How to Select a Great Dane

While Great Danes can look intimidating because of their large size, they're extremely friendly and sensitive dogs. The Great Dane comes from Germany and was bred to hunt wild boar. Today the Great Dane is primarily a companion dog. Avoid choosing this breed unless you're prepared to spend a lot of time with your pet. Great Danes love to be around people and if left alone too long can quickly get into trouble.

Things You'll Need

• Dental Kits (for Dogs)
• Dog Brushes
• Dog Collars
• Dog Dishes
• Dog Food
• Dog Leashes
• Dog Shampoo
• Dog Tags
• Dog Toys
• Nail Clippers For Dogs

Instructions

1. Consider a Great Dane if you're looking for a loyal watchdog. Size alone should prove intimidating to strangers.

2. Choose a Great Dane if you have children or other pets. These dogs get along well with both. However, if you have a male Great Dane, understand that he may not get along with other male dogs.

3. Realize that owning a Great Dane is a big commitment. Because of their large size, they require early obedience training so they don't become a threat to themselves or people.

4. Know that you'll spend a lot more money on food than with other breeds. Great Danes eat 3 to 6 cups of food twice a day - most dogs eat half that.

5. Be sure the Great Dane you choose shows no signs of aggression. Overall, he should be regal and alert in appearance, with well-formed muscles and straight front legs. The head should be finely chiseled and the neck should be long and muscular. The Great Dane's coat should be shiny.

6. Note that Great Danes come in six distinct colors: black, blue, brindle (yellow-gold and brindled with black cross stripes and a black mask), fawn (yellow-gold with a black mask), mantle (mostly black with white chest/neck; can have a white blaze down the nose), and harlequin (white with black patches throughout the body).

7. Understand the health problems related to Great Danes. They're prone to hip dysplasia (a malformed ball and socket in the hip joint), hypothyroidism (a condition that causes the body to slow down), Von Willebrand's disease (a bleeding disorder), heart disease, tumors and bloat.

8. Look at potential breeders very carefully. Be sure to ask if they're members of breed clubs, specialty clubs or obedience clubs. Affiliation with a club means you can check references to make sure you're not dealing with a puppy mill (a place where puppies are constantly bred for financial gain without consideration of the integrity of the breed).

9. Understand that you'll pay between $300 and $1,500 for a purebred Great Dane.

10. Note that it's OK to have a Great Dane in an apartment, despite the dog's large size. This breed will remain fairly inactive indoors.

11. Consider adopting a Great Dane from a pet rescue organization. However, be sure to carefully screen rescued dogs for personality. An aggressive Great Dane can cause damage because of his size.

12. Keep in mind that these great dogs usually have a relatively short life span of around five to six years, so appreciate every minute with them.

Tips & Warnings

• Be aware that a male Great Dane will grow to 30 to 34 inches and weigh between 120 and 160 lbs. Females will reach 28 to 32 inches and weigh between 100 and 130 lbs.

• Great Danes are not barkers unless the situation warrants it.

• Contact the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (see Related Sites) for more information about hip dysplasia.

• Great Danes will sometimes lean into children and knock them over.