Deciding on a Breed

Are you dead set on a puppy, or would you consider an adult?

Boxers are VERY high energy, especially when young. Great danes are a lot more laid back, and wouldn't require as much vigorous exercise as a boxer.

don't forget to check out petfinder.com! I fell in love with a dog on there yesterday (why i was looking at petfinder...don't know!)

I'm not dead set on a puppy, I would very much consider an adult. I would just have to make sure they got along with Roxy.

 Do breeders have adult dogs or is it best to go through petfinder or a rescue?

Breeders do have adult dogs they've retired from their breeding programs or that they've held onto thinking it might have promise but it didn't pan out.  I'd suggest an adult for several reasons.  You could be more sure that a match would work because the personality is more developed an set than with a puppy.  You'd also know they were at their final size, it's funny how a dog can end up bigger than you expect (says the Mom of a 26" border collie!).  If you go to a shelter or rescue in your city area, it may be one that is already used to traveling on public transportation and being home alone during the day. 

i would check out all your options. A lot of breeders will have a part of their website with adults for adoption. Definitely check petfinder, and try googling "boxer rescue" or "great dane rescue". Any of those should have no problem with you bringing your current dog to meet the new dog either. Good luck on your search!! Keep us posted.

First off, I'd like to say I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your Harley, and congrats on deciding to bring home a new family member.

As a past Great Dane owner, I feel that there isn't really any other breed that even comes close (well except Rotties ).  I can see both positive and negative points about your situation with getting a Dane.

Pro:

Danes can and do make great city companions.  They don't require a lot of exercise, but they still occasionally do need to have a good gallop, to burn off some steam.  Quite often their a great choice for those living in town homes or condos.

Danes are relatively calm dogs, meaning that they don't have the excitability level as say a Border Collie; making them ideal for city dwelling.

When raised with them, Danes can be wonderful around cats and other dogs.

Danes aren't major barkers ( Usually)

Con:

Danes are not nimble footed dogs!  They are not what I would call a sure footed breed.  They can be clumsy around stairs, and in tight spaces during their growth periods can be a recipe for disaster.

You mentioned that you work 8-5 and are requiring a dog that is capable of being left alone all day.  Danes are Velcro dogs; they become deeply bonded with you, and like to be near their families, the breed is just not very independent like some other breeds.  So, unless you will be getting a dog walker to come daily, then this may be an issue.  The are some Danes who are able to tolerate long spans of alone time, but others can't take it, and become bored or destructive.

Seeing as you may be considering a rescue, a word of note:  A lot of Danes in rescue suffer from separation anxiety, which in itself isn't bad, but can become extremely difficult to correct of this behavior.  Not all have it, but be sure to ask for as much info as possible from the rescue about the potential dog.  Also too, Danes suffer from a long list of health issues, which can run up quite the medical bill.  All dogs are costly, but most meds and equipment with Danes is charged by weight. 

A really resourceful website is:  http://www.danesonline.com/  You can find rescues in your area, as well as breeders and products tailored to Dane ownership.

Great Dane Rescue Inc.:  http://www.greatdanerescueinc.com/ A network of Dane enthusiasts who provide rescue in both Canada and U.S.

Another rescue website is Harlequin Haven.  They don't rescue outside of Ohio, but provide an extensive list of Dane rescue contacts:  http://www.hhdane.com/links/rgroups.htm

The parent club website:  http://www.gdcc.ca/ Canada's     http://www.gdca.org/  America's

Sorry that I have listed more con's than pro's, but I truly feel that Danes have so many pluses, that one has to face the reality about their con's.  They aren't long lived, they drool (which can bother some people), they blow serious coat twice a year, but sprinkle year round, but they also steal your heart.  They are gentle giants, and are special dogs for special people.

Good Luck on your research!  Keep us posted on your search!

P.s. Have you considered a Bullmastiff?  They're a large breed, low energy, short haired and are gentle with children and family.  Great site to check out is:  http://bullmastiffinfo.org/

Ashley

I think an adult would definitely be the way to go- in either breed-, and with your smaller dog and city life, I'd suggest definitely contacting some reputable (ie show- I don't know that there really exists a 'working dane' breeder of any ethics) breeders and getting to know them. Many times dogs woh are retiring are never offered publicly but will stay with the breeder as pets unless the perfect home happens along - and dog people gossip network, so once you get to know one or two people and they get to know you and decide you're suitable, they can do some of the legwork for you.

I think a dane might be a better fit for the personality and lifestyle you've described, but I'd worry about a puppy's clumsy stages- they just grow so fast and are SO big, SO quickly- with a small dog who is savvy about (very) large dogs, it probably wouldn't be as much of an issue, but I'd just be careful. Overall, I'd be a bit more worried about a boxer with tiny dogs- they just seem to play rougher.

A lot of dogs in the boxer's size range are pretty active, but you might also look at greyhounds- they're the ultimate city dog in a lot of ways, have a similar sleek look and their personalities are unbeatable. They range a LOT in size, too, from 35-40 pound females all the way up to big 80 pound males.

Edited to clarify - with greyhounds, it'd be a LOT easier to find a small-dog-friendly rescue, so don't let my earlier caution worn you off those rescues. I just don't know that there's any rescue groups for a specific breed who do such a universally good job of really testing and screening their dogs for suitability with small dogs.  

Pwca

I think a dane might be a better fit for the personality and lifestyle you've described, but I'd worry about a puppy's clumsy stages- they just grow so fast and are SO big, SO quickly- with a small dog who is savvy about (very) large dogs, it probably wouldn't be as much of an issue, but I'd just be careful. Overall, I'd be a bit more worried about a boxer with tiny dogs- they just seem to play rougher.

Er yeah, hence the name!

What is the subway like to ride on? Is it cramped?  I am just thinking of the practicalities of taking an enormous dog with you on that kind of transport

I was also going to suggest a rescue adult greyhound.  I think they are great dogs for city life.  Their activity level is pretty low, I have known a few owned by people who work full time and they are just happy to sleep all day.  I don't think you would be wise to trust them 100% off lead (safe and fully enclosed areas only where they can have a short sprint).  Retired racers are often "fostered" before they are rehomed so they get used to every day things like stairs, shiny floors, other animals etc. 

Greyhounds are just great dogs.  Very affectionate with "their" humans, a good size, low maintenance, generally very healthy, no major breed-related health problems (that I can think of at this moment) Ooh, except they can injure easily if you let them loose in unsafe areas... when they run, they just think about running and their skin and coat is very thin.  Coat care is a breeze, just a once over with a hound mitt once or twice a week....  Dog friendly sofa is a must-have
 

I *definitely* second the greyhounds. They can be clingy depending on their history, but they are some of the best "larger" dogs to have in a city environment. Cool, calm, and collected and very affectionate. And yes, dog-friendly sofa a must - they are expert loungers! ;)

whtsthfrequency

I *definitely* second the greyhounds. They can be clingy depending on their history, but they are some of the best "larger" dogs to have in a city environment. Cool, calm, and collected and very affectionate. And yes, dog-friendly sofa a must - they are expert loungers! ;)

It's kind of a shame - a lot of people look at them and think "oh I bet they need tonnes of exercise, probably need to run all day" (and then probably go out and get a springer or border collie as like as not!) but the truth is they mostly just want to **lounge!**  With their head in your lap!  Yeah they enjoy their walks and they especially enjoy the chance for a quick sprint but they are by no means exercise junkies.... they are wonderfully laid back dogs.

Puppies are a lot of work.  Housebreaking, midnight potty runs, puppy energy, etc etc.  We did a LOT of research and preparing before deciding on bringing home a puppy. I'm also fortunate in that my pup can come to work with me and when she doesn't my SO works 10 minutes away so he can go home for lunch.  I'm just wary of hiring a dog walker, but I may be a tad over protective and mistrusting of people.

I also recommend greyhounds, I love them - they are most definitely affectionate and expert loungers.  Great in the cities, and low maintence in terms of grooming/excercise needs in comparision to other dogs. 

I love boxers too but they are high energy and tend to play VERY rough so that's something to keep in mind.  Danes are in general mellower but the size factor is something to take into consideration.  I love Danes to, beautiful dogs inside and out. 

Rescue is a great way to go if your set on getting a breed, and might want to consider an adult or older dog. 
 

Thank you to all who responded! I will omit the boxer from my list for now. Maybe in 15 years or so I will be able to own one. For now I will focus more of my research on the great dane, mastiff, and grey hound.

 Ideally, I would like to determine which breed would be best suited for my lifestyle and then start researching breeders and find out if anyone has an older, retired dog available. I've got a good year to work on this so hopefully I will be successful in giving a dog a new home.

 As for the subway, I would be taking the dogs on it when it wasnt very busy. Ie Sunday afternoons when I go see my parents. So the size of the dog won't matter at this time.

 My biggest fear is with Roxy (my 10lb chi) and the new dog. With getting a bigger dog, is there a chance, they Roxy will get hurt when they are playing?

 Roxy could very possibly get hurt with a large breed puppy. Not on purpose, but one big paw might do some damage. That's why i think an adult might be a little better for you. They wouldn't be as rowdy and clumsy.

When i first got my rhodesian ridgeback, my german shepherd accidentally caused him to slip a disk in his back from rough play. No big deal, just some steroids to help it heal. 

One thing to keep in mind with Greyhounds is that (atleast from what I've read on here) they can have a high prey drive.  Some rescues won't place a Greyhound in a home with a cat for this reason.  But if a Greyhound seems to be the breed for you then you could ask the breeders/rescue (whichever route you go) if the dog is 'cat safe' , maybe even inquire about their reactions to small dogs too.