Are Great Danes good family dogs?
You bet. They have been called “gentle giants” for their quiet, loving disposition. They are calm and gentle around small children, though very small children should always be supervised (let’s face it: these dogs are BIG and can hurt unintentionally!). I have never known a Dane to bite any person or dog without a great deal of provocation. Most Danes will simply walk away when children get too rough. Despite their gentle nature, they are effective protectors of family and home. A Great Dane will protect his family out of love and loyalty. They aren’t vicious at all, but they don’t have to be. Sheer size can be an excellent deterrent (nobody’s going to try to mug you on a walk!). They don’t bark much either, but when they do, they have a reason. A 150-pound, waist-high dog with a large mouth (and teeth to match) can be quite an intimidator!