Foster Update 4/21 - Oreo is doing great!  She adjusted very quickly to her new surroundings, and is having a great time playing with our lab.  Oreo is great with our cats; she likes to sniff and lick them but does not chase them.  She can't understand why they don't want to play with her!  She is really a gentle giant.  She loves kids too.  They love to play with her, and they're teaching her to fetch.  

She barks when someone comes to the door, or if she sees strangers on our walks.  Once she meets the person she is fine with them.  She really loves her "people" and likes snuggling up on the couch with us.   

Oreo knows several commands, including sit, come, no, and go to bed.  We are working on stay and down.  She will also beg for a treat.  She walks pretty well on a leash, but she needs to learn to stay to one side.

Oreo loves life, other dogs, people once she gets to know them a little and after she finishes barking at them.  She is spayed, up to date on shots, Heartworm negative, housebroken, loves to cuddle, loves her toys and is crate trained. She walks pretty well on leash. I usually let her out into our fenced back yard so don't walk her as much as I probably should. I just love to watch her run with the other Danes, something she dearly loves to do. Oreo has been on Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul which I would recommend. That or Taste Of The Wild (TOTW). She is a very healthy, happy girl and would love to go to a home that has another fairly large youngish dog to play with. Oreo will REQUIRE a fenced (at least 4', 5' is better) yard. NO INVISIBLE FENCES and I would prefer no doggie doors. I've heard of dogs getting out of those during the day while their humans were gone and either running off, getting stolen or getting out on the road and getting hit. I have left her loose in the house for periods of time while away but would strongly recommend crating at least initially, especially if she were to be left for any period of time.
 
*** According to dogbreedinfo.com, the history of Great Danes go way back. Incised on some Greek money dating back to 36 B.C. is the image of a dog very similar to the Great Dane of today. The Great Dane is known as the "Apollo of all dogs." In 407 A.D. German Gaul and part of Italy and Spain were invaded by an Asiatic people (the Alans) who brought with them powerful mastiff-like dogs. In Germany especially, where these magnificent animals capable of overcoming bears and wild boars were much admired, a process of selective breeding was begun. The dogs were crossed with Irish Greyhounds, and the issue was the beautiful, large, thin, agile dog known today as the Great Dane. Despite the fact that they are called Danes in English, these dogs have nothing to do with Denmark. The Great Dane is a gentle giant. Dignified, kind, sweet and affectionate, it is playful and patient with children. It loves everyone and needs to be around people. The Great Dane does not bark much and only becomes aggressive when the circumstances require it. A steady dog, responsible and dependable. Brave and loyal, it is a good watchdog. They need plenty of exercise - at least a good walk a day. The expected life-span is about 10 years, although some live 12-13.