Great Danes. Rachel Cawley
One need not have to bend over to pet or feed a Great Dane. And, unless trained otherwise, he will easily snatch items from table and countertops. (Be aware that some of these items may be harmful to him.) Along with the size of their bodies comes the equally large size of your bills for feed, toys, and health care.
Yet his large size may confuse him. Suddenly, things that were easy as a puppy, such as fitting in a bed, or walking in narrow spaces, or picking up small toys, seem to be more of a challenge as he grows. In some ways, while the size of a Great Dane increases, his perception of the world does not always follow. At 100-plus pounds, he will still think nothing of wanting to sit in your lap, curl up in your favorite chair, or leap about in the house.
Another aspect of his ancestral personality is the desire to serve. Whether taking commands in the hunt or residing next to royalty, the Great Dane has a natural desire to follow commands. This can make the Great Dane an easily trainable breed. Yet his easygoing, big-oaf, couch-potato personality may challenge the teacher.
BE PREPARED! Great Dane = Great Expenses
Owning a giant breed can be harder on the pocketbook than a smaller breed. Be certain that you are prepared for all the costs associated with pet ownership.
• Purebred Great Dane puppies can begin at $500 and can easily go into the thousands, depending on bloodlines, color, show potential, and so on.
• Getting a pre-owned Great Dane or Great Dane mix can cost around $100 to $400. Helping a dog get a new start can be great. One caveat to remember is that a dog that has had previous owners may have unknown issues, from personality to health.
• Adult Great Danes eat a lot. Puppies require a good deal of food as growth demands. Expect to spend around $30 per month for poor-quality food, $50 per month for good-quality food, and $80 per month for high-quality food.
• The first years will be one of the most expensive. Puppy growth requires possible vaccines and neutering/spaying. There may also be obedience classes. All of this can total $1,000 or more.
• An average adult year can include basic veterinarian bills (vaccine boosters, pest control, and so on), boarding, licensing (varies by location), and so on. Depending on your area and medical routine the annual costs can range from $300 to $500.
• Ideally your Great Dane will live to a ripe old age with few problems. But the truth is that as age approaches, everyone’s costs (people’s and pets’) can rise. Procedures, medications, and care can easily add up to an additional $500 or even much more.
• Of course there is always the unexpected. Accidents, illness, and emergency surgeries can all prove to be quite expensive. For example, cost for a gastric volvulus and dilatation after bloat can run $3,000 to $5,000.
Someone planning on purchasing a Great Dane should plan on at least $15,000 over the pet’s lifetime.
Despite his heritage as a hunter, the modern Great Dane is more of a companion that prefers to simply “hang” with his owner. He will fret when you are not home. He may try to sit with you on the couch or lie with you in bed. It is simply his way of showing his devotion to you.
Bigger Is Not Always Better
Great Danes can make wonderful companions. They are affectionate and desire to be with you. As many will tell you, Great Danes are “a real dog.” Great Danes touch your heart. Those who own one often want another. Those who have had a Great Dane in the past will talk lovingly of their lost friend even though it may have been decades ago. However, despite all of the charm and pleasures a Great Dane can offer, the breed is not necessarily perfect for everyone.
PERSONALITY POINTERS
Great Dane Body Language
| Mood | Friendly | Curious or Excited | Playful | Apprehensive or Anxious | Fearful | Subordinate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| How he holdsh is head | Normal posture and head position | Extended neck and possible tilted head | “Play bow,” chest and head down, rump in air | Neck stiff, head may be pulled back slightly or lowered to shoulder | Neck stiff, head may be pulled back slightly or lowered to shoulder | Head slightly lowered to shoulder height |
| His eyes | Wide open | Wide open or possibly squinting | Wide open | Wide open, eyes may wander | Eyes wide, whites of eyes may show, may try to look away | Eyes partially closed |
| His ears | Alert, forward, or off to the side | Perked forward | Alert, forward, or off to the side | Pulled back | Ears pulled back or flattened against skull | Ears flattened against skull |
| His mouth | Mouth open, tongue often in a “smile” | Mouth partially open, one side of lip may be raised | Mouth open, tongue often in a “smile” | Mouth slightly open with random tongue licking | Mouth slightly open with random tongue licking | Lips of mouth pulled back in “grin,” may lick or nuzzle |
| His body | Relaxed posture or wiggling with excitement, hopping | Relaxed posture | Chest lowered to ground, rump elevated | Arched back, may be bristled | Arched back, may be bristled from shoulder to tail | May crouch, crawl, expose underbelly, or urinate |
| His tail | Wagging | Wagging, may pause between wags | Whipping from side to side | Partially lowered, possibly tucked | Tucked tightly to belly | Lowered between legs |
A Great Dane is a giant breed. He is not the type you can pick up and carry around when needed, even as a puppy. His weight gives him considerable force when walking, running, or sitting. His size can make it difficult to easily navigate narrow spaces. The adult Great Dane can reach just about any tabletop or counter. His wagging tail can knock a 5-pound object off a table. And though he can be graceful, he can also be a klutz, bumping into walls and furniture, while stepping (or “stomping”) on items on the ground or floor-—including your feet.
You will find Great Danes to be very social. They will not do well with constant isolation for long hours. Although you cannot be expected to give up your job and social life for a Great Dane, you must