can a small person handle a great dane

i am 17 years old, 5’3 and 120 pounds.

i know that great danes can weigh up to 200 pounds, which is even bigger than a huge wolf.

i know they’re gentle, but i work for a highly experienced veterinarian who says that a great dane would be way too big for me to handle because great danes are so big. and at the age of 17, i’m probably done growing. and i haven’t grown a single inch since i was 14.

will i ever find a great dane that someone as small as i am can handle?

You bet you can. It’s all about the training. When I was 11 years old I walked a dane every day for a dollar I was about 4 feet then. it really is all about the training if a dane is the dog you love go for it just remember TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING

OK How many people do you see leading horses, training horses, walking with horses, who are bigger than the horse? Training is right!!! need2write67 has hit the nail on the head. Have handler classes if need be then go and find your soul mate!! and once you have found him/her….ttraining and classes !! Good Luck

Dear Catmaster,

My name is mickey and I am known by many in az as the K9 Nanny. I have a Great Dane named Mona, a German Rottie and a Rottie Mix.



Yes training is a must for any dog. But, learning the line of respect is even more important.

One of the biggest reasons dogs and their humans flunk basic training has to do with no one teaching the human to earn canine respect. Without being respected as head of your household/pack your dog will not take you seriously when it is most needed.

If you haven’t already make sure that you take the match test on this site and answer absolutely honest. I took it out of shear curiosity and their #1 match for me was the Great dane. #4 was the rottwieler.

There is also a pull harness that can be very helpful as well. It has lamb shearling on the 2 straps that go underneath the legs. When they pull it applies pressure on the legs. The next one is called a Halti. Great training aid for keeping complete control of the head and the muzzle. (This isn’t a Muzzle).

Anyone can safely walk a Giant Breed dog when done correctly.

mickey at humansareanimalstoo dot org

PS. Not all Great Danes are 200 lbs. The females are smaller than the males. But that isn’t a guarantee. My Mona is 130 and sleek. Her daddy was 145 and her mom avg 125. If you prefer, simply let your Great Dane rescues know what you are looking for.