Has anyone had a Great Dane? We lost our lab 2 years ago and are ready to get back on the horse. We have applied to a great dane rescue to be a foster home and are hopeful we will get approved. Would love any feedback from those that have had experience with them.

A lady I used to ride with had several rescue Danes. Great dogs! Big couch potatoes. She said the only problem with them is that they are heartbreakers because of their short life spans.

Friend raised them. Everything RRB said is true. Extremely intimidating, but it's all heart (with a bit of slobber). Short life span is made up by how gentle they are. Great "watch dogs". If someone breaks in, they will watch everything.

Thanks! The short life span is the worry we have also.

Big dog = Big Poop Short Life span.

Watch Scooby or Marmaduke Cartoons for ideas of their behavior

Personally, I would go with another Lab or a Husky

I think they're also prone to joint issues, like any big dog only more so. Knees, hips, back. The ones I've met were not just couch potatoes but "lap" dogs.

Agree! The ones I have met all think they are supposed to sit in your lap, never mind that they can easily see the top of the fridge. Very good tempered though.

Love Danes! I grew up with 2 of them. Both lived to be about 13 yr, though the second one died of cancer.

They are big babies, loveable, good temperament, great with everybody. They have no idea how big they are, so do not be surprised if they want to be lap dogs. They do need room to get around, in and out of the house, due to their size. And their tail hurts when it hits you, so pay attention to wagging. smile

Invest in training, especially lead training. If not lead trained, they will drag you as they are very strong animals but don't realize it. Be sure to check which type you are getting. European Danes are a touch larger than American Danes.

http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/great-dane/

Hamlet was a Great Dane. And Beowulf, too.

::confused smiley:: are you looking for a Great Dane or a horse?

And Grendel???

here come the children.

Dane Cook, not such a "great" Dane.

A friend of mine has a Great Dane and he is the friendliest dog in the world. He is really good with the small, much younger, hyperactive dog she adopted. The Dane acts like a protective and very patient big brother to the little dog, letting her run around and climb all over him.

Sox, why do you want a horse?

:mazda gin cigarette emoticon:

On my drive home there is a house that has two dogs that are always out side playing. One a Great Dane, the other a Yorky. It is funny to watch them chase each other.

DD... growing up my best friend's family had a great dane and a lhaso apso. The great dane was terrified of that little dog. Always found that puzzling!

my nephew has had 3, about to get a 4th...don't believe any of them have lived to be 8...so yes, very short life span...and they eat a lot...

is eligibility based on FICO score?

I haven't received my LE yet.

:calls the GDFPB:

Hans Christian Andersen

Our daughter has one and he has just learned to fetch in the pond. It's fun to watch him swim. He even will lay on the raft out in the pond when he is tired of swimming. Maybe that will help strengthen his limbs?

We would get one in a heartbeat. pardon the pun.... The short lifespan is what is keeping us. On the other hand we want a King Shepherd but can't find one? Let alone the price tag. Good grief. It is sad what they have done to the German Shepherd lines. I hope the Great Danes are still the same dogs.