Newest Member of the Family!!

Awesome, Jim! We have one ourselves. We call Dudley "horsedog". He's about 175lbs. He's a complete Wuss and afraid of his own shadow. But one bark would scare just about any would be thief off. He thinks he's the size of a chihuahua, and tries to sit on the couch or your lap!!!

[KenyanSandBoa]

Thanks for the comments everyone...I'll be sure to keep this updated.

Originally Posted by T.G

Great Danes are wonderful dogs, they're 150+ lb lapdogs. I still miss my old Dane. He'd walk up to you when you were on the couch and bump you with his head then step back and look at you. Then he'd do it again. Then take about two steps backwards and to the side, jump, bounce off the wall, slide right down between you and the back cushions on the couch, effectively ejecting you into the middle of the living room floor, then he'd just look at you with his eyes saying "What? I just asked you twice to move..."

I remember having to childproof all the cabinets. And that not even stopping him. He's bust right through the little plastic press-down lock things to get into a cabinet full of cans. I guess he thought he could figure out a way to open them. lol.

And the big sloppy doggie kisses they try and slap you with...

Best thing I ever did for my guy was get him on the diet program from Burt Ward (yes, that Burt Ward, "Robin" from the Batman TV series). Who has sunk a ton of funding into research on scientific diets and what exercise programs for Danes are best and his dogs are getting almost double the expected lifespans, my buddy made it to about 16, which was great for a dog his size (170 something).

That's incredible!! I'll have to look into that diet. I have him on Canidae right now which our family has used for years with great success. He had his first vet visit, and the vet tells us "you should really have him on Science Diet". I wanted to just tell to shut the hell up and examine my dog.

He's been such a loving dog lately, and I've grown up with oversized lap dogs my whole life, so a Dane was a perfect fit for us.

I may be picking your brain via PM if you don't mind...

Originally Posted by Mugen910

when can I come over and play with the puppy!?!

You know your always welcome at my place...hell, you're usually there before I get home from work...alone...with my wife. Wait a minute...I don't know if you can come over anymore Bao...

Originally Posted by massphatness

New puppy herf?

Who's bringing a penguin.

Count me in...I've been craving a herf...

Originally Posted by Wanger

Awesome, Jim! We have one ourselves. We call Dudley "horsedog". He's about 175lbs. He's a complete Wuss and afraid of his own shadow. But one bark would scare just about any would be thief off. He thinks he's the size of a chihuahua, and tries to sit on the couch or your lap!!!

I was amazed with the power of the bark of the breeders Danes. They weren't yappy at all...just one or two wall shaking barks. This guys is definitely a snugler...especially with my wife. He thinks he's in charge of the cats, but all it takes is a quick combo from one of them and he comes hauling back to hide between my feet.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by KenyanSandBoa

That's incredible!! I'll have to look into that diet. I have him on Canidae right now which our family has used for years with great success. He had his first vet visit, and the vet tells us "you should really have him on Science Diet". I wanted to just tell to shut the hell up and examine my dog.

He's been such a loving dog lately, and I've grown up with oversized lap dogs my whole life, so a Dane was a perfect fit for us.

I may be picking your brain via PM if you don't mind...

Sure, whatever I can remember I'll be happy to share. I'm sure some things have improved since then too. Like the raw foods that Carlos has recently turned me on to that I've passed along to my brother and his wife for their dog (not a dane though).

Originally Posted by KenyanSandBoa

I was amazed with the power of the bark of the breeders Danes. They weren't yappy at all...just one or two wall shaking barks. This guys is definitely a snugler...especially with my wife. He thinks he's in charge of the cats, but all it takes is a quick combo from one of them and he comes hauling back to hide between my feet.

Sounds about right on the cats. He was 14 weeks when we brought him home, and they were boss, and they are STILL boss. Hell, when my dad brings his schnauzer over, she's the boss. It'll take until he's about 2 1/2 to mature (at least that's what it took Dudley).

Here he's scooting onto the couch with our 6yr old to watch cartoons:

[CasaDooley]

Congrats Jim!

[KenyanSandBoa]

Originally Posted by Wanger

Sounds about right on the cats. He was 14 weeks when we brought him home, and they were boss, and they are STILL boss. Hell, when my dad brings his schnauzer over, she's the boss. It'll take until he's about 2 1/2 to mature (at least that's what it took Dudley).

Here he's scooting onto the couch with our 6yr old to watch cartoons:

That's awesome. We've noticed Date watches tv too. I grew up with German Shepherds, and they never showed as much interest in the television that this guys does.

Dante definitely recognizes me as the alpha, but he has REALLY been testing my wife. We're trying the "yelp and ignore technique", and I just leave the room with my wife if he gets aggressive towards her so he knows his behavior will not be tolerated. The only time I've scruffed him is if he lunges towards the face because I want to send the message that that is a HUGE no-no.

[TBone]

Originally Posted by kelmac07

Congrats Jim.

Makes MAC's new dog look really small

[MedicCook]

Congrats Jim.

[ashtonlady]

I love Mike's Dane Dudley. But I love my Maddie more. Have fun with your small horse.

[Ranger_B]

That is a nice looking puppy you have there.

[STEVE S]

Congratulations, he is a fine looking puppy!!

[maninblack]

Great looking dog Jim! I've wanted a Dane for sometime now. Maybe after one of mine pass on I will look into one.

[Ratters]

Nice pup!

[Bunker]

Nice little pony you got there.

[ucla695]

He doesn't look so big to me. Congrats! Looking at those paws, he's gonna be a big one!

[KenyanSandBoa]

I figured I would update this thread with some recent pictures of the "puppy".

As of his last visit to the vet, Dante is now pushing the 100 pound mark at 7 months of age. He is such a loving dog, who just enjoys the company of people. He has successfully scared one pizza delivery guy (little did he know that his back end was wagging with excitement ), but as soon as he gets the ok from me, he's a big lovable goofball.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by KenyanSandBoa

I figured I would update this thread with some recent pictures of the "puppy".

As of his last visit to the vet, Dante is now pushing the 100 pound mark at 7 months of age. He is such a loving dog, who just enjoys the company of people. He has successfully scared one pizza delivery guy (little did he know that his back end was wagging with excitement ), but as soon as he gets the ok from me, he's a big lovable goofball.

What a great dog, Jim. Those pictures made me smile and laugh.
You definitely have your hands full with him, I'm sure.

[Ogre]

Beautiful dog. Our puppy ash (German Shepherd/Great Dane mix) is 9 months old and she has cleared the 70lb mark. Expecting her to hit 120. Jim, does Dante have the baby Hughy mentality?? Still thinks he is a 10lb puppy??? Ash does, she clears the coffee table with her tail and still jumps into my lap.

[KenyanSandBoa]

Originally Posted by Ogre3239

Beautiful dog. Our puppy ash (German Shepherd/Great Dane mix) is 9 months old and she has cleared the 70lb mark. Expecting her to hit 120. Jim, does Dante have the baby Hughy mentality?? Still thinks he is a 10lb puppy??? Ash does, she clears the coffee table with her tail and still jumps into my lap.

Oh yeah...he' a lap-dog. We've already lost 3 glasses from him taking out the coffee table...he's pretty much the definition of a "bull in a china shop".

When we're outside playing, he still comes barreling towards you like he's a tiny dog, and then looks at you like "why did you avoid me?" when you move to save your knee caps.

[Remo]

Very nice, congrats!!! Always loved Great Danes just no room for one...lucky you