ANY0NE with experince with GREAT DANES?

Question

I was wondering how are great danes?Do they make good family pets?Are they good gaurd dogs?How long do they live in people years?I'm still looking for a right dog.I was thinking about a doberman but now my husband is thinking about a great dane.I really want one that is good with kids,i have three.And will protect us.

Answer 1

Please do your research on this breed and make sure it's the one for you. I suggest looking at Jill Swedlows online book 'Model Of Nobility'.
Great Danes can and do make wonderful family pets and are good with children but you have to shop wisely for a Great Dane just like with any other breed and purchase from a reputable breeder. Check the forums on www.danesonline.com Do not buy a dog for gaurding purposes. Danes are intimidating just by their size but if you want to gaurd something buy an alarm system! Danes are high energy as puppies and need a fenced in yard. A bored Dane is a destructive Dane and they can eat your couch in 20 minutes so free exercise off the leash is essential. A tired puppy is a good puppy! Great Danes have special needs in feeding as puppies. Look at the breed standard and choose one who doesn't come from a back yard breeder producing huge registered mutts.
Remember that with a dog this size everything is going to cost more. Food, bedding, vet care. The more dog you have in size the more medications cost and surgery. There are things you need to educate yourself on before you welcome a Dane into your home. There are many in rescue because people don't take the time to properly train their 160+ pound dog.
Check out www.gdca.org which is the parent club for the breed and learn as much as you can before you make your decision. The forums on Danes Online are very helpful too. Read, listen, learn before you buy.
Danes are indoor dogs only and very sensitive and dedicated to their people. They are extremely family oriented and loyal.

Edited to add that Danes generally live 8 to 12 years. Much of that depends on lineage and how a person cares for their dog. To the person who rated thumbs down on the responses from the other owner and exhibitor of Danes and for my post... Do you have something/anything educational and better to offer other then your negative thumb??

Answer 2

Great Danes are amazing. We currently have a great dane. They are extremely well tempered. Absolutely hilarious and full of character. They are very loyal, very good with kids, and absolute sweethearts. They live on average about 9-11 years if cared for properly. Definitely visit a kennel or a great dane rescue center in your area to see the size of a full grown dane. They do require a lot of attention. Imagaine having another child that weighs more than you do---that's what its like having agreat dane. OUr is not even a year old and already weighs 140 pounds--he'll be about 170-200 full grown. Females are usually 120-140 pounds full grown. A dog like that has very expensive vet bills compared to little dogs and also eats a ton more. So definitely make sure its in your budget. Also, if you want a slober free home, a great dane is probably not for you---they do slober and will get drool on you once in awhile when you're walking out the door for work. I mention these things not to discourage you but instead, to inform you. Too many people buy great danes without realizing the responsibility or without realizing how big they really get. They are the best breed of dog I have ever shared my home with. Email me if you have any other questions.

Answer 3

Great Danes do make good family pets, however they aren't for everyone. They do grow to be big dogs, some do drool (not all though),they are more expensive to spay/neuter, heartworm prevention is more expensive as is flea control. The average life of a well bred Dane is 10 years with many living into their mid teens. A Dane from a less then responsible breeder has an average life of 7-8 years.
Danes should be friendly but have courage.Their size alone makes them a deterent to intruders.

It is very important to get a Dane from a responsible breeder..one who does genetic health testing, breeds to standard, breeds for health, longevity, temperament.

I recommend that you get the book The Great Dane, Model of Nobility by Jill Swedlow. This book has a wealth of information, is well written and the author is a very, very experienced, kmowledgable Dane person.

I also recommend going ot the GDCA (Great Dane Club of America) site. In addition attend some shows, meet some Danes, learn all you can.