Great Danes?

Question

Hey. I have a beautiful Golden Retreiver whom i love to bits!! But i've always at some point of my life wanted to own a Great Dane. I have a fascination for big dogs.
When my dog is older i'm thinking of maybe getting a great dane depending on my lifestyle circumstances. I think they'd get along really well!!
Can anyone who owns or have ever owned a great dane tell me about them. I heard they're beautiful natured. How old have you gotten them to live till. I've read that their life expectancy is 6-8 years.. anyone got their great dane to 10??
Thanks for your answers

Btw my Golden is currently 7 months.. when i'm talking older i mean 3-4 years.

Plus i'm very concious of Hip Dysplasia as my golden just had an operation for his hip because of hip dysplasia. I'll be sure to definately look out for it in a great dane that i would get if i get one.

Answer 1

I have known Danes that lived to be ten or older but I think the 'average' is around 8 - remember averages include the ten year olds as well as the two year olds so they sometimes don't tell the whole story. Danes can have great dispositions, like any dog, if they are conscientiously and knowledgeably bred. They have some health issues that need to be addressed as well and a good, responsible breeder will help you learn what these are and how they are tested for to eliminate the probability of them occuring in your dog. Check out the parent club of the breed's site - contact a breeder referal person and maybe find a good breeder in your area that will help mentor you on the breed so you know the breed well and they can help you locate a knowledgeable, responsible breeder to get an excellent puppy from -- you can also go to local shows/trials and meet owners/breeders in the area and get to know the breed that way.

Oh and don't worry - the puppies sleep a LOT! All their growing occurs while they are asleep so they tend to do that a lot! haha

Answer 2

Great Danes are wonderful dogs but they are not for everyone. They are a giant breed not a large breed. They need to be trained (all dogs need to be). They need to be carefully bred.
Now to clear up some misconceptions:
1) the average life span is 10 years, the same as taht of a Lab or Golden.
2) just because it's a Dane doesn't mean it will have hip dysplasia , not all Danes have HD...badly bred Danes & Danes taht come from parents that haven't had genetic testing are more prone to HD
3) Danes should NEVER EVER be fed puppy food of any kind including large breed, the protein level is too high
4) having a Dane sapy/neutered does NOT shorten their life in the least. it is just as IMPORTANT to get a Dane spayed/neutered as it is any other breed/mix....any dog including Danes will have a longer healthier life if spay/neutered

Many wellbred Danes that receive proper nutrition and care live a healthy life in to their mid teens.Many of the Danes in my Danes pedigree have lived to be 14 - 15 years of age with no health issues.
A well bred, well socialized, well trained Dane can be an absolute joy to own, like wise an ill bred, poorly socialized, poorly trained Dane can be a nightmare.

I recommend anyone interested in Danes get the book The Great Dane Model of Nobility by Jill Swedlow. It is a very honest, straight forward well written book by a very knowledgable Dane person.

Answer 3

I have had two great danes. The one I have now is a 5 month old puppy, and she weighs 73 pounds. They are extreemly loyal dogs who has one passion in life and it's the owner. They are sweet, loving, AWSOME with kids (I have three kids under the age of 12), and a lot of fun. Sometimes they will do things or look at you in a certain way and you swear "there is nobody home but the lights are on". Yes, the life expectancy is short, but I work for a vet clinic and with todays great dog foods out there pets are living longer and longer. It's not uncommon for us to see danes as old as 10 or 11 still in good health. Just make sure to screen the breeders. Ask for certifications on hips (hip dysplasia), eyes, and other genetic problems. Hips is the most important one I think. These large breeds are prone to that and it will really take them down fast. Also make sure to have them on a large breed formula puppy and adult dog food. There are special ingredients in that food that will help joint care and overall life expectancy.

Answer 4

I grew up with great danes, and the last one we had lived to 14 years old. She had a beautiful temperment and no health problems except a little arthritis toward the end. She had never been exposed to babies or toddlers until after she reached 10 years old, but the first baby she met, she allowed him to crawl all over her, then he fell asleep on her, she didnt move until the baby's mom moved him, and boy, she must have been busting to go to the toilet coz she just about couldnt get outside quick enough. I personally believe she lived so long due to a home cooked diet (no preservatives or additives or any of the other crap that goes into commercial food), twice daily easy exercise, dietary supplements to prevent common dane problems, eg calcium, glucosamine, vit c and some others, and plenty of love, affection and spoiling.

Answer 5

My first Dane lived to be 11. She got bone cancer and that is why I lost her. Other than the cancer, she was in perfect health.
When you get a Dane, get one from a good breeder. Most of what I have seen in rescue is poor quality with hip problems. My present Dane, Jacob, is a good example of a Dane. His father's hips were tested and found to be in the 80th percentile on the Penn Hip scale. His mother's thyroid was tested and found to be clear. So the odds of Jacob having either of these problems in the future are less that most other Danes.
Danes are adorable and devoted. They are big couch potatoes.

Answer 6

They do live a short life, but at age 1 if you start putting glucosamine in their food you can get them to 12 sometimes. This keeps their joints in good condition, since they usually get hip dysplasia as they get older. They make great pets, big couch potatoes, you should get one. Also you can get one from the Great Dane rescue group.

Answer 7

Oh my a great dane!
I have owned three of them in my life and they are truly wonderful dogs. Loyal and great with children(mine were). Good watch dogs, couch potatoes, they can also be strong willed to train. Be sure you are truly ready for the challenge. Make sure you go to a reputable breeder because you need to watch out for hip dysplaysia and other health issues with bigger breeds. Do alot of research and ask questions like you are. Good luck!

Answer 8

Two dogs in the vets great Dane and a cairn terrier The cairn said I'm here to be put down as I keep on biting the postman Well the great Dane says See that beautiful blond that brought me in with the short mini skirt on well she takes a shower every night and when she bends down for the towel I just cant help myself and end up mounting her Oh says the cairn that means you are being put to sleep as well! No says the great Dane I'm in to get my nails clipped!!

Answer 9

My family had a great dane that lived to be 12. For life expectancy it really depends on the dogs health and their surroundings. They reall have great temperments though and are extremely loyal. I would definatley suggest getting one if you like big dogs.

Answer 10

the health is a huge factor. my Danes are 13 and 7. I am not sure where I heard it but I heard that if you spay or neuter them they will not live as long as if you leave them alone with their yoo hoos untouched. my mom proved that to me when she got her 2 when my sister was 13. They were twin males with each perfectly healthy lives one was fixed the other wasnt the fixed one died about the age of 10 and the other is still alive. he is 12 now.