Despite their towering stature, these dogs are surprisingly gentle and patient, especially with children. That said, Great Danes are so incredibly sweet, they can easily be taken advantage of and it can easily turn into abuse by children who are not being monitored. That may seem extreme to say but I have heard stories that I wish I had never heard. I also want to make something very clear. Great Danes are probably the most gentle, sweet dogs out there but they will protect themselves if they are pushed. Many times they will walk away however, just like any animal, including humans, if they get tired of walking away, they are backed into a corner, they are ganged up on, they are old, in pain, or they get hurt or scared, they will react with the only thing they can, they bite. That does not make them bad dogs, it makes you a bad owner for letting your dog be put in that position. Never test any animals patience. Every. Single. Animal. On. This. Planet. Will. Protect. Themselves.
I can't tell you how many times I have heard of people putting down their Dane because it bit someone. Then as you start hearing more of the story, the reality of what was happening becomes extremely clear. Am I saying there aren't vicious Danes out there? No. It is usually because they weren't trained, ignored, confused, scared, tied up outside and left, and the list goes on. Great Danes are so sensitive that even changing the tone of your voice has an effect on them. Just try it. Say something in an excited-high-pitched voice and watch their reaction. Now say that same thing in a lower voice. You will see their whole face drop. Rufus will yawn as a stress relief and/or go to his kennel. Zoe lowers her head and gives me "the eyes" . Leia closes her eyes (I call it leaving the room), it's really cute and funny.

Excellent with Children

Great Danes have an uncanny affinity for children, and their natural protective instincts make them excellent companions for little ones. They are patient, loving, and can form strong bonds with kids, providing them with a loyal and dependable friend. Great Danes often become the gentle playmates that kids can grow up with, fostering a sense of responsibility and compassion.

Now, that being said, you know what I am about to say next. Because Danes are so sweet, they are easily taken advantage of. You HAVE to watch your children around them. As I stated before, these big guys are gentle but every animal will protect itself, even humans. It is instinctual, not malicious. Also, sometimes, they may have a "knee-jerk" reaction and bite out of fear, pain, or again, just instinct. And again, not malicious, instinct. We tend to forget these are animals. If they ever snap or bite, they will likely punish themselves more than anything you could ever do. I used to have a dog that would put himself in a time out if he even smelled the trashcan. And let me add this, and although this will come off harsh, I absolutely mean it. If I ever see a child riding your Dane, you can bet your sweet ass I will be pulling up to your house and taking your dog. Arrest me. I do not care. A Great Dane is NOT a f*7&^%* horse, despite the dumb jokes and their size.
One more thing to add on the children thing. I have seen this time and time again. Danes will parent and protect your children, even from you. I have seen and heard of them growling at parents, standing guard in front of the children, checking on the kids if they hear a noise or the child is crying, sleeping with or near the kids, and I have seen them actually herd kids to move them to a different place. This is true for both male and female Danes. The female Danes I have noticed are more of the herding, moving, and standing guard while I have seen and heard of the male Dane being more of the growling and sleeping with or next to the kids. Now, you need to do what is right for you and your family. If your Dane is being overprotective over your kids to the point that they are seeing you as a threat, you will need to retrain or rehome. I have never heard of a situation getting so bad that a rehome is necessary but I am sure it can happen. All my Danes are very protective over us. If there is a ruckus, Rufus stands in front of me, Leia will stand over the the kids or try to move them to another area with her snout. Zoe gets very upset and will growl or bark at anyone not approved by her standards LOL.

Devoted and Loyal

Furthering the statements about how the Dane feels about kids, Great Danes are incredibly loyal to their families, often forming deep emotional connections. They thrive on human companionship and will go to great lengths to protect and please their loved ones. This unwavering loyalty makes Great Danes exceptional family pets, as they are always eager to be by their family's side, offering unwavering support and companionship. More often than not, you will have a "velcro Dane". That means you will never pee alone again. Wherever you go, there you are, but you are never alone. Where this can become an issue is if you work outside the home and leave them alone for extended periods of time. Danes can get very lonely. Because they love you so deeply, they can become depressed and destructive. So when you are thinking of getting a Dane, please include daycare into your budget if you work outside the home.

Adaptability and Compatibility

Despite their imposing size, Great Danes can adapt well to different living conditions. They are known to be highly versatile and can adjust to apartment living as long as they receive regular exercise. Great Danes have been known to be called "the apartment dog". While they require sufficient space to move around, they are generally easygoing and can adapt to the daily routines of their human families. Usually a backyard with a 6' fence (or more) and/or a few walks a day will do. However, again, please consider doggy daycare if you are gone all day. Additionally, Great Danes tend to get along well with other pets, making them a great choice for households with multiple animals. I have never had a Dane that did not get along with other animals. In fact, they tend to bond with other animals, especially cats. However, if your Dane has not grown up with the other animal, please look up different ways of introducing the new animal to the pack. There are Danes with a high chase instinct. This can prove to be fatal for small animals that will run. Cats, chickens, small dogs, etc. Training is absolutely essential when to adding to the pack and never leave them alone until you know you can trust your Dane. I also always make sure that the little ones have a safe place to run to if they need to. So, my cat for instance has several spots throughout the house that the Danes can not get to in case he needs it.

Minimal Grooming Needs

One of the practical advantages of having a Great Dane as a family pet is their low maintenance grooming requirements. Their short, smooth coats are easy to care for and typically require only regular brushing to minimize shedding. This aspect makes them suitable for families who prefer a dog with minimal grooming demands, saving time and effort. Now, let me make this extremely clear. Great Danes DO shed! They do not have a typical undercoat and it is why they are so sensitive to temperatures. So though they do not have that undercoat, they do still shed. So just because they have a short coat, don't think your clothes will be hair-free.
Also, I need to mention anal glands. If you have not had the distinct pleasure of smelling a rotting, piece of garlic stuffed salmon wrapped in a slimy coat of curdled milk and baked with a little sprinkle of rotten egg and coming out of an already very active dog butt, well, you're in for quite the treat. There are some Danes who have "lazy butts", lol, that is what my Vet said. So you may  need to have the Vet express their anal glands. For small dogs, the groomers usually do it. For the Dane, of course, you have to take them to a Vet. Now, my old Vet was next to the groomer. So we would take him in once a month, get his glands done and then they would walk his stinky behind to the groomers for a dog bidet and some cologne. Oddly, you could still smell it. It is quite the impressive brew. So we always had the cologne on hand in the car. Now, the smell lingers for a bit but does go away. Also, I am not sure if this is true, once you start manually expressing them, apparently you have to keep doing it. I don't know if that is true or not. So if you see your dog rubbing their butts on your beautiful clean carpet, they have a lazy butt and need to be expressed. Anal glands can turn out to be quite an issue if they get infected (gag), so make sure you are paying attention. Not that you can ever ignore a Great Dane's behind.

Natural Watchdogs

While Great Danes are known for their gentle nature, they possess a keen sense of awareness and make excellent watchdogs. Their imposing size and deep, resonant barks can be enough to deter potential intruders and alert the family to any unusual activity. Great Danes' protective instincts, combined with their inherent loyalty, make them valuable guardians for the home. I have already talked about how they are protective over the kiddos but in general, Great Danes protect their domain. I am sure you have seen the video of the older lady home alone and an intruder comes in. The Dane is friendly until his owner screams and they Dane goes all in. I am not sure if you have ever had a Dane jump on you but if you haven't, imagine someone throwing a 6 foot tall bag of cement, with teeth, at you. If you have not seen the video, here it is.

I have a Dane I taught to jump up. If you aren't ready, you are going down. Now, let me make something very clear. Do not ever teach your Dane to be aggressive, or any dog for that matter. It will backfire. Danes are naturally protective. You do not need to train them to be anything other than what they are naturally, in this department. They are NOT fighting dogs, they are just naturally protective.
If you have a very protective Dane, it is your duty to warn people with signs and verbally. Never underestimate how attractive your dog is, even when they're barking their ever-lovin'-heads off and how naive some people are. I had a Dane that was extremely protective. I would be holding him by his collar and he would be jumping in the air if anyone got too close. More than once I had to tell people not to come any closer.

Master Derps

If you have a Dane, you know this. If you don't have a Dane, watch the video.

Please do not mistake Derp as dumb. Danes are not dumb. They are very smart, highly sensitive, and love their hoomans. As I watch Dane videos, I can attest to every single one of those incidents' happening to me personally. The one thing about owning a Dane you will discover are, they are the gift that keeps on giving. They constantly will surprise you with something. Sometimes it is a new funny way they sit on the couch, a new sound, or they learn a new trick on their own. They never stop and it is always hilarious.

So Now You Want a Dane

If you now want a Dane, fill out a puppy application. I already have a wait list started for the next litter. I plan on 2 litters by the end of 2023. If you want a Dane now, still fill out the puppy application, chances are I can find what you are looking for. I am lucky enough to be a part of the most wonderful group of breeders down here in S. Arizona. We all know and trust each other and our processes ensure the health of our puppies. We are vigilant on shots, health, deworming, and keeping everything clean and sanitary.

Questions? Feel free to reach out to me: hausofbluesgreatdanes@gmail.com