Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi - we really need some sound advice on this. We have an incredibly sweet and fun blue dane who is about to turn 7 months. He loves other dogs and people. I have been able to work at home since I got him but will be returning to the office in a couple of months. He gets absolutely depressed when we leave him alone at home for any period of time and is extremely attached to us. I am worried that once I get back to the office we are not going to be home for 40 hours a wekk and by himself he will A. get into a lot of trouble, and B. be extremely unhappy. So we were thinking of getting another dog - the problem is that we don't really want another enormous dog and have been told to absolutely avoid small breeds like italian greyhounds and jack russells - that he could kill them by mistake or eventually become aggressive (he will be fixed once fully grown). At puppy training he gets his ass kicked every time by the smallest boston terrier pup I have ever seen (about 5 pounds) - he literally crawls under my chair to avoid its barking and snipping - but I'm told once he's an adult that will change. So if anyone out there knows of breeds that are really compatible with danes let us know - so far the advice we've been given is wire haired pointing griffons IWs and labs (not interested in labs at al) Any kind of advice would be welcomed. Thanks.

Hi!
If you are afraid of your puppy getting into something while your gone you should consider getting a crate for him. He should go in his crate every time you leave him alone. Not only does this save your home form destruction but it keeps your puppy out of danger. All puppies should have a crate for a safe haven They make a crate large enough for Danes, it's called "The Midwest Colassal crate." If you don't want another dog you shouldn't get one. Getting a puppy for the wrong reasons will be a mistake. But if I am mistaken and you want to get another dog than here is my suggestion. Your Dane should be well trained and socialized properly so that he will not become aggressive with specific breeds. It is true that individual dogs may become aggressive with certain breeds but I wouldn't say that all the individuals of a certain breed become aggressive with all individuals of another breed. For example all Danes being aggressive with all small dogs. I have a Dane, Two Dachshunds and a Border Collie. The Dane and Border Collie have developed dominence issues with each other but my Great Dane is still fine with Border Collies in Genral. The Dane and Dachshunds absolutley adore each other.On occassion the Dachshunds like to boss my Dane but all my dogs are good natured enough to deal with it and no one gets aggressive about it. I have also trained my dogs that I am Alpha and when I say enough the bossing ends immediatly. If you want a medium sized dog than there are plenty to choose from. Get a dog book with all the breeds in it and go through it. First off mark all the dogs you are attracted to and then read about the pro's and con's. Talk to breeders, visit the breed club web-sites and make sure they are dogs that would fit you and your lifestyle. Also always make sure you go to a reputable breeder to get your dog so you don't have temperment and health problems. Good Luck!

I would first suggest waiting until your dane pup is a bit older until adding a 2nd dog to the household. Having 2 dogs can be twice the fun, but are also twice the work (no matter the breed). Issues that you are seeing now such as shyness to other dogs will not resolve themselves on their own, and need to be worked through. I would also not allow the boston to snip at your dane pup, as it can be very traumatising to your dane puppy, even if the other pup is only 5lbs. Just nicely ask the owner of the boston to not allow their dog to exhibit this behavior towards your dog, or if necessary move your dog away from this other dog. The only thing that changes behaviors in puppies is training... not maturity (although dogs do tend to mellow out a bit as they mature).

As was stated, get yourself a crate, and crate train the dog. This is for his safety and the safety of your house. If he is a real "velcro dog" he may go through a period of seperation anxiety. Are there any doggy daycares in your area that you can utilize? Also is there someone that might be able to come home at lunch to let the pup out to potty? A good rule of thumb is for every month old your dane pup is, you can count on the pup being able to "hold it" for an hour for each month. So at 7 mos old, he should be able to hold it about 7 hours.

We are considering adding an Italian Spinone to our home (we have 5 danes and I am a stay at home mom). The Spinone are known for their docility with other dogs, but they are high energy (which any dog from the sporting group will be without regular excercise).

As I said though.. if I were in your situation, I'd just stick to your one dane pup for now. You will have more one on one quality time with just one dog in the house after a long day at work, and wont' have to worry about attempting to housebreak a puppy while working a 40 hour week work schedule in addition to trying to crate train your dane pup

Good luck!

Caroline Smith
FarView Great Danes

Thanks for the advice from both of you - but from now on to any future posters I understand about crates and about how the boston terrier is not allowed to go after my pup for more than a few moments (the trainer and I separate them rather quickly - we're not motrons)....basically, I more than understand the basics, understand about a lot of breeds and understand how a dog is to be raised (talked to tons of breeders, read tons of books, had dogs in my past, etc.) I only really need to hear from people with Danes and other breeds in their house....so hearing that you have a small daschund is great to hear - and we were also going to buy a Spinone - say thank you both for that piece of advice. Ifthere is anyone else out there that has comments about heir experience with their danes and other breeds please let me know - the rest of it I more than heard my share of and is rather redundant. Thanks!

Sorry that the advice that you're receiving sounds redundant. The advice that has been given was meant in a helpful way.

I have owned/bred/shown danes for the past almost 13 years. I did rescue for 2 years out of my own home. I have had cocker spaniels, basset hounds, basset/doxie mixes, yorkshire terriers, mutt dogs, and cats (all rescues that I took in and placed) while owning dogs. I never had a problem with adding any of them to my mix of danes. Most of the time danes, when well socialized and when they come from stable lines will get along fine with most other dogs. What you are going to find is that one specific breed isn't what you're going to really look for if you are set on adding another dog to your home. Your first priority should be to find a breeder that has stable temperments in their dogs and will be honest with you about any quirks their breed has. The sporting group of dogs is usually a good place to begin as these dogs are bred to be able to work in the field and get along with most other dogs while there. Some of these breeds however are better than others about not having dominance issues.

I know many dane owners that have chinese cresteds, bull terriers, french bulldogs, chi's, to name a few breeds, and most of them have few problems. It will, as said, all boil down to the breeder you choose and the temperment of the dogs they are producing.

Good luck!

Caroline Smith
FarView Great Danes

Yes thank you - we were looking at PBGVs and this breeder told us that her Dane killed one by accident and told us we should never mix a small breed with a Dane that sent me off on this crusade to find the "right breed." Originally we thought just what you said...its about the individual Dog's personalities and not the breed and we have heard from some other Dane breeders and you - I think we were just given some bad advice from this one breeder and wanted to make sure we weren't making any mistakes. thanks for the advice - it helped alot.

Wow. I would have been leary about getting a small dog after I heard that story too. I'm sure that was the result of a bad breeding resulting in a bad tempered Dane. I hope this helps you out! I looked into an English Cocker spaniel once. I absolutely love them! If you don't mind having them groomed They have great happy little personalities.