Is a Great Dane Right for You?

Our girl Willow

Is the Great Dane the right dog for your family?

Danes are able to reach places you don’t expect. This dog is sneaking the family dinner. It happens in real life more often than we’d like to admit. In our house, things go in the refrigerator, the child-proof pantry, or the microwave to keep the Danes from counter surfing for snacks. Before making a final decision on purchasing a Great Dane, ask yourself the following questions?

 

1. The Great Dane grows into a giant dog. Are you prepared to deal with ALL the ramifications of this fact from cost of care to size of car or jumbo-sized crate and other equipment required? Danes require more of everything!

2. Great Danes make good jogging companions, but you must wait until they are full grown. You must spend two years of your dog’s life doing other activities until they are capable of joining you on long hikes or jogs.

3. Because of their giant size, Great Danes need early and consistent training. A jump from a full-grown Dane = that of a full-grown adult. Will you enjoy meeting their needs?

4. Because they possess a hunting instinct, Great Danes tend to roam and should be kept in an enclosed area. Are you able to provide this type of environment for your Dane?

5. Danes do not do well when left alone for long periods. Will you have the time to give your dog a great deal of attention and affection?

If you have answered yes to the above questions then a Great Dane may be the right dog for you!

A Few Reasons People Don’t Keep Their Great Danes:

* He chews stuff.

* He drools too much.

* He jumps on the kids.

* He needs too much attention.

* He needs surgery and we can’t afford it.

* We bought him for the kids but they aren’t interested anymore.

* He’s too old.

* He’s too hard to housebreak.

* He’s just too much trouble.

* He barks all the time.

Once you have decided that the Great Dane is the type of dog that will fit your needs, a number of questions need to be addressed in helping you select the right dog. Remember when you get a dog, you are acquiring a “child” who will never grow up and leave home. He will be your friend for life, but you will be the one who provides a lifetime of food, shelter, care and emotional well-being. If you take the time and trouble to learn about the Great Dane, you will be one of the responsible pet owners. And there are no happier people on earth than Dane lovers!!!