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Inside or Outside
dog?
Despite their size, Great Danes are house dogs. Once they were
working dogs, but they are now companion dogs. They want only to be with you. They do not respond well to being left out in
the yard when everyone else is inside. They will become depressed, bored, and surly. Believe us, a bored Great Dane can damage
your yard to a much greater extent than a surly Chihuahua. There are breeds who are more solitary in nature, and if your white
carpet is more important than your dog, a Great Dane is not the choice for you!
Size / Height /
Weight?
Adult Great Danes are 28" to 38" tall at the withers (top
of the shoulder). Think about that for a moment. That's 2-3 feet tall-before you add the neck and head. Do you really
think food is safe on your kitchen countertops? Lifestyle changes may be in order! Adult Great Danes weigh from 90 lbs.
to 180 lbs., depending on their height and build, and they are very strong (and sometimes very willful) doggies. Untrained
Great Danes can be a real handful. This is a dog that requires serious commitment on the part of the family.
Feeding?
Great Danes eat a lot of food. If you feed a quality kibble,
you will be giving your dog between 4 and 12 cups per day, depending on age, build, and activity level. Those 40 lb. bags
of large breed premium kibble disappear very quickly. A Dane will eat 2 of the 40 bags of food a month. (80 pounds a month)
Vet bills?
Your vet will tell you that bigger dogs require bigger vet bills.
Many veterinarians' service costs are weight based, such as the anesthesia needed for surgery, and antibiotics or other
medications. As a general rule, Great Danes are more expensive to care for than smaller dogs.
Lifespan
10-12 years
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