First and foremost, they aren't called 'Great' Danes for nothing.

The cute puppy you get, will quickly grow up to become a very big dog. A very common reason for Great Dane adults to come into rescue is because people say, "Well, I didn't know it was going to get this big."

As adults, Great Danes can range anywhere from 30" to 40" tall at the shoulder. If you rent, this is a consideration as landlords sometimes do not want renters to have big dogs. If you have a small house or small backyard this is another consideration. Danes are very hard on grass growth.

Do you have small children, elderly or frail individuals in your home?

Danes are just like other puppies. They chew when they teeth and can do a lot of damage, if not monitored. Keep in mind, Danes do not mature till they are close to 3 years old. The bigger the dog, the slower they mature. This means they can zoom around the house and in their exuberance, run over a toddler or knock an elderly person down.

Danes will need at least basic obedience training.

You don't want to have a dog that can weigh as much as an adult not to know basic obedience. A little or even a medium dog jumping on a person isn't much more than an annoyance. A 150 or 175 pound Great Dane jumping on a person can cause injury, even if the dog didn't mean too. It's hard to stand up to that kind of weight.

Big dogs cost more in health maintenance.

Heart worm preventative, flea protection even antibiotics all cost more for a Great Dane. The correct dosages are all based on weight. Depending on your vet's charges, heart worm preventative alone can cost anywhere from $140 - $170 per year. You will also spend more in food because not only do they eat more but you will want a quality dog food. Heaven forbid but if your Dane would ever need any kind of surgery the costs of anesthesia is more too. These are all important considerations as to whether your family can afford a Dane.

Do you have the time?

Because of certain health issues that Danes are prone to, they do need regular exercise. If you live in an apartment or have a small yard, this means daily walking or jogging. (Remember though, not right after they have eaten) They are also very people oriented and seriously need time spent with them. They want to be around their people and get attention from their people.