Saddle Breaking a Great Dane
77If you’ve ever owned a Great Dane, you’re familiar with the typical reactions a dog of this size invites. On an average walk, you’ll hear “Is that a dog or a pony?”, “Can you ride that thing?”, “What kind of horse is that?” And then there’s my favorite: “Where’s the saddle?”
Since I have a rather twisted sense of humor sometimes, these comments tucked themselves away into the hinterlands of my brain and emerged a couple of months ago. On the last day of September, I gave my granddaughter a miniature horse for her birthday. Of course, she needed a saddle, so I bought one for her – a beautiful little Western saddle with a ten-inch seat.
After Snickers, the pony, died from a rattlesnake bite (I wrote a hub about it), the saddle somehow ended up at my house. One night as I was playing with my two Great Danes, Hamlet and Grendel, I noticed the saddle. Okay, you see where this is going.
Both dogs are super sweet and well trained. In fact, if you want to find a dog that loves kids, Great Danes are hard to beat. They're one of the best dog breeds for families. They even let the grandkids ride them. Hamlet will actually encourage the little ones to climb up on his back! The kids find it difficult to “hang on,” however. There’s really not much to keep them from sliding off. I figured with the saddle, riding the dogs would be a cinch. I thought it would be a simple matter of just placing the article on the dog’s back and drawing the belly girth.
According to veterinarians, a young, healthy dog can comfortably carry one-third of its own weight. The Danes each weigh at least 150 pounds and are in top physical condition, so that meant the “boys” could safely carry up to 50 pounds. The grandchildren in question weigh around 30 pounds each, and the saddle weighs about 20, for a total weight of about 50 pounds. Still, after deliberating the issue, I thought that was too much weight, so I decided that the dogs could just carry the saddle sans rider, kind of like a back pack. Maybe walking with the extra 20 pounds would help the dogs burn off some extra energy. I figured if Ceasar the Dog Whisperer recommended adding weight to the backs of dogs in order to achieve a better workout, it had to be a good idea. And the 20-pound saddle would certainly put no undue strain on the Danes.
In my younger, slimmer years, I trained numerous horses. In almost every case, the horses that had been properly handled had no objection at all to a saddle being placed on their back. And of course, the dogs were handled all the time, right? Piece of cake.
I placed the saddle on Hamlet’s back, and he took off like a shot! He hid in the office, curled up into a ball. Okay, I decided to go with doggie #2. I lifted the saddle onto Grendel’s back, and he just stood there for a minute, looking at me. He hardly seemed to notice it. When he started walking, however, he did not like the way the saddle felt – at all! He actually started bucking and spinning like a rank bronc in a rodeo. I had never seen a dog exhibit this particular behavior before and really didn’t even know a dog could “buck.”
Needless to say, we removed the saddle and aborted our attempts at saddle-breaking the dogs. I still don’t understand why they hated it so much. It’s a lot lighter than the kids who ride the dogs, and the dogs don’t mind their tiny human “back packs” at all. Maybe they have an aversion to leather?
I think if we ever decide to try this again, we'll remove the stirrups and stirrup leathers first. I don't think Grendel liked the way they moved as he walked. I've had the same experience with young horses before, so perhaps we'll achieve better results that way. Or maybe not...
NOTE: In the attached photo, the saddle looks much larger than it actually is because of the angle from which the pic was shot. This is a ten-inch saddle.
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Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Kaie!
Honestly, habee, whatever are up to next? I am still giggling about your bra. Maybe that saddle toughing some bones in the back which is uncomfortable? Maybe if you put a little blanket underneath?
Aw man, and I wanted a ride! Just kidding :D I've an affinity for Great Danes ever since I was a kid who avidly read Steven Kellogg's Pinkerton books. So much for that idea, huh? I had fun reading this, habee, thank you.
Danes are without a doubt the most awesome dogs..My Dane lived to be 12 and she was the love of my life!!!One Halloween I tried to put a basket on her back, much like a saddle, to go trick or treating..and she did the same thing bucked like a bronco..funniest thing
Hi, Carlina! Thanks for reading. Glad you got some chucks!
Hi, HH. The underside of the saddle is lined with thick pile. I think the stirrups scared him. Thanks for reading!
Glad you enjoyed it, Dohn. You should get a Great Dane!
Cooper, you were lucky to have a Dane live that long. Thanks for reading!
Thank you for the comeback and explanation. Something else I have learned.
What a sweet dog. Dogs are so funny and each has its own peculiar traits
HH, thanks for re-visiting! lol
Hi, Ethel. My dogs definitely have a sense of humor - especially the harlequin. He's a real clown!
I guess a dog bra is out of the question then.
I laughed out loud very funny. I love dogs...thanks for the laugh!
Tammy :-)
So funny! Thanks for sharing.
Hi, Carol! Yeah, I don't think my boys would be too happy about a bra. Good to see you!
Tammy, glad you're a fellow dog lover. Thanks for stopping by!
Putz, glad you enjoyed it. It's always good to see you!
The Captain returns, tattooed and bald lol ; )
Great Hub... Habee!
Love dogs too... and a nature lover...!
Hi, Tatoo. You look kinda scary now! But thanks for reading.
General, glad you enjoyed reading about my boys! Thanks!
it is nice hub and I like your humour habee, saddle with a dog, LOL< I like you more now, you love horses and a horse trainer one time, YIPEE< Maita
Maita, I think I was born loving horses!! I'm so glad you stopped by for a read!
habee - lovely hub. Great Danes are such wonderful, beautiful dogs. I wonder if they would like to pull some kind of little cart? They were bred as working dogs, weren't they? I knew a woman who had some huge dog, I forgot what kind, a working dog, and she had a little cart that the dog learned to really enjoy pulling. She put the dog to work when she was gardening.
Whoops, sorry to pop up twice, but I see you have a 99 score. Only one to go! I'll keep my eye on your score!
Hi, Dolores. I used to have a little wagon for one of my danes to pull. that was years ago, when my girls were small. Ebony used to pull all three little girls around the farm. Now, since we have two Danes, we could get a 2-dog cart!
Thanks for reading!
What a gorgeous dog but I can see why they would attract so much comment. It must cost a fortune to feed them.
that is so nice
Hi, Nemi. Actually, we spend more feeding the cats! Great Danes have slow metabolisms and are couch potatoes. Thanks for reading!
Well hello, Yass! Glad you stopped by!
I have never had a Great Dane, but my Weimaramer used to sit on the front seat of my car, seat belt on, wearing a black french-style beret.
I can picture that, Moranna! Weimaraners are beautiful dogs. Thanks so much for reading!
Lol oh god that really made me laugh, I love great danes, really friendly dogs, cheers for that ; )
I think putting a saddle on a dog for the amusement of children -even a large breed and small children- is abusive. The dog isn't a pack animal. Teach the children better than trying to turn your pet into a circus sideshow.
Its nice to take good care of our puppies..nice hubs...
Great hub as usual habee. Love the saddle!
You are such a scream. Thanks so much for this hub :)
Peyton - is this your real name, or is this in reference to an Ambrose Bierce character? I love that story, by the way. Dogs aren't pack animals? Do some research, my friend. You'll discover that dogs have been and are still often used as work animals, including pack animals.
This was not for the amusement of children - no children were present. Dog trainer Ceasar Milan recommends using back packs and other weights on your dog to increase the value of their walks. Most dogs who live inside do not get enough exercise. My dogs were not harmed by this at all!
Tattoo, Danes are truly AWESOME dogs!
Thanks, Hammerj for reading and commenting!
Thanks, Ernesto, for the kind words!
Jess, I love your sense of humor, too! Thanks for visiting.
What a fun Hub! I wonder what the difference might be between the saddle and loaded saddle bags? My daughter's 80-pound Chow mix happily carries those bags fully loaded, and never had a problem adjusting to them. But then, the loaded bags hug the sides and don't have anything like stirrups dangling, as you mentioned. I think this was a great experiment.
About Peyton's comment, dogs love to work because they love to please. You were informed about the weight guidelines for your Danes, so there was no problem there.
Thumbs up for a great read!
My Grampa had a horse like that. You could ride her bareback forever but she hated saddles! Funny critters ;)
Thanks, Sally, for your thoughtful comments. Anyone who knows my furkids know that they are spoiled rotten! They even sleep with me!
Hi, Redelf! Funny, I had a horse like that once, also. Dancer hated saddles. I still think it might be the dangling stirrups.
And the dogs are still talking to you? :) That was hilarious.
Yes, UW, the only time they pout is when we leave that at the doggie hotel for a family vacation. Even then, Grendel doesn't pout, but Hamlet sure does! He's so funny - he won't even look at us for a day or two after we pick them up. Thanks for reading!
I am laughing my beer out me nose! Too funny.
Well, at least that should clean your sinuses! Good to see ya!
This was a fun hub to read. We remember when we put the first collar and leash on our Irish Setter pup Kelly...he bucked just like a bucking bronco. Fortunately he soon got the hang of it. I can just imagine your dogs bucking with that saddle. Too funny!
Hi, Peggy! Irish setters are gorgeous! Thanks for reading - I appreciate it.
Great Hub! I love Great Danes! Maybe someone needs to invent a saddle specifically made for Great Danes and their comfort! :)
I love Great Danes too - just got hung on mals - I'm wondering if I could possibly get the mals to tolerate a saddle - oh I so doubt it since they are totally into pulling....but maybe they could pull a Great Dane with a saddle on. I'm thinking I'm in the next town parade! Great hub - Audrey
Good idea, KAri! Maybe I could get a patent.
Hi, Audrey. I had a mal once named Yukon. Thanks for reading!
When I put my dog's reflective jacket on (he WILL wear it - it was just hunting season!) he always does a little dosey-do as though he's trying to walk out of it. He looks at me with those doggy eyes, then settles into our run.
We laugh every time. It's adorable.
I like it!Thank you for sharing!http://www.6inchboot.com
I'll bet that is cute, MrsMOe! Glad you stopped by.
Thanks for the comment, Ginch.
I saw that photograph and thought 'no way', then I read your dialogue and realised I was right. A very funny idea though, and glad you took the issue of whether it would harm the dog seriously. Enjoyed reading this, it was a refreshing change.
Really enjoyed this Hub Habee. My last 2 dogs were Great Danes. The last one was Blue Dane, with papers and while I had him he was the best friend any owner could ever have. Danes are awesome, but not for everyone. My Dane had a very loving nature around children, but extremely protective nature of me around adults. I think my Dane had a jealous streak! lol
From my experience with Danes, they do have a unique personality. Mine were easy to train. I never tried the saddle...loved what you did there. My Dane's favorite "item" he claimed to was a 2x4x8 he drug around to gnaw on. That was the one thing he did not like for me to touch.
Thanks, Brian! So nice of you to stop by.
Yay, Michael, another Dane lover! They are awesome, aren't they? For some real giggles, read my hub, "The Ultimate LAp Dog"!
I didn't even know there was such a thing.
Hello, Al. Thanks for reading!
Oh, too funny ! My husband grew up with Irish Wolf Hounds. Talk about a large dog (I have had the pleasure of meeting a few of them). He recalls the most often suggestion from those who met the hounds: "put a saddle on him and you can ride him."
Big dogs are great! Thanks for reading and leaving a comment, Lewgard!
Very funny! I think I might pay money to see a dog buck! ;)
Hi habee,
i donot have a dog but my friend has a GS. i love her but great dane are too big and we got very small flats ( apartments) in delhi but i did like the kid on the Gr. Dane. Lovely pic
Hi, Crow. Glad you enjoyed it. How much do you think I should charge for a performance? lol!
Sweetie, thanks for the compliment.
Haha! Let's keep it old fashiond, a quarter a head! ;) LOL!
That sounds fair, Crow! I'm an old-fashioned kind of gal. lol!
wonderful great hrse/uhhh/dane hubs here habee :)
however, I will NOT be letting baby girl read these...at least not until she has her bachelor degree in culinary arts(2013)then she can read them : ) shes always wanted a great dane...well,she gets her chef hat and she can cook for them too!!
actually I had a friend of a friend who had two and they were wonderful,well behaved, never jumped up on yo, looked right at you when you were speaking to them...I swore they understood me!!
but when we have the space...we will get a dog/but it will be a german shepard, I havent had one since a teenager and hubby hasnt had one since the 70's
Danes are awesome, but I also love German shepherds. Great to see you!
I wonder... are there miniature chuckwagons? (wondering also if, in 3 or 4 months, Habee will hub about "Hamlet and Grendel Chuckwagon Champions" or something of the sort).
:)
Myth, I did see an old photo from WWII where the Germans had a wagon that was pulled by 8 Great Danes! I guess I need 6 more for a full team. lol
Hi Habee,
Thanks for sharing your photos and story. I have a Mantle Merle named Duke, he is a retired, mobility/balance Service dog and has a leather harness that he is used to wearing so I am wanting to find a saddle and I do not think he will have much issue with wearing that since the harness is kind of like that. But it sets on his shoulders, not directly on his back, so who knows till I actually put it on him. Then I have a gentle leader where I can fix it to look allot like a bridle. I have a couple small boys next door and he loves to give the 3 and 1 year old rides. Duke is a bit larger than your Danes, he is over 200lbs. He is 3/4 Euro in his lines, he stands 40 inches at the shoulders, so I definately get the look at the horse comments all the time lol
My mom tried a soft saddle when I was a child on our great dane I wont say it was entirely effective but he didnt mind so much ! I too used to ride on ours ! I cant wait my husband has finally agreed to let me purchase my first great dane and I have found a gorgeous blue puppy !!!!
I had no idea you could actually saddle break a Great Dane. My husband has been trying to convince me we need to get a Great Dane but I have yet to let him. I grew up around horse and I guess if we could use our pack saddles on a Great Dane I might consider it. (http://outfitterspackstation.com)
I have a boxer mix (about 55lbs) and I am always trying to get him to wear a bridle but he hares the bit.I've never tried him with a saddle!
carolina muscle Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago
Hilarious!! What a funny concept... he looks a little dubious about the idea, though! LOL