Giant breeds of dogs like the Great Dane possess temperaments very much like that of a draft horse. Since they know that very few creatures would try to pick a quarrel with them, they seem overall calmer and less easily frightened. Although all Great Danes have different personalities, on the whole they have incredibly friendly and calm temperaments.
A Great Day For A Great Dane
Great Danes are surprisingly lazy dogs. They still need their daily walk and still need daily interaction with his people, but on the whole, they are huge couch potatoes. Although the puppies can be full of the usual puppy vigor and silliness, when they are about a year and a half old, they calm down and enjoy being waited on hand and foot (or hand and paw).
A great day for a Great Dane begins with a good sniffing patrol around the property, a bit of breakfast and then off for a stroll. While the Jack Russells and Chihuahuas are snarling and snapping at him and daring him for a fight, the Great Dane just pauses to look at them, wag his tail and stroll on home.
If the people are off for work, then he’d enjoy something dog-safe bone or toy to chew and to sleep on your bed, bravely keeping the bed toasty warm despite all of the intruding drafts and chills which threaten to turn your bed into an iceberg. If you can’t have your Great Dane on your bed, he needs his own bed, which is going to be the same size as your mattress, so you might as well just let him onto your bed.
When you come home, there’s a lot of fussing, food and fun until bedtime. A perfect day for a Great Dane would be when you don’t go to work, so he can sleep on the couch with you.
Helping Your Dog Along
There are things you can do to help bring out the magnificent Great Dane temperament. First off, you need to get your Great Dane spayed or neutered. In this way, you’ll not only save them from cancer of the reproductive organs, but they will be less likely to roam, get in fights and listen to you more.
Next, you need to take your Great Dane to the vet regularly and whenever your Great Dane’s temperament suddenly changes. Some training issues could be caused by health issues.
You also need to exercise your Great Dane every day, whenever possible. This not only helps keep your dog at a healthy weight and gives him something to do, but this can also burn up any excess energy. Remember, a tired Great Dane is an obedient Great Dane.
References:
ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs.” Sheldon L. Gerstenfeld, VMD. Chronicle Books; 1999.
Dog Breed Info. “Great Dane.” http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/greatdane.htm
Dog Owner’s Guide Profile. “The Great Dane.” http://www.canismajor.com/dog/grdane.html
Utah Great Dane Rescue. “Facts.” http://www.utahgreatdanerescue.net/faq.html
