The Great Dane is often referred to as the "gentle giant," known for its natural protective instincts when the need arises. This breed is characterized by its affectionate nature and love for people, traits that should always be nurtured without encouraging aggressive behavior.
Great Danes have an affinity for children, but it's essential to teach them to interact gently with kids. Due to their size, their wagging tails, while friendly, can inadvertently knock over young children. Therefore, close supervision during these interactions is crucial. These sizable dogs can also adapt to living harmoniously with other pets, especially when introduced from an early age.
Maintaining a secure fenced yard is a necessity to prevent a Great Dane from wandering on its own. They typically do not have a reputation for being jumpers, so a standard six-foot fence is generally sufficient to keep them safely contained. It's worth noting that while adult Great Danes are known for their relaxed demeanor, puppies are highly energetic and may engage in activities like digging and "landscaping."
Despite their massive size, Great Danes thrive as indoor dogs when they are considered integral members of the family. In such an environment, they exhibit affectionate behavior, learn quickly, and tend to adapt well to house training. However, when left to their own devices outdoors, they may unintentionally cause extensive damage to both your home and yard.
Regardless of their temperament, any dog can develop undesirable behaviors like excessive barking, digging, or counter surfing when they become bored, lack proper training, or are left unsupervised. Adolescence can be a challenging phase for Great Danes, with the "teen" years typically starting around six months of age and continuing until they are approximately two years old.
It is advisable to initiate training for your Great Dane puppy as soon as they join your household, ideally beginning at eight weeks of age. Delaying training until they are six months old may result in a more stubborn and headstrong dog. Enrolling them in a puppy kindergarten class at 10 to 12 weeks old can be highly beneficial, focusing on socialization. It's essential to note that some puppy training classes may require specific vaccinations to be up-to-date, and veterinarians might recommend limited exposure to other dogs and public places until all required vaccinations, including rabies, distemper, and parvovirus, have been administered.
When selecting a Great Dane puppy, engage in a dialogue with the breeder and clearly communicate your preferences. Breeders, who interact with the puppies daily, can offer valuable recommendations tailored to your lifestyle and personality. The ideal Great Dane is not born fully formed but is shaped by its lineage and breeding. Seek out a puppy with amiable parents and a history of early socialization for the best fit as a companion.
Did you Know? List of Interesting Facts about Great Danes
Facts are statements that are held to be accurate and often contrasted with opinions and beliefs. Our unusual and interesting facts about Great Danes, trivia, and information about pets, including some useful statistics, will fascinate everyone, from kids and children to adults. Interesting Facts about Great Danes are as follows:Fact 1 - Description and Definition of Great Danes: This breed of dog is one of the giant dogs in the world - the tallest was 7 ft 1 in (215.9 cm) on his hind legs. Great Danes are powerful muscular dogs with floppy, triangular earsGreat Danes Temperament: Friendly - a gentle giantGreat Danes are considered suitable as a family pet but require robust handling due to their sizeFact 2 - Origin of the breed: Great Danes originated in Germany, not Denmark as the name suggests, and were initially bred as hunting dogs. Their quarry was large game such as wild boarFact 3 - Size: The weight of Great Danes range from 100 - 120 poundsFact 4 - Size: The height OF Great Danes ranges from 28 - 32 inches, up to the shoulderFact 5 - Alternative Names of Great Danes and Nicknames: German Mastiff or Danish HoundFact 6 - Coat and colors of Great Danes: The coat is usually short, sleek, and dense and comes in a range of colors, including brindle, Arlequin, fawn, blue, black, or harlequinFact 7 - Life of Great Danes: the life expectancy of this breed of dog is between 7 - 10 yearsFact 8 - The names of dog breeds are separated into different dog types, which are referred to as Dog Groups. The name of the dog group for Great Danes is the Working dog breedFact 9 - After the first year of life, dogs are considered to be adults - they are equivalent to 16 human years!After two years, they are equivalent to a 24-year-oldAfter three years, they are equal to a 30-year-oldEvery year after, add five human years to determine the equivalent age of the dogFact 10 - Choosing Great Danes as pets! The following considerations should be taken into account when choosing this particular breed of dog as a pet:How much will it cost to feed and train the dog?How much time will it take to groom the dog?How much time will it take to exercise the dog daily?Are Great Danes suitable for children?How much will it cost for vet bills, pet or dog health insurance, medication, and vaccinations?Fact 11 - Every breed of dog is susceptible to specific health problems and illnesses. Great Danes are prone to health problems and illnesses such as:- "Wobbler Syndrome" is a disease of the spinal column of the neck- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia (abnormal development of joints referred to as CHD - Canine Hip and Elbow Dysplasia)- Gastric Torsion- CataractsFact 12 - Great Danes were originally bred to help with various jobs and tasks such as:- Hunting- Herding or Droving- Pulling or hauling vehicles- Water and mountain rescuesFact 13 - Breeding, Great Danes for appearance, was only introduced in the 19th CenturyFact 14 - It is estimated that 85% of dogs visit a vet in a yearFact 15 - The average cost of owning a medium-sized dog, over ten years, is estimated at over $13,000! This provides a good idea of how much it costs to raise Great DanesThe Great Dane’s height and weight place him among the giant breeds. Only the Irish Wolfhound is taller, and a few Mastiffs may outweigh him. Teach puppies never to jump on people.This giant breed is apartment-friendly because of his quiet, inactive nature, but before you move him into a place with stairs, think about how you would get him in and out if he were injured or ill and couldn’t manage them on his own.The Great Dane is easy to groom, but he does shed. He also drools, so get in the habit of carrying a hand towel to wipe up the drool.Great Danes are flatulent, but they give you someone to blame your emissions on.