Interested getting my 1st Dane...soon...

[Jessica_DogLover]

Hi everyone! I am new to this site and from only reading discussions for two days I can't stop thinking about these amazing dogs! My boyfriend and I will be moving in together in a few months into a two bedroom apartment. We definitely want to get a dog and have been talking about it for years! We have been thoroughly researching every breed and Danes were at the bottom of the list due to their size! (and ONLY their size). Now that I have read up on this breed, Danes seem like the perfect dog for us so far, however, I have many questions from actual Dane owners please! Many websites I go to give me mixed answers.

1. Easy to housetrain?
2. Are they known to bark a lot?
3. Do they need a lot of exercise?
4. How much do you spend on average per week on food?
5. Crate training? And only when they are puppies? or through adulthood?
6. Are they big time droolers??

I will be working from home, so housetraining and spending time with the dog definitely shouldn't be a problem.

I'm not sure if any of the questions I am asking are unique for each dog or the breed in general. I really appreciate everyone's help. My boyfriend is a soccer coach and I will be taking the dog to many soccer games...this will be okay right?

Thank you!!
Jessica :)

[Zoeys Mom]

I personally do not agree with puppies being raised in an apartment. I believe they need access to a yard for off leash exercise for proper growth and development. Going to the park several times a week does not replace daily romps in the yard. JMO.

>1. Easy to housetrain?

I think so.

>2. Are they known to bark a lot?

One of mine does, the other does not.

>3. Do they need a lot of exercise?

IMO, yes. Neither of my Danes are the so called couch potatoes that you hear about. In fact, I don't personally know any Danes that are 'couch potatoes'.

>4. How much do you spend on average per week on food?

http://www.watershipdanes.net and then click on the Expenses link and scroll down to Watership's current expenses link.

>5. Crate training? And only when they are puppies? or
>through adulthood?

Depends on the individual dog. Mine were both crated as puppies up until 1 year of age, and are now uncrated, but are separated when we are not home to supervise.

>6. Are they big time droolers??

My female isn't and my male deposits most of his drinking water on the floor.

[Jessica_DogLover]

THANKS for all the information! Any other tips about Danes you can provide is always appreciated.

Well...not to worry you. I will be moving into an apartment, but it does have a backyard! I don't think I would get any dog if I didn't have a yard. It's not the biggest backyard, but it will definitely do the job in between walks and park.

It is so interesting to hear about everyones stories.

Thanks again,
Jessica :7

[Jill]

Hello and welcome! I'm also a new Dane owner- Jade is nearly 9 months old. I researched here for months before I found a reputable breeder. Good luck in your search. To answer your questions:

>1. Easy to housetrain?
We brought Jade home at 8 weeks, and she was already housetrained.

>2. Are they known to bark a lot?
Jade gives the occasional attitude with some roo-roos, but ultimately, she is not a barker.

>3. Do they need a lot of exercise?
I think that all dogs benefit from exercise. Jade has a large yard and we also go for some walks. However, for a Dane puppy, it is recommended that you don't force exercise. Short walks are fine, but I prefer her to be able to run around and zoom at her heart's content and come in when she's tired. I also think that this freedom has helped her to be independent and low-stress.

>4. How much do you spend on average per week on food?
Mandi's site is great. I am a kibble feeder. It costs about $40/month to feed Jade, including supplements and lots of raw bones. If you feed a high quality food, you'll have to feed less. There are many kibble, raw and BARF feeders here= lots to learn!

>5. Crate training? And only when they are puppies? or through adulthood?
Jade is still crated during the day (no more than 4 hours at a pop) when we're at work. At night, she was sleeping in our room, but when she turned 8 months old, she stopped. She now prefers the couch in the living room right outside our room. I highly recommend crate training- especially during housebreaking and teething.

>6. Are they big time droolers??
Jade does not drool normally, but like Mandi's pooch, I think she gets more water on the floor than in her mouth when she drinks.

This site is a fantastic resource, and I urge you to learn all you can.
Good luck!
Jill

Edited for spelling.

[margie1105]

Hannah takes a big gulp of water then forgets she has it in her mouth and it ends up all over the place! Sadie is a neat drinker.

Sadie barks, Hannah does so rarely.

Both were VERY easy to housetrain.

Mine are coming out of their crates this week-end! We'll see how it goes and if it's not okay, I'll be purchasing two collossal crates.

My food bill is much higher, but then again, I have two. I can buy the 33 pound bag of Solid Gold at Pet Supplies Plus for $33.95. One bag lasts nine days (they eat 6 1/2 cups each per day). Dog food alone costs me about $120 per month. I also supplement with ester-c and glucosamine with chondroitin. Other yummies, like bones, bully sticks, plush toys cost more.

Good luck....you'll love your Dane.

[JennS]

>1. Easy to housetrain?

I would say this depends on your lifestyle. If you are around enough to work as much as it takes, then housetraining is easy. If you work a regular 40 hour job where you can't get home for lunch, it's gonna be a little more difficult, but I'm sure that goes for any dog. When they are small they can't hold it for that long, and if you have a job like I described above, you might want to look into adopting a full grown rescue Dane who can already hold it for a long time while you are at work. If you're at home a lot, then potty training should be a cinch.

>2. Are they known to bark a lot?

My Emma (14 weeks old) so far roo-roos, barks, and is just generally a lot more vocal than my 4 year old lab has ever been, but it isn't out of control or anything, mostly just when she's playing.

>3. Do they need a lot of exercise?

So far Emma has needed a lot less exercise than our lab did, but we'll see what happens when she gets bigger. All dogs need exercise, though. From what I've read, if you're going to have a Dane in an apartment, be prepared to walk it twice a day for at least 20 minutes a pop.

>4. How much do you spend on average per week on food?

I have two dogs, and Emma's still a pup, so no answer here.

>5. Crate training? And only when they are puppies? or
>through adulthood?

We are crate training her right now, it's great. When she gets bigger she'll have to build up trust with us before we leave her anywhere else!

>6. Are they big time droolers??

Emma doesn't drool much and takes dainty little sips from her water.

My boyfriend is a soccer coach and I will
>be taking the dog to many soccer games...this will be okay
>right?

Make sure your pup has all his/her vaccinations and stuff before they go somewhere lots of other dogs have been.

[dandy danes]

Chase was 4 1/2 mths when I got him and was mostly housetrained(but after being with his he picked up on it right away)...He's 6 mths now and is in a crate, I have 3 dogs all together so they all have their own 'dens'. They prefer them, I feed them in their crates too....food...well 3 dogs and one is a growing dane!(let's just say the dogs eat better than we do at times!) Chase lets out the occassional bark but only when playing with his sis, Maggie(My rott)...exercise...loves to run in backyard and house(yes, house!) with other dogs but after 10-20 minutes(sometimes sooner) he prefers to lie down on our, excuse me...his bed(he just lets us use it at night). I hope this helps...good luck and welcome.

Kari

My Kids: http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4288423965

[Ellen]

After doing all my research and getting recommendations about my breeder I went to a show to see her dogs for the first time. She had this huge fawn beauty standing at ringside and drooling like there was no tomorrow. Had a drool rag and was just a'wiping away. On the ride home hubby said "there is no way in the world you are getting one of her dogs" I said, don't worry..we'll keep looking. Well to make a long story short when I contacted her I admitted to her that although her dogs were beautiful I was a little nervous about the way "so and so" drooled. Really didn't think I could handle that. She said "drool??? You felt he drooled alot??" Ah....yup She said "he hardly ever drools" I'm thinking *how gosh darn kennel blind can you be???* She asked which show I had seen him at and when I told her it turns out that there was a female in heat at that show. I came by her house and saw some of her dogs and sure enough no drool. Addamm leaks water from his lips but like I tell the kids "there is no drool in that, just pure water." :)