Can someone talk to me about Great Danes?

[katietornado]

I'm so sorry about Lula...I followed the thread on ML and was so heartbroken for you.

Danes are gentle giants, and tend to be easygoing, lazy dogs.

HOWEVER...there are a lot of things to consider here. Danes are known to have a very short lifespan (8 years, on average). A full sized Dane that hasn't been trained will be unruly and impossible to manage.

Additionally, both breeds you mention are known for very serious health issues due to poor breeding. From hip dysplasia in Goldens to horrible deformities in Danes, you need to make sure you're going to an extremely legit breeder or rescuing. I am assuming you know why backyard breeders are terrible, and that you know how to find a reputable breeder.

I'm going to throw retired racing greyhounds out there. They are bigger dogs (females average 55 to 65 pounds, males 70 to 85 or so), and very very lazy. They generally need one shorter walk each day, whereas a Golden is going to need a TON of exercise. Greys are docile and used to being handled at the track (nail trims on my grey are nothing like nail trims on my Kelpie). They retire between the ages of 18 months and 5 years, and average 14 years, so you'd get plenty of time with your grey. They are crate trained at the track, and all of the greys I've fostered (over 30 of them) have been housebroken with no trouble. They are sweet and friendly with people, and seem genuinely content to finally have people who care about them and love them. They are bred for health and performance rather than looks (like Goldens and Danes), so greys tend to be very healthy in the long term. Bonus: greys are quiet (most are not barkers, though some like to "roo" when excited) and they shed very little. Another bonus: greyhounds are tracked carefully from birth, so you'll know where your grey was born and his/her birthdate, plus you can look up its lineage online and see siblings, parents, etc.

Good luck finding your next pup. Lula was so adorable and I am again so sorry about what happened

Bonus PIPs:

This is Veronica (aka Vivi). We fostered her three years ago and she had the most adorable little face and overbite.



This is Artiste. About half of the greyhounds we've had have slept like this. They call it "roaching," like a dead cockroach.



This is Bonnie. She was returned to our group at age 10 and readopted by my neighbors. She will turn 14 next month and is still going strong despite having been neglected for 7 years.



This is Darci. She was a really good racer and raced til she was 5. This is her first day at our house in August 2010. Greys love water!



ETA:  Duh, forgot my own pup.  This is Nite.  He raced under the name Darcass the Nite, and he turned 8 last month.  This is him with our cat Max.  They spoon together daily and we suspect they are in a relationship.  He is 92 pounds of shy sweetness.

[mcmel]

First, my heart just broke for you when I read your update on ML. I'm so so sorry.

Now, I don't have much advice, but I figured you'd be interested in anything. My friend has a Dane and when I leave their house I always have huge welps on my legs from her tail. She just gets so excited and her tail feels like a belt to my thighs. She's so sweet, but damn she hurts.

My parents have a Golden and my god, I've never met a sweeter dog. She's the definition of wonderful, but has had some serious health issues.

Good luck with whatever you choose and I hope you're doing well.

[katietornado]

Feb 16, 2014 23:34:28 GMT -5 @stpete said:

Feb 13, 2014 12:48:50 GMT -5 katietornado said:

I'm so sorry about Lula...I followed the thread on ML and was so heartbroken for you

I've been looking at breeds everywhere. I found out that the greyhound recuse here ha some of their dogs go through a prison training program and finish knowing all the main commands. They should be ready for the good canine citizen something test. That would be fantastic. And they look really cute in sweaters and would love being with me often, to work, dog friendly restaurants, the dog park. I feel like they would fit really well with our family.

That's great!  I'm on the board of a rescue in Ohio, and we do a prison program also.  Let me know if you have any questions about it.  I've stayed in touch with my own grey's prison trainer and it's been really good for her to participate in the program, I think.