What To Expect When Owning A Great Dane:

So, you've decided or are still trying to decide on getting a Great Dane, huh? I don't know how many times I have heard, "This is my favorite breed," "I have always wanted one of these," or "I want to get one." Makes me nervous each time I hear one of those comments. I just smile and say, "Yes, they are cool dogs, but we did our RESEARCH first and then decided on this breed." Know what you could potentially be getting into!

I volunteer at the Great Dane Rescue of South Carolina and many animals have been found abadoned by their owners, surrendered b/c they "got too big", neglected, and/or, beaten. These dogs, as any dog, don't need heavy handed treatment! Great Danes are super sensitive to moods and tone of voice.

Here is a candid yet serious look at some things to expect when owning a Great Dane. Expect....

1. Large puddles...not drops...of drool. Large jowls=large strings of drool. Expect to do laundry alot. One of my cats lived with a permanant crusty spot on the back of his neck when Atlas was a puppy.

2. What I call "lip fling" on your walls, couch (use a coversheet!), sheets (if they sleep on the bed), clothes, counters..wherever their lips may come into contact with. Those lips hide some interesting things and you will find it all along the walls and other surfaces when they do their "doggy shake" or drag their lips along the counters in a moment of forgotten manners.

3. Large piles of poop. This needs no explanation.

4. Large vet bills. If I get out of the vet for less that $300/month I think, "I am doing good." Atlas was costing us at least $200 between the ages of 6-8 months due to skin problems. Now, he gets Percorten every month to control his Addison's..Percorten is $25/cc...he gets a little over 5cc...it's a guaranteed $250 per month plus the doctor exam and lately he's needed labs. We just got done with a $2600 surgery to remove bladder stones related to his Percorten. Can't not give it though!

5. Frequent home repairs. We have repaired many dents and holes in our dry wall from butts and feet during wrestling matches. I have also had 2 large holes dug into my carpet from trying to get out of their room for whatever reason (getting to one of the cats, frustration, or both).

6. Invest in Windex. My storm door is in constant need of cleaning! Their window has got a nice spit film. BTW~~Cole is a window licker.

7. Your couches and bed to be taken over. Cole has his love seat and Atlas shares the larger couch with Jaime. Cole sleeps at my feet and Atlas sleeps between us. Yes, we have a king size bed.

8. To be asked, "You got a saddle for that thing?", "How much does he/they eat?", "Who's walking who?", "How much do they weigh?", "Do you have a big house/yard?", and "They don't sleep with you, do they?"

9. Bruises, a busted lip perhaps, even chipped teeth. Their tails could be considered weapons, their paws are like anvils, and their heads..well, you've seen them. I've seen many men protect their Daddy parts from a wagging tail and I have received countless bruises from paws or a good whack with a tail. Protect your face from swinging heads! I have heard stories of busted lips and have a personal experience of a chipped tooth.

10. Lots of love, leans, and laughs. This is a very expressive, fragile, and sensitive breed. In my 5 years of parenting Atlas and my 3 years with Cole, I have learned that these dogs are so very sensitive and responsive to a person's mood and tone of voice. They are hilarious in the way they express themselves..groaning, grumbling, whining, head tilts, and those eyes!

If you think they are cool and just want one b/c they are a novelty breed, please do more research! Make sure that you know what you are getting into! While they are cool and get lots of attention, they still need love, gentle guidance, and lots of attention!

Understand that when a small dog will chew your shoe, a Dane can chew up your couch, door frames, and window sills!

Don't forget to research their medical issues too! These dogs are prone to bone problems (hip dysplasia, bone cancer, arthritis), heart issues (cardiomyopathy), bloat (stomach blows up with air/foam/fluid and unable to empty) with or without torsion (stomach turns over on itself blocking blood flow to abdomen)..both potentially fatal and need immediate medical attention.

Since Atlas was diagnosed and adding Cole to the family (he has no medical issues), I have invested over $10,000 in vet visits, meds and supplements (MSM for joints, Digestive Enzymes, and amino acids for Atlas' heart that "doesn't beat as hard as it should"), and food. Who knows what I have acutally invested since Atlas was a pup.

I love my animals and would never deny them the care that they need. All I want is to educate potential and/or present owners on what to expect or what to watch for in our best friends! These gentle giants need the best TLC!