“Marmaduke” is a Great Dane, the same breed as
the dog in this photo.
With the recent release of the movie “Marmaduke”, the spotlight will fall on the Great Dane breed. It seems each time a movie like this comes out, there is an increase in interest in the breed or type of animal portrayed in the movie, which is a good thing. However, before you go out and adopt or purchase a Great Dane (or any breed of dog or type of animal, for that matter), it is important to know how to care properly for that pet. This week, Peggy’s Pet Place features an article about Shadow, a real life “Marmaduke”. Peggy’s blog post tells the story of how Shadow was adopted her size and weight and some of the challenges that Shadow’s family faces in owning a Great Dane.
Though Shadow is a beautiful dog with a wonderful personality and I’m betting that her family would never trade her unique personality and traits, Great Danes as a breed do require a different type of care than other breeds of dogs, particularly small breeds. Before you see “Marmaduke” and are moved to bring one of these wonderful dogs home with you, please make sure that you are able to care for such a dog and are ready to make a commitment to your new pet’s care for his/her entire lifetime.
Did you know that the average expected lifetime for a Great Dane is only about 8 years? That’s right, their life span is generally much shorter than other breeds of dogs. That’s true of most giant breed dogs.
After you’ve read Shadow’s story, be sure to check out the rest of the blogs in this week’s Pet Lover Blog Hop too. There are some great blogs on this list!
Photo Credit: hurricainemaine/Flickr.com
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Good post. Some people just don’t consider all of the logistics of owning a pet before bringing it home. Thanks for pointing out that there is a degree of planning involved.
Hi Kevin. You’re right. Pets are a huge responsibility. Far too often, people look at their pets as throw-a-ways. If the pet doesn’t work out, they just take it to the pound and get another one. It shouldn’t be that way! If planning goes into choosing the right pet and being able to care for that pet before it’s arrival in the household, then our pounds and shelters wouldn’t be full of “disposable” pets.