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  • #31
    Originally posted by Scarlett's Mum View Post
    Some of the most violent dogs I've seen at the park are goldens, labs, and labradoodles.
    Yes, I know I'm biased , but I only met one aggressive Golden and I've, literally, been around hundreds of them. Now Labs, Goldendoodles and Labradoodles, yes, I've met quite a few that were "temperamentally challenged".
    Karen, Chance, Lucy and Savanah RB

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    • #32
      Originally posted by DPU View Post
      I notice their gentleness when they soften their step when the paw is on my foot.
      Pfft!! Not in this house!!
      Until one has loved an animal, part of one's soul remains unawakened.
      - Anatole France

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      • #33
        Yes, I was referring to tangible expressions of characteristics or actions we associate with gentleness.

        As for inner being, that is interpretation. I am pretty sure everyone who has owned a Dane has dealt with differences in interpretation. For instance the "Dane lean" we consider it affection, yet others have interpreted it as dominant or alpha. What we consider gentle other's may consider lazy or the misinterpretation between alpha and confident.

        The point of my previous statement is, not all dogs exhibit gentleness in the same way and I wouldnt go so far as to say the breed is "gentle" anymore then I would say humans are inherently "good or kind." Plenty make that leap everyday, but to me you can find "gentleness" in a serial killer or watch the people at the dog park who's dog is a general dick claim it has a gentle soul. At the end of the day what matters is actions because the quote "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" has never been more accurate.

        A "gentle" but ill trained great dane can still be a threat and I often see owners slack in training because they have a "gentle" breed, be it lab or golden or dane. Having a dog with a consistent and amiable temperament is not an excuse to not train anymore then having a "couch potato" breed is to not walk your dog. I do not believe "gentle giants" are accidents or even a given in the world of Danes. Gentle Giants are made through responsible breeding for temperament and health and responsible ownership in regards to training and leadership. Everything is perception and interpretation.
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        • #34
          It does greatly depend on how you define gentle. I know others disagree, but I do think danes are (in general) a sensitive breed, very aware of the surroundings...so in a sense, yes, gentle. I think this is also a pitfall too though as I think they are more prone to fear and anxiety because of this (not saying all are....but many many that I have met have a bit more than other breeds). They seem to really pick up on the surrounding energy as it were....of course, again, not saying this is across the board true for every dane.

          Physically, well,I still have a deep bruise on my foot from almost a month ago

          Couch potato....well, I use it all the time. Ivy definitely is
          Last edited by Greenmagick; 07-01-2010, 06:34 PM.

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          • #35
            Originally posted by DPU View Post
            I think you are confusing "training" with re-training. Doesn't a dog come into this world with mostly instincts, involuntary functions, and awareness? What happens after that, the human has a say.
            You're going to have to clarify what you mean here for slow me. We've had Breez from puppyhood, no re-training needed, just clear expectations from day one. What the human does to build communication to make these expectations clear is training no? Whereas what the dogs learn from eachother and their home environment is ethology right?
            Until one has loved an animal, part of one's soul remains unawakened.
            - Anatole France

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            • #36
              Nature vs nuture... is what I am getting from DPU's statement.

              The life long debate of all living things.
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              • #37
                Originally posted by faust View Post
                The point of my previous statement is, not all dogs exhibit gentleness in the same way and I wouldnt go so far as to say the breed is "gentle" anymore then I would say humans are inherently "good or kind."


                Gentle Giants are made through responsible breeding for temperament and health and responsible ownership in regards to training and leadership.
                However a dog "exhibits" their gentleness or their capability for being gentle, be it physical, mental or whatever, comes from the dog's makeup. Your statement about responsible breeding is the key in keeping this gentleness that, I will always believe, is inherent within this breed. Owners are then responsible for nurturing this trait.

                I had Danes for 30 years before I rescued Chance and each one that I had the pleasure of sharing my life with was, what I deemed, gentle.

                So, yes, I still believe, (and I always will), that the Great Dane is a gentle breed.
                Karen, Chance, Lucy and Savanah RB

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                • #38
                  Originally posted by ouesi View Post
                  Pfft!! Not in this house!!
                  Yeeeeeah, not mine either. I really thought Bain had broken a bone inthe top of my foot last night after he came bounding through the door and crunched it.

                  It still hurts lol.
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                  A backyard breeder (BYB) is someone who has been deemed not a reputable breeder.

                  A "Responsible Breeder" supports their buyers, supports their own dogs, and supports the lives of any fututre puppies by having (and keeping up with) all the appropriate health testing suggested by the GDCA.

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                  • #39
                    For those of you saying Danes are a gentle breed, is there a breed you would consider "not gentle"?
                    Until one has loved an animal, part of one's soul remains unawakened.
                    - Anatole France

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                    • #40
                      Originally posted by ouesi View Post
                      For those of you saying Danes are a gentle breed, is there a breed you would consider "not gentle"?
                      Weird...I was just thinking this exact thing before I read this.

                      Yeah, I can think of one breed I wouldn't consider gentle...a Komondor, but I guess you could say they're gentle with the livestock they protect. Had a customer that had them her whole life, (she was in her 60's), and she had made a comment about them saying that they're not gentle, affectionate dogs they just want to work.

                      Maybe Chows...very serious, aloof and independent dogs.

                      I just can't see either of these breeds being "goofy" or snuggling with their owners looking for affection.

                      But, then again, I'm sure there are people that would say that they believe these breeds are gentle, so, really, it's all in everyone's differing opinions.
                      Karen, Chance, Lucy and Savanah RB

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                      • #41
                        Originally posted by kwhit View Post
                        Yes, I know I'm biased , but I only met one aggressive Golden and I've, literally, been around hundreds of them. Now Labs, Goldendoodles and Labradoodles, yes, I've met quite a few that were "temperamentally challenged".
                        Our neighbors have one of the nastiest dogs I have ever met and he is a golden. My parents had one of the nicest dogs I have ever met and he was a golden. Every breed has both.
                        Chris, Wife to Dave, and Mom three human teenagers.
                        Also mom to Tori (11 yo Lab), , Ayla (2 yo brindle dane), Milo (2 yo boxer), Killian (4 week old iw pup who is still with his breeder and mommy) 3 kittens, 2 horses, multiple reptiles, 7 fainting goats, 25 chickens, and 2 pot bellied pigs, all of whom make life great!
                        RIP CARLIE 2/09-2/11 & REILLY 10/4/08-11/20/12, best friends together forever now.

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                        • #42
                          Originally posted by ouesi View Post
                          You're going to have to clarify what you mean here for slow me. We've had Breez from puppyhood, no re-training needed, just clear expectations from day one. What the human does to build communication to make these expectations clear is training no? Whereas what the dogs learn from eachother and their home environment is ethology right?
                          I know for sure that when a new dog comes here, the only communication available is through conflict resolution. Dogs don't like conflicts, avoid conflicts, but the humans keep creating them. Don't you think that has an effect on the dog's balance and can be lasting?

                          I have a Great Pyrenees foster here and I would characterize the breed as 'casual independent minded'. Soft when interacting positively with a human, walks away if there is anything negative.

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                          • #43
                            I have to agree with those who support the gentle giant term.

                            Meri has always been gentle, and she is 100% a couch potato...always has been
                            Cassie

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                            • #44
                              Whereas I would consider my Loki to be a 'gentle giant', I think it does a disservice to the breed as a whole to label Great Danes as such.

                              It can give people the wrong the idea, in my opinion. Being on this forum has opened my eyes that not all Danes are what one would consider a 'gentle giant'. Now, when meeting people on the street while walking Loki and they make the comment about 'gentle giant', I will agree that Loki fits that description to a tea but all Danes (and dogs for that matter) are different (and then I go into my big discussion on the importance of training such a big dog, etc etc etc - like we all do I'm sure!)

                              I think if we continue to push this label of 'gentle giant' - that's when people are running out to get their own Dane, expecting this big soft, mushy couch potato that needs little training (because they are already so gentle, right) and needs little exercise. Maybe they will end up with one with those traits - but it's just so important to reinforce that not ALL Danes are geared that way.

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                              • #45
                                In terms of which breeds I would consider "not gentle," there are a few that come to mind but I'm hesitant to list them for the same reasons that I don't like the term Gentle Giant. And this is because I prefer to look at all dogs as individuals.

                                The expectation is that all of our dogs, great dane or not, should be well behaved, confident, and I guess gentle. The training, socialisation and exercise, etc requirements may vary between breeds (and ultimately between dogs), but we all work towards the same goal.

                                I agree with Nicole that danes are very sensitive. I don't think that means we have to pussyfoot around them, but the sensitivity can explain a lot of the gentleness and/or anxieties that danes are known to have.

                                I remember talking to my boyfriend about this topic before. He said that he doesn't think great danes are gentle giants - he thinks they're "tolerant giants." A big difference IMO and I think it makes a lot of sense.
                                Katie & Scarlett
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