Hi, my name’s Irena, and I have three lovely dogs. They are all mixed breeds, as I rescued them from the streets of Chania in Crete, where I live.
There are a lot of strays here on Crete so it’s not difficult to adopt an animal or three! However, today, I will talk about the pros and cons of Great Danes.
They are wonderful dogs to have as pets, and they are not called gentle giants for nothing.
They might be big, but they are very good-natured. If you have children, don’t worry; they love to play and are very affectionate.
The Great Dane is a German breed known for its size. Zeus, who measures from his paws to his shoulders, is recorded as the tallest Great Dane.
Unfortunately, he died at just 5 years old. He had his own Facebook page, and I followed him. It was always fun to see what he had been up to.
Great Danes are short-haired and have strong, muscled bodies. Adult males weigh around 120 pounds, while females weigh around 100 pounds.
They can even exceed these weights. You can easily tell the difference between males and females as the males have a larger frame and heavier bone structure.
They have floppy, triangular ears. These used to be cropped when the dogs were used in hunting, as accidents could happen during the hunt.
It is still common to crop the ears in the US, but in certain countries in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, cropping is banned or controlled.
In my opinion, there is no need to crop as it is a very painful process for the dogs.
Great Danes usually get on with other dogs and animals like cats.
They generally aren’t aggressive, nor do they have a natural prey drive despite being used in hunting in the past. They are loving dogs and, with training, can become the ideal family pet.
However, let’s dive into the purpose of this article, the Great Dane pros and cons!
Pros of Great Danes
Owning a Great Dane has pros and cons, but I think the pros outweigh the cons.
1) They are Easygoing
The first pro is that Great Danes are easygoing dogs despite their size. They fit right in with a family, although older children are probably a better fit.
Your Great Dane won’t hurt smaller children intentionally, but they are so big that perhaps they could fall on a child while playing.
They will form strong bonds with children, teaching them how to relate to dogs.
2) They Can Make Good Guard Dogs
On the other hand, with the right training, they can be excellent guard dogs while still loving their family.
It does, however, need an experienced large breed owner to teach the dog how to guard and protect the home while still being friendly with their owners.
Great Danes were originally bred to hunt wild boars and to guard property, so it is not against their nature to be guard dogs.
Their bark alone is intimidating, so it could deter intruders straight away. I also have a dog who loves to bark, and I’m sure he would stop burglars, too—at least, I hope so.
3) They can Live Alongside Other Pets
Great Danes can live side-by-side with other pets, but it is a good idea to let them socialize from an early age with other dogs in the family and any different animals you have.
Great Danes get so big that if you introduce a fully grown Great Dane to a cat, the cat could become scared and strike out, causing many problems.
4) They are Easy to Groom
It is very easy to groom a Great Dane. Their coats are short and smooth. They only really need to be brushed once a week with a soft bristle brush.
You can also wash them once a week. Many gentle dog shampoos are on the market, so they shouldn’t suffer from any skin irritations after being washed.
5) They are Easy to Train
Training is easy with Great Danes because they are so gentle and laid-back. They learn very quickly, but they don’t need to be trained aggressively because they are sensitive.
Reward good behavior with a treat, and don’t punish them harshly if they don’t obey.
They are very attuned to the moods of their handlers, so they will pick up if you are not happy with them, and it may be more difficult to train them.
Because they are so big, they should be trained to walk on a leash, although they can be let off in an off-leash park.
If you have a fenced-in yard all the better as they can get extra exercise out there on their own or playing games with the family.
6) They Can be Kept in Apartments
This raises the question of whether or not they can be kept in apartments.
It is perfectly viable for them despite their size as long as they are taken out for long walks and perhaps spend some time in an off-leash park.
So, if you only have a small house or an apartment, don’t give up on your dream of owning a Great Dane.
Cons of Great Danes
1) They Have a Short Lifespan
Probably the biggest con of owning a Great Dane is its short lifespan.
Larger dogs generally don’t live as long as smaller dogs, and you must be prepared to accept that your Great Danes will only reach between 6 and 9 years of age.
It is always difficult knowing that you will probably live much longer than your pets, but if you accept this, you should probably have a good few years of companionship with your Great Danes.
2) They can Have Serious Health Issues
Knowing that Great Danes are susceptible to serious health issues is also important. The number 1 cause of death for Great Danes is cancer, in particular, lymphoma.
They can also get heart disease and bone and joint problems. When your Great Danes are puppies, don’t over-exercise them too much, as this can cause joint problems.
They can also suffer from allergies, and you may need to visit the vet formedies.
3) They are Prone to Getting Bloat
In addition, because they have a deep chest and are large, they are also prone to getting bloat, which can be fatal.
Bloat occurs when the stomach twists and fills with air and gas, and the dog can die within hours. Taking your dog to the vet is essential if you suspect bloat.
Symptoms include a swollen stomach, which is sensitive if you touch it, and increased salivation. To help prevent bloat, do what I do: feed your dogs two or three times a day rather than just once.
If you just feed them once a day they will get hungry and will gulp their food down. When they do this, they also take in lots of air, which can cause bloat.
Slow feeder bowls are a good idea as they significantly slow down the speed at which your dogs eat.
Another thing to do to stop bloat is to let your dog rest for at least 40 minutes after eating. Don’t take them out for a walk directly after their meal.
4) They Need to be Trained
You do need to give your Great Danes life-long training to prevent them from becoming shy or territorial.
You don’t want a dog the size of a Great Dane to be unruly. Although they are generally gentle beasts, they still need to know the household rules.
Check out this article if you want to help train your Great Dane.
5) They can Cost a Lot to Keep
Another con is the financial aspect of raising a Great Dane. They will eat a lot more than, for example, a Yorkshire Terrier, so the food bills will be high.
In addition, they are going to need higher doses of the drugs they require and things like flea treatments which will cost more.
6) They Shed
I have said that Great Danes have short coats, but they still shed. Because of the size of the dogs, you will still notice a lot of hair. Be prepared to sweep or vacuum after them.
Great Dane Pros and Cons: Final Thoughts
I hope you have enjoyed reading about Great Danes. They are large, gentle beasts that make great family pets, although they can also be taught to be watchdogs.
They get on with other animals and children. They need plenty of exercise but can still be kept in an apartment if they have long daily walks.
The main disadvantage of owning Great Danes is that they don’t live that long. You have to prepare yourself to have them for a short time, but the love they will give you makes it worthwhile.
It may be distressing for your children to lose their pets so early, but it will teach them about life and death.
If you are anything like me, you will get another dog. You never forget the dog you lost, but I think there is always enough room in your heart to give love to another animal.
Another disadvantage is financial. The bigger the dog you have, the more it will cost you, but if it works for you financially, go for it, as you will be getting a loving and loyal pet.