Great Danes. Rachel Cawley

animal and will need some form of company, even if it is simply another pet.

       Breed Truths

       Great Dane Issues

      When you plan to add a Great Dane to your life, be fully aware of the giant responsibility you are taking on and things you need to consider:

      • Great Danes have a relatively short life span—usually 7–10 years.

      • You need a stable housing situation. If you move frequently, it may not be easy to find a rental place that will accept any dog, let alone one so large.

      • You need enough time. Great Danes are social animals and will be very unhappy, and possibly destructive, if forced to live by themselves or be left alone for long periods of time.

      • He needs proper training. Any giant breed must behave, and as he grows into his full giant breed size, proper training will be essential to maintaining a happy home.

      • Transportation. Your vehicle must accommodate a Great Dane’s size for necessities such as veterinarian visits and general outings.

      Some Great Danes can be quite prolific in the drool department. These dogs can fling frothy saliva all over the place, giving their personal decorative flair of drool-sicles. One might be surprised at the range and even height that a Great Dane’s flingers can fly. These slimy tossings can even land in your hair—not to mention the fact that after drinking, he can be a veritable waterfall.

      Not only that, but a Great Dane’s tail is a potential weapon that can make your home look like a murder scene. When he wags his tail and it hits solid objects (walls, tabletops, and doors) or edged objects (such as furniture corners and fences), his tail’s end can split (or break open) and begin bleeding. Each wag afterward sprays red beads of blood over walls, furniture, clothing, and you.

      This breed can easily knock over or injure those who are either not steady enough or quick enough, such as children or the elderly. His size, his wagging tail, his jumping up, his excitement at company, and such can make him a hazard in your home as he knocks down folks with less-than-perfect balance. Of course, you could always relegate him to a crate or another room, but then you risk the chance of him vocalizing so much that hearing conversations may be difficult. This is why basic training is essential. (See Chapter 7.)

Great Danes and Your Family

      Adding a pet to the family is just like adding another family member. And a Great Dane puppy can be as much work as a young child, sometimes more. A growing puppy will demand time, time that may have been previously spent with other family members. This can, in some cases, cause jealousy or resentment. Be certain that everyone in the family is part of the puppyraising process and understands that the new family member has needs that must be met too.

       Your Children …

      Great Danes generally enjoy children. Young family members frequently have more time to spend with him, and thus give him time to play, cuddle, and even get snacks (like the food kids don’t want to eat). There is also a kindred spirit between the young and canines. Perhaps it is because dogs are, as mentioned elsewhere, forever young wolves. Despite their love of children, and vice versa, Great Danes may not always be the best mix in a house of young children.

      Young children can easily be knocked down by a Great Dane simply bumping the child. Their small hands and feet are ready targets for a growing dog’s less-than-accurate footing. A wagging puppy tail can strike the unintended and easily bruise or knock down toddlers. And a happy tail slap to the eyes, face, or other tender spots can cause pain and possible serious injury.

      Playing may attract his attention, causing him to become a locomotive barreling in their direction. When you are playing with your children, he will want similar attention and try to get it via pushing, licking, barking, and other behaviors that may hurt or startle youngsters.

       Your Pets …

      Great Danes are social beings that enjoy company, and that company can include other family pets. There are numerous stories about Great Danes happily living with pets of all sizes, including smaller dogs, cats, horses both big and miniature, rabbits, wallabies, and more. If you already have pets in your house, you will need to be certain to introduce your new family member in a safe, secure fashion.

      How a specific dog reacts to other animals will depend a lot on how he was brought up. If he was exposed to creatures of varying size and species, he should not find other pets unusual. He may even see them as members of the pack or as friends. However, if he has experienced only humans, then he may be suspicious, worried, or frightened, or feel threatened by other animals. He may see smaller creatures as toys, which could lead to a bad situation. As with any creature, the earlier in his life you can arrange such an introduction, the better.

      Just because a Great Dane is a dog does not mean he will automatically be accepted by other dogs. Being a hound by nature, and a pack animal at heart, Great Danes are mostly gentle souls. They are generally nonaggressive, but because of their immense size other dogs may be intimidated by them. A smaller dog may try showing its dominance by barking or acting aggressive. Your Great Dane may respond with a bark or stare. This can create situations in which the larger dog may be seen as the big bad bully picking on a little dog.

      If you are introducing a Great Dane to a canine already in your family, let them meet in a neutral area. Any place in your home is not neutral ground; outside the home or yard is. You may wish to have both on leashes to have more control of the situation. A rambunctious puppy can upset an older dog that may not be up to its monkeyshines. In general, though, many adult dogs will accept that a puppy is a baby and therefore may allow it to do puppy things—up to a point.

      When dealing with a new puppy and current canine family member, remember that the elder should receive proper respect. Greet the elder first. Feed the elder first. Do not allow the puppy free access to the older dog’s toys or bed area. And should the Great Dane puppy disobey proper canine protocol, causing the older dog to growl or correct the puppy, do not scold the older dog, as he himself is aiding in training. It is important that all canine members of a home create a proper pack order to maintain a stable relationship. However, it is also important that the older dog never be allowed to bully the puppy. The key word is balance.

       Breed Needs

       Great Danes Are Family, Not Fads

      Adding a dog to the household is like adding a new family member. His arrival will change the routine requirements of those in and even outside the home. For this very reason, much thought and planning must be given before getting a Great Dane, or any dog. Great Danes should never be gotten on a whim, given as a surprise gift, or used as a lesson.

      COMPATIBILITY Is a Great Dane the Best Breed for You?

SPACE REQUIREMENTS Though big in size, Great Danes do not require a lot of space. In fact, because of their often quiet demeanor, they are frequently rated as one of the best breeds for apartments.

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