1) As previously stated, I grew up with Black Labrador Retrievers. *heart* I cannot get a dog which weighs less than my cat or of which my cat could soundly pound the snot from. No way, no how. I'm hesitant to consider Corgis for that reason.

2) I have scooped enough poop from my parents' backyard to know that big dogs means big poop. I'm sure a Dane could take a poop the size of my cat. However, if he's fed properly, it won't be runny. ;-)

3) Dogs need socialization. If it is doggie day care, my spending less time with WoW or my spending less time at work, it is important. They must see me as the alpha dog. Our Lab, Puppy, used to be able to pull me when he was a pup. I am not so small any more and refuse to let a dog of any size boss me around. WOOF! No tying up in a yard here. When I get a dog, it is me, the cat and the dog. All love, all the time.

4) That makes a great deal of sense. Are you sure you are a Thug?

5) I am not getting a puppy if I can help it. Any dog I get goes through an obedience class with me.

6) Dogs are protective of their front paws period. A good way to make them stop jumping is to *gently* grab their paws and apply light pressure when they jump. They will try to take their paws away and you simply say "Off" when they start to take their paws away. It seems to be effective.

7) Crates are cruel. I disagree with their use. If you provide sufficient things like vinyl bones, etc, you don't need a crate. The bone will provide enough entertainment. Also, get a radio tuned to a station so there is "someone else" around. It is quite calming. We used to put on the classical station for Puppy when we would go away for more than an hour. Worked like a champ.

8) Yep, been doing research. A lot of it.

9) see 8.

10) Mix breeds are healthier because they don't have the same familial line as purebreds. A proper breeder will be conscious of any defects in the parents. Mix breeds are nice. I've met some nice ones. I'm rather settled on a Dane though.

I do enjoy vacuuming. It's kind of strange.

The only reason I would get a crate would be to give the Dane a place of its own.

Keep the suggestions coming. I'm really trying to think of all angles here.

I can't disagree more. My dog looks for "caves" in the house. He goes under beds, in closets, under tables, etc. Dogs are wolves, not humans. Assuming a crate is bad is anthropomorphizing the dog and applying our own innate claustrophobia (evolved in big open grasslands) to them.

For most of the time, our crate door was open and he would choose to sleep in there. The only time it was closed was when he was young and we weren't in the house. I'm sure if I got it back out, he would hop in excitedly.

That said, I'm not sure they make a crate big enough to play that role for a Dane.

They do make crates for Danes (the "friggin' huge" "head like a pumpkin" size). More can be said for giving a dog their own space and the crate can be used for that. Yes, dogs do den and can like them, but I have never had a dog in a crate. Also, growing up we did not have dogs that liked to get under sofas. Crates don't always have to have the door closed and I think that is where my hesitancy has been. My personal experience with dogs has not centered around using crates, thus the hesitancy. Valid points though Q and I will try to keep my mind open about their use. Thank you.

I have never used a 'crate' so to speak on my great dane. Although he does have his "Den" in the house. Which for a great dane is more like another room! (laughing) Dogs do need their 'space' their 'cave' as mentioned before. It is who they are and all studies will tell you that. However, this 'den' has never had a locked door on it. It does have a door, that swings open and closed as he chooses. He LOVES it, and sleeps there every night. Most the time however he keeps his head poked out because, well he is just a nosey 'little' guy.
I did get my great dane as a puppy just as school let out, so my sons were home to train him. We also went to an obedience school which I HIGHLY recommend for a dog that size no matter how calm mannered they are naturally. Let's face it, not to many people want a 160lb dog jumping on them when they come to visit.
Again, if you like large dogs.. I dont' think there is a better breed than a great dane. (Of course, I'm partial :-) ) I would take some time and visit a few puppies and make sure their personality fits your household. But I'm sure you are already planning on that.

Since I can't find if I put the pictures anywhere, here are some pictures of my awesome Pia. I adopted her through Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League. She is such a mellow and sweet 5.5 year old puppy dog. I consider myself one fortunate guy. The car situation has changed so I now have a sedan (used 2001 BMW 740i) and need to sell my Z3. :-(

ZOMG!!! She is sooo adorable!! *jealous*
I've always wanted a Dane, but I usually stick to pit bulls, pit mixes. They're some of the most loyal and loving dogs ever. When I can afford to feed one of those horses, I'll get one.
Congrats on your new kid! ;D

Thank you, she is the apple, maybe watermelon is more appropriate, of my eye. She isn't that expensive to feed. I buy premium dog food because she had a skin allergy from something in the Purina her former owners were feeding her. It's about $55 per one bag. But I only need to feed her 3.5-4 c. of food per day. One 50 lb. bag lasts about one month. So, it's really not that bad.

I got my first dog a few months ago (a few as in about 9, lol). A pregnant dog appeared on my sister's door and she took her in. We took one of the 9 puppies. He is a pit bull boxer mix and is awesome. Very smart dog.

He started like this...



And turned into this...



And now this...



They LOVE peanut butter! Keep them away from frogs!

Wow, what a handsome dog! Those are some beautiful eyes as well. Dude, you took some good pictures.

Thanks! I didn't know it at the time, but he is a "blue pit." They grey color seems to be rare and people pay top dollar for them. The animal shelter reported 12 pit bull puppies that had been dropped off just a few days ago. They were mating simply to get the grey one.

While pit bulls may have a bad name, Jameson (your welcome Oban) is a very gentle dog. He has the body of a boxer and the face of a pit. I don't have kids so he's my boy.

The only information I can offer you is about labs. That's all my family has ever had. But did you know there are two types of labs? English labs have the typical blocky head and tend to be more laid back. The American labs have a longer, leaner head and are more hyper. Just something to think about...

True on the labs. We have an english stock chocolate. Very laid back. Across the street they have a field-trained american yellow, and she's a lunatic.

Also, IMHO, female dogs will bind better to a man, and male dogs will bind better to a woman. Our dog (male) worships my wife. He follows my rules, be she hung the moon. When she moves to another room, the dog follows.

I disagree with that. My folks have always had female labs and my mom has always been their person, with me coming in as a substitute, even when I no longer lived there. I think it just depends on the environment.

Our first male lab, Aramis (the musketeer...not the cologne) was Duncan's dog while our current male lab, Luki, is completely mine. Both are the long legged labs (Aramis' parents were hunting show dogs). Armamis was a spaz, but Luki is very laid back.

I love my Corgi he is a riot and smart as hell. Also crate training is definately the way to go with any dog. It becomes their home and they will go into to sleep even if you arent asking them to go in it.

Good luck, Dogs are an awesome part of the family.

I recommend a mutt over a purebred....mutts tend to be healthier and less prone to issues such as allergies and hip dysplasia. Your wallet will thank you even if the vet does not

There are several good websites that discuss common personality traits and other factors such as energy level and shedding. They are worth the time to find a good fit for your life style.

All that said, we currently have a Golden Retriever (Cody a boy) and a Black lab/Golden Retriever mix (Midnight a girl). He is really laid back, incredibly tolerant, obsessively plays ball, and is a great companion. He does shed enough to cover the earth weekly and is making my vet rich with allergy related skin and ear infections, despite special food and a continuing series of allergy shots.

As a puppy Goldens tend to be orally obsessed and will pick up and swallow everything. You will need to be incredibly vigilant to avoid stomach surgery to remove the non-digestible things such as socks, tennis balls, rocks, etc. It takes about 2 years for this to wear off.

Midnight is an inquisitive ball of energy who chases birds and squirrels and escapes from the yard to indulge those games when ever she can. She also sees Cody as a chew toy, which makes for some interesting wrestling matches in the house. Midnight is also very affectionate and believes that human beds were placed for her personal comfort.

My very favorite dog was my childhood mutt......half Boston terrier and half pit bull. Highly intelligent, incredibly loyal, and very sweet natured. Plus he did not shed.


Have fun making your choice

Jan