Are Great Danes Good With Kids? (Answered!)

Great Danes are one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the world. They are known for their large size and gentle nature. But are Great Danes good with kids? That is a question that many parents ask themselves before they decide to bring a Great Dane into their home.

In this blog post, we will discuss the temperament of Great Danes and provide some tips on how to make sure your children and your dog can live happily together!

Key Takeaway

• Great Danes are generally good with kids, as they are known to be gentle giants who are patient, loving, and protective of their family members.
• Great Danes are generally good with babies, as they are known to be gentle, affectionate, and protective towards children of all ages.
• It generally safe to leave children with Great Danes, but supervision and caution should always be exercised to ensure the of both the child and the dog.

Are Great Danes Good With Kids?

Yes. Great Danes are a gentle giant breed and are therefore great with kids. They are patient, and loving, and make excellent family dogs.

However, because of their size, it is important to socialize them early on and teach them how to interact appropriately with children. With the proper training and care, a Great Dane can be the perfect companion for your family.

Great Danes make excellent pets. They do well with children. However, there are things that a Great Dane owner needs to consider. Great Danes are enormous; they can knock children and even small adults down without necessarily meaning to.

Great Danes need to be very well socialized from an early age. It is essential to make sure the dog is familiar with and behaves around other animals, children, and adults. The very last thing you want around is an aggressive Great Dane. I once saw one pick up and break the back of a pit bull. Given those considerations, a well-socialized and well-trained Great Dane is a dream pet.

Although they are not as active as other breeds and are more mellow, Great Danes have enough energy to run around and keep up energetic children. They aren’t bothered by the chaos of having active children. However, it is still critical that your children learn to respect your pet.

Your Great Dane will tolerate your children and their behavior as long as they are familiar with them, significantly if you have raised him since he was a puppy.

Nonetheless, it is critical to supervise playtime with your children and dog, especially if your children are very young, as your Great Dane may inadvertently injure your child during play.

Are Great Danes Good With Babies?

Yes, they are generally good with kids of all ages. However, as with any breed of dog, you should always supervise any interactions between your Great Dane and your children to ensure that everyone stays safe and happy.

Great Danes are gentle giants and make wonderful family pets. They are loyal and protective of their loved ones and enjoy spending time with their families.

If you have young children in your home, a Great Dane may be the perfect pet for you. Just be sure to provide plenty of exercise and stimulation for your big guy or gal, as they can get bored easily if not given enough activities to keep them busy.

Is it Safe to Leave Children With Great Danes?

The answer to this question is a little bit complicated. On the one hand, Great Danes are typically very gentle and patient animals, so they may be good with kids. However, these dogs can also be quite large and powerful, so it is important to always supervise any interactions between kids and Great Danes.

Additionally, it is crucial to make sure that both the child and the dog are properly socialized with each other from a young age in order to help prevent any potential problems. Overall, while Great Danes can certainly make great family pets, parents should always take caution when leaving kids alone with them.

It’s difficult to predict how your Great Dane will react to something your toddler does, regardless of how you’ve raised him, because your Great Dane is an animal, and even a minor nip can cause severe damage.

I witnessed my neighbor’s Great Dane wag its tail to a toddler’s face; fortunately, an adult acted quickly to save the situation. Even if your Great Dane does not intend to hurt your child or infant, he may do so unintentionally. A simple swipe of his wagging tail to your baby’s face can cause serious harm, and it’s always better to be safe.

Great Danes, in general, are quiet dogs who do not bark excessively, making them ideal for families with infants and excellent apartment dogs.

Loud noises can startle babies, and it can be exhausting to handle a barking dog while comforting a wailing baby. Fortunately, crying babies do not bother Great Danes, and they tolerate them quite well. And, as long as you keep any potentially dangerous interactions between your pet and your child to a minimum, your child should be delicate.

Why it’s Essential to Socialise Great Danes With Children

It is critical to socialize with your Great Dane, and your pet must learn how to behave when he is playing with your children. Accidents and injuries can occur due to a lack of socialization, which may or may not be intentional.

It is best to socialize your Great Dane early and often. Prepare your pet to be petted or touched by your children. Stroking his head, rubbing his belly, touching his face, holding his paws, and massaging his ears are all things he enjoys.

Bring your Great Dane to dog parks and family events where he can interact with other dogs and children of all ages. Allow your pet to interact with children from an early age; however, keep an eye on him at all times and correct him if he exhibits terrible behavior. This will teach your Great Dane how to behave in front of children.

Making your pet and kids do activities together, such as taking your pet for a walk or playing catch or fetch, is an excellent way to foster a bond between them.

Encourage your older children to participate in your pet’s obedience training and keep him mentally stimulated by rewarding him with treats for good behavior.

Training Your Great Dane to Be Easy With Children

Great Danes are ranked 88th among the most intelligent dog breeds in terms of intelligence. And, as long as you train your Great Dane well, he will obey and respect you and your kids as well. However, when it comes to obedience training, Great Danes need positive reinforcement, and they will learn quickly if praised and rewarded for good behavior.

However, this breed of dog can be a stubborn learner, and while they are usually eager to learn, especially if they have a positive motivation, they can have stubborn streaks. It is critical to teach your Great Dane to respect children and not treat them as equals.

For example, you should teach your pet not to jump on, push, or bite your children. While this may take some time and patience, the important thing is not to get discouraged and give your pet enough time to learn.

Your pet should recognize you as the leader of the pack, and you must establish dominance through consistent and firm training methods says Dr. Andrew Jones (DVM).

Is a Great Dane a Good Family Dog?

Yes. Whether you have children or not, Great Danes make excellent family pets. They are dependable and protective guardians, as well as loving companions. You can count on them to look after your toddler; however, ensure you supervise your Dane correctly when alone with a toddler.

I enjoy how my Great Gets playful with my youngest daughter. However, I ensure that I watch them keenly to avoid being sorry to myself. Great Danes are huge, and accidents are bound to happen if not well supervised.

If you live in a small house or apartment, you’re probably concerned that there won’t be enough room for both your large Great Dane and your family. However, there is no need to be concerned; despite their large size, Great Danes make excellent apartment dogs, even if you have a large family.

They are calm and quiet dogs who do not bark frequently. They are also not high-energy dogs who require a lot of physical activity. However, this does not imply that they do not need any exercise, and it is beneficial for your pet to get out of the house regularly.

Even if you live in an apartment, your Great Dane needs exercise, and just 15 minutes of walking, running around, or playing fetch is enough. You could even take your child on walks with your Great Dane so they can bond.

If you have a large property with a large garden or backyard, this is ideal for your Great Dane. Your pet will have plenty of room to run around and play with your children, keeping them both physically and mentally stimulated.

Is a Great Dane a Good Guard dog?

Yes. If you want a good guard dog to protect your children, the Great Dane is an excellent choice. Great Danes are naturally protective and will defend and guard your home well. They are constantly vigilant, making them one of the best guard dogs.

My Dane Is excited if he recognizes the person because he loves company. If it’s someone he doesn’t remember, he keeps staring at the perceived stranger until I call him down and introduce him. I doubt if he would attack someone. No one has been crazy enough to grab me in front of him, though.

While they may not frequently bark if an intruder enters your property, they do bark, and their massive size can make strangers feel quite intimidated if they mess with your dog. Great Danes are brilliant dogs that can detect any situation your children are in danger and will go to great lengths to protect them.

FAQs

Q: How big do Great Danes get?

A: Great Danes are one of the largest dog breeds and can grow up to 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 100 to 200 pounds.

Q: Is training a Great Dane difficult?

A: Training a Great Dane can be challenging due to their size and stubbornness. However, with consistent and positive reinforcement training methods, they can be trained effectively.

Q: How much exercise do Great Danes need?

A: Despite their large size, Great Danes are not very high-energy dogs. They require moderate exercise, such as daily walks and playtime, to keep them physically and mentally stimulated.

Q: Do Great Danes drool a lot?

A: Yes, Great Danes are known for their slobber and can be quite drooly. It’s important to keep a towel handy for cleaning up drool and to regularly wipe their mouths to prevent any skin irritations.

Q: Are Great Danes good guard dogs?

A: Great Danes may be intimidating due to their size, but they are generally not aggressive and make poor guard dogs. They are friendly and social with strangers, which makes them more suitable as family pets.

Q: Do Great Danes have any health issues?

A: Unfortunately, Great Danes are prone to certain health issues, such as hip dysplasia, bloat, heart problems, and certain types of cancer. It’s important to choose a reputable breeder and provide them with proper medical care to minimize these risks.

Q: How long do Great Danes live?

A: On average, Great Danes have a lifespan of 7 to 10 years. However, with proper care, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and veterinary check-ups, some Great Danes can live up to 12 years or longer.

Q: Are Great Danes good for apartment living?

A: Great Danes are not typically recommended for apartment living due to their size and exercise needs. They require a lot of space to move around comfortably. However, if provided with sufficient daily exercise, they can adapt to apartment living.

Q: Do Great Danes shed a lot?

A: Yes, Great Danes are moderate to heavy shedders. Regular brushing can help to manage their shedding, but expect to find their hair on your furniture and clothing.

Conclusion

Finally, when it comes to your pet and children, every parent wants to see them get along. You adore them both and want everyone to be one big happy family. And you can ensure that you achieve this by doing the things I highlighted in my article.