Info for Great Dane's?

• 10-25-2007 11:42 AM

  OkielaPitmomma Joined on 10-23-2007 Madill,Oklahoma Posts 204 Points 100

  Info for Great Dane's? Reply Contact In March I plan on buying a GD puppy. I already know alot about the breed but nothing from first hand, Did alot of reading up on them and the health issues that come up. So can anyone tell me what to expect? Or tell us about the first GD you owned! When I think GD I think of a very over size baby with a great temperment. Ive never known of an aggessive GD. I know they can reach upwards of 180pounds and while on there back legs can stand around 6foot+. Also they have a very short life span, That they are also great family dogs. Save A dog, Adopt!! I support B.I.P! *Banning Inhumane People* But Im against BSL! *Bull****Law*

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• 10-25-2007 1:09 PM

  In reply to OkielaPitmomma

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts 7,073 Points 850

  Re: Info for Great Dane's? Reply Contact  My experience with a few GDs at the shelter has been that they are gentle giants when trained and socialized.  We had one that we had issues with b/c he would pull on the lead or lunge to see another dog or animal (no barking, jumping, growling...just throwing his weight into the lead and pulling).  A 140lb Dane pulling takes priority over a Yorkie pulling, but luckily we had trainers and a behaviorist to help so it was remedied.  There's a lovely Dane in my rally class and his handler works extra hard on heeling and positions b/c he has accidentally knocked her flat many times.  It's not exactly a behavioral issue, but again, a 140lb dog accidentally bumping you can result in broken bones and torn ligaments.  I enjoyed being with the ones at the shelter.  They were very docile, quiet, and got tired pretty quickly (unlike the high strung field labs and border collies people dump, they need a 10 mile run before they will settle). vankelderdogs.dutchbingo.net U-CH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop RA CL1-F CL1-R TT HIC TDI CGC (GSD) VPC's Coca-Cola CGC (All American) Alta-Tollhaus' Bono (GSD)

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• 10-25-2007 4:37 PM

  In reply to Liesje

  OkielaPitmomma Joined on 10-23-2007 Madill,Oklahoma Posts 204 Points 100

  Re: Info for Great Dane's? Reply Contact *nods* I wanted to adopt a GD but the GD Rescue here in Oklahoma will not adopt them out to familys with children under 10years of age and its around 500 for the adopt fee! I would rather adopt any day of the week but unless I FIND a stray GD It looks like I will have to find a breeder. When I was a littttttttttle girl my mommy*yes MOMMY, at 22 its MOMMY now and 4ever* Had a GD/Dobie and  she always said that it was the most easly trainable dog she ever owned. Save A dog, Adopt!! I support B.I.P! *Banning Inhumane People* But Im against BSL! *Bull****Law*

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• 10-25-2007 5:20 PM

  In reply to OkielaPitmomma

  rwbeagles Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW, TX Posts 14,850 Points 2,030

  Re: Info for Great Dane's? Reply Contact OkielaPitmomma: I wanted to adopt a GD but the GD Rescue here in Oklahoma will not adopt them out to familys with children under 10years of age and its around 500 for the adopt fee!   You do know that a good breeder will likely ask the same $500 and quite likely a lot more? ETA: I do have some Dane contacts in Tx/OK area if you need them, let me know. Gina H. dog.community Moderator "Carne Asada, is not a crime."

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• 10-25-2007 11:04 PM

  In reply to rwbeagles

  OkielaPitmomma Joined on 10-23-2007 Madill,Oklahoma Posts 204 Points 100

  Re: Info for Great Dane's? Reply Contact Im more then willing to pay upwards of 900. Like I said I would rather adopt one or even foster one througha  rescue but since my daughters are 3 and 2 the group said I could not adopt or foster one.=(    Do these people have a website I can check out? I found one breeder whos got a litter ready to leave in march but I always like to keep my opptions open. Save A dog, Adopt!! I support B.I.P! *Banning Inhumane People* But Im against BSL! *Bull****Law*

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• 11-13-2007 8:08 PM

  In reply to OkielaPitmomma

  BlogDog Joined on 11-13-2007 Posts 17 Points 65

  Re: Info for Great Dane's? Reply Contact Things to watch for with Danes are bloat (where the stomach twists in on itself), skin irritation (can appear much like acne) and wobblers (a genetic spinal disorder).  $500 is about where one would begin as far as cost for a Dane though most go for over $1000.  One thing you will discover about Dane's is their love for sudden leaning and with their size and weight it can easily knock you down.  They require about 2 good walks a day, otherwise they are content to monopolize your couch until it is time for dinner or bed (they like both). Danes are also very addicting, like potatoe chips you cant just stop at one. Chad

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• 11-13-2007 8:25 PM

  In reply to BlogDog

  mehpenn Joined on 09-10-2007 Gastonia, NC Posts 181 Points 5

  Re: Info for Great Dane's? Reply Contact  My MIL has a great dane... he's not been very well socialized and can be quite the handful at times. Training and respect are key. They can make wonderful pets... if you're prepared for them. They get big and they get big fast. Around here, you're looking to spend anywhere from $300 to upwards of $800 for a GD.  I'd just like to reiterate the importance of early training and teaching the dog respect. When something gets that big, that quickly, you've got to stay on your toes. Adopt and old dog.. and teach it new tricks! One person's burden can be another person's best friend.

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• 11-13-2007 9:20 PM

  In reply to mehpenn

  DumDog Joined on 04-02-2007 North Florida Posts 4,481 Points 205

  Re: Info for Great Dane's? Reply Contact  my sister has a dane. she's a good girl. and protective. they arent all ruined... this dog was also very nearly put on death row when she was bounced around from home after home.. in the fourth home she killed five pet turkeys and some geese... in the fifth home she killed a couple of calves... and those owners just called animal control. they didnt admit to owning her.... my stepmom happened to be grocery shopping when she saw her in the back of the ACO truck... since it was a small town she talked the officer into letting her take her home.... Shirley, the dane, was bred by my dad's sister.. her mom had to be put to sleep because she attacked and killed a lab.. and my aunt didnt want anything more to do with they great dane breeding business... so she gave the last pup(shirley) to my dad and my sisters... and then it snowballed from there..... thankfully they had the good sense to get Shirley spayed!! i think as far as most dane bloodlines go.. she has a lot more prey drive left in her than most.. but she never once hurt a human.. and no she was never properly trained or socialised. she just sorta.. crashed through life. Those who will not reason, are bigots, those who cannot, are fools, and those who dare not, are slaves.

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• 11-17-2007 3:40 PM

  In reply to mehpenn

  melmatt Joined on 09-10-2007 Conneticut Posts 29 Points 60

  Re: Info for Great Dane's? Reply Contact Hi! We are on our second black dane. They are wonderful!!! Yes they can get bloat but you must use common sense with them, after they eat they can not bounce around or play for about an hour and you start that trainning right from the start. We feed ours a food called ABADY it runs about 100$ for a 48lb box but it is well worth the price. It is a granular feed that you add water to to make it expand so it does not expand in their bellies (lower chance of bloat). They grow about 1-2in. a month so you need to feed a giant puppy breed formula. You want to research the breeder and ask them lots of questions. How is the lines life spam, any bloat, hip problems, heart or cancer problems. Danes will do what ever you do, like TV they will sit on the couch and watch it too, like to run so will they. You don't need alot of room either we had our first in a 500sq.ft house. They don't need alot of excersice but that depends on the dogs personality. Our KC likes rides and we walk her 3-4 times a week depending on the weather, she hate to be cold. Another thing to keep in mind is the bigger the dog the bigger the vet bill. Pet insurance is a good thing if it is allowed in your state. You will want to take your puppy to lessons asap. And take the puppy to a day care once a week to get them used to other animals. As they grow they go through fear stages. It is weird they could see the same stick for a week in your yard and be fine then be scared out of their mind by it. You will have to get them to go to it and see what it is again. You don't want to say "it's ok" and let them walk away because they won't learn not to be afraid of it. You don't want a skitish dane. We hope we helped good luck

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• 11-17-2007 4:14 PM

  In reply to melmatt

  Chuffy Joined on 12-17-2006 UK Posts 5,453 Points 10

  Re: Info for Great Dane's? Reply Contact Hopefully mudpuppy, DPU and otehr dane owners will be along to add their 0.02.... but if not maybe you could PM them.  I think kpwlee has a dane cross....  Another option for you is to speak to breeders and get an older dog, not a puppy, that is known to be OK with kids and is fairly trained already.... a bit like Liesje did with her GSD Kenya if I remember right.  You might have to WAIT, TRAVEL and PAY for a really good dog that fits in with your lifestyle and family. The biggie that I have heard with danes is the lifespan.  Unfortuantely I don't think its long.  About 9 or 10 years or so?  Just enough time for them to get right under your skin and become a totally vital pat of your life.... It is SO important you get the diet and exercise RIGHT with a dog this big.... especially if you get a puppy.  GOOD LUCK.  Keep us updated on your search... "Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life." (Pratchett, Jingo) "I used to look at [my dog] Smokey and think, 'If you were a little smarter you could tell me what you were thinking,' and he'd look at me like he was saying, 'If you were a little smarter, I wouldn't have to.'" - Fred Jungclaus

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• 11-17-2007 8:40 PM

  In reply to OkielaPitmomma

  kpwlee Joined on 06-16-2006 North Carolina Posts 3,993 Points 380

  Re: Info for Great Dane's? Reply Contact  as Chuffy a said I have a dane cross (best we can tell do not know the parents) Mudpuppy and DPU know lots about the breed.  I have been wanting and considering adding another dane cross or dane to my household and one thing that you will learn quickly by reading about danes in rescue situations is that lots of people don't train them early on and then have a HUGE problem.  You HAVE to train this breed properly super early and keep it up. Socialization is also VERY important.  Danes are very large and very strong.  There seems to be enough of them to fill some rescue places that are 'pushy'. Now pushy when you are 5lbs, 20lbs or even 60lbs is one thing when you are 175lbs its another. I believe you have small kids - they will knock over the kids.  That too seems to get then into rescue.  Like many breeds they can vary in size, energy and temperament so do the research and buy from a good breeder (or look at the rescues the midatlantic one is always FULL of gorgeous dogs!) and find out as much as you can about the lineage.  What I know is that most love to walk and some are very energetic.  The lean is hysterical - we love it.  Ours also likes to just back up onto your lap - especially if you are reading the paper and trying to drink coffee.  he ought to come with the reversing beeps like a truck has LOL Health wise - well again cancer seems to be a biggy.  Bloat which is in any deep chested breed.  They can have wobblers which is a neurological problem. Allergies and skin issues, cherry eye stuff and lots of other things too.  Life expectancy is short.  Nutrition especially as a pup is extremely important. My guy seems to have plenty of dane in him and I have fallen in love with the breed.  Someday I hope I can convince DH that what we really need to do is rescue one from the MAGDR (Mid Atlantic Great Dane Rescue) Good luck - don't skimp if you buy one from what I can tell this breed needs careful breeding to avert disaster.  I've heard and seen some awful things.  Then make sure that you don't just feed it or train it like any other dog.  Its a giant and needs special treatment.  "I think Karen should get a BC next time because she deserves a more mellow laid back dog! Or a Maremma because she needs a more clingy, biddable, easily trained dog." Brookcove 2008

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• 12-24-2007 9:57 PM

  In reply to OkielaPitmomma

  jaspersmom Joined on 12-24-2007 Posts 2 Points 0

  Re: Info for Great Dane's? Reply Contact Jasper is my first great dane. He's almost 7 now and is about 150 lbs.Gorg'eous harlequin coat that requires a lot of brushing! Just because it's short doesn't mean no shedding. He was very easy as a puppy and has always listened well. I think that might be the key with any big dog is to make sure from the beginning that they make sure they understand there position in the house. The worst thing he did as a pup is eating the house-and I do mean that literally.The fireplace wood, the basement door, the siding on the back of the house and the kitchen cabinets. Also, he liked all my brand new furniture. Even with crate training. With a dog that big, it only takes one unsupervised minute to do some major damage! He does ok with the other dogs, but is very aggressive towards cats even though we had them when he was pup. However, my friend's dane does fine with her cat. I think that is just luck of the draw. Jasper's parents were both farm dogs that stayed with the horses to help keep them safe from predators, both the two legged and four legged variety. The lady we bought him from had bred them for a long time but she was just a good country breeder. They were registered but not into showing and her dogs worked! Mom and Dad were both there as well as brother from an earlier litter. I think we paid $300 seven years ago so $500 today seems about right. Don't forget about the vet bills though. Everything literally costs twice as much once they are full grown. Also, about a year ago Jasper developed arthritis in both his back knees so that is about $120 a month in prescription food and about $40 in medicine as well as the twice yearly blood tests to make sure he is tolerating the meds. Our pointer gets the same in smaller amounts thank god! But all in all I wouldn't trade him for the world even when he takes his muddy paws and puts them all over my nice freshly washed sheets. once you have one, you'll always want one

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