I Don't Have Time for a Puppy

 There are many people who struggle to find the extra time or energy required to raise a rambunctious puppy to mature adulthood. The undertaking is no small task! But if your time is such that you could still realistically exercise and care for a dog, it might be worth your while to search for an adult or adolescent. 

The same care in choosing a puppy (ie health, temperment, personality) applies to an older dog as well. Certainly if your time is limited, matching a dog to your home is very important. Have a quick read of the “Buying a Puppy” page–there are some excellent suggestions there.

Your choises won’t really be “throw away dogs”, which is a common misconception. Not every puppy will be sold from every litter, and some dogs that were kept by the breeder for showing might not have attained the perfection needed to win in the show ring. Some are simply the breeder’s companions that they will send to a good home to make room for new breeding studs or bitches.

Such dogs and adolescents will already be quite well socialized and trained, relieving you of much of the burden. The “puppy things” like vaccinations, ear cropping, and housebreaking won’t be an issue with an older dog. There are not as many adults for sale as there are puppies, but alot of the difficulties of raising a puppy are bypassed.

  A Dane on an agility course

The transition from one home to another is your only real concern if purchasing an adult. Great Danes are especially human oriented, so they will grieve their first family when they come to yours. Allow them that, realizing that they will in time develop a bond with you that is just as strong. Finding out what words or commands the dog knows, what their favorite toys or treats are, and even bringing the dog’s current bedding home with you can help ease the transition. Having something familiar in a strange place is comforting.

Riptide was 6 months old when he came into our lives, and the “gentleman” was my favorite babysitting, cookie sharing, snoozing pillow for almost 12 years. I’ve heard of danes of all ages that gracefully entered people’s lives, providing them with the gentle friendship that the breed is known for. It is true that you will have fewer years with them, but the ones you have will be greatly cherished.