We could happily write for pages about life with Harvey, and life with a Great Dane. When you read books about them, there are common traits that people notice. When you meet other Dane owners, you knowingly nod when they talk about things their dogs do that yours does too!

Harvey, like all Danes, loves people and loves being around us. He's happy when we're around. We don't have to be doing anything, he's content with the knowledge that you're just there. When he stirs from sleep, or when he's just chilling out, he often has a cursory glance around to check you're still sitting next to him. He doesn't want anything, just has to make sure he can see you.

Being such huge dogs, they are always at stroking level, so even when we may not mean to, we find ourselves with our hands on his back or head, stroking him. If he wants attention, a quick nudge with his nose to your elbow tells you that he needs a cuddle. As such, we feel that they become closer to their owners because they're always there and physically close to you. Harvey leans, as do all other Danes - some say its pure Dane laziness! Harvey will just stand next to you and lean against your leg. Danes also need a lot of attention - they crave it - Harvey certainly wants as much attention as he can get. It's important that he knows when he can have fuss and when he can't so he doesn't become spoilt and too pushy, but there is a clear reaction in him when he gets a cuddle! Harvey is also the biggest lap dog - again, similar to other Danes - he doesn't realise his own body weight or size and can often reverse into your lap when you're sitting down. As an example, this is Harvey sleeping, but on Nick's foot with his legs wrapped around his leg.....just to make sure he doesn't go anywhere!....



Harvey is a rather cumbersome dog - he's not (that) stupid, he just doesn't always know where his body starts and ends. So, if he's walking past something and decides to wag his tail, objects move. If he trips or bumps into things, they tend to move out of his way, rather than the other way round. This also means if he decides to take off when he's at the end of the lead and manages to get his pace up, you have to be quick on your toes to stop being pulled over. Both Gerry and I been pulled over by harvey (luckily in the park so the ground was soft!) when Harvey has decided to stretch his legs a little too quickly!

All Danes get a lot of attention. Its something that we weren't expecting when we got him, but soon got used to. All puppies are lovely to look at - but the looks on people's faces changes significantly when you tell them that the dog the size of an average fully-grown dog is only 4 months old! At full height and size Harvey attracts crowds - it can be difficult when you're trying to get somewhere and get stopped every 2 minutes, but most of the time it makes your heart warm when someone comments on how beautiful and magnificent he is. We would also suggest that you practise smiling and laughing at a regular basis at comments people make that they think are funny and original, but that you have heard 100 times before..."what a big dog", "bet he eats a lot", "you could put a saddle on that and ride it" etc etc. They are only being complimentary, but it gets a little wearing after a while!!!



Harvey is also a really fun dog to be around and be with - he's only 3, so not long out of puppyhood, but he still retains that cheeky side of him but can be stubborn sometimes. He is obviously very playful and we know what kind of mood he's in when he has that naughty look in his eyes. But normally after a crazy 10 minutes he wears himself out and settles down again for a little 40 winks.....but when he's in playtime mood he acts just like he was a little puppy again and makes you laugh with his complete sillyness!!!

One thing we've never quite understood although is an endearing trait of Harvey is his little 'spooks' at various things. He actually quite likes the hoover and you have to watch that he doesn't get the hose in his mouth and tugs!! His biggest 'fear' around the house, which has baffled us, is his fear of the ironing board. He bounces around like a mad-dog whenever he sees it and runs a mile when its put away!

There aren't many downsides to having a Great Dane although, depending on your lifestyle, there are some compromises that you might have to think about.

The Danes size alone means that training is very, very important as what can be 'fun' behaviour in a more unruly small dog has a very different impact when it's a fully grown Dane. One thing that struck home with us was reading about Great Dane Rescue and the work they do in rehoming Danes, some of whom are there because of behaviour problems, sometimes caused by a lack of knowledge about the breed. We had to, and still do, work hard with Harvey on the lead so that he does not pull which he did as a small puppy. He still has days when he does pull so we bought a 'Dogmatic' head collar which controls him very effectively but without having to use a choke chain.

There are practical things that you need to think about because of the Dane's size. So, transport is an issue and needs to be thought about, especially when we're off on holiday with a fully packed car AND Harvey in the back! His bed is huge and takes up a lot of space, and when you have three as Harvey does, all around the house, it is something you have to get used to. Clearing up the kitchen after you've cooked is something we're very very careful about. He can easily put his head on the kitchen surfaces and hoover up anything that is lying around. Harvey also has pet insurance, a must for Dane owners as vets bills are expensive at the best of times, but when you add in the size of a Dane and how much extra medication they need, it can be very expensive. It's another consideration when thinking about having a Dane.

We take Harvey with us wherever and whenever we can. His size, slob factor (although he isn't as bad as some Danes) and height (think of his head at table height visiting people with large collections of ornate glass!) do mean that some people aren't keen that he visits them in their home. We never leave Harvey for more than a few hours alone at any one time, so if we can't take him places, we are limited by time if we go out or visit friends - our friends now work around us, so they've had to accept that Harvey is part of any plans we make, even if he's not there! We decided from the start that we wouldn't put Harvey in kennels as we'd heard that Danes don't cope well in kennels. That meant that foreign holidays have been put on hold - some people wouldn't be prepared to do that, but we know we wouldn't enjoy being away without him. So, we holiday in the UK which suits us all. We've found a company who rent cottages all around the UK, most of which allow dogs at no extra cost (see 'Helpful Information' page). We're looking into getting him his Pet Passport and trying a trip to France next year. This is Harvey camping (with Nick).....



and on holiday in Scotland (with Gerry)...



and with Nick in Brighton....



We have found that a large wallet helps quite considerably, not purely for the day to day costs of keeping Harvey happy, but also because of all the 'extras' we buy for him to spoil h