Great Danes and Children
Having a Great Dane as a member of your family can be one of the most rewarding experiences. If you’re fortunate enough to have children, a Great Dane can make an excellent addition to your family. A Great Dane would make the best companion to children above the age of five years old. Although Great Danes are commonly referred to as “Gentle Giants,” they’re easily excitable in their early years. This excitement can easily lead to accidents, as the Great Dane doesn’t realize his own size! He may very well knock a small child down while “playing.” Perhaps this is why we stress the Great Dane as a companion for children who are no longer in the toddler stages.
Introducing a new baby to your Great Dane is not as difficult as it may seem. Before your baby comes home from the hospital, bring a blanket home with the baby’s scent on it. This way, your Great Dane can become familiar with the baby’s scent. If your Great Dane has always been “your baby,” it’s important to shower him with affection so he is not jealous of the new baby. Once a dog feels jealous, he may be provoked to nip or act unlike himself. Like all dog breed, the Great Dane can act out in anger or fear.
Older children, such as young teens, make the best companions for Great Danes. Like the Great Dane, young teens are very active. The bond that your Great Dane can share with your young teen is phenomenal. Both child and dog can run freely in the yard, take long walks, play fetch, and give and receive affection after a long day. Once your dog develops a bond of trust with your child, the Great Dane will also provide great protection. These dogs are very loyal and protective of their owners. This too makes them very favorable in large families and single-parent homes.
Perhaps children adore the Great Dane because of it’s excellent temperament. This is a dog that can withstand a lot of aggravation before it’s provoked to snap at someone. Typically, the Great Dane will withdraw and/or growl to warn that he has ‘had enough.’ Despite this, most Great Danes are very rational and will not bite their owners or their children. You should always use caution when leaving any large dog and a small child unattended. The child may unintentionally hurt the dog, causing the dog to react in defense.
Article by Gale Renz.
Gale Renz is a great dane lover and professional qualified Great Dane Breeder and owner / founder of Dynamite Great Danes. You may publish this article only if you do not modify it in any way.