Great Dane?!?

Question

So I just got my first house and when my fiance travels with business he wants me to get him for security. He is 150 pounds....the thing is I have a lot of children in my family. Should I get him?? He is a great pet but I am concerned because I have never had a big dog like that. I have a little over 1 acre the is fenced in. Any tips, advice, personal stories?

Answer 1

A 150# Great Dane is a great deterrent to strangers coming into your house. I know. I've got three!

One of mine is great around kids, lays on the floor and lets them lay on him to watch TV. The female I have is good with kids, too, but when they come over, she goes into the other room and quietly lies on her bed until they leave. The third one has to be crated whenever any stranger enters the house or it's on!

If the one that you're considering getting was properly socialized as a puppy (up until he was 16 weeks old), there should be no problems having him around kids (apart from him accidentally knocking them down from time to time).

Answer 2

A well bred, well trained, well socialized Dane is a great family member and good with kids, however an ill bred, untrained and unsocialized Dane is a nightmare.

Before getting a Dane you need to learn a lot about them.They are wonderful dogs, however they aren't for everyone.
Unless this dog is coming from a reputable rescue or someone you know well then I would NOT bring a full grown Dane into a house with kids.

I will tell you that Danes do not need a lot of exercise.They also do not eat a lot if they are being fed a good quality food.

I suggest before getting a Dane you meet some Dane people and get the book The Great Dane Model of Nobility by Jill Swedlow. This is a wonderful book.Very honest and fact filled. It is the best Dane boof on the market.

Answer 3

If your concern is that your dog will hurt your children, rest assured you're probably in the clear. Great Danes are fabulous, gentle things.

When I was in school, my daycare lady had one... he was so sweet!

I would suggest making sure that fence is high enough he can't jump over it! Prehaps you could fence in a smaller area for him to hang out in with a really high fence and let him roam the rest of the acre while you are supervising.

Also, I am not sure if a Great Dane is really a very good watch dog... I feel like I've heard that they aren't (someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). But they do look scary and the visual might keep a burgler at bay.

I think they're wonderful and you should get it!

Good luck!

Answer 4

Great Danes are wonderful with children! As long as they are properly socialized. They are often known as the "Gentle Giants" (as some else mentioned). My neighbor down the street has 2 and they watch all the kids in the spring/summer playing kick ball and basketball outside. And they just had a baby and the dogs do wonderful!

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/greatdane.htm

"The Great Dane is a gentle giant. Dignified, kind, sweet and affectionate, it is playful and patient with children. It loves everyone and needs to be around people. The Great Dane does not bark much and only becomes aggressive when the circumstances require it. Teach this giant dog not to lean against people, especially children."

Also make sure you have the money to feed it! My neighbors female eats 6-7 meals a day and her male 8-10 meals a day. I'm guessing they are small meals though. Also Make sure their food bowl is elevated to prevent bloating. Bloating can kill a dog.

Here are a couple of sites that might be helpful to you:
http://www.daneoutreach.org/Files/Dane_Outreach_Care_Booklet.pdf

http://www.all-about-great-danes.com/great-dane-care.html (my favorite)

http://www.wsmcafe.com/new_users/5/4/547885eebd8/page11.html
(more about feeding and cost)

-- You can just google "Taking Care of a Great Dane" (thats what I did! LOL)


Hope that Helps!

Answer 5

If you aren't sure, then I say don't get him. Do some research and find a breed that you really are sure about - a dog doesn't have to be gigantic just to be able to protect you. A Great Dane isn't a particularly good choice for a protective dog anyway. After you've decided what kind of dog you want, then take the time to find a good breeder or rescue group. Don't buy from puppy mills or from the newspaper or friends and family members who aren't following a code of ethics for breeding.

You have plenty of time to decide - don't rush into anything. If you feel vulnerable in the meantime or your husband is still concerned, maybe you could get a gun and learn how to use it. It would be a better option than rushing into a pet that you aren't sure about.

Answer 6

large Danes do desire to apply their bodies to get their way. Early training can help with this. pondering their length you will desire to have administration over them in any respect situations. Even whilst taking part in, purely like a Lab can step on a Chihuahua Danes can accidently harm any canines. they have approximately 50 lbs on maximum. I certainly have a 4 month previous Dane combination and hes already a horse. He thinks hes a Yorkie nevertheless.

Answer 7

Great Danes, while being large dogs, are extrememly gentle with children. 1 acre should be plenty for him. Yay on the fence! The only thing I would mention is that they are large dogs. They eat large meals ($$$) and deposit large *piles*. They are also prone to joint problems in old age because of their large size.

Answer 8

Great Danes are great dogs. An acre for him to run and play is great some dogs don't have that. Also introduce the dog to children in your familoy before you bring hime home to see how he responds to them. Most Great Danes are big puppies and love children and laps. Good luck

Answer 9

danes r great family pets, but if u r super busy with kids how r u going to properly care for such a large dog? They need alot of affectio and exercise. Also i would look into his background breeding. Danes are infamous for hip and bone issues. Unfortunatley they r very short lived abotu 8 yrs and are quite costly to care for.

Answer 10

You could try to own a Saint Bernard, this dog is large but very docile with children and you can hang round its neck a small cask of brandy for whoever gets a heart attack or freezes to near death.