QuestionMy husband and I have the wonderful opportunity of adopting a one year old male great dane. We want very much to have this dog, but we have reservations because we have a miniature dachshund and a cat. Our dog is the most precious thing in the world to us and we want to ensure that she would be safe as well as the cat. The thought of any harm coming to her is unthinkable. The woman who owns the dog says that he has been around a jack russell terrier in the past with no problems and that she herself has cats. I do not fear any intent to harm, rather I fear my little dog being stepped on by the large paws of the dane or being kicked accidentally or while horse playing in the house. The woman who owns the dog is willing to allow us to see the dog on a trial basis and I was thinking of enrolling the dog in obedience classes so that we can bond with the dog and learn to trust one anther before bringing him to our house to live. Is the great dane a clumsy dog and at what age do they mature and calm down a bit? Any thing you can tell me about the great dane in this regard would be most appreciated.
AnswerWe usually find that it is the cats that do harm to the dogs, invading their territory and all that.
We also find that spoilt little doggies bully the danes who are known as the gentle giant and are very easy going if trained properly. If you keep the dachie under control it should come to no harm. But if you let it try to bully the dane it will not tolerate it and will sort it out.
Never leave them alone together because that is when the trouble could start.
Ken