8 things you should know about Great Dane before buying.
She is very big, quite heavy and at the same time incredibly adorable: the Great Dane. She is the perfect family dog – however, you should consider some important things before buying.
Although the Great Dane can seem quite scary with a height of around 80 centimeters at the withers, her character is the complete opposite. It is one of the most sociable dog breeds there is, thanks to its gentle, sensitive and affectionate nature. Nevertheless, these majestic animals are not to be underestimated, which is why you should keep some facts in mind before deciding to buy such a four-legged friend.
Keep in mind when buying: Think big!
Fact 1: The Great Dane will be huge! While males reach a shoulder height of at least 80 centimeters, females average 72 centimeters. However, there are always individual cases that grow much taller. The once largest Great Dane Giant George measured a withers height of 109 centimeters! However, the big four-legged friends don’t always realize this: they sometimes seem to think that they are really a Chihuahua – an endearing phenomenon that occurs in many large dog breeds. So don’t be surprised if a Great Dane tries to claim your lap as its favorite spot.
Fact 2: Due to its size, the Great Dane needs a lot of space. It is not easy to find a suitable basket for this dog, yet he likes to be comfortable. So before buying, make sure that the planned sleeping space for the four-legged friend is large enough. An oversized pillow would be ideal or else a child’s mattress. This will easily fill the Great Dane when fully grown. By the way, keeping the four-legged friend outdoors is out of the question: since his coat does not have an undercoat, these dogs are dependent on living indoors with their owner.
Close relationship with the owner
Fact 3: Speaking of owners, Great Danes don’t like to be separated from their masters. Wherever you go, your four-legged friend will follow you wherever you go, even if you’re just getting a cup of coffee. So think about it before you buy the animal: would the dog often be alone? Or can you possibly take the animal to work with you? If the Great Dane is left on its own for too long, it may not only start getting into mischief and tearing up your home – it also tends to get depressed.
Fact 4: Great Danes drool – and they do it a lot! Whether she’s sleeping, eating, walking the dog, or just hanging out, nothing is safe from her. If a dachshund drools, it is wiped off without further ado, if, on the other hand, the Great Dane drools, you can change completely.
The Great Dane is very expensive
Fact 5: The quadrupeds eat extremely much! While a food bag of 20 kilograms lasts at least six weeks for some dog breeds, it is used up within three weeks for a Great Dane. That goes of course into the money. If you want to barf your dog, it will be even more expensive.
Fact 6: Their life expectancy is not as high as other dog breeds. As a rule, they live between six and eight years, although there have been congeners that have lived to be ten years old. The reason for the comparatively short life expectancy is the rapid growth of the animals, which can result in health restrictions such as joint problems, bone pain or stomach bloating. Unfortunately, this can also lead to high veterinary costs in extreme cases.
Impetuous and comfortable at the same time
Fact 7: Great Danes love walks, but they love lounging around on your sofa at least as much. So don’t get the idea of taking her jogging – you’ll probably have to do it alone. But longer car rides are no problem for this breed. Give her a comfortable place in the spacious trunk – and the Great Dane is completely satisfied.
Fact 8: Last but not least, the animal – especially in the first year or two – has difficulty controlling its massive body. A full-grown Great Dane weighs up to 90 kilograms. However, if the animal is still young, it can not yet properly assess this and likes to rush to greet you – so be careful!
