Ilovefoals
Well-Known Member
Opinions, family dogs? Special requirements? I need info please people 
Great Danes.....
- Thread starter Ilovefoals
- Start date
PucciNPoni
Well-Known Member
They don't live long enough 
and IIR prone to kidney problems.....and have LETHAL tails!
and IIR prone to kidney problems.....and have LETHAL tails! Ilovefoals
Well-Known Member
Are they loyal? What kinda life span are we talking about? Gentle, boisterous? I really know nothing but I love the look of them and want to know more
sbloom
Well-Known Member
OH has had a rescue one and would have one again in a heart beat. He says yes to family dogs - his Dane never knocked his mates toddlers flying, unlike many dogs, really sensitive and tolerant of what's around them and aware of their size.
The big caveat is that they like human company, dogs won't do, and they can only be left for maybe 3-4 hours. That doesn't have to be on the spot attention, as long as people are "around".
Danes are kind of known for drooling, but actually if fed correctly they don't - dry food will make them drool but proper meat, he had mostly raw tripe (really cheap compared to dog food and much better for them though some vets will disagree
) and a smaller amount of gluten free biscuit mixer - a good quality natural one that doesn't dehydrate them badly.
One rule - they cannot exercise heavily within an hour either side of feeding as they get bloat and can then twist their guts. You also have to try and limit their heavy exercise when they are young - the joints are just not up to it until they're older. They eat a LOT as puppies to a year old to fuel that growth!
You will need to spend a lot of money on dog beds - they need support from a decent slab of foam. His beds were over £100 but they did last a few years. He lived to 10.5 at least so they're not all horribly short lived.
Cross posted - yes very loyal. And the short lives may well be down to feeding - his was a big 13 stone male who you'd have thought would have a short life but was clearly pretty long lived!
The big caveat is that they like human company, dogs won't do, and they can only be left for maybe 3-4 hours. That doesn't have to be on the spot attention, as long as people are "around".
Danes are kind of known for drooling, but actually if fed correctly they don't - dry food will make them drool but proper meat, he had mostly raw tripe (really cheap compared to dog food and much better for them though some vets will disagree
) and a smaller amount of gluten free biscuit mixer - a good quality natural one that doesn't dehydrate them badly.One rule - they cannot exercise heavily within an hour either side of feeding as they get bloat and can then twist their guts. You also have to try and limit their heavy exercise when they are young - the joints are just not up to it until they're older. They eat a LOT as puppies to a year old to fuel that growth!
You will need to spend a lot of money on dog beds - they need support from a decent slab of foam. His beds were over £100 but they did last a few years. He lived to 10.5 at least so they're not all horribly short lived.
Cross posted - yes very loyal. And the short lives may well be down to feeding - his was a big 13 stone male who you'd have thought would have a short life but was clearly pretty long lived!
Oberon
Well-Known Member
I didn't realise they lived so long. I always thought they lived til 6 - another
to the Raw diet
It's sad how many need rehoming
http://www.danes.org.uk/index.htm
It's sad how many need rehoming
http://www.danes.org.uk/index.htm
The Original Kao
Well-Known Member
I've had a great dane and also have 1 staying over with me regularly for holidays.
Amazing dogs, very nice natured, gentle giants and I'd have 1 again in a heartbeat.
They drool a lot, so always have a towel handy after they've had a drink.
They need raised water and feed bowls to decrease the risk of bloat, also you have to make sure they don't have exercise soon after they've eaten, again due to risk of bloat.
If you get 1 as a pup, you have to be really careful and not walk them too much as they can be prone to leg probs, so minimal exercise till they have stopped growing.
Mine hated being left alone in the house, even with doggy company. She loved her humans a bit too much. They aren't the kind of dogs you can leave for long periods and if mine was left out of her crate when I went out, you would come home to a trail of destruction.
They also like to sit on the sofa, bum on, front legs off. Seems to be a common trait for danes.
Also don't get a dane if you don't like attention. People will always stop you when you have 1 to chat and admire the dog.
Amazing dogs, very nice natured, gentle giants and I'd have 1 again in a heartbeat.
They drool a lot, so always have a towel handy after they've had a drink.
They need raised water and feed bowls to decrease the risk of bloat, also you have to make sure they don't have exercise soon after they've eaten, again due to risk of bloat.
If you get 1 as a pup, you have to be really careful and not walk them too much as they can be prone to leg probs, so minimal exercise till they have stopped growing.
Mine hated being left alone in the house, even with doggy company. She loved her humans a bit too much. They aren't the kind of dogs you can leave for long periods and if mine was left out of her crate when I went out, you would come home to a trail of destruction.
They also like to sit on the sofa, bum on, front legs off. Seems to be a common trait for danes.
Also don't get a dane if you don't like attention. People will always stop you when you have 1 to chat and admire the dog.
echodomino
Well-Known Member
I don't have any experience of them from an owning point of view, but the one's I've known have been lovely dogs.
I think they average 8-10 years but my mum knows someone who breeds them and a lot of them live to 14
I'd love one but lack the space
I think they average 8-10 years but my mum knows someone who breeds them and a lot of them live to 14
I'd love one but lack the space
Ilovefoals
Well-Known Member
We have 8 acres of land and no neighbours so I'd have plenty of space. The info you've all given me is really useful, thank you Oh, and I only work 2 nights a week and those nights my hubby is here so it would never be alone. Hmmm, may have to start investigating this seriously!
Oh, and I only work 2 nights a week and those nights my hubby is here so it would never be alone. Hmmm, may have to start investigating this seriously!Alexart
Well-Known Member
They are lovely natured dogs, a friend of mine had one called Jumble, although she did have a serious bone problem and didn't live very long, a type of cancer I think - her bones were covered in these huge growths right from when she was a pup and cost a huuuuge amount in vet bills, sweetest dopiest dog though, a big gawky thing, she thought she was a chihuahua, and used to pile on unsuspecting peoples laps - I did a cartoon of her!!
-
My uncle has a rescue one who is another gawky thing, he is white and totally deaf which is fun!! - he obviously doesn't hear the STOP command when running at you at full tilt - and he seems to have selective eyesight as the hand signals are ignored too!!!!!
But as others have said they do suffer from an awful lot of health issues, bloat being one of the main killers, hip dysplasia, heart problems, arthritis and short life span - the average is 8 so be prepared for anything from 6 onwards - there is obviously exceptions to that!, and you can't do much exercise before they are a year old to help minimise the risk of joint problems while they are growing, they also cost a lot to feed and the poops are huuuuge - not something you want to stumble into in the middle of the night in bare feet!!!!
There is a great dane forum which might be worth browsing: http://www.greatdaneowners.co.uk/
-
My uncle has a rescue one who is another gawky thing, he is white and totally deaf which is fun!! - he obviously doesn't hear the STOP command when running at you at full tilt - and he seems to have selective eyesight as the hand signals are ignored too!!!!!
But as others have said they do suffer from an awful lot of health issues, bloat being one of the main killers, hip dysplasia, heart problems, arthritis and short life span - the average is 8 so be prepared for anything from 6 onwards - there is obviously exceptions to that!, and you can't do much exercise before they are a year old to help minimise the risk of joint problems while they are growing, they also cost a lot to feed and the poops are huuuuge - not something you want to stumble into in the middle of the night in bare feet!!!!
There is a great dane forum which might be worth browsing: http://www.greatdaneowners.co.uk/
karen_c
Well-Known Member
I have 2 of them...the first I adopted after he was abandoned in the vet school in Glasgow as a student and the second was rehomed due to a marriage break-up. I think they are wonderful
Even my parents, who don't really like dogs, adore my old boy and are converted! They can be great family dogs but like all dogs depends how they are raised etc.
Life spans mentioned by everybody else are fairly accurate but can vary. Would agree with majority of health problems listed but don't think kidney disease is especially common.
Character varies from dog to dog (my boy is super laid back and fairly lazy, while my girl is a bouncy, bonkers whirlwind!), and there are definitely character trends dependent on coat colour too. Neither of mine drool much and the poops are not that huge (especially if you're used to horses ) Be prepared for all the amazingly witty saddle jokes from members of the public though
The forum linked to above is pretty good and there are often walks organised there too - worth going along to one of those or to a show to meet some dogs and see if you like them up close - or if you're near bristol you're welcome to meet my two!
Even my parents, who don't really like dogs, adore my old boy and are converted! They can be great family dogs but like all dogs depends how they are raised etc.
Life spans mentioned by everybody else are fairly accurate but can vary. Would agree with majority of health problems listed but don't think kidney disease is especially common.
Character varies from dog to dog (my boy is super laid back and fairly lazy, while my girl is a bouncy, bonkers whirlwind!), and there are definitely character trends dependent on coat colour too. Neither of mine drool much and the poops are not that huge (especially if you're used to horses
) Be prepared for all the amazingly witty saddle jokes from members of the public though The forum linked to above is pretty good and there are often walks organised there too - worth going along to one of those or to a show to meet some dogs and see if you like them up close - or if you're near bristol you're welcome to meet my two!
lula
Well-Known Member
my neighbor keeps Great danes and works for Great Dane rescue.
the only comment ive got which isnt particularly helpful i know is i think you'd have to have shedloads of dosh to afford to be able to feed one
Big Dogs = Big appetite!
the only comment ive got which isnt particularly helpful i know is i think you'd have to have shedloads of dosh to afford to be able to feed one
Big Dogs = Big appetite!
Ilovefoals
Well-Known Member
I've been reading up on bloat and torsion this morning. I'm pretty worried by it actually. Does anyone know if this is a common thing to happen?
The Original Kao
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure how common it is TBH, but def something to be aware of if you get a dane.
I do know that sometimes as a way of prevention for torsion you can have the dogs stomach stitched to the inner wall of the abdomen (sometimes vets will do this during neutering).
I do know that sometimes as a way of prevention for torsion you can have the dogs stomach stitched to the inner wall of the abdomen (sometimes vets will do this during neutering).
Ilovefoals
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the info guys. I've registered with the forum that was mentioned but it wont let me post anything for some reason. I'm going to meet up with a breeder tomorrow to pick her brain
Luci07
Well-Known Member
A friend has 4 and they are lovely. Bit of a shock to me having staffies as they are HUGE!! also can't put anything on a kitchen surface as that is head height for a Great Dane. He said that most Danes have issues with their heart (not big enough for the size of dog) so is careful with his.
Pix
Well-Known Member
I've only known two well, but both were fantastic dogs! One was an older lad who lived on a farm where I kept my pony when I was little. He was highly tolerant and generally just had a wonderful nature. Being older he was fairly quiet anyway, he was a delicious soft lump and wonderfully accepting and careful with kids.
The next one I got to know was several years later. He was much younger and quite 'all over the place' in terms of getting on laps and bounding around (which is interesting in a small cottage living room
) but again, very soft nature and eventually settled into a fabulous family dog.
Most people I've spoken to have had pretty much the same experience with them
The next one I got to know was several years later. He was much younger and quite 'all over the place' in terms of getting on laps and bounding around (which is interesting in a small cottage living room
) but again, very soft nature and eventually settled into a fabulous family dog.Most people I've spoken to have had pretty much the same experience with them
Shoei
Well-Known Member
I have had them all my life and so have my parents, grandparents and great grandparents. As with all dogs they are all individuals, my grandparents bitch and my bitch are exactly the same age and completely different. Cally (grandparents) is bouncy, boisterous, and needs to be reminded of rules. Sinda in comparison is quiet, can be timid and very mild mannered. Both are fiercely loyal and affectionate. They will let you know if someone is about but are not generally aggressive, there is no need as their size is intimidating enough.
As someone said their tails are torture devices and they do like to lean on you, they are also very clumsy!
Unfortunately, they are prone to joint problems typical of their size and we have lost most of our dogs through bone cancer. You will need to restrict the impact such as jumping especially as they develop, incidentally they are lair developers not fully maturing until 18 months to 2 yes although sinda was 2 1/2 before she was.
They are the most rewarding dogs and are comic genius'!
As someone said their tails are torture devices and they do like to lean on you, they are also very clumsy!
Unfortunately, they are prone to joint problems typical of their size and we have lost most of our dogs through bone cancer. You will need to restrict the impact such as jumping especially as they develop, incidentally they are lair developers not fully maturing until 18 months to 2 yes although sinda was 2 1/2 before she was.
They are the most rewarding dogs and are comic genius'!
Shoei
Well-Known Member
Re bloat
I think I diet is managed correctly it is avoidable. Luckily we have never had one with this but all large dogs are prone to it but all breeds have their ailments!
I think I diet is managed correctly it is avoidable. Luckily we have never had one with this but all large dogs are prone to it but all breeds have their ailments!