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#1
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Great Dane or Newfoundland?
I'll be getting married in July and both my fiance and I would like to
get a dog. We've both owned dogs before and would like a large dog that would do well inside. We've already purchased a decent sized home (~1800 sq ft) with a large yard (~.5 acre). I've done a lot of research and we've narrowed our choices down to either a Great Dane (her #1) or a Newfoundland (my #1). From what I've read they both have very similar temprements and both would do fine living inside with moderate excercise on a daily basis. I have two real concerns about Great Danes. One, there problems with bloat and torsion. I've read and heard some very sad stories about losing animals from these and from what I understand there's no way to completely prevent either problem. I've also read that not playing or excercising with the animal for an hour before and after it eats is a prevention and I think that would make me constantly worry that I would cause it to develop the problem. The second concern is with childeren. We don't have childeren yet but probably will within the next few years after we get married. I've read that Great Danes are very good with kids, but I've also heard that their tails are like whips and can very often cause harm (especially to small childeren) accidentally. Is this something I should even worry about? My main concern with a Newfoundland is shedding it's long hair. My fiance is also concerned that it will be more likely to track in dirt in leaves with its longer coat. Any questions, comments, or concerns would be greatly appreciated. We'd really like to open up our home to one of these gentle giants but want to make sure we pick a dog that we can both enjoy. Thanks in advance for your feedback and if anyone has any advice please let me know. |
#2
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Great Dane or Newfoundland?
wrote in message oups.com... I have two real concerns about Great Danes. One, there problems with bloat and torsion. I've read and heard some very sad stories about losing animals from these and from what I understand there's no way to completely prevent either problem. While not a perfect solution, having the stomach tacked is a common preventative measure that is often done with large breeds such as the Great Dane. It is usually done when the dog is spayed/neutered to avoid undergoing anesthesia additional times. I've also read that not playing or excercising with the animal for an hour before and after it eats is a prevention and I think that would make me constantly worry that I would cause it to develop the problem. In general, I do this with my dogs, even though they are not large breeds prone to bloat. It is fairly simple - if you give your dogs a good workout at 5 pm, chances are they will be asleep for the next hour anyway. The second concern is with childeren. We don't have childeren yet but probably will within the next few years after we get married. I've read that Great Danes are very good with kids, but I've also heard that their tails are like whips and can very often cause harm (especially to small childeren) accidentally. Is this something I should even worry about? Most all dogs have tails... Danes have bigger ones, but tails aren't a particular threat, aside from clearing off coffee tables, and most any size dog can do that. My main concern with a Newfoundland is shedding it's long hair. My fiance is also concerned that it will be more likely to track in dirt in leaves with its longer coat. Yep, longer haired dogs are more likely to track in yard debris. A mud room or porch can usually solve this problem, as you can remove any detritus before going into the main house. As for shedding, all dogs shed, and short haired dogs can be just as annoying (or more so!) than long haired dogs when it comes to shedding. You pretty much have to accept dog hair if you have a dog, aside from those few bald breeds. Christy |
#3
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Great Dane or Newfoundland?
I've done a lot of
research and we've narrowed our choices down to either a Great Dane (her #1) or a Newfoundland (my #1). Those were our two choices also. From what I've read they both have very similar temperaments and both would do fine living inside with moderate exercise on a daily basis. Yes.... But if you get a puppy it'll be at least a couple of years before the need to goof off and really run every day diminishes. We got a Dane, and now at 22 months old she still needs a good, solid 1/2-hour-plus offlead run twice a day. If she doesn't get that she gets jumpy about little noises made by the neighbors, and/or tries to get us to play all day--I mean ALL day! Or she just walks and walks around looking for something to do, generally getting in the way and irritating the cat. Luckily where we live now there are two large parks only five minutes' walk away where dogs may run free, so she usually finds someone to play with, which really takes the pressure off me, since I'm usually carrying or pushing our toddler. I have two real concerns about Great Danes. One, there problems with bloat and torsion. I've read and heard some very sad stories about losing animals from these and from what I understand there's no way to completely prevent either problem. This is true. But more and more research indicates that there is probably a genetic component to it, and that it seems to not make such a huge difference how or when they eat, etc. We had Saskia's stomach tacked during her spay, which ensures that she will have hours instead of minutes before we have to have her at the emergency vet, so if she were to bloat while we were out, for example, it wouldn't mean an immediate death sentence. We do limit her exercise after she has a heavy meal, but aren't so concerned about before the meal. It's easy enough to just make sure she doesn't get fed right after a big run. When she was little we kept her very quiet for an hour before and after but after talking to a LOT of Danes folks online we have relaxed about that and just don't let her run around being a goofball after eating. The second concern is with children. We don't have children yet but probably will within the next few years after we get married. I've read that Great Danes are very good with kids, but I've also heard that their tails are like whips and can very often cause harm (especially to small children) accidentally. Is this something I should even worry about? My husband grew up with Danes and yes, accidents do happen, but are easily preventable. For example, now that our little Walter is walking, that tail is exactly eye-level for him, and so when my husband gets home I scoop Walter up to prevent him getting whipped by the happy dog (or trampled, for that matter--she's very careful around him but does get distracted, especially by things like my husband getting home after a ten-hour absence). She did get him once with the happy-tail, and he did cry, but there was no real damage done, not even a black eye. Another thing to watch out for that would hold for the Newfoundland as well is that those feet are HUGE, and when the dog lies down to play, they can stretch those feet out an astounding distance. Saskia has learned to keep her feet to herself around little Walter. Oh, and leaning and poking. Danes are leaners, so just be prepared to brace yourself, and teach the dog not to lean on children. They also poke things they're interested in, which can make a toddler sit down rather suddenly or pick the back end of a cat right up. All of these are easy to deal with by just being there paying attention. We love our Dane and wouldn't trade her for any other dog. She does have an anxiety issue, but this is much, much better now that we live where she can get her good run and socialize with dogs and people twice a day and also now that we've found a new source for the food that cleared up her skin troubles before (she has food sensitivities). She loves Walter and is very interested in him, and greets him about as enthusiastically as she does us these days. Although we are vigilant and try to prevent such things, there have been moments when he has fallen against her where she's lying on her bad, or has accidentally knocked her in the head with a toy, etc., and she reacts not at all; usually she doesn't even fully wake up, but other times she'll look at him, then settle her head back down into a new position or, occasionally, lick his chin and then settle back down. He has also started trying to give her things, so we're teaching her that she can only take them when we say it's OK--with "her" piece of cloth she likes to play tug with, for example, or treats we supervise the handing over of, but never socks or baby cookies or Walter's toys. He has also started stacking things on top of her, which she doesn't seem to notice. Blocks, books, etc.--he just walks over to her bed (with me in attendance) and gently sets something down on her leg or flank, hoots with joy, and goes away. Usually Saskia just keeps on sleeping, but sometimes she will sniff the object, and occasionally, if it seems interesting, look at me to see if she can have it. I always take these things back off her right away, of course. There was a time a few months ago when she thought twice that it was okay to warn the baby off her things--once with a brand new toy and once with a chew-bone--but since we have taken steps to make it clear to her that he is above her in the hierarchy, or at least that we are and we say that's NOT OK, and have reinforced a lot of her training and done a few things like stopped letting her on furniture, and of course she no longer gets to have chew things where he could interfere (thus eliminating the only issue that ever was a problem), and there has never been even the faintest sign of any further such thoughts on her part. Two trainers have observed her interacting with him and say there is nothing to worry about at all, that she obviously doesn't have an aggressive bone in her body and clearly does not have ambitions about rising above the baby, but I have secured a referral to a behaviorist just to cover all the bases. At the time those happened she was also under unusual stress because we were moving, we had packed everything in our tiny, tiny apartment into boxes and there was nowhere to move around anymore, and things were so chaotic she wasn't getting enough exercise or a steady routine or any consistency--these things are very important. Now we live in a place more than twice as large, and although my husband has to go out to work now and she had to get used to that, she is now very comfortable and relaxed and having a great life. My main concern with a Newfoundland is shedding it's long hair. My fiance is also concerned that it will be more likely to track in dirt in leaves with its longer coat. We decided against the Newfoundland not because of shedding, as any dog will shed, but because of grooming. I was pregnant at the time and we just didn't want to have to do all that brushing, brushing, brushing to keep the coat in good condition. That said, Saskia plays regularly with a Newfoundland whose coat is in great shape, and the owner says he only brushes him for half an hour once a week. Whichever breed you choose, please research the breeder carefully (unless you're adopting an adult from rescue--and there are a lot of them out there who could really use a nice home). They can be prone to hip problems, heart problems, neck problems (Saskia has a mild form of Wobblers, which thank goodness is NOT progressing and according to two orthopedists probably won't if we limit bruiser-style play with big dogs and walk her in a harness), so make sure there's been screening done on at least a couple of generations before the pup you'd be getting. Also get into obedience training early, whether with a trainer or doing it yourself--take it from me, with a dog that big you should have your loose-lead walking and heel and recall down pat before the dog can pull you all over the place. Saskia has occasional problems when she wants to play with another dog, but does listen and I can always control her even while also controlling the stroller, even if it occasionally takes a bit of effort, but we have a neighbor with a Leonberger who didn't work on these things. She's pregnant, the dog is 15 months old, and I watch her and cringe--sometimes they leave the house with her being dragged at a half-run out to our busy street, and across it, to where there is a long grass area about 8 feet wide that leads up to the bridge to the park. She just lets him go there, and they go on to the park with him offlead. Saskia is very well trained about roads and traffic and I won't let HER go there! So train early, and well. Hope this has been any help at all. Good luck with the decision and let us know which breed you go with! --Katrina |
#4
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Great Dane or Newfoundland?
wrote in message :
From what I've read they both have very similar temprements and both would do fine living inside with moderate excercise on a daily basis. Like Katrina said, they could be fairly active as puppies. Heck, my almost 5 year old can go on a day long hike and not bat an eye about playing frisbee when we get home, although she doesn't *need* that much exercise. I have two real concerns about Great Danes. One, there problems with bloat and torsion. I believe that research indicates that there is a strong genetic connection. Several Dane people suspect, based on their personal experience, that stress (such as change in routine) could also be a trigger. But, tacking the stomach (belt-loop procedure is recommended) can buy you a lot of time if your dog were ever to bloat. Besides, this is not a problem exclusive to Danes. Any deep chested dog could bloat, and I believe that Newfies are also on the list of breeds prone to GDV. I've also read that not playing or excercising with the animal for an hour before and after it eats is a prevention and I think that would make me constantly worry that I would cause it to develop the problem. This really is just a lifestyle thing. My dogs exercise before they eat. And after they've had their food, they'll sit down for a long chew and then go off to sleep. This really isn't an issue at all. The second concern is with childeren. We don't have childeren yet but probably will within the next few years after we get married. I've read that Great Danes are very good with kids, but I've also heard that their tails are like whips and can very often cause harm (especially to small childeren) accidentally. Is this something I should even worry about? Well, Dane tails are like whips and can hurt something awful. That said, none of the kids who've been around my dogs have ever been seriously hurt or complained about it. My nephew grew up around them (he was two when Pan, my Dane, joined the family), and every once in a while, if he's in the wrong place at the wrong time, he gets whacked, but he has never so much as cried. That said, the kids know to stay away from the wrong end of the dog when she's all excited - they're pretty trainable that way. My main concern with a Newfoundland is shedding it's long hair. My fiance is also concerned that it will be more likely to track in dirt in leaves with its longer coat. Totally. Khan (GSD/Malamute) is not exactly long coated, but he has been known to drag a branch or two in with him. The worst though is in the fall, when he comes out of tall grass and stuff completely covered with weed seeds. Total PITA to clean up. The grooming requirements are higher too. Pan takes about 10 minutes with a slicker, and Khan takes an hour at a time, at least twice a week. That said, I prefer Khan's longer coat to Pan's shorter one. His hair is more likely to end up in food and form tumbleweeds, but her hair just weaves into everything, and once it's there, it's there for keeps. Any questions, comments, or concerns would be greatly appreciated. We'd really like to open up our home to one of these gentle giants but want to make sure we pick a dog that we can both enjoy. Thanks in advance for your feedback and if anyone has any advice please let me know. Get out there and meet a few. There is no substitute. Most rescues are filled to the brim with dogs, and you'll learn by meeting a few dogs and talking to the people who work with them on a day-in day-out basis. Suja P.S. Since there was no mention of drool, I assume both of you are okay with it? |
#5
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Great Dane or Newfoundland?
Thanks for everyone's comments. They're extremely helpful. Obviously
drool isn't something we're looking forward to, but we've come to realize it's just something we'll have to deal with if we want a big dog. I also have a question for those who have gotten the stomach tacked on their dogs. I know every place will be different, but approximately how much does it cost? If you do the procedure during that spay/neuter operation, is it more for males than females? Lastly, does anyone know of any great breeders or rescues of either dog around Southwest Missouri or know where I can find information on some. Thanks again. |
#6
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Great Dane or Newfoundland?
Thanks for everyone's comments. They're extremely helpful. Obviously drool isn't something we're looking forward to, but we've come to realize it's just something we'll have to deal with if we want a big dog. Good. If you're not sure exactly what you're in for on this front, get a copy of Farley Mowatt's "The Dog Who Wouldn't Be" and read the bits about the St. Bernard. I also have a question for those who have gotten the stomach tacked on their dogs. I know every place will be different, but approximately how much does it cost? Well, it cost us about 400 Euros, but it's not done often here and we went to a surgical specialist for the procedure. If you do the procedure during that spay/neuter operation, is it more for males than females? No idea. If you get a female, though, prepare yourself for one long incision! I'm pretty darn stoic when it comes to these things, but I felt faint when Isaw Saskia's. The ovaries are at one end of the abdominal cavity and the stomach at the other. She recovered quickly and well, though. does anyone know of any great breeders or rescues of either dog around Southwest Missouri or know where I can find information on some. Sorry, I'm in the Netherlands. --Katrina |
#7
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Great Dane or Newfoundland?
wrote in message: Lastly, does anyone know of any great breeders or rescues of either dog around Southwest Missouri or know where I can find information on some. Proximity shouldn't be your primary criterion when it comes to selecting breeders, and you may have to check around a bit to see who covers your territory when it comes to rescue. Both breeds have their fair share of health problems, so is in your best interest to research thoroughly and acquire a pup from someone who does all the appropriate health testing. There is a lot of *excellent* information here about how to find a good, ethical breeder: http://www.dogplay.com/Breeding/ethics.html If you want specific recommendations for breeders in your general area (with Danes, be prepared with what color you want, because most breeders tend to produce specific colors), you should join http://www.danesonline.com/ It is against the charter to post names on the board, but people will send you private mails with information. Make sure that you pay some attention to who it is that is responding (for example, someone who is trying to sell you a puppy has a bigger agenda than someone who just has had good experiences with a particular breeder, or who is referred by someone who has been involved in the Dane community for a long time). The other option is to go through the breed clubs, and ask for recommendations. You can find that information he http://www.akc.org/breederinfo/breeder_search.cfm Be prepared to thoroughly vet the breeders yourself, and make sure that they meet all the criteria for ethics that you have set for yourself. Dane rescues in your area can be found through this: http://www.danesonline.com/resources/dane-rescue-1.html Newfie contacts he http://www.newfrescue.com/ http://www.newfdogclub.org/Main_Sub_...s13_rescue.htm Suja |
#8
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Great Dane or Newfoundland?
wrote in message ups.com... Thanks for everyone's comments. They're extremely helpful. Obviously drool isn't something we're looking forward to, but we've come to realize it's just something we'll have to deal with if we want a big dog. We have a Saint Bernard. Yes, there is drool. Drool that flies around the room. Drool that ends up on your clothes, on your face. On the computer's monitor, the ceiling. It is not a *constant* problem, however. It can be lessened by having a couple "drool rags" around, and wiping their lips after a drink of water, or after they've played and they're panting. IMO, if you're too fastidious, you shouldn't have a dog. There will also be a few housebreaking "accidents." Your dog will puke on your best rug. You're planning on having kids. I've had multiple dogs for decades - right now, six dogs ranging from 45 lbs to the 165 lb St. B. I can honestly say that my 2 kids have been more destructive and messier than the dogs ever were. Drool? Ha! I spit in the face of drool! Sorry, couldn't resist. flick 100785 I also have a question for those who have gotten the stomach tacked on their dogs. I know every place will be different, but approximately how much does it cost? If you do the procedure during that spay/neuter operation, is it more for males than females? Lastly, does anyone know of any great breeders or rescues of either dog around Southwest Missouri or know where I can find information on some. Thanks again. |
#9
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Great Dane or Newfoundland?
short answer to a long question ....................
................. don't get married . |
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