Any Great Dane owners?

**Hazard** · 04-07-2010, 06:04 AM

I'm just curious if anyone owns one of these monsters. I've wanted one for a long time and one came walking into the vets office when I was there the other day. I was blown away at how huge they are in person! I definately want one..... I'm not getting one at this moment but just doing my research for now. If anyone owns one or has useful information on owning one - post away!

~Haz~

**DKU** · 04-07-2010, 07:43 AM

My mom has one. He's pretty funny because he is the biggest chicken in the world. He is scared of everything, and it's all-the-more comical because he's so big.

If you buy one, look out for is health problems of the parents. My mom's can only eat a special (expensive) food because of stomach problems.

**jbran23** · 04-07-2010, 09:32 AM

Haz I love big dogs and these things are MONSTERS. I was reading and watching some videos about them and the thing that steered me clear is that their average lifespan is only like 7 years. They have alot of health issues and are very prone to bloat. Their stomachs arent attached to the wall of their ribcage like most dogs so if they run around after eating they can flip their stomach and cause it to twist.

**jbran23** · 04-07-2010, 09:35 AM

My favorite breed is the doberman. I have had 2 of them and they are smarter than alot of people I know. Great loyal dogs and super athletic.

**jbran23** · 04-07-2010, 09:38 AM

Tried to post a pic of a huge ass Dane but cant figure out how to do it.

**IM708** · 04-07-2010, 11:59 AM

Had one for years, dead now. Expect 8 years out of the dog. Better set aside a room for it because of their size. Make a mess since those dogs will take bigger shits than you. Loyal and awesome breed, still miss her to this day.

**Hazard** · 04-07-2010, 12:37 PM

Yeah i'm aware of the life span..... it really sucks that they have such short lives but I look at it like this..... The dog still deserves a good home so i'll try to make it the best I can.

I know they are prone to hip dysplasia and a few other things..... I'll definately look into the parents backround before I get one.

~Haz~

**Mooseman33** · 04-07-2010, 12:51 PM

they always remind me of a ethiopian...

they just never look happy...

get urself a min. pincher, the best dog ever.....

**wantmoremass** · 04-07-2010, 12:55 PM

i read somewhere that great danes and english bulldogs are the best apartment dogs (if you're not an apartment dweller maybe doesn't matter). they don't require a lot of exercise because of their heart's lifespan. a friend of mine had a great dane. she was a wonderful dog.

**Kratos** · 04-07-2010, 12:58 PM

I'd be tempted but they only live like 8 years

I took my parents 10 year old hot dog to the emergency room cause my crazy brother kicked it.

there was a 6 year old great dane there, and they said it was there almost every week
it seemed sweet
and like a small horse in size
but I felt so bad for it

the hot dog is doing well

**-Ender-** · 04-07-2010, 01:11 PM

I talked to a breeder once who stated that Danes were not the best with small children. Anybody have any comments on that? Only ever been around one dane and he was a prince.

**-Ender-** · 04-07-2010, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by Hazard

I'm just curious if anyone owns one of these monsters. I've wanted one for a long time and one came walking into the vets office when I was there the other day. I was blown away at how huge they are in person! I definately want one..... I'm not getting one at this moment but just doing my research for now. If anyone owns one or has useful information on owning one - post away!

~Haz~

Thought you had am Amstaff?? doesn't get much better than that.

**Hazard** · 04-07-2010, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by -Ender-

Thought you had am Amstaff?? doesn't get much better than that.

He's a pittbull..... actually it's my fathers. Same difference tho LOL..... i'm over my parents house often to workout and bum the extra food that my body requires bwahahaha! That dog is frickin nasty looking sometimes LMFAO - I LOVE IT! He's the biggest mush tho..... everyone loves him.

I'm just dying to get a dane tho..... i've always been amazed at how big they are and even if it has a short lifespan..... i'd love to give it a great life. Also.... danes aren't common..... you don't see them often at all - it makes me want one even more.

~Haz~

**xpijeonx** · 04-11-2010, 08:02 PM

I have two danes, I have had them for coming on five years, they really are gentle giants. I cant imagine having any other breed but then again I have friends who have breeds from pits to yorkies and feel the exact same way. I truly believe dogs are mans best friend. No matter what they are happy to see you. They dont care if you have been gone for 5 minutes or 5 days. I could go on and on here but it is truly unconditional love coming from them.

My two are pretty darn mellow, I will agree with the apartment statement. I live in a small house and its basically like having two people over all the time. If I dont walk them every day they are ok with it. Though I can tell they want to go but if I dont have time they dont destroy shit.

As for the bloat and expensive food. I feel it goes hand in hand, bloat can occur from the quick expansion of the stomach, to help this I feed mine a very nutrient dense food, it is still bought in a bag but it has little to no fillers or bi-products. Their food costs twice as much per bag but I am getting the same caloric/nutrient count as two bags. It cancels it out. Being twice as nutrient dense though means I feed them 5 cups of food a day instead of 10/11 which helps reduce the chance of bloat.

The average life span of a dane is 7-9 years from most things I have read, the biggest issue I see with the breed but I have met owners who have 12-15 year olds.