(Young Dylan, owned by Mia and Raymie from Scotland)

Danes - Character and Temperament

In recent years, due to unscrupulous breeders and careless owners, danes have been the target of breed specific legislation, prejudice and outright banning in some countries/states. This breed is known as the gentle giant, I for one hope to keep it that way.

To dispute the bad rap that the media often gives danes, I have decided to show some photos, articles, and video that show them in the TRUE dane demeanor - laid back, loving and happy-go-lucky.


Danes and Kids

Danes are notoriously gentle with children. I've read somewhere once of a toddler, who, learning to walk, once pulled herself up with the help of the family dane's jowls. Upon pulling herself up by the dane's jowls, she stumbled, falling back to the floor. Embarrassed or discouraged, she mumbled something only a toddler would understand, but her tone was clear enough. The dane felt as though he had been chastised by the toddler, and thus sent himself to his crate.

A toddler can break a danes spirit. Need I say more?

Here are some examples of how well kids and danes get along.

Danes as Working Dogs

Great Danes are gaining popularity in several areas - obedience, agility, Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, etc. This just proves how versatile a great dane can be.

Here is Remi, a blue great dane who has touched the lives of many folks. She is the perfect size for a therapy dog, as the folks that she visits do not have to bend over to pet her, and she is the perfect height for someone who is bed-ridden.

And this is Knight, a harlequin great dane owned by Ms. Emory. Knight has been to many nursing homes and assisted living centers and is always a big hit.

Danes With Other Animals
Great Danes are usually amazing with other animals. You will occasionally find one with a high prey drive, or same-sex aggression, but most danes LOVE other animals, even acting as a guardian to their other furry family members.