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Choosing an ideal dog breed: Great Dane
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"Sheba" a Mantle variety Great Dane
Today, I chose to profile the Great Dane; a very people-oriented breed who thrives on human contact and loves to feel that he is part of a family. He is also suitable for watch dog duty, due to the intimidation factor supplied by his immense size.
The Great Dane is considered intelligent and fairly easy to housebreak and train. Proper socailization is a must, simply because many people, even if they like dogs, seem to be exceptionally fearful of very large breeds. Many experts recommend "Puppy Kindergarten" for these animals, from age 3-6 months; to be followed by basic obedience classes.
Crate training, when used properly, is a good tool to assist with housebreaking, and will limit your dog's access to furniture and carpet, which can be destroyed during an adolescent dog's chewing spree. It is recommended that you don't permit your puppy free reign of your home until he has proven himself trustworthy.
A large fenced yard is the ideal play area for this breed. They are neither jumpers nor aggressors; but staking, chaining or tying these dogs up can be dangerous for them. Especially if they escape. These dogs are known to be very strong, and can easily break their restraints. It is also unwise to leave a Great Dane outside too long, since their thin coat is unsuitable for cold weather, and because they crave and thrive on human companionship and affection. Also, any growing puppy can wreak havoc on carefully planned and well maintained landscaping, so if you have a prize winning flower garden, you may want to reconsider your choice of pets.
Danes are very gentle, and love children, but this massive dog, even when perfectly mannered, can easily cause an accident involving a child, so it is important that they are carefully supervised during playtime.
It is also important not to encourage your Dane to be overly protective or aggressive. His size alone will be enough to discourage most potentail threats. I've seen people cross the street, blocks ahead, when they see a Great Dane approaching. Their natural tendency is to protect when and if it is necessary. That's why socialization from an early age is important; the more exposure your pet has to other people and animals, the easier it will be for him to practice good judgment.
Great Danes can be expensive to maintain. Food, veterinarian treatments, training courses and equipment, like crates and fencing, can add up quickly. And, often these items will cost more due to the dog's size.
It is also important to note that the Great Dane has a relatively short life expectancy of 7-10 years. Like many very large dog breeds, they are predisposed to hip dysplasia, "bloat", which is an overextension of the stomach due to excessive gas, as well as dilated cardiomyopathy and other congenital heart defects.
Puppies and young adult Great Danes can deveop growing and/or bone problems, sometimes associated with improper diets. It is important to follow your veterinarian's guidelines for your pet's diet.
Sometimes in old age, Great Danes can be prone to irritability, causing them to uncharacteristically show aggression toward livestock or other animals. Older males can be susceptible to prostate infection; older females to false pregnancies and uterine infections. The best way to avoid these maladies is to have your dog spayed or neutered, which is a benefit to their health in many other ways as well.
In closing, I'd say that a Great Dane is a good choice for any family who is willing to be educated on the ins-and-outs of ownership of a Great Dane. They are exceptionally affectionate dogs; in fact, I think the Great Dane must be the largest variety of lap-dog I've ever encountered! But, I encourage you not to make this decision lightly. Many people discover that they didn't get what they expected, and too many Great Danes end up homeless as a result.
Thank you for reading, and if you liked this article, please look for my other installments of Choosing an ideal dog breed, examining the Pit Bull, Newfoundland, and Irish Setter, among many others. Thanks again for stopping by!
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