perfect, or you can call a trainer and have them train it, or ghave them teach you how, and whta specific things you want it to learn.

Answer 2

A Great Dane doesn't look or act mean. Alaskan Malamutes can be very hard to handle and need a lot of exercise. They need large, securely fenced backyards, they need experienced people to handle them. They are very strong and I personally would not recommend a Malamute for an old person. A Great Dane would make and excellent dog. They are very big and need a lot of space, food and exercise. You should ONLY even CONSIDER buying either of these breeds from a REPUTABLE breeder as these dogs are prone to MANY genetic diseases.

Great Danes have very short hairs and will need to be a family dog; living inside, especially during the winter.
Alaskans are snow dogs. They do not do well in hot weather.

I say Great Dane.

Answer 3

I love all pretty much all dogs, but you do have a valid question for both breeds. Considering that your grandma's only 4'9" a Great Dane may be a bit too much for her. On the other hand a Malamute needs a lot of running/exercise room. If it helps you, I used to have a Siberian Husky and I'm from Southern CA where the summer gets pretty hot. My poor dog would be panting during the time, but he made it up to 16 before he passed. Not sure if that helped any but.....I'd say the malamute.

Answer 4

How about a Lab, or a Golden Retriever?! Just kidding...The Great Dane's get really really big. My mom's ex husband used to have one and I absolutly loved him. The only drawback I see with the Dane is that they are so big. And I know nothing about the Alaskan Malamute but I saw a picture and they're really cute. They would look so pretty in the snow. But it does get hot up north during the summer, so he might shed. I'd go with the Great Dane.

Answer 5

I recommend a German Shepherd or a mix of one. They are well known as guard dogs and the mere sight of one has been proven to deter intruders. They are medium sized yet very strong. Great Danes are not known for their guarding and Malamutes are hard to handle until they mature. Shepherds are smart and will defend. Good Luck

Answer 6

An alaskan malamute

Answer 7

I think it is great that you are doing what you can to look after your grandmother and that you have her best interests at heart. But from your own experience working with dogs, you know how important a good match between owner and dog can be. I think that it might be in everyone's best interest for you to involve your grandmother in this process and let her make the decision as to what breed would be best suited for her. Weather can always be worked around with proper shelter, but a bad match with your grandmother couldn't be. Please consider letting her make this choice with you.

Answer 8

This is obviously a joke post.

Answer 9

Alaskan malamute. They are more gentle.

Answer 10

sorry ,, neither of the two are good choice...... i say a German shepherd, or a belgian Tervuren