Activities For Great Golden Danes
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Introduction
One part Scooby Doo, one part Air Bud, Great Golden Danes result crossing a member of the regal Great Dane family of dogs with a member of the ever charming Golden Retriever breed. Great Golden Danes tend to retain the overall musculature and body structure of their Great Dane parents while also retaining the long, luscious locks of fur that Golden Retrievers are well known for. Great Golden Danes also tend to have tons of energy, as both of their parents are known to be very active dogs who enjoy engaging in activities like relay races, hiking trips, and marathons.
Dog-friendly Relay Racing
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Any Day
Cheap
Easy
20 - 30 min
Items needed
Relay Racing Baton
Activity description
The first activity on our list is typically played with groups of humans, but we've modified it a bit to be more dog-friendly and compatible with your Great Golden Dane. For this version of the activity, neither you or your dog will have to run all the way around a track field in order to complete a lap. Nor will you need to race against any other teams, should you choose to attempt it with just yourself and your dog. The idea is that you and your dog will take turns running with a relay racing baton to a set destination before returning to the starting point and handing the baton over to your partner.
Step
1
Loosen up
To avoid having your muscles cramping up on you during this activity, it's best to stretch and do a few warm up exercises before you and your Great Golden Dane start racing. It also might be a good idea to practice sitting and staying with your dog before the activity starts, as that's basically what they'll be doing when they're not running.
Step
2
Jog before you run
This bit of advice is particularly pertinent for anyone who hasn't run or sprinted in a long time. One can complete this activity without incident by jogging or even briskly walking until their bodies reach the point where they can handle running and sprinting again. Be consistent with this activity and your stamina and lower body strength will be on point in no time.
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Hiking
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Any Day
Moderate
Normal
1 - 2 hrs
Items needed
Hiking Equipment
First Aid Supplies
Dog Backpack
Activity description
Hiking may not be the most unconventional activity on this list, but it's probably the best way to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of every day life. Hiking trips are one of the best ways for a person to get back in touch with nature and one of the safest ways to literally take a walk on the wild side. Great Golden Danes were essentially bred for these sorts of activities, as they have naturally large amounts of stamina and will be able to maneuver around various types of terrain with ease. All you'll really need to do is pick where you'd like to hike and prepare accordingly.
Step
1
When and where
Two factors that may seem trivial to some but are nonetheless monumentally important aspects to consider when planning a hiking trip are where to trek and what time of day is best. We advise that newcomers to the hiking game plan to go hiking as early in the day as one can, in order to use the sun's light as a guide during your trip.
Step
2
General preparation
There are a few things one should always take with them on a hiking trip, no matter the length of the trail; water is paramount, as well as a First Aid kit in case of an emergency. We recommended that you outfit your dog with a dog-friendly backpack so that the two of you will have more room for snacks and nutrition as well. Lastly, we think that closed toed shoes are a MUST for this sort of activity.
Step
3
Precise preparation
With the essentials out of the way, you'll want to next consider what items you might need to bring that will help you and your dog cope with the elements that are specific to the weather terrain of your trail; if you guys are going to go hiking in the snow, bring warm clothes and snow boots. If you're going to hiking in the desert, consider wearing shorts while still staying away from open toed shoes (however tempting it may be).
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Run a Marathon
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Any Day
Cheap
Hard
1 - 2 hrs
Items needed
Leash
Water
Activity description
Our last activity is definitely the most physically intense one on this list, but it's one of the most rewarding and one of the easiest to get involved in. No matter where you live, the chances are high that there's a marathon that's either taking place or is about to take place relatively soon. Most marathons are dog-friendly as well, with owners often being able to enter their dogs into the marathon at little to no extra cost. The caveat is that runners who bring their dogs tend to have to start at the back of the pack, but one's goal when running a marathon should never be to finish first.
Step
1
Pace yourself
Marathons are all about reaching the finish line at your own pace. Don't try to compete with your fellow runners, or run faster than your endurance will allow. Instead, pace yourself and take even breaths throughout the entire course of the activity. Keep an eye on your dog at all times as well so that you are aware of fatigue and thirst.
Step
2
Keep moving forward
No matter how tired you get, always keep moving forward. You likely won't be able to complete the marathon by running at the same pace for the entire activity. You also may get winded or find yourself falling behind the rest of the group. All of the above are absolutely fine and happen to the best of us every now again. All that matters is that you keep moving throughout the entire activity - even if you have to slow all the way down to an amble, we urge you to keep moving forward.
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More Fun Ideas...
Scent Training
This activity is the next best thing to going out and solving mysteries with your dog, a la Scooby Doo and the Mystery Inc. Gang. Great Golden Danes have great senses of smell (yet another trait they inherited from both of their parents,) and they can learn to find items and people that are well hidden with enough training.
Dog-friendly Basketball
Playing into the Air Bud reference we made earlier, we figure you should try introducing your Great Golden Dane to the sport of basketball if you're looking for a less conventional way to bond with your pet. Dogs naturally won't be able to dribble or dunk the ball, but they can learn how to bounce it off of their snouts and into the basket if you practice with them enough.
Conclusion
Though Great Golden Danes are relative newcomers to the scene, we're confident that they'll become increasingly popular around the globe as they continue to make lasting impressions on people by virtue of this breed's innate charm and flexibility. Should you choose to breed or adopt a Great Golden Dane, we encourage you to act as an advocate for these dogs; we urge you to help the world see just how great of a pet and a friend a Great Golden Dane can be by taking your dog around and letting them socialize with others and by participating in numerous community activities with your dog by your side.