Are Great Dane's outside dogs during cold winter temps?

[greykyttyn]

Mainly curiosity here but I was under the impression they do not do well under 60 degrees as they will get too cold even with a dog house. I hope i am completely wrong and it is ok to leave them outside with a dog house. The neighbors up the road have 4 Great Dane's & 4 small breed dogs in the same Kennel/dog house area. Breaks my heart when we drive by on a 20 degree morning (or a 100 degree day) and there stands 4 Great Dane's staring at the house. When I drive by 20 minutes later to the office there they still stand. An hour later to go to the bank with the deposit, they are still standing there. Its so sad but its new neighbors and even tho the entire neighborhood is concerned about the dogs no one will talk to the people due to them being very rude the last time someone tried to introduce themselves. I really hope i am misinformed about them being ok outside because it doesn't seem like enough space for that many dogs either. They have segregated one Great Dane it looks like with a fence halfway across the area now too. These poor dogs always stare at the back of the house when you drive by like they are patiently waiting for someone to go talk to them. Nothing we can do about it so i guess i was just hoping someone who knows more than me would ease my heart by saying its ok, maybe not ideal but ok to do.

 

[DDSK]

Maybe they are still standing in the same place because their feet are frozen to the ground.
Where I live it seldom gets below 35 degrees on the coldest nights even at that Short haired dogs need a warm place to sleep.
I had outside short haired dogs and when it was cold I used an electric blanket in their dog house to keep it warm.
I put it between the floor and the carpet to keep them from chewing on it and had a flap over the door to keep the cold out.
I would think a Tibetan Mastiff could brave a much colder climate.

 

[greykyttyn]

O it gets much colder than that here just not yet this winter. People only moved in 4 months ago. I know there are many breeds who do very well outside. I just didn't think Great Danes were one of them. They have a 10x12(?) Building with doggie doors, so they can get out of the weather if they want. Its just me probably, I just feel so bad for them. They look cold and lonely.

 

[musicdeb]

Grrrrrrrr! I hate this story!

 

[rdryan]

Why bother? I never understood people who pay a lot of money for a dog and then not include it in their lives.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

In my opinion NO dog should be out in extreme tempatures EVER, regardless of breed and there should be no such thing as an "Outside dog" but not everyone shares my opinion, I suppose. As for the Great Dane Question, I would not think that they are made for extreme tempatures, especially the cold. Magnum gets cold pretty easily and stays in bed all night without getting over heated like Ruger does. We have had a few mornings here that have been in the 30's and he ran out to do his business and wanted right back in the house.

The more of these type of stories I hear, the less I like people and I wasn't people friendly to begin with. :-/

 

[Catia]

greykyttn--
You are correct. This disgusts me. Missouri winters are far too cold to be leaving a dane outside-even with a house-and dane's aren't meant to be strictly outdoor dogs, & not in that climate in the winter, they aren't capable of staying warm, they do not have the coat to do so, & they never will.

While being sensitive at 60 degrees seems far fetched, more mellow inactive dogs might be that sensitive.
Danes are heat seekers, in my experience. They are always curling up with their human or the other dogs.
despite their size, 1/2 of the time they are laying on top of each other in some way
Mine loved the heated waterbed & wasn't opposed to getting under the covers sometimes, & this is inside where the heat was never ever below 65.

I fostered a huge 185lb male who did love snow, but for short periods, as soon as he got cold, he lost interest & wanted back inside.

But 20 degrees is a different story entirely for a dane.
Many people in my region (PA) with danes put a sweater on them during the winter for walks & do not keep them out very long, but these are the people that you see out & about with their pooches. Some of the sweaters actually have sleeves that go down their arms/legs, but are basically crotchless.
Even with these, if out too long if it is cold & windy, they will shiver after a short time, on particularly cold days, this can occur within 15 minutes.

I'm curious what you mean by kennel--Is there any chance their kennel is heated?
I do know of a few breeders that have outdoor structures/kennels where their dogs stay most of the time, but they are heated, some are even air conditioned--they sell units specifically designed for this.
I also know it is a rarity.

 

[ElephantStone]

My American bulldog x Mastiff sleeps outside. In England the coldest it will drop to is around -12'C.
Samson is not fazed by the temperature yet and if I feel it's too cold outside for him to sleep comfortably I will heat his kennel or bring him inside over winter.

Samson's coat is pretty thick and when I take him for a walk or play out with him, he is always warm when I first go out to him.

Those Great Danes seem like they are not happy being outside all the time. If the owners are neglecting them is it not animal cruelty.... something a animal service could deal with?
I would try and get to know your neighbours, see why they have so many dogs and don't take care of them better.

 

[greykyttyn]

ugh i am so sorry, i am just now making it to the computer! i have posted off my phone 3 different times and it says it posts then poof the post is not there the next time i look. Several of us are keeping on eye on the dogs to see what happens since we have a huge winter storm headed our way. The kennel is about 7 by 10 not as big as I thought it was and does not appear to be heated. If they don't get animal control called on them during this storm then i believe i will try to speak to them myself to say hi. Most of our neighborhood is older couples and i know that some can be a bit... nosy & pushy. My husband and I are hoping if we stop to speak to them being younger than the couple who has the Great Danes they might be more receptive to speaking with us. Especially if we inquire about the dogs since we would like to eventually have a Great Dane ourselves. I have found most large breed owners in this area love to talk about their dogs to someone they think would like to own the breed they have. We did want a Great Dane at first, and eventually will probably have one. We could also get shot down & told to get off the property. I figure when the weather is better & kids are at their mom's it is worth a chance to try.

As my brother reminded me today, not everyone thinks as highly of animals as I do. I even brought my goats in where its warmer & put coats on them with this storm coming in. Brought all the chickens into a better closed in coop and bought them all treats to keep them from being bored. I currently have 9 cats sitting around me as i have also brought all the outside cats inside since its a balmy 30 degrees already with a 15 mph wind and a mist falling. My animals are my family and even though i know not all people treat their animals with the same level of love & care (most think i am crazy) I do I need to remember that maybe there is something i am not seeing from a distance and these dogs aren't in danger. I do not want to cause trouble if there is no need so several of us will watch carefully, without being nosy, to make sure they are warm this week.

 

[greykyttyn]

The Dane's were not out yesterday that I saw at all or this morning according to my Husband, someone hung what looks like heavy duck cloth over the doggy doors of the dog house/kennel building. We have 6 inches of snow on the ground and counting. Hubby is keeping an eye out when he comes & goes from work for me. Maybe this means they took other precautions to keep them warm. I know were were issued an Animal freeze warning by police department, basically told to either provide a wind block & cover or bring all animals into a building. Most people who live here listen to this because the last one i remember a rancher lost a whole herd of cows due to not listening and was charged with animal neglect. I do not know if these neighbors are from here or not to know this. At least I feel comfortable the dogs won't freeze for now.

 

[Big Dawg]

Danes don't do well in extreme temps. Sounds like since they are new neighbors and the pups are getting used to their new home. They may be watching the house for their peeps to come take care of them. Also, the separation of the one dane may be due to being in heat. My mind jumped to backyard breeding. Report them next time you think the pups are not being cared for properly. I'm still wondering why you hesitated. The best that can happen is you find out the Danes have a controlled environment in the shelter and just haven't adapted to the new digs. The worst case, you save the danes and are not best buds with your new neighbors.

 

[Willowsmommy]

I live in Maine, I have one mastiff and I 100% agree that a Great Dane is NOT an outside dog. There's no way. The coat is way too short, you dog see Great Dane sled dogs? People are ignorant. If a dog can't be a part of the family, then why have it? I never understood that. "Chain it to a dog house and it will be fine." Bullshit! Let me put your ass outside with nothing but a tshirt and underware and see how long one of them lasts. Ughh. Ticks me off. (My 2 cents)

I'm glad to hear that better precautions are being taken now. I wonder if an animal control officer spoke with them? Dogs should be treated with respect, honor and dignity. They are the most loyal creatures to roam this earth.

Ok, I'll shut up now before I work myself up again lol.

 

[greykyttyn]

I doubt animal control was out here we live outside of town but maybe they were afraid of neighbors turning them in to sheriff during this storm or maybe they take halfway precautions to keep them warm, maybe not as much as any of us would do but enough the dog doesn't' actually freeze, just gets cold possibly. There might be a heating system but i cant' see one. Doesn't' mean its not underneath somehow, the building is on skids and it was moved in. Still didn't' see an electrical wire run to it anywhere but i could just be over looking it. I feel better that they at least covered the doors heavily which stops the drafts. I just hope the one that is segregated off isn't getting ready to have pups or something. I hate that they are outside, but it could be worse i guess. Those little dogs we saw up there, none of them looked to be outside dogs either, they were all short haired small breeds. One looked like a french bulldog, something small & curly white hair looking too. they are all in the same dumb dog house.