While doing some dog shopping tonight I spotted what must be the biggest dog I have ever seen.
I'd like to see the reaction on some would-be burglar's face when he sees THAT looking back at him. It would be a blast to have a Great Dane. They have a happy personality and scare the crap out of people even though they are big friendly dufus dogs. But I don't think it would be fair to a dog that size to live in a standard tract house with a 50'x50' back yard. Plus, there is a good chance such a dog could get bored while I'm at work and decide to scratch and chew its way out of the house. (A neighbor had a Great Dane called Oliver, and their house is a tiny one by modern standards, about 1400 square feet. Oliver seemed to be just fine.)Greyhounds are very mellow; I am leaning in that direction. Bonus: Less shedding.
17 comments:
I;ve been told by friends who have them that Great Danes can get by better in a small space than any other large dog. They are happy loping around a small yard, and don't need quite the exercise or stimulation some retriever and similar breeds need. You just need room for the horse sized piles they drop.
Well, I like cats. Winston Churchill is rumoured to have said: "I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals."
I have two cats. They treat me as equal. And thus they make me feel superior. That's why I like cats. (Where ARE the smileys here???)
We have in the past researched Great Danes - there are advantages and disadvantages. The good part is that the dog would be fine in a small space, as typically they don't WANT exercise. Like you said, they are a big dufus dog and prefer laying around to pretty much any other activity.
The big disadvantage is that due to their construction, the life expectancy on them is relatively short in the dog world (8 years or so iirc). Someday I will have one. We have a Great Dane rescue locally, and that might be something to look into as well.
btw, I prefer the fawn coloration.
One of my favorite topics, Lou - dogs :-).
I've had dogs most of my life, often several at a time. All breeds have their advantages and disadvantages. Just be sure to spay/neuter.
Heard great things about rescued Greyhounds. Known people who had them, and they are sweet and mellow.
Not all big dogs require a lot of room to gallop freely; one of the neat characteristics of dogs is that they are so adaptable.
One of our pack is a Saint Bernard, 165 lbs of hair and drool. They aren't all friendly; ours is reserved, protective, a good watchdog, and very intelligent, easily trained. Sort of "a mastiff in a fur coat." The flying saliva scenes in "Turner and Hooch" weren't exaggerated. We're out in the country, with a big fenced yard around the house and dog doors. Some might think that's a security problem, but what burglar in his right mind would crawl through a giant-sized dog door? lol.
But obviously you don't want something with a Saint Bernards coat living in the Houston climate. Poor baby!
I have four collies in Virginia, and they too are pretty laid back (well, once beyond puppy chewing). All four exist well in a standard backyard. There is a "smooth" version that's good for hot climates. Or you can keep a rough coat trimmed down in the summer.
There are lots of collies in "rescue" in Houston looking for homes.
Our dogs, including the Saint, spend most of their time indoors in southeast Louisiana. We leave the a/c on at 80 in the summer to take the edge off the heat.
That's how most dogs are happiest, because they are pack animals, not solitary. They form their pack with their human family, living in the family's "den," or indoors. Keeping a dog alone in the backyard most of the time is cruel imo.
Lou, since you're interested in the breed anyway, I'd recommend a young adult rescue Greyhound, from the track. It will probably already be used to a crate (may need to be housetrained, and crating makes it easier), used to being handled, etc.
Here is a site with tons of good info, and links to adoption agencies in your area.
Also read this page. Never trust your Greyhound off-leash. Never.
When I first moved to the DC area and rented an apartment in Bethesda, MD, there were a few occasions where I would see this short, petite, college-age woman walking her Great Dane. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself every time I saw it (I thought, "Exactly who is walking who here?")
I always wondered where she lived because most people in that area lived in apartments, and wondered if that really worked for her dog, but the comments here suggest you really don't need much room.
Lou: Check out a Great Pyrenees. One of the finest dogs in the world. Lost mine not too long ago and it was like somebody ripped my heart out.
Had friends with a Great Dane. The tail is a weapon of mass destruction indoors since it is big and they are equally big on wagging it. So things do get knocked over and occasionally you get racked. Some people doc their tails but I'm not big on that.
Both of their Danes were super loving giant doofuses that wouldn't harm a flea. My 22lb Basenji used to terrorize them. Ironic, Basenjis are awesome protection dogs except they look cute but can't bark. Otherwise they are like Raptors. Still, the Danes were pretty darn scary looking.
If you want to adopt, there is a Great Dane rescue group here in Houston as well as Saint Bernard rescues that I am familiar with.
Get a weimaraner to commemorate the coming hyperinflation...
(For the record, I have a black lab, English or "blockhead" style -- she's gorgeous and exceedingly sweet)
Some greyhounds are mellow dogs, and others have difficulty transitioning to life after the racetrack. Be very selective, and you can get a great dog.
A friend of mine adopted a greyhound w/o much screening, and it didn't go well. The dog was skittish and had behavior issues. Made me think the animal had been abused.
Since you're on the west side, I recommend you visit CAP on the south side of the Katy Freeway between Dairy Ashford and Kirkwood. Aww, Missy and Prissy (from the link) are so cute!
I visited an "Adopt a Greyhound" event at a bookstore a few weeks ago with the kids. I don't know if the dogs they had there were chosen specifically for their temperament, but they were wonderful. One of the dogs walked up to my son and just leaned on him. Very calm dogs.
Get a komondor, and you can have a walking mop sweeping the house. :-)
Ive had danes for 9 years and was wondering where u are getting ur "facts" from. Great danes are NOT just big dufus dogs that lay around all day. They have a ton of energy(Just like any puppy but a dane is over 100lbs at 6 mo) and many are very protective and aloof to strangers which can come off as aggressiveness. And NO they do not have LESS SHEDDING. Danes shed a TON,... I repeat a TON. A high quality food and regular grooming can help with this but they shed a LOT. Danes require nothing more than a twice daily 15 min walk for excercise. When young and growing a lot of excersize can be detrimental and actually damaging to their rapidly growing skeletal structure. You are right that if left alone for long periods danes WILL,... not might,.... be VERY destructive,... Not your shoes, hairbrush,... But Your walls, baseboards, furniture, doors etc. They require a LOT of attention and are not an "outside" breed. They are VERY sensitive to extreme heat and cold and their already short life expectancy is shortened tremendously if forced to live outside. If u dont like dogs in the house a dane is not the breed for you. Everyone please research before posting your "facts". The sterotype that ALL danes are big goofy, dumb, love everyone they meet, type of dog is so far from the truth its not funny and leaves a lot of dane puppies in the hands of people who had no idea what they were getting into because of reading blogs like yours. The big dumb, goofy, sleep all day lazy dane is only a small percentage of danes. Most are very protective, very high energy, and extremely time consuming. My oldest dane is 9 years old and still has a ton of energy. RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH before buying a dane....
In my view one and all must glance at this.
Post a Comment