I never really understood the phrase "go big or go home" until I brought home my Great Dane Everest, a puppy who seemed to double in size every time I blinked. Most people choose a name like that because they have high hopes for their dog's future, but in Everest's case, it was a self-fulfilling prophecy. He's not just a dog; he's a physical presence that demands you rearrange your entire furniture layout—and maybe your life—just to accommodate him.
When people see a Great Dane, they usually ask the same three questions: "How much does he eat?" "Do you have a saddle for him?" and "Is he part pony?" I usually just laugh because, honestly, I wondered the same things before I got him. Living with a dog named Everest feels exactly like you'd expect. It's a lot of climbing over legs, a lot of giant-sized love, and a fair amount of drool on surfaces you didn't know a dog could reach.
The Growth Spurt That Never Ends
Watching a Great Dane Everest grow is a bit like watching a time-lapse video in real life. One week he was this clumsy puppy with paws that were clearly too big for his body, and the next, he was clearing the kitchen counters with his nose. I remember coming home from work one day and realizing he could suddenly see what was for dinner without even jumping up. It's a weird realization when your dog can look you directly in the eye while you're standing up.
The "puppy" phase is also a bit different when your puppy weighs 100 pounds. Most people think of puppies as little balls of fluff that might nip at your toes. An Everest-sized puppy is more like a wrecking ball with a tail. He didn't mean to knock over the coffee table; he just turned around too fast. You learn pretty quickly to put anything fragile—vases, glasses, expensive electronics—on the highest shelves possible. Even then, no surface is truly safe from the "happy tail."
Eating Like a Mountain
Let's talk about the food situation because that's the first thing everyone wonders about. Feeding a Great Dane Everest is like having a second mortgage. You don't just buy a bag of dog food; you buy a pallet. I've become a regular at the local pet supply store to the point where they know my car when I pull up.
It's not just the quantity, though; it's the quality. These big guys have sensitive stomachs, so you can't just give them whatever is on sale. You have to be careful about protein levels and slow growth to make sure their joints can handle all that weight. I've spent more time researching dog kibble ingredients than I did on my college thesis. But hey, when you've got a dog named after the world's tallest peak, you want to make sure the foundation is solid.
The Couch Potato Reality
You might think a dog this size needs miles and miles of running every day, but the truth about the Great Dane Everest is that he's a professional napper. Seriously, if napping were an Olympic sport, he'd have the gold medal. Despite their size, Danes are often called "Apollo of dogs," but I prefer "the world's biggest lap dog."
Everest doesn't realize he's a giant. In his head, he's the same size as a Chihuahua. This leads to some pretty hilarious (and slightly painful) situations where he tries to squeeze his 140-pound frame onto my lap while I'm trying to watch a movie. Usually, I just give up and let him take over the couch. I've learned that when a Great Dane wants a spot on the sofa, you just move to the floor. It's his world; I'm just living in it.
Dealing with the Drool Factor
I can't write about Everest without mentioning the drool. It's just part of the package. We have "slobber towels" strategically placed in every room of the house. You'll be sitting there, minding your own business, and suddenly you feel a wet "thud" on your knee. That's just Everest saying hi.
And don't get me started on the head shake. When a Great Dane Everest shakes his head after taking a drink of water, it's like a Gallagher show in my kitchen. Water and drool fly everywhere. I've found dried slobber on the ceiling before. It sounds gross, I know, but you honestly get used to it. It's a small price to pay for the kind of loyalty this dog gives you.
Life in Public with a Giant
Walking down the street with a Great Dane Everest is an event. You can't just "pop out" for a quick stroll. You have to be prepared to stop and talk to every single person you pass. Kids think he's a horse, and adults are just fascinated by the sheer scale of him.
The best part, though, is how gentle he is. Despite his size, he's incredibly careful around smaller dogs and children. He'll lower his head to let a toddler pat him, and he's surprisingly patient when a tiny terrier decides to bark in his face. He knows he's the biggest guy in the room, so he doesn't feel the need to prove anything. There's a quiet confidence in a Great Dane that you don't always see in other breeds.
The Challenges of a Big Body
Of course, it's not all sunshine and giant cuddles. Having a dog the size of Everest comes with some real challenges. Finding a car that he fits in comfortably was a whole ordeal. We ended up getting an SUV specifically because it had the most vertical headspace in the back.
Then there's the health stuff. Giant breeds don't live as long as we'd like, and they're prone to things like bloat and joint issues. It's something that stays in the back of your mind. You cherish the time you have a bit more because you know these "gentle giants" are only with us for a relatively short chapter. Every day with Everest feels like a gift, even when he's taking up 90% of the bed.
Why I Wouldn't Change a Thing
People ask me all the time if I'd get another Great Dane, and the answer is always a resounding yes. There's something special about the bond you have with a dog like the Great Dane Everest. Maybe it's because everything is on a larger scale—the walks, the meals, the vet bills, but especially the heart.
He's my shadow. Whether I'm cooking dinner or trying to get some work done, he's right there, leaning his heavy weight against my leg. That "Dane lean" is their way of hugging you, and honestly, there's nothing better after a long day than a 140-pound hug. It might be a lot of work, and I might never have a clean floor again, but life with my mountain of a dog is the best adventure I've ever been on.
If you're thinking about getting a Great Dane, just know that your life is about to get a whole lot bigger. You'll need a bigger car, a bigger bed, and a much bigger budget for treats. But in return, you get a friend who is quite literally larger than life. My Great Dane Everest isn't just a pet; he's the heart of our home, standing tall and reminding us every day that the best things in life are sometimes the biggest.