Doberman VS Great Dane
 

I am in the process of thinking about getting a big dog! Those 2 breeds I am interested in. Does anyone have exp with these breeds... Pros and Cons? Yorkies and Doberman or Great Dane?

I love how both of them look, I love the size of both. The only thing I dislike about the GD is I hear they have tons of slobber.... Not sure if I would like that. I know the GD has some health issues and doesnt live that long.. I dont really know much about the Doberman's... Anyone have some exp to share!!??

I think the number one thing about learning about a dog breed is knowing how much exercise they need each day. Having a big yard isn't enough; lots of dogs won't run in it unless you interact with them. Some large breeds need 5 miles a day and more, so you have to be willing to see that they get this exercise every day for the next 10 years or so. Lack of exercise is the number one reason for bad behavior, destructive as well as aggressive. I'm the type that would rather introduce a Yorkie to a mature large dog, then vise versa. Large breed puppies are clumsy and can damage a Yorkie without even meaning to. Maybe looking into rescues would be another option, not all rescued dogs have behavioral problems, and the rescues are filled with so many large breed dogs. A good rescue could also help you choose a dog that would fit with your lifestyle.

You are so right! Wow 5 miles a day or more??!! Lol hmmm I'm going to think about it really good! I'm going to dog sit my brothers boxer so at least i will have a little taste of a med size dog!

Don't they say its a better to get a puppy with a smaller dog so the big dog can grow up with the small dog? I understand what u are saying, but its confusing! :0)

It depends on the dogs, when we joined a puppy class for Joey at the age of 11 months, we found it just too dangerous for him, and the large puppies would trample him. We entered a trick training class instead, and all the dogs were much bigger, but they were adults and well behaved. When we adopt a dog, it has to be for life, you have to think about you future and how much flexibility you have on where you live. Large breed dogs are very limited in where they can live, so many apartments are out. Also it’s not just the large breeds that need lots of exercise, I was looking into the West Highland Terrier a medium size dog and most sites say they need 60 – 80 minutes a day every day, A couple times a week maybe, but each day, sorry I can’t do it. If you can’t do it, you are doing a huge disservice to the dog. Lots of really beautiful breeds, but when choosing a dog, you have to consider your lifestyle for the next 10-15 years.

A lot of older mature large dogs are very mellow and will allow the yorkie to pretend that its the alpha.

Well DH and I have a 3 bedroom 2 bath house ( we own) with a nice gated backyard. I am not worried about that. I am worried about the amount of excersise bigger dogs need. I know it is something I have to think about and really put all my thoughts together. I would never get a bigger dog and end up giving them up. Like I said I am going to be dog watching my brothers Boxer in a week or so and I will be able to see what it will be like to have a "med" size dog.

You are looking for another dog? Are you still? A West Highland Terrier is a very active dog LoL, but arent all the terrier's? :p

No, I settled on a yorkie, their exercise needs more nearly matched my own. :D Just the size of the yorkie helps, a mile is a long walk, for a small breed, for a large breed it's nothing. By the way, do you like to Bike ride of skate? I see lots of people "walking" their dogs that way.

I use to skate with pnut, (he LOVED it) and so did I. Then I messed my back up and it hurts to do that. ( unless I am on my meds) Then Pnut was diagnosed with LP, and that put a stop to that! So now he gets 20 mins to 45 min walks ( When we are up to it) I do sit in the backyard with him a lot. Mommy is in her chair throwing the ball for him, alllllll he wants!

Yeah, thank goodness Joey loves fetch, I can wear him out a little before I get exhausted.

Ya, these little guys have a lot of spunk! Hmp I dont know if a big dog is in my future :confused:

I certainly wouldn't give up on rescue, with an adult dog you can see what you're getting and you could find out how Pnut accepts him, and how the two interact. They may even have some foster mom programs available so that you could see if you could manage it.

Maybe instead of one big dog, get two more little ones:D.

I don't know much about great danes other than a few basic facts. They are big loveable giants that will try sitting on your lap. They eat a ton of food and you have to make sure they eat it slowly and don't exercise before or after eating or they risk bloating which is deadly. They do slobber a lot.

Dobermans I love but they do require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation and you have to be dedicated to it. Lots of walking, running and playing. Dobermans are also great jumpers so you better have a tall fence as many can jump extreme heights. They are very loyal to their family and often a bit wary of strangers.
There is a forum for dobermans if you are seriously interested in them. It is tons of useful information and everyone there is great. The forum is called dobermantalk. There might be a forum for great danes as well.

You can still have a large breed puppy with a yorkie you just have to be very very careful. Never leave them together unsupervised. When they are together the big puppy should be kept on a leash and taught right away to lay down and be calm. If the puppy starts getting over excited you need to take him away from the yorkie. Eventually he will learn he needs to be calm and careful if he wants to play with the yorkie. Also remember to work on the obedience so that eventually when you can let him off the leash around the yorkie when he is older he will be better trained and will easily listen. I never trust a large breed puppy unleashed around a yorkie or small dog, they can be so clumsy and easily hurt a toy breed easily if though not meaning too. Only after I've seen them calm down a bit and more trained would I let them unleashed around the yorkie.

This is how we've taught our big dogs to interact with small ones and it has worked out great. Our border collie mix was such a hyper puppy when she was little. But so much bigger than a yorkie. After much training to this day she can play with them but knows to be gentle. Most of the time she lays down and lets them come to her.

Dobermans have major same sex aggression. Males cannot live with other males, in general, and no reputable breeder will sell a male Doberman to a household with another male. Dobermans require A LOT of exercise, stimulation and socialization.

I don't know a whole lot about Great Danes but most I've met seem to be "gentle giants" and most don't require a ton of exercise (but I could be wrong about this). A lot of happy to lounge around the couch. It can tricky with them as puppies because you are really not supposed to run them for 2 years while their joints and bones grow. Running around a backyard is fine, but you can't over-do the "forced" walking or running, etc.

I hope to have a large breed again someday. Particularly a German Shepherd is my dream. But Border Collies (though they are definitely not as huge, on the smaller side of 'big') have interested me lately.

To be honest, Jackson requires more exercise and attention than the Rottweiler that I watch, LOL. He's pretty high maintenance.

I'd love to have a GSD when I live alone or move out. I must say, I feel very safe walking around with a Rottie.

Here's an article I would aquaint myself with - just to be armed with all the information:
What is Predatory Drift? | Go Dog Training | Blogs on DogTime.com


I will say that not all large dogs require huge amounts of exercise - research your breed. Certainly all the research I did on Westies was TRUE! They said tons of exercise and they weren't kidding. That's both bad and good.

Lucy wears out about the same time I do - Ringo - not so much. They kind of make uneven walking partners because Ringo is ready to do another mile when Lucy is ready to quit. She's small enough that I can carry her though.

Check your Homeonwers or renters insurance - like it or not - most insurance companies now restrict certain breeds and you would not have any liability protection if they are restricted. If they are a mixed breed - then that restriction is a little harder to enforce.

Good luck and make the best decision you can.

There are a lot of health issues with both breeds. Today, you are lucky to get 6 years from a GD. Dobies have heart and other problems. Again, research the breeds, talk to breeders, go to shows, and buy from the best. I settled on a Cance Corso. No real health issues as long as you go to a great breeder. Fast learners, great protectors, and can live with small Yorkies. Carlo is pushing 12 and is still a great dog. Naturally, you have to overly socialize any large breed. Puppy Kindergarten, Various Obedience classes, and long walks and exercise. Carlo used to walk 3-5 miles a day. When he was young, we sometimes walked 16 miles, and thru the Carefree Mountains. They eat more, well, they do everything more. Meds are based on weight of the dog, need I say more. They can also do a great amount of damage in no time at all. If I were ever to get another LARGE breed, it would be a Cane Corso and there are only 2 breeders I would consider. One in NY and one in CO.

Wow thank you guys so much!! You guys have really gave me some good info!!

MyTrixie143- I hear ya on the lots of food! UHH also what comes in must come out lol, I was watching Dogs 101 last night, they had a 230 lb great dane!! The owner said his poo (sometimes) was 4lbs!!!!! OMG that is the size of Pnut!!! Hahah. I am so use to lil tootise rolls that I can throw in the trash or in the toliet. When he poops in the grass it is so small it is pretty much gone the next day LoL! I have heard about the bloat, that is scary!! What big dogs do you have now?

Britt- I did not know that about the Dobermans, So I would have to get a female? I do love German Shep's, I would love a police traned one!! I am not sure about the coat, it is pretty thick isnt it? Do they shed a lot? I would feel so safe with one of those in my home, or a dobie, or Gd.. I love all those breeds really. Border Collies are good dogs too, very smart. My friend has one and he takes her to the sheep training!! She loves it! Its like 20$ a day. He said since he has been taking her, she has become the best dog!

Ringo1- Thank you for that website. Very good info! Pnut use to be able to walk for a couple hours, now with his LP he does 20-30 mins a couple times a week. Now that we have the backyard thats where we are all of the time. He loves it back there, He will let me throw his ball to him alll day!!

shodanusmc- I hear the GD do not live that long, that would be hard to deal with. I mean Pnut is 4, that would mean a couple more years.... Wow I dunno thats not very long! How big is Carlo? Cane Corso are protecting dogs arent they? Didnt they hunt wild boar? Or is that the Italian Cane Corso ?

YES! GSD's shed like crazy, lol. I grew up with one, she was "my" first dog even though I was only 10yrs old. I went to school every day with hair everywhere, ha. We got her from a BYB and she ended up being pretty aggressive towards strangers. But we never did ANY training or socializaion with her, we ddin't know better back then. We also didn't give her sufficient exercise. GSD's are pretty high maintenance dogs. Well, one day, a worker (I think guy coming to change our oil in our house) came up and we did not know he was coming and that Sadie, our GSD, was outside and she went after him. Luckily, no stitches were required, but she left a few puncture wounds and he legally had to call Animal Control since he was on the job. She got put to sleep that day at 4yrs old. I came home from my first day of high school devastated! :( But basically this sad story is just to show how much training and exercise they really require. I so wish we could turn back time and have done things right with her. She really was an amazing dog.

Carlo is about 135 pounds. When he was young, I kept him a lot leaner, around 120-125. They vary in weight, and bigger is not better. Most males are 110-160 pounds, females, less. You can train them to Hog Hunt as a catch dog, but the Argintine Dogo was bread for that. Cane Corso's are more protection and farm guardians. That is their heritage. At that, they need little training.

Be careful! Your Yorkie might steal the big dog's bed!

What a cute picture, thanks for sharing!

So sweet!!

OMGsh, that is SO cute!

good luck with the search for the next big dog ;) i've thought about a golden retriever since we had one when i was growing up. i just can't live with the hair. i don't want a mixed with poodle dog to avoid the hair thing either. maybe a standard poodle. maybe some more terriers like westies and scotties. maybe a hunting dog. i just need a bigger yard and a farm and i'll prob get several more big pups. i want to train german shepards so badly. prob won't get a dog until babies are all done and grown up. my two little ones keep me on my toes. but i do eventually want to train and work with my own bigger dogs.

I would LOVE a Dobie! Beautiful dogs.... been reading books on them randomly over the years. I told BF that I want one someday. Not sure how I feel about it with the Yorkies but we'll see. :)

Danes are one of the most mellow dogs I have ever been around. I had no problem when my friend brought over one of her Danes for a visit. I had 6 greys and the yorkie at the time. They don't need a "job". But the puppyhood can be bad! A tired puppy is the best puppy!!!

Are you serious!!!!?? Omg girl, it's been awhile since I've been on here (NYC:)) but I'm back now and YOU HAVE TO GET A GREAT DANE if you get a big dog!! The are stunning, gentle, obedient, and so SWEET!!! Snick was IN LOVE with LOLA a great dance puppy in his puppy class!! Ugh, she was so sweet and got all the tricks and commands first all the time. I LOVED HER!!!! We all gushed how stunning she was. She was a light gray beauty!! Snick would go up to her and they would just love on each other to no end, nose to nose....too cute!!!

Hope you're well:)
XOXO
Viv

I think as long as you find a reputable breeder and ensure the parents have good temperments you could make either work. :) Both are beautiful animals, but as with any large dog, they both can be dangerous.
I have always loved a well mannered Great Dane.

There you are!!!! Ooooomg I've missed you. Peanut pumpkinsnuggiebunny have been so alone!! How was the trip? How are you? How are the baby bubbiespoobears?? Are they close now?

So happy you are back!!

Punkinbabybutts are GREAT:) They enjoyed NYC but they are happy to be home where there is ROOM and GRASS:):) Trip was awesome, partied like I was in my 20's!!!! They are getting close but Reesie is still a CRAZY puppy so until that fades, I don't think they will be snuggle buddies, but Snick is happier with him, I can tell.

So you going to get a GREAT DANE!!!!!???? That would be amazing......keep me posted!!

XOXO
Viv

It is always nice to be home!!

I WANT a Great Dane, not sure if I will get one... DH isn't real thrilled with the idea.. so I still need to think about it more and talk to DH!!