Danes in Distress - Is a Dane right for you?

Is a Dane right for you?

Thinking about getting a Great Dane?

Buying a Great Dane is not a decision to be taken lightly. Great Danes are absolutely wonderful companions - but are not for every home and family.
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Use the menu above to see if a Great Dane is right for you.

	Basic Information
	Size
Danes are ranked among the Giant breeds and are very large dogs. Their temperament and stature has earned them the title of "Gentle Giants". Males stand from 32" to 42" at the shoulder and can weigh from 140 to 240 pounds. Females typically stand 28" to 36" tall at the shoulder and weigh from 110 to 170 pounds. That cute little puppy is going to GROW and GROW and GROW and GROW! Danes do not usually reach full maturity until they are 18 to 24 months of age. The Great Dane is definitely a pet for committed owners.

	Colour
The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) and the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognize six standard colors: fawn (tan with black mask), brindle (tiger striped), black (a solid black), blue (steel blue/gray), mantle (marked like a Boston Terrier), and Harlequin (a white base coat with torn black patches). There are other colors that are not recognized as acceptable by the CKC and AKC, including white, merle (gray with darker gray patches), colors such as "fawnequin) (a white base with tan patches) and "merlequin" (a white base with merle patches) and variety of other combinations. White Danes are often deaf. Some Danes, particularly merles, whites, and Harlequins can have blue eyes.

	Ears
Danes may have cropped ears (prick ears that stand up) or natural, uncropped ears (floppy hound type ears). For many years in North America, cropping was the accepted practice - especially for Great Danes in the show ring, but recently, due to the unnecessary pain and trauma inflicted to accomplish the cropping, fewer reputable vets now do this procedure and both the CKC and AKC are currently considering standards for uncropped ears. Ear cropping can only be done on puppies. Please reconsider whether you want to have your puppy's ears cropped. This is an expensive surgery done only for cosmetic purposes. The surgery is both dangerous (puppies can bleed to death during the surgery or suffer a heart attack while under anaesthesia) and painful for the puppy. This surgery is now ILLEGAL in Europe and many Dane lovers feel it should be outlawed here, too. If you elect to have this done, please be aware that your puppy will have to wear "forms" on his or her ears and you will have to care for the ears and listen to your puppy scream in pain as you care for the ears that were cut for cosmetic reasons. Some of the bargain-basement people (??) who will perform cropping in your home, use a drug (usually only available to qualified veterinarians) called Innovar, which paralyses the pup's muscular system but does not dampen the sensory system for pain. The dog feels the pain of every cut as it is wide awake throughout the procedure . If you haven't already guessed, we make no bones about where we stand on cropping - we do not agree with it under any circumstances and will not adopt a rescue pup, or assist you with finding a reputable breeder, if you intend cropping.
(To see an actual procedure, visit European boxer Zone

	Lifespan
On average, with proper care and attention, a Great Dane will live for 8-10 years. There are, however, exceptions to this, with many Danes living to 12 and older! While theirs is a relatively short life span in comparison to many other breeds, anyone who has had the joy of having a Dane will likely counter with "Better 8 with a Dane than 18 with another breed.".

	Cost of Owning A Great Dane
	Feeding
Danes eat a lot. Males typically consume 7 to 10 cups of food daily and females typically consume 6 to 8 cups of high-quality foods, such as Nutrience, Nutro, Eagle Pack, Solid Gold, etc., daily. Many Danes are also fed a 'Raw' diet, which consists of selected purchased meats, vegetables and other contents like rolled oats, or a variation of this and believe that this actually better for a dog since you, the preparer, know the contents. It is recommended that meals be served in two sittings (usually breakfast and dinner) rather than all at once to help prevent bloat (see our page on Great Dane Health). Free feeding (where there is food available for eating at any time) is definitely NOT recommended. Typical food intake is approximately 1 - 2 thirty pound bags per month. Premium dog foods are more expensive than the ones typically found on supermarket shelves, but they contain the necessary ingredients to meet a Dane's nutritional needs and contain less 'fillers' (i.e. corn and wheat, which many dogs have problems digesting). It also means you'll spend less time 'scooping' up.

	Veterinary Costs
In addition to high food bills, you can expect higher veterinary costs for your Dane. Most medications, heartworm preventative, flea control, etc. are sold based on the weight of the dog. The more the dog weighs, the more of the medication you will need and the more expensive it will be. In addition, surgery, x-rays, and other medical services are often more expensive for these very large dogs. Boarding large dogs is typically also more expensive. The cost of owning a Dane is a definite factor you must consider carefully before you adopt one.

	Training / Socialization
Great Danes are large, muscular and very strong dogs. Thus, it is advisable that all dogs be given at least basic obedience classes. This helps establish you, the human, as the "leader of the pack" and will help create a bond between you and your new dog. A basic obedience class should make it possible for you to take your Dane for a walk and not the other way around! Too often we rescue Danes which have not been socialized as puppies and the results can be disastrous. It is important to allow your Dane to interact with other dogs, pets, and people right from puppyhood to build a trust relationship. If this element is missing, many dogs (and not just Danes!) can develop aggressive behaviour due to fear. Ask any trainer, who will verify that the hardest habit to break is fear-biting. Most Great Danes, if socialized properly, can be wonderful companions in almost any circumstances and are usually friendly and gentle with all people, children (even babies and toddlers), and other animals. Training and socialization are key to trusting your Dane under a variety of situations. If you do not take your Dane to a basic obedience class, he or she may pull and tug on a leash. These dogs are very strong and can end up taking you for a walk. Contrary to the old wives' tale "You can't teach an old dog new tricks", dogs of any breed can learn at any age. We often get Danes into rescue because the owner "can't control" the dog. This is something that a good basic obedience class can "cure" in a hurry. Danes, however, are extremely sensitive and will react negatively to harsh corrections. So any class or instructor should be familiar with Danes and focus on positive reinforcement with minimal use of harsh corrections and harsh vocal commands.


	Care
	Housing/Shelter
Many people believe that because Danes are large, they are best kept outdoors. Nothing could be further from the truth. Danes are indoor dogs and do best when they are kept as indoor pets, where the family is the core of their existence. Danes are extremely people-oriented and need to be a part of the family. Before acquiring a Dane, please be sure you have sufficient time to spend with him or her. Danes crave and need human companionship. The time requirement is far more crucial than the amount of space you have, although this also can be a consideration in restricted living quarters (one of the most frequently used commands for a Dane is "Move"). Many Danes can be very vocal, and will bark often and loudly when strangers appear. While Danes bark and make lots of noise, they will usually be friendly to people welcomed by their family. They will, however, be protective of their family if the need arises. This protective trait is common to most breeds and you do not need to train your Dane as a 'Guard Dog'. Anyone who gets a Great Dane to act strictly as a guard dog is promoting eventual trouble, at which time the Dane will become the victim by suffering the consequences, usually euthanasia. If you live in an Apartment, Condo, or other housing arrangement where you have neighbours on one, or both, side(s) of you, there are other considerations. Neighbours may not love your dog as much as you do, especially when someone comes home late at night and your Dane wakes everyone in the building! Another factor with grouped buildings is availability for the dog to his toilet area - try to tell your Dane that he/she has to wait until an elevator comes or you have only 15 floors to get down before the time is right.

	Exercise
Although adult Danes tend to be very "laid back", despite their large size they still require extensive exercise. The breed is considered by the CKC to be one of the 'Working' breeds. In the Middle Ages, Great Danes were used for Boar hunting, so their ancestors were accustomed to an active lifestyle. In today's society, a good walk - approx. 4 km - twice a day is sufficient exercise for an adult Dane. They do not require a large home (if you have room for a couch, you have room for a Great Dane). An owner's lifestyle will have to accommodate regular, daily exercising in areas other than a backyard setting, where the Dane can expend his/her energies. Puppies are usually significantly more active than adult Danes and require more exercise to develop their muscles for adulthood. Dane puppies will let you know when they have had enough exercise, and should only be allowed to rough-and-tumble with siblings, or other dogs of the same size, to prevent injury.

	Grooming
Danes have very short hair and need minimal grooming. A good brushing once or twice a week in the winter months is sufficient for most Danes, while you may need to give them a good brushing daily during the warmer months when they shed more. A vigorous brushing should take no more than 20 minutes. Danes do not require baths often. If kept as a house pet, your Dane should require bathing no more than once a month. You may have to wipe muddy paws in between baths, however. Keeping a large (!!) towel handy at your entrance is also a good idea for drying off the Dane on wet days after being outside.

	Precautions
Because Danes are so tall, they can easily "counter surf" and steal anything left out on your kitchen counters - Danes have been known to steal everything from steak to cookies to entire loaves of bread. This also means that Danes can reach higher in closets (to steal your good shoes) and higher in areas where they may reach toxic substances you may think you have placed safely out of reach. Danes are tall and tend to wag their tail often and furiously. They can easily clear a coffee table of trinkets. Anything that can be broken or spilled should be kept well above "tail level". Danes sometimes hit their tail on walls or other hard, unyielding objects and split their tail open. It can bleed profusely. They will usually continue wagging the tail, spraying blood everywhere and making your home look like something from a horror film. This doesn't happen often (happily), but can, and does, happen on occasion. We all do it, but it's worth mentioning here. When a new dog comes into the home, there are certain 'rules' we are going to have for our new pet. Great Danes are especially good at 'getting an inch' and 'taking a mile'! If you don't expect to sleep with a Dane for the rest of its life, don't let it up on the bed - even one time. Same goes for the chesterfield! If you start something with a Dane, those big eyes and the 'don't you like me anymore' look will melt your resolve and you may be stuck with sleeping in the guest room so that your Dane can enjoy the luxury of your favorite bed in the master bedroom. Where food or titbits are concerned, the Dane will have everyone convinced you're starving him if he doesn't get to eat 'human food', even though his bowl is filled with the best dog food you could buy. Even though your Great Dane is great with toddlers and children, he/she should always be supervised when around kids. Due to their size, Great Danes can seriously hurt a child when 'playing'.

	Great Dane Health Issues
Like all pure-bred dogs, Danes are susceptible to a variety of health problems. These range from the life-threatening to conditions easily controlled with daily medication. Some of these are listed below - see others on our Medical page.

	Bloat (or gastric torsion)
This is a life-threatening condition in which air gets trapped in the stomach and/or intestines and the stomach (or intestines) can literally turn on its axis. Symptoms include a swollen abdomen, retching (without being able to actually throw up), restlessness, excessive salivation, and a painful abdomen. If you see any of these symptoms in your Dane, get to a vet immediately. A surgical procedure, called a gastropexy, can prevent bloat in 99 percent of cases. However, this procedure is expensive (usually between $400 and $600). If getting your female Dane spayed, consider getting the gastropexy done at the same time to help cut costs. (For more information on this topic, see the "Bloat" page under the Health option on the main menu.

	Cardiomyopathy
This is a form of heart disease. More common in older Danes, cardiomyopathy can be helped a great deal with medication. However, this is a life-threatening disease, particularly if left untreated or undiagnosed. Symptoms include exercise intolerance.

	Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, is another life-threatening disease. Almost all dogs who develop bone cancer will die within a year. Symptoms include limping and a painful lump felt on a bone (usually an extremity). Treatment includes radiation and possibly chemotherapy as well as amputation. In addition, there is exciting new research using the drug Fosamex that shows promising results.

	Hypothyroidism
In this disorder, the thyroid does not secrete enough hormone. The symptoms include dull coat, weight gain, and dry, flaky skin. This disease is easily treated with medication and the dog can live a long, normal life.

	Wobbler's Syndrome
This is fairly rare. Wobbler's is a lesion in the neck which affects the dog's ability to walk and the dog seems "wobbly" (hence its name). Wobbler's can be treated surgically, although surgery is expensive and often does not help. Acupuncture can help make the dog more comfortable and prolong his or her life. In addition, some exciting new alternative treatments, such as gold bead implantation are being used and are effective in controlling the symptoms of the disease.

	von Willebrand's Disease (vWD)
VWD is a rare blood disorder that sometimes affects Danes and is much like Hemophilia in humans. As with Hemophilia, VWD can be controlled but may require big changes in the dog's normal routines. In addition, blood transfusions may be necessary.

	Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is a disease common in many large and giant breed dogs. To oversimplify, it occurs when the hip joint doesn't fit well in the socket. Symptoms include painful hips and limping. Today, with medication and surgery, dogs with hip dysplasia can be helped and dysplastic dogs are no longer routinely put to sleep.

	Epilepsy (seizure disorder)
Epilepsy (seizure disorder) can occur in Danes. This disease is characterized by grand mal or petit mal seizures. The grand mal seizures can be quite frightening to observe, although they usually are not life-threatening (they just look that way!). Petit mal seizures may look only like the dog "spaces" or "blanks" out. Seizures can also be caused by toxins, electric shock, as well as damage to the kidney and/or liver. If your dog has a seizure, take him or her to the vet immediately to determine its cause. If your dog has a seizure make sure that if you have other dogs, get them away from the dog having the seizure. Also make sure you stay well clear of the dog's head and mouth (or you could be accidentally bitten). Also be very careful until you know your dog's reaction as he/she comes out of the seizure. Some dogs can become aggressive when coming out of a seizure. The dog does NOT recognize you or his/her surroundings. They are frightened and confused and may bite in fear. So be careful about approaching your dog until you are certain of her/his reaction to you. Once the dog has "come out of" the seizure, her or his personality will return to normal.

Spaying - Neutering

As a rescue group, our policy is to Spay/Neuter all Danes adopted out. If this is not possible before adoption due to health or medical reasons, it is part of the contractual agreement you will sign when you adopt a Dane from us. If this procedure has to be done after adoption, we pay the necessary costs to an approved vet.

Many myths abound about the pros and cons of having your Dane 'altered', and, in general, male owners tend to balk more at the idea of neutering (wonder why!) male pets than female owners, but, by going ahead with the surgery, there are many advantages to having this done with both male and female dogs.

Did you know?
For every human born in North America there are 7 puppies and kittens born. As long as these birth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all the animals. As a result, every year 4 to 6 million animals are euthanized because there are no homes for them.

What can you do to stop the suffering?
Spay and neuter your pet! In addition to saving lives, spaying and neutering can also drastically improve your pet's health and life expectancy. The idea that pets become fat or lazy when they are spayed or neutered is a myth. Sterilized pets lead healthier, longer lives. Spaying a female eliminates the possibility of uterine and ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer. Neutering a male reduces the risk of both prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. Neutering also will make your pet less likely to roam, get in fights, or become lost.

A common myth is that, if you have your dog altered, all the bad behavioural issues will disappear. In fact, any behavioural issue your dog already has will probably remain, but fewer new problems are likely to arise. The younger your dog is when altered, the less chance there is of having negative behavioural issues develop.

	Advantages
For You:
•	Altered pets tend to be more sociable with other dogs.
•	Spaying a female dog eliminates its heat cycle, which can last twenty-one days, twice a year. Females in heat often show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
•	Spayed and neutered pets are less likely to bite. Unaltered animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than those that have been spayed or neutered.

For your Pet
•	Altered dogs usually live longer, healthier lives.
•	Spaying female dogs eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer.
•	Neutering male dogs reduces the incidence of prostate and testicular cancer.
•	Neutered animals are less likely to roam, fight or be territorial.

For Your Community
•	Communities spend millions of dollars to control and eliminate unwanted animals. Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks. Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.

	Buying a Puppy versus Adopting a Rescue
	Puppy
There are distinct advantages to buying a puppy (as well as disadvantages). The same can be said of adopting a rescue dog. Puppies are cute and you will generally have them longer than you will a dog you adopt as an adult. However, puppies come without being house trained (and will make some rather large messes in your house to clean up). Puppies are expensive (they must have a series of shots, three weeks apart rather than just yearly and they must be spayed or neutered when they reach an acceptable age--usually 6 to 9 months). Having your puppy microchipped can cost from $45 to $80. Puppies chew--a lot! They chew because (just like humans), they lose their "baby" teeth and new adult teeth grow in--so they teethe. In addition, puppies chew because that is part of how they explore and learn about their environment. And when a Dane puppy chews, you aren't left with "cute little teeth marks." More than likely, the object will be totally destroyed! Puppies can also be susceptible to additional health problems (normally resolved by adulthood). Conditions, such as OCD, are not uncommon and generally require expensive surgery. Finally, puppies are much more active than adults and require a great deal more exercise and supervision. If you decide a puppy is right for you, please resist buying from a puppy mill, pet store or back-yard/non-reputable breeder. Please resist the urge to check the local newspaper and get a puppy "out of the paper". Breeders who resort to this medium for sales are usually breeding for all the wrong reasons. Resist the urge to buy a puppy because you feel sorry for him or her. You are actually only encouraging these people to breed more puppies and continue adding to the already overwhelming problem we already have. If you want to buy a puppy, contact us, and we will help you find a reputable (in our opinion!) breeder in your area. Another option is to find a dog show in your area, attend it and speak with the breeders there. In general, people who "show" will tend to be a bit more ethical and responsible than some of the others - although this is not always the case! Be thoughtful and wait until the person has come OUT of the ring before approaching them. Be sure you ask questions about the incidence of genetic diseases in the "line" (be very specific and show you've done your homework - ask specifically about bloat, osteosarcoma, etc). Be responsible in studying about the specifics of the breed and know what genetic problems you may encounter in any puppy you purchase. Also look at the parents' looks and behaviour - that's what you'll have in a couple of years. If you can't live with that, don't buy a puppy. Also make sure the breeder is responsible enough to "take the puppy back" if you cannot keep the puppy at some point in time. Please do not add to the burden of shelters and rescue groups by buying from breeders who will not take their puppy's back. When you get a dog, you probably fully intend to keep it, but things happen - children develop allergies, you lose your job, you may have to relocate and can't take the dog, etc. and you may not always be able to keep the dog as you intended. These breeders won't be there for you if you have problems. And don't be surprised if the breeder is as choosy about you as you are about them--they should be. If they aren't and don't seem to care where the puppy goes or appear to be breeding for profit, beware and go elsewhere (see our page on Reputable Breeders).

	Rescue
Adult rescue Danes are usually (though not always) house trained when you adopt them and require only yearly shots. All Danes adopted from us will already be spayed or neutered. Adult Danes are generally past the chewing stage and adults are more calm and require less exercise and supervision than do puppies. Many people believe that if they get an adult dog, the dog will not bond with them. This is simply not true. Even dogs of advanced age can (and will) bond with their new family, particularly the dogs who have been neglected and/or abused and have never been shown much kindness and love. When someone shows them kindness and love, they bond extremely tight to that person. Some people believe that if they get an adult dog, they won't be able to train the dog. In fact, a dog of any age can learn and be trained. One big disadvantage to some (not all) rescue Danes (or rescues of any breed) is that they can suffer from "separation anxiety." They may become very anxious when left alone and can engage in destructive behavior (eliminating in the house, chewing). This can be controlled with training and medication. A new product, called Comfort Zone with D.A.P. has also been shown to help with separation anxiety. Most rescue dogs overcome separation anxiety with time and a little effort.

	Our most frequently asked question - Why do dogs come into rescue?
Divorce (and the family is no longer able to care for the dog)
Children develop allergies to the dog
The owner becomes ill or dies
The owner "can't handle" the dog or is unwilling to take an obedience class
The dog gets too large
The owner wants an outdoor dog and the Dane keeps trying to get inside to be with the family
Financial reversals (the family can no longer afford to care for the dog);
The owner gets married and the new partner doesn't want the dog
Someone new moves into the home (e.g. an elderly parent) and doesn't want the dog;
The family moves (because of job considerations or they are in the military) and cannot take the dog with them
An owner abandoned the dog and it was turned into an Animal Shelter (we adopt for Animal Shelters and the SPCA)
The dog being given up just can't get along with 'our brand new puppy' that we got
New children come along and we don't have time for the dog anymore
Friends are afraid of the Dane because he/she is too big

AND SO ON - AS NAUSEAM!!! Most dogs come into rescue because of "people" problems, not dog problems!

	Basic Needs for Any Dog
			A Name
			Fresh, clean water at all times
			A bed, every day/night
			Food twice daily: 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
			Toys, a variety, including hard, non-destructive types
			DAILY direct human contact: petting and exercise
			Time outdoors, DAILY
			Relaxing, quiet music
			The lights off at night
			Clean and dry living space
			Structure and guidance

	In Conclusion

By reaching this section, you are obviously interested enough to look at the pros & cons and must be serious. If you are willing to make the necessary commitment of time, money and all the other considerations that go into having a Dane, you will discover a whole new lifestyle with a breed that will forever change your life and make you realize that your Great Dane will give you back more than you could ever possibly give. This breed has the temperament and characteristics of no other breed, is the most rewarding of companions and will become part of you. Good luck with your decision !!!