The Top 6 Reasons Great Danes Are the Perfect Family Dog

If you’re considering bringing home a new pet, plenty of dog breeds fit well with families. In particular, Great Danes are the perfect family dog for many reasons. These gentle giants are loyal, loving, and generally easy to train. While their size may be intimidating, there are numerous benefits to owning a Great Dane.

Read on to learn why Great Danes are the perfect family dog and why you should consider adding one to your home.

Are Great Danes good family dogs?

While Great Danes are the perfect family dog for many people, they may not be the best fit for everyone. Before diving into the positive aspects of the breed, let’s discuss some of the drawbacks.

What to know before owning a Great Dane:

• Great Danes are the tallest dog breed. While many people may see this as a positive, a large dog breed may not be appropriate for your home size or lifestyle.
•  Many large dog breeds, including the Great Dane, are known to have a shorter lifespan.
•  Be prepared for health challenges like heart disease, hip dysplasia, or bloat.
•  Daily exercise is mandatory for their physical and mental health.
•  Owning a large dog breed means higher food and medical bills. Be prepared to budget more money for a Great Dane instead of smaller breeds like a shih tzu or Pomeranean.

It’s important to understand the pros and cons of a dog breed before introducing it to your family. Take the appropriate steps to prepare yourself, and you will be fine.

6 Reasons Great Danes Are the Perfect Family Dog

#1. Temperament

If you bring a Great Dane home to your family, prepare for endless love and affection. One of the biggest draws to this breed is its perfect temperament. They are easy-going and patient and are extremely loving to their people.

#2. Excellent Guard Dogs

While Great Danes are not aggressive, they make excellent guard dogs to protect families. For many people, the size of this breed is enough to intimidate. Depending on the breeder, your Great Dane may possess protective instincts.

If this is important to you and your family, prioritize training and socialization. You can have a well-trained Great Dane that protects your family but only intentionally intimidates others when necessary.

#3. Easy to Train

A positive to owning a Great Dane is the trainability. Great Danes are docile, patient, and eager to please their owners.

Always remember to use positive reinforcement when training your Great Dane. Reward with treats, praise, and affection, and try not to punish or negatively react when they make a mistake.

#4. Loyalty

If you own a Great Dane, prepare to form a powerful bond with your dog. Great Danes are famous for their loyalty and love toward their owners. Don’t be surprised if they bond close with your children as well. Immediate training and socialization will strengthen this bond.

#5. Gentle Giants

While their size may be intimidating, Great Danes are known as gentle giants. They have a sweet, gentle disposition that is attractive to young, active families hoping to bring home a new puppy.

Great Danes are also excellent with children. They will easily bond and serve to protect them. However, if your children are young, remember to supervise playtime. They are often unaware of their overwhelming size and may accidentally knock children to the floor while interacting.

#6. Extremely Social

Great Danes are highly social dogs. If you start training and socialization immediately, you can take your Great Dane to public places without worrying about a negative response. A Great Dane is typically affectionate to strangers and quickly warm up to anyone they meet.

Summary of Top 6 Reasons Great Danes Are the Perfect Family Dog

Up Next:

• Greyhound vs. Great Dane: 8 Key Differences
• How Old Is The World’s Oldest Great Dane?
• What Are Piebald Great Danes and How Rare Are They?

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Dmussman/Shutterstock.com