Does anybody know if Great Danes make really good pets?

Question

We're living in an apartment right now, and will be getting a house eventually. When we do we'd like to get a dog. My husband wants a lab, and I already know they make good family pets. I want a great dane. I've heard that they can be surprisingly docile inside (which would be a good thing) and that their size (other than when they lean on someone, or are playing in a yard with a really short fence) isn't a problem. Is this true? Are great danes a good pet to have?

Answer 1

Danes are a great breed with the right owner, with proper socialization and training. Care has to be taken when buying one from a breeder...illbred Danes can have health issues and temeprament issues as well as training issues..not something that you want in any dog but particularly a giant breed.
A wellbred Dane has an average life span of 10 years (the same as that of a Lab, Golden, etc) they can and often do live into their teens. Also a wellbred Danes isn't prone to health issues any more so then any other dog. This is why it is very important to buy from a breeder who does genetic health tests, researches pedigrees carefully, breeds for breed standard..the more responsible the breeder the less risk there is of having a temperament issue, health issue or a short life span.
Danes make great house dogs..they love being with their people.They aren't skittish (and if they are it means they were 1) not well bred 2) not well socialized 3) not well trained)
While all dogs must be well trained and well mannered it is particularly important for Danes.
An adult Dane doesn't require a lot of exercise. As far as amount they eat..if fed a good quality food such as Canidae they really don't eat all that much.
Some Danes do drool but many do not...in over 25 years of Dane ownership I've never owned one that did.
Danes do very well in the obedience and rally rings and they also make good therapy dogs. One of mine has titles in obedience and rally and is a TDI certified therapy dog. She also has her AKC CGC. My other one is only 11 months old but he has his CGC..he is my conformation dog...later on he'll also be shown in obedience and rally and will be tested as a therapy dog. I also use my Danes as meet & greet dogs in AKC CGC tests, do demos, use them in obedience classes that I teach, have them in parades, etc. They also go camping with us.

I suggest if you are interested in the Dane breed taht you get and read the book The Great Dane Model of Nobility by Jill Swedlow. This is a great book with a wealth of info. It is well written and the info given in it is correct unlike some other Dane books on the market. It is written by a very experienced and knowledgable person in the Dane breed.

Answer 2

Great Danes are excellent pets. Although you will be spending more on dog food than if you got a smaller dog. However they make excellent additions to families. Great Danes have suprisingly gentle natures for their size. They are great around children, never being rough. The only thing they need to watch out for is being wacked by a happily wagging tail. They are loyal to the family but not overly protective. I believe that a great dane would be a good choice for you. There are at least 5 very close to my house and we all go to the park and play. There are no problems that i have personally encountered.

Answer 3

My dog is 1/2 great dane and I think they are wonderful. Of course she is only 4 months old and all puppies are a handful, but she gets along with all sorts of other dogs, people, and children. I live in a house so I do not know if they would do well in apartments, but if you are only living there for a little while I don't see why not.
Labs are good too, but I don't think they are good in any apartment.
But whatever you decide on make sure the dog gets plenty of exercise!

Answer 4

My neighbor has a dane. He's the most wonderful, docile dog I've ever known. Always has a goofy expression on his face and never meets a stranger. In the house, they keep all their knick knacks on shelves high enough to escape his constantly wagging tail. They said they learned the hard way. He broke an authentic Tiffany lamp left to the family by a grandmother.
I have a toy poodle that is very territorial, she ran up to the Dane barking and he bellied up. Scared me to death! She wouldn't have been a mouthful for him. They play together all the time, she has learned to stay away from his huge feet.
By the way, his name is Goliath. Suits him perfectly!

Answer 5

I have a great dane named Horse. He is amazing in the house, great with my kids, cats, chickens and other dogs.
His downsides are
1) the dribble. He leaves trails everywhere
2) he costs a lot to keep
3) I know he won't live as long as my other 2 dogs

Having said that, I am completely smitten, and would chose a dane over a lab every time. He is such a gentle giant, you can't help but fall in love with him!!! He doesn't need much exercise either.

Answer 6

I have never owned a great dane, but I know people who do. They do make wonderful pets! They are usually goofy, and pretty calm. And I think they are absolutely beautiful. The only thing that would steer me away is that a bigger dog costs more money. They eat more food, need bigger beds, toys. And when you take them to the vet they usually need more medication, which ends up costing more, like heart worm medication, flea prevention... But if I had the room and money for a big dog, I would definitely get one.

http://dogbreedinfo.com/greatdane.htm

Answer 7

Great danes make fantastic pets for any situation, as long as enough research is done into health preventative measures first eg dont feed a dane pup to high a protien puppy food, makes them grow to fast, causing possible bone problems. Check out 'the great dane owners checklist', its worth a giggle, and most of its true. www.ginnie.com/DanesHome.htm

Answer 8

They're very nice dogs and make very good companions, from what I have seen and heard.

However, are you aware that, like other giant breeds, they have short lifespans? In general, the bigger the dog, the shorter the life. Great Danes usually live five or six years. The extreme giants such as the Irish wolfhound only live three to five years. There are individual exceptions, of course.

Answer 9

i don't know that their size isn't a problem, i would guess that it is at least until they understand how big they are. i mean, a puppy is a puppy and great dane puppies (maybe 6 months, not super baby ones) are my height (5'4") when they stand on their hind legs. i have also heard that they are and seen them be very very sweet, but the one thing to keep in mind, and the only reason i'm commenting, is to warn you about the commitment a great dane requires.

they are exceptionally emotional and attached to their owners, it is highly inadvisable to go on vacation and leave them. they are very skittish. ***edit: by skittish, i just mean extremely like... submissive. i mean that you shouldn't be too rough with them because they're sensitive. i mean, you shouldn't be too rough with any dog, but they have big, loving hearts. but i'm just figuring if you're the type of person who feels the need to scarily yell at your dog, a great dane is especially not for you. (not that i approve of being a jerk to any dog)

it's odd because they're so big, but they have often been known to pee right where they stand when you yell at them. very very sensitive dogs. they *are* docile dogs. they need a gentle owner who is dedicated to them.

they also have a lot of genetic problems. they don't live particularly long in comparison with other dogs, and hip dysplasia is very common with them due to their too-big size. (i say "too big" because we bred them to be too large to function adequately. i think their size is cute, but it stresses their joints and whatnot)

if you get one, you should be prepared for the commitment. a lab will require less of a commitment, although labs also get dysplasia, etc. they just aren't half as sensitive. i mean don't get me wrong, i would rather have a great dane than a lab because of just how adorable and loving they are. it's like an adorable docile horse of a dog, but seriously, it's a huge commitment, even compared to other dogs. if you're ready for that, they do make a great family dog.

Answer 10

Yes they are gentile giants, they need lots of exercise though.I own 2 a fawn and a brindle.Same temperment as a lab.