Weighing up the pros of big dogs
Great Dane jokes? Sarah Eves has heard them all.
"You get the typical, 'Oh look, there's a horse - do you have a saddle for that?'," says the Petersham owner of Boo, a four-year-old, 60-kilogram Great Dane. "Some Dane owners will go off their nut and say, 'Don't call my dog a horse!' but people saying it don't know I've heard it 50 times. I don't get precious about that one. I know he's big."
Everything, it seems, is bigger when your furry friend is a large breed, including the size of the food bills. Eves estimates she spends about $200 a month feeding Boo. His diet includes dog biscuits, chicken wings and canned tuna, salmon and sardines.
(The Guinness World Records lists the world's tallest dog as Zeus, a Great Dane from Michigan, US, who stands 1.11 metres from paw to withers.)
Andrea Black, of Marrickville, spends more than that feeding her 12-year-old Old English sheepdog Dewey, who is half the weight of Boo. Because of his advanced age, Dewey needs dog biscuits that cost $120 a fortnight. He also snacks on the white meat of three roast chickens a week.
For Eves, canine food bills aren't the only thing that's big. "Your flea control is more expensive, your leads, the beds are bigger, you go to the vets and a course of antibiotics is $110," she says. But it's worth it, she says.
"Danes have a short lifespan - they have a nine- to 11-year lifespan, which is a lot less than a lot of other dogs - but what you get from them in that time makes up for it. They're a beautiful dog to own. They can be a bit un-doglike in some ways. They can be an emotional dog - they like to be with their people."
Similarly, sheepdog Dewey prefers to stick close to his owner. "The first thing people say is, "I hope you've got a big yard'," says Black. "I live in a courtyard apartment. As long as he gets two walks a day, he's not going to run around a yard anyway. He wants to be next to you all the time - if they're touching your leg, they're happy."
Eves is keen that Boo is a good ambassador for his breed. "He's a lot stronger than me but it's my responsibility in having a big dog to make sure he's under my control at all times," she says. "When you have a big dog, because they're so noticeable their behaviour is magnified. If a big dog is playing up and pulling its owner, you're going to notice."
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
According to the article, owners of very large dogs can spend roughly $200 a month on food. Diets can include dog biscuits, chicken wings and canned fish such as tuna, salmon and sardines, so monthly food bills for giants like a Great Dane can be materially higher than for smaller breeds.
Yes. The article highlights a 12‑year‑old Old English sheepdog whose specialised biscuits cost about $120 a fortnight, plus he eats the white meat from three roast chickens a week. Age‑related dietary needs can therefore raise regular food expenses.
Beyond food, owners of big dogs face higher costs for flea control, larger leads and beds, and veterinary treatments. The article notes a typical course of antibiotics can be about $110, and larger‑breed parasite and accessory costs are generally higher than for small dogs.
Great Danes generally have a shorter lifespan — about nine to 11 years, the article says — which means owners should plan both emotionally and financially for a concentrated period of higher running costs rather than a longer, lower‑cost timeline.
Yes. The article describes an owner in a courtyard apartment who keeps a large sheepdog content with two walks a day and close companionship. Large dogs often value being near their people more than having lots of yard space, but regular exercise and attention are still essential.
Because large dogs are so noticeable, the article explains their behaviour is magnified in public. Owners have a responsibility to keep big dogs under control at all times — stronger dogs can be more challenging to handle, so training and responsible management matter.
The article points out that veterinary costs can be higher for large breeds — for example, a course of antibiotics quoted at about $110 — and flea control and other treatments can be more expensive because of their size. Budgeting for vet care is therefore important.
Consider the higher monthly food bill (the article cites about $200/month for one Great Dane), age‑related diet costs, larger accessories (beds, leads), potentially higher flea and medication expenses, exercise needs, and the breed’s lifespan and temperament. These factors affect both your wallet and daily routine.
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