Scooby-Doo, where are you?

A review of "Great Danes" by Joe Stahlkuppe. 

I have my fair share of Boxer, Schnauzer and even Irish Wolfhound experience, but none with Great Danes. (Known as Grand Danois here in Sweden.) Perhaps it's just as good that I don't. I couldn't stand that Boxer, and the Great Dane somehow reminds me of a Boxer - except that it's much, much larger!

The two most famous Great Danes are both cartoon characters: Scooby-Doo and Marmaduke. The cursed hellhound in "Hound of the Baskervilles" is also a Great Dane, at least in the movie and TV adaptations. But what are real Great Danes like?

According to Joe Stahlkuppe, the "real" Grand Danois is a calm, well disposed and even sensitive dog. Like Scooby, they can be clownish and fun-loving. However, Great Danes are suspicious of strangers and can be trained to become guard dogs, or even aggressive attack dogs. The latter option, however, is not really in keeping with the dog's authentic character. The author of this book angrily suggests that maladapted dog owners who turn their Great Danes into vicious aggressors need therapy. A more serious piece of advice is to get a Rottweiler or Doberman - breeds better adapted for aggressive defence.

A well trained and well behaved Great Dane should be a great family pet, get along with both children and other dogs in the household, while nevertheless guarding the property against intruders. This dog is big enough to physically make an adult male fall over, and probably sit on him, too, until the police arrives!

"Great Danes" is a great (!) introduction to this particular breed. The book is directed at people who never had a dog or Great Dane before, and gives an overview of both obedience training, where to buy a Great Dane puppy, health problems, food issues, and - more than once - warnings not to turn your Dane into a monster. More humorous problems, at least to an outsider, includes the dog's "leaning" behaviour, a sign of affection that can be problematic if an adult Dane leans on a little old lady, child or even you. Letting the pup sleep in your bed is another no-no, since the adult dog might not want to break the habit. The wagging tail of a Great Dane can knock down a toddler or destroy your china. And so on...

The colour photos of Great Danes in this book are excellent, including several of the black variety, which does indeed look like a hellhound. I would think twice before entering a yard with two of *those* hanging around. Another variety is the Harlequin, which looks like an over-sized Dalmatian (it would have made Cruella De Vil more well-behaved). The funniest photo shows a Great Dane with a zebra-striped toy bone. The toy bone is large enough to be used as a weapon, in case your dog flunks!

OK, I admit I'm somewhat sceptical to the idea of a jumbo-sized Boxer. I wouldn't feel safe around a muscular doggie larger than myself. Something Big Slick Fido would probably spot, and then things would go downhill from there.

But that's me. ;-)

If you like dogs, and want to upsize, this little book might be a good way to start.