Getting another Great Dane

Question
My family is currently comprised of 3 children (ages 7,3, and 1), my husband and I, a 2 year old Jack russell, a 5 month old merle great dane, and 3 dog savvy cats.  My Jack russell is a very dominant female. She is not aggressive but humps everything in sight and she pees where my other dog goes. She is spayed. My Great dane is a male and I would classify him as being more submissive. He plays with the little dog and mouths her but when she's had enough, she will bite his lip. He usually lets out a little yelp and shys away from her for a while. Both dogs are completely housebroken and well trained. The dane is still learning some more commands, but the Jack russell is a perfectly behaved dog. My vet had recommended that if we wanted another Great dane, to wait until our male was at least a year because he would be more mature and less rowdy. She also said to get another male as opposed to a female because if the female ends up being dominant, she could hurt my little jack russell (who is also dominant). We have been presented with the opportunity to adopt a 3 month old female brindle Great dane who is deaf. We are told she is very sweet and is currently in a foster home with 9 other dogs of all sizes and gets along great with all. Would proper training prevent her from becoming dominant if she was ever going to be that way? I am just trying to get an idea about the problems I may run into by doing this. I feel that it is a better idea to get another dane puppy now while the other one is still fairly young and I could train them together. I know dogs are pack animals but my jack russell seems like she would always be the queen of the roost. Do you feel that the 2 danes would gang up on her? My male dane is very sweet but still extremely playful and jumpy. Please let me know how you feel about this situation. I am a stay at home mom with lots of patience, so training a deaf dog would not pose any problems for me in that respect. I love my animals and would love the chance to give a special needs dog a good home. Thank you in advance, Christina Frantish

Answer
Wait until your youngster is older and calmer, he will teach the youngster how to behave.

It's none of my business but it sounds as though you have a houseful already and need to step back and take a long hard look at your circumstances.  Your JR is not properly trained to be sub-dominant to you ot she wouldn't urinate everywhere.  Do not take on the deaf dane it is a minefiled of problems.  It can never be let off the lead as you cannot warn her of danger or get her attention for a recall.  Deaf dogs are usually put to sleep while still puppies since most homes cannot cope with this sort of problem.

I wopuld wait until you can get a puppy and introduce it to an adult.

Ken