Ten Things To Consider Before Getting Your Great Dane Home

So you've picked out your Great Dane and are getting ready to bring it into your home. There are a few things to consider before your new family member comes through the front door, and hopefully you've thought about a few of these things before choosing this breed of dog.

1. Do you want to "crop" your Great Danes ears? If you are going to be professionally showing your dog, or training them to hunt wild boar (which is what they were bred to do in the 1800's), you may want to crop the ears, otherwise, don't as the procedure can be painful and costly.

2. Large breed dogs don't live as long as the smaller breeds and the Great Dane has an average lifespan of six to eight years, though some have been known to live for 13 years. You will be committed to this dog for its life.

3. Your Great Dane will need to have some room to stretch out. They will need to be walked on a regular basis. They are usually inactive indoors, but need floor space or you will end up with a very big lap dog.

4. They aren't suited for living outdoors, so keep them out of the cold and away from the hot sun. They lack the insulating properties that other breeds have.

5. Do you have the right lifestyle and living requirements to house and care for a Great Dane? A Great Dane can live in an apartment if it is taken out regularly and has a moderately sized area to call their own. They don't like to be left alone for long periods, so if you are a work-aholoic, you will need a dog sitter or walker, or other family member to make up for your absence.

6. Puppy or dog proofing your home for the arrival of a Great Dane leaves a little more to consider than your average dog. Keep things to the rear of or off of counters. They have whip like tails, so keep breakables off of tables. Clear out some floor space for play and interaction without fear of destruction.

7. The bigger the dog, the more they need to eat. Great Danes will need to eat a lot and that can become expensive. Also, you will need to lift all of those big bags of food and have a place to store the food.

8. Although Great Danes can maintain their own weight when their food is left out all day, it is recommended to introduce them to a feeding schedule (especially if your Great Dane is a rescue). You do not want your Great Dane to become overweight as this can cause back, hip, knee and elbow problems.

9. Great Danes need attention and often miss their family when they go away. Separation anxiety can manifest in barking, whining, digging and other destructive behaviors. If these behaviors begin to appear, you may need to get professional puppy training or learn crate training and other techniques to lessen the damage.

10. Finally, grooming. Although Great Danes are easier to maintain than other breeds, they will shed, so they need to be brushed regularly. Bath time can be a huge chore, so be prepared for a workout. It's best to train them to get into the tub on their own and enjoy the bath. Also, their toe nails grow fairly quickly and will need to be trimmed more often than other breeds, so get them used to having their feet held.