Cont'
You must have the proper facilities to keep your Great Dane confined to his yard. There are many different types of fencing and dog runs you might want to consider-but a method of confinement other than chaining is a must! Confinement by chaining is cruel and very unwise to do with a breed such as a Great Dane. Allowing your Dane to run loose in the neighborhood-even in the country-is a very bad idea. He could be hit by a car, get shot, be poisoned, and in all likelihood is a nuisance. Danes running loose can learn the bad habit of chasing stock, and becoming excessively territorial. You could open yourself up to a lawsuit by being party to letting your Dane roam free.
The ideal choice for confinement to your yard is a sturdy fence. A distance second choice is a dog run, or kennel. Dog runs are suitable for the owner who has the dog in the house the majority of the time, and only needs to put him in the run for toilet duties. If a dog run is to be considered as a means of confinement it must be of a size suitable for a Dane and the owner must be willing to make the commitment to take the dog for walks and romps.
As a rule most Danes are not jumpers, but a fence should still be at least 6 feet tall. A solid board fence will give privacy, but can be chewed on and even have the boards removed by an industrious Dane. Chain link is tough and durable but does not offer any privacy and is expensive. To get more ideas on the various types of fencing to consider that would fit into your budget, your Dane's needs, and your house, you might want to consult other Dane owners and see what works for them.
It is this author's opinion that the "underground" fencing is not suitable for a Dane. First, it allows other dogs to come into your property. This access to loose dogs can allow sick animals to come on your property and infect your Dane, cause fights and possible injury to your dog, allows kids and other people access to your dog--and the biggie-some dogs just do not respect these type of fences. Ask any animal control officer!
If you build or install a dog run, it should be at lease six feet wide, wider if possible. Thirty to forty feet in length would be nice if you have the space. Cement runs, although very easy to clean, are very hard on Danes, especially puppies, and therefore not recommended. Most people use a small to medium sized pea gravel for the run surface. This can be bleached on a regular basis to keep the odor down. Some Danes climb so a top of some sort on your run might be a good idea. Other Danes are really good diggers so you should consider ways to prevent from digging under.
When you leave your Dane outside for any period of time, you must make sure he has adequate shelter. His shelter must be warm in cold weather, dry, and wind proof. There are many different designs that might suit you. Again, talk to various Dane owners to find what has worked for them. Remember-it must be sturdy!
The biggest problems I usually have with my Danes is digging under fences. It might be worth the extra effort to face the bottom of your fence with something that will prevent this. A hot (electric wire used for stock) wire works well. Also, some Danes will jump on the top of their fencing and eventually drag it down. Again, hot wire will work in this case. Be sure to check with the regulations in your area before you do this.
Danes are rough on the yard. If your landscaping and plants are important to you, be sure to fence an area off for the dog away from your favorite vegetation. Grass can quickly become mud in our Northwest winters, and there are times you will think your Dane wants to become a gardener. Trees are pruned, holes dug, and plants unearthed.
Proper fencing will ensure your Dane does not meet with misfortune. Samples of how to prepare a surface for a portable dog run are shown on the following page..
