The Biggest Heart on the Block

When my kids were babies, acquaintances used to come into our house and look over the size of our dog, then at the baby affectionately tugging on the dog's leg, and give me the 'have you lost your mind?' look. Friends who really knew our family well never did that...because they knew our Dane was great with the kids. Beyond great, actually.

The dog breed guides usually list Great Danes as excellent family dogs, but if you don't already know a Dane with kids, you might not know why. Mainly it's just temprament. Great Danes are usually loving and devoted to their humans, and more inclined to let a toy go than to make a big fuss if a child wants it, too (unlike siblings!) Because they are so people-centric (Great Dane lovers call them "Velcro dogs" because they stick so close to you) children rapidly learn that the dogs are big and that coming up behind them can mean getting bumped into by a great big dog butt if the dog decides to turn around. So they generally don't get knocked over by accident too often.

And giant breed dogs don't jump up on kids and knock them flat on their backs. They are already at eye level - no need to jump!

Finally, to a small dog, a child can be physically intimidating. Great Danes are big enough that they are more likely to see a child as a small pack member needing their protection and assistance.

Small children who haven't met a Great Dane before can be afraid at first - a totally reasonable reaction to an animal larger than you are. But with careful introductions and proper adult supervision, children and Great Danes can develop loving and safe relationships.