Cost of Having a Great Dane

If you are talking about monetary cost, I read an article about a study of the costliest breeds over their life span. Great Danes were at the top of the list. As far as I remember though, this study included everything from health care, food, toys, accessories, auto choice, etc.
From personal experience, I can tell you gastric bypass surgery is expensive ($3,000 give or take). My dane also became anemic and needed a blood transfusion and 4 night stay at a hospital and that exceeded the cost of the bypass surgery. Iclude antibiotics and other medication (they are not covered under YOUR health insurance like your children), and health problems can get expensive. Not that ALL Danes have health issues, but you do have to be prepared in a worst case scenario.
That being said, I wouldn't trade my Oreo for all the gold in Fort Knox. The emotional reward you get from a dane is unmatched by any other pet. Of course, I may be biased.

Jason

LMAO!!!  This is way to true!  If you get a Dane invest in some Vaseline to dislodge his GIANT head from your butt!!  It is like having another child...I can't go to the bathroom without Tonka trying to dig his way under the door!
Also, I have a 4 yr old and a newborn and he is wonderful with both!  My daughter is his playmate and he thinks my son is his puppy.  I have never had such a gentle loving dog!

I've never heard a truer statement about a dog!!  I've only had Boo since September but she is a constant companion.  If you don't want a dog that WILL find a way into the bathroom with you (doesn't matter what you're doing in there) then you may not want a Dane.  And not to be disgusting, but if you don't want a dog who is going to try and sit on your lap WHILE you're on the toilet, then you don't want a Dane!!!  They want to be with you every minute of every day no matter what.  I walk from room to room putting clothes away or cleaning and picking up and she will follow me every where.  I feel bad b/c as soon as she lays down, I'm off to another place in the house and she jumps right up and comes along.  I don't know if every Dane does this but Boo gets the "zoomies" sometimes and runs full bore through the house around the coffee table, around the dining room table and just keeps going.  Probably not a good idea to have breakables around with a giant dog doing that    But like everyone else has already said, I wouldn't trade her for anything.  She knows when I need a kiss or just need someone to hug.  She's the most loving animal I have every been around.  There isn't much that can compare to a Dane.  OH and also be prepared for a million questions every where you go.  Good luck and I know you'll find a Dane that will absolutely steal your heart!!

i had my date w/the dane last night, my first time ever, and...(drumroll please) I LOOOOOVE HIM!  absolutely & completely! By the time we (my husband, 5 year old son and I) came home, I think I had said, "I really like that dog" 10 times (it was a 15 minute drive).  I know I made the same statement five times before bed and this morning to my husband as we got ready for work.  I even told him that when the owner calls him, he needs to make it VERY clear that I WANT DEXTER! That's his name...let me tell you about our wonderful date last night.

Here are his stats: Dexter's black with a white chest (tuxedo) w/some white on his paws.  He's 2 and his last visit to the vet was about 4 months ago and everything looks good (the owners will provide vet records).  He will be going to the groomers tomorrow.  He is a full breed, but no papers (papers, shmapers, who cares!) and we can visit the breeder (about 20 mins away from our home) and ask questions about his parents.  His momma's from San Diego and his pop is from here (Sacramento) because the breeders wanted to make an extra precaution of not inbreeding.

Anyhow, Linda repeatedly stated that Dexter is really Gary's dog but she knew his facial expressions to the T.  She mentioned that he yawns when he gets stressed, he makes pouty faces when he gets scared and puts his head down the instant she raises her voice at him so she's careful of raising her voice even in general.  He gives hugs & kisses on command only because Gary likes them, but Linda doesn't.  He can rough house with Gary, but knows to stop anytime the second he's around Linda.  They say he's very careful with his tail now, because at one point he had cut it on something, so even though he may still hit the wall, he will hit it once and move a little and aware of his surroundings.  He grew up with kids (there was a little girl there that was about my son's age) and a small cockapoo; very friendly w/people, but still protective of "his" kids when they're out.  He doesn't drool, mainly kept his mouth shut the whole time we were together, but of course he does shed.  NO DROOL!!  He sleeps on a memory foam pad, loves stuffed animals and toys and as you've all mentioned already, will follow you EVERYWHERE.  Linda & Gary are very similar to how my husband and I are - I think Dexter is perfect! My husband and I even took him out for a short walk last night, I was able to walk him a short distance and he was fine.  I think we would have to leash train him a little better to my size and pace (he's used to Gary who is about 6' tall, I am 5' and very light) but right now I am also 5 months pregnant and he listened to my commands prefectly.  I hope they choose us to be his next family.  They are letting him go because they are moving and Gary has a neck injury and won't really be able to play with him as much as they normally do.  They're very torn about giving him up, but they know it's not fair to keep him under these circumstances.  My husband said he didn't even look at their kids coz he knows how hard it must be for them.

So, that's what happened last night.  I'm already thinking of things to get him and where to put his bed and toys.  Of course, still holding a little back in case we don't get to have him.....keep your fingers crossed!

I'm glad everything went so well for you!  I do want to clarify some things though, just to make sure. 

I think it sounds like a good match. If you love him already then he will love you also. Dont' worry too much about blood lines, I have a rescue with no idea what her blood lines are and don't care. Mine _ I have 2 danes- are both black with white on their chest and some on their paws. Not even close to show quality, but the loves of my life none the less. when will you find out if you get him? Let us know how it is going. Good luck.
Terri

Thanks!  I haven't been able to stop thinking about him today.  I really hope we get him, he's just a perfect fit into our little family and our different personalities and needs.  Well, Dexter's current dad will call my husband either today or tomorrow to give him the info on the breeders.  We mainly want to contact them to ask about their health so we're not so blind going into this.  So....hopefull y by the end of the weekend, I'll have some good news!