Are great danes aggressive towards other dogs? Mine was...

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Answer by DanaDB
Submitted on 1/15/2005
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Unfortunately I am now doing all the breed research for my bro-in-law's Dane after he attacked and almost killed my Chinese Pug with no provocation whatsoever!! We have just completed several weeks of intensive vet care,which my in-law did pay half of. He has a 2-yr-old male, whom he does plan to breed, who has also snapped at a teen-aged cousin, and is even aggressive toward our chickens!! Having heard how sweet-natured and docile they're supposed to be, I have gotten online to find out more about their behavior & how to avoid any future attacks! Also unfortunately, my in-law did no research into his breed beforehand...he just likes big dogs! I have learned & tried to pass on as much to him as I can, like the fact that I feel a BIG part of his aggression is the fact that he is largely neglected!! He is kept in a small back yard all day, largely ignored, and only fed once a day, which he has to share with a female lab. They do let him out 2 or 3 times a day for a 'run.' He was also very severely disciplined as a puppy ( We all live on our family ranch, and he would run down and hide under my porch when Chuck would beat him!!), and I have read how much, just like people, that can affect their future behavior! I have gone from being angry at the dog, to trying to educate his owner!! I, myself, breed Pugs. Don't know if this helps at all, but thought I'd pass on MY experience with this issue.

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Question by kiki
Submitted on 11/26/2003
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Great Danes Breed-FAQ
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Are great danes aggressive towards other dogs? Mine was around other dogs as a puppy (my parents have dogs and she was around them alot), she took training classes, which involved other dogs. Then one day she just decided she doesn't like other dogs anymore. It seems to be mostly when other dogs are around me. She is bad when she is in the car and sees another dog on the side of the road. She starts growling and acting visious. She is not an aggressive dog around people, though. Any suggestions as to why she is that way? Is this a trait in a great dane?

Answer by Mimi
Submitted on 7/14/2004
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I totally understand where you're coming from. I am in the exact same situation: My 4 yr old Dane doesn'tget along with other dogs, but is excellent with humans, and has never bit ANYONE! I think Danes are naturally like that, unless they are socialized EVERY DAY as puppies, which some of us don't have time for. I just firmly say "NO!" and give her a spank when she does get aggressive with other dogs. Goooood luck!

Answer by Peaches
Submitted on 8/20/2004
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You should never spank a dog for any reason.

Answer by b_r_e_n_d_a_668588
Submitted on 10/15/2004
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we have a Great Dane also and we have 3 boxers she has grown up with them since 6 wks old she is now 10 months old and every since she came and went out of heat she has been aggresive as far as literally tearing my other dogs up what is the deal with this I thought they were gentle giants that lay down with kittens what happen to that saying we dont love her but dont know what to do with her if you can help me please do !! Thanks Brenda

Answer by Athena
Submitted on 8/2/2005
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no great dane are not aggressive to other dogs i have two great dane a toy poodle and a sheltie and my great dane are very sweet. i have a male and a female and i took the male up to my school for show & tell.

Answer by Heather
Submitted on 8/15/2005
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I have a great dane and he just growls at people when he meets them but is fine within the family.he is only 15 weeks and is great as long as people dont approach him when he is out walking.Is this common or do you think he will grow out of it soon enough?

Answer by Tom
Submitted on 12/7/2005
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In over 50 years of having Great Danes the answer is generally NO!. However we had a rescue dog that was 70% blind (cataracts) and it was a defensive posture. He had been severely beaten by his previous owners. One other, female growled at everyone and thing but never did anything but growl until she got to know the other party (human or Dog. Didn't even bite when attacked by another dog! All the rest were overly friendly to everyone. Great watch dogs terrible guard dogs...but shhhh nobody knows that.

Answer by em
Submitted on 3/20/2006
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Minnnie

Answer by great_dane
Submitted on 4/27/2006
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They're only aggressive if they were not properly socialized as pups, unless they're sick.

Answer by kiah marie
Submitted on 6/1/2006
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I have the opposite problem, for the most part.Although he does greet other dogs with just a sniff, a wag of the tail and a jump he tends to scare them. Infact , my problem is other dogs have nipped his nose and tried to attack him!On the contrary...... Interestingly enough he acts this way when indoors or off the leash. When he is put on his leash and outside he tend to want to run to other dogs. Funny though he only does this when they are farther away and behind a fence. I personally think they do this out of wanting to protect yu and plus they seam to be very curious doggies!!!!

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