Should I get a Great Dane?

Question

Ok I got bit by a Dalmatian a few years ago and have been scared of big dogs ever since then. I want to get over it so I thought about getting a golden retriever. Well to figure out the best dog that matches my personality I took a quiz and even though golden retriever came in second. My best match was a great dane? I know this dog is suppose to be easy to train so I'm not worried about me being small but I asked my veterinarian if me being on my monthly triggered the Dalmatian to attack me? He said yes because it was a male dog. So would I be ok to get a female Great Dane?

Answer 1

I think great Danes have a reason to be called GREAT. Big dogs don't live as long though.

Answer 2

The first two times I ever saw a dog bite someone or another dog I was just a kid and both bitters were Dalmatians.  My son was bitten by our neighbors Golden Retriever (not dog people who created an unbalanced dog).  I have never met a Dane I wouldn't trust, they seem to be great dogs - for an experienced owner.  And if you think Dalmatians are big - Danes are HUGE!  

I have a sweet Lab of moderate activity level (for a Lab she's a couch potato), and a nice devoted Aussie Shepard/Terrier cross.  He was a rescue at age two and has been a great dog.   I grew up with Goldens so I still trust the breed if properly raised.

Getting a dog if you have never owned one before is a big deal.  Learn about dog "language" and how to train and house break a puppy first.  A puppy is like a toddler, only without the diaper and with really destructive teeth.

Answer 3

I have a Great Dane and I can honestly tell you "no" don't get one. They are an amazing breed of dog but they cause havoc unintentionally. Their tail clears all items on side tables and coffee tables. They also like to lean on their owners and children which can easily knock a child over or even an owner. I love my dog but she is a very big handful and they are not a breed to take on just so you can overcome your fear. Get a Golden Retriever.

Answer 4

Maybe you could try volunteering around big dogs first. That way if you decide you can't handle it, the dog doesn't suffer.

A dane is considered a giant breed. Learn as much as you can about giant breeds before getting one. www.bigdogsporch.com can help you with that.

The gender of the dog should not matter. It had nothing to do with your meds most likely even if your dogs vet said it did.

By the way, a greyhound is a high energy breed, they are the fastest dogs in the world and bred to run. If you don't like to run, don't get a greyhound.  

Answer 5

You shouldn't choose a dog breed based on a personality quiz. A dog's personality isn't only based on it's breed, but the animal's individual personality. If you want to get over your fear, you should visit an animal shelter that carries larger dogs or help out a friend with a large dog by taking him or her for a walk (the dog, not the friend). In my opinion, you shouldn't buy a Great Dane to get over your fear, especially since you might be uncomfortable around her. Since you are scared of big dogs, buying a Great Dane would be like jumping into a 10 foot deep pool if you barely knew how to swim. Remember, if you are uncomfortable, your dog will be too.

(But it's your choice either way)

Answer 6

I have honestly never heard of a male dog attacking a woman because she was on her period. It's possible, I suppose, but seems far-fetched.

And it's silly to get a dog you are potentially afraid of. You may do well if raising this dog from a pup, but what happens if you don't? That's not fair to the dog--I'd work on the fear first.

And educate yourself--on training, as well as the breed of choice.

Answer 7

hi,

to know what type of dog will suit you, you can use this dog finder match up http://tinyurl.com/6gkcok

the goal here is to help you figure out what type of dog best suits you and your personality. The results of the match up will suggest certain breeds.

hope this helps

Answer 8

JMHO, but I don't think you should be getting a dog if you are doing so just to get over your fear of them.;....

Answer 9

maybe get a female great dane. these dogs are huge though, tallest breed in the world i hope you have space and time for it. perhaps a golden retriever would be better?

Answer 10

I would not get one yet.. b/c you might not be able to handle it b/c of your bad experience. Great Danes are huge! If you are scared of big dogs...why in the world would you just want to buy one.. it's not going to cure your fear having one around. Heaven forbid you can't deal with the fear and have to get rid of it...Just b/c it's a puppy doesn't mean that it'll be small! Large breed puppies are bigger than normal and they grow FAST!

I would try to visit a Great Dane rescue or some other rescue just to see how you feel around them...even a close friend w/ a larger dog would be a good idea.

I have a friend that tried to do this a few months ago. She got a large breed mix puppy and she kept it for a week and couldn't deal with it! Luckily the lady she got it from was willing to take it back-otherwise she would have had to take it to the pound!

I wouldn't just trust a breed matching website.. it's good that you're trying to figure it out... but if you're leary about dogs... the golden retrieve will be better for you. Both are very loyal and protective... but golden retriever seem to be more gentle and mellow.

You could also get a sheltie. Those are great too and a good medium size dog.

Good luck! Be brave! Dogs are completely worth it!!!!

Answer 11

Well, I don't think you should base the dog you get on some quiz, cuz those things are just for fun, not accuracy. However, I know a lot of people are afraid of Great Danes due to their size, which could be intimidating if your friends were over. But I have never met an aggressive Great Dane, they are one of the sweetest, gentlest dog breeds out there. So I would say yes, go for it!

Answer 12

you need to be ready for

1) slobber

2) mountains of p**p

3) high maintance (lots of attention )

4)100+ lb baby

if you find you cant take care of a dane please give her to a dane rescue org not the pound...

look into adopting from these sites:

http://www.daneoutreach.org/index2.html

http://www.gracieland.org/DaneRescue/ava...

Answer 13

1. NEVER BUY A PUPPY just LOOKS, colour along, fur type-COLOUR, fur type and looks HAS NO INDICATION OF DOGS TEMPERMENT!

2. Consider your lifestyle-

4. Are you out more then 8hours a day

5. Consider your energy requirements, Size, Grooming.

6. Don't just buy because someone says this is the dog for you, people particular on yahoo answer will give you there particular favourite breed& what suits them, not what actually suit you.

7. Read all you can-THERE are alot of false information on the web and in books about different dog breed.

8 DON'T TRUST THOSE DOG BREED SELECTORS-MOST OF THE RESULTS ARE INCORRECT. Ex i search large breed dogs, and the Pomeranian came up, which of cause is a toy dog breed!!

9. NEVER BUY FROM A PETSTORE, BACKYARD BREEDER, PUPPY MILL OR NEWSPAPER, DON'T BUY FROM NEXT DAY PETS OR DOG BREED INFO, RESCUE AN ADULT DOG OR SHELTER PUPPY!

I would suggest a adult dog over the age of 2yrs+, 5yrs+ old are generally calmer and are out of that silly stage

Temperament: His sheer size makes this breed very intimidating, however this dog is very gentle and loving. They can do well around other dogs, but should be socialized to prevent them becoming dog aggressive. The Great Dane is a very playful and loyal breed.Activity: The Great Dane should have a large sized yard and plenty of exercise room. A very large breed, he requires very long walks regularly. This breed proves to be a good jogging companion and does well running alongside a bike. Would say walks to be around 4km daily!

http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/bre...

I would actually suggest a laid back big dog, that gentle-Greyhound! Require a minmum of 2 hours walks, they are gentle, relatively quiet & relatively low shedding!

Temperament: The Greyhound is an affectionate breed that loves to be around his family, including children. They make a wonderful family pet, however they do have a prey instinct and should not be in a home with smaller animals such as birds, cats, rabbits, or something of the sort. The Greyhound does extremely well with other dogs, however they get along best with their own kind and do very well with another Greyhound in the home. This breed does get along well with children but because he is so sensitive, this breed would do best in a home with older and more respectable children.

Activity: The Greyhound loves to run and needs quite a bit of exercise on a daily basis. A fenced in yard is a must, and it should be at least of average size. Long walks are also necessary to keep this dog healthy and active. The Greyhound has the tendency to chase things because of his strong prey instinct, so he should always be kept on lead or in a safe and fenced in area or he will be sure to run off when he gets the chance. This breed should always have at least 2 hours of daily exercise per day, as he is very agile and fast.But will happily laze around the house-they are the couch potato of the dog world!

In some states greyhound's are require to wear a muzzle when on walks of the owners property, because of there high prey intinct! they are not an aggressive breed.

http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/bre...

Greyhounds

If you want a dog who...

Has a tall, slender, elegant build

Has a sleek easy-care coat that comes in many colors

Is extremely athletic and graceful -- can run swiftly and jump great heights

Has a calmness and quiet dignity that is often likened to a cat

Is polite with people and other dogs

Is readily available through the many Greyhound rescue organizations for ex-racing dogs

A Greyhound may be right for you

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews...

Golden Retriver are lovely dogs but are not for everyone, they are inclinded to be mouthy, but not aggressive, they just love to put inappropiate item in there mouth-and ! they do require minmum of 30mintues exercise and daily grooming

Temperament: Golden Retrievers are loveable, polite, and highly intelligent. They exude charm and confidence. They are sweet, eager to please, and devoted family companions. They do not do well if left alone for extended periods of time or they will become mischievous and destructive. They have a tendency to be overly exuberant and distractible. They are always gentle and patient with children. They are friendly with other pets. In fact, they are friendly with everyone. They tend to bark as a form of greeting. The Golden Retriever is not well suited for a two career family as they require an inordinate amount of human interaction and companionship.

http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/bre...

Labrador; Are a lovely breed, but are not a dog for eveyone, they need minimum of 30mintues daily exercise, 2 days grooming during spring and summer & weekly grooming during autumn & winter. they are average shedding, they are inclinde to be mouthy

Temperament: This breed is highly intelligent, loyal, and deeply devoted. The Labrador Retriever is reliable, affectionate, and thrive on human companionship and attention. They are absolutely wonderful with children and get along exceedingly well with other dogs. They may be reserved with strangers and make good watchdogs. If this breed is left alone for extended periods of time without attention or stimulation they will become lonely, bored, and destructive.

http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/bre...

on occassion i still find my 10yr old dog Golden Retriver x Labrador still tries to chew my jumpers, chew watches etc, chew bandaids off my fingers, chew up cardboard, chew up tissues.

http://www.nchumane.org/volunteers/docs/...