Great Dane fans fear popularity boost -- and abandoned pets -- as a result of new 'Marmaduke' film

[Liberal_in_LA]

Great Dane fans fear popularity boost -- and abandoned pets -- as a result of new 'Marmaduke' film

May 24, 2010 | 4:00 pm

Fearing a "101 Dalmatians"-style upswing in Great Dane purchases in the wake of the upcoming release of the film "Marmaduke," the American Kennel Club and the Great Dane Club of America are urging potential pet owners to do their research before bringing home an adorable, big-pawed Dane puppy.

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"Everything is bigger when you own a Great Dane," Great Dane Club of America president Dave Miller said in a statement. "They eat a lot of food and take up a lot of space in your home and car. We recommend that families meet several full-grown adult Great Danes to make sure they understand how large this breed really is" before bringing one home.

Pet rescuers often comment on the so-called "101 Dalmatians syndrome" that follows the release of a popular film or television show starring an animal. When viewers see a cute and charming animal actor, the theory goes, they are more likely to bring a pet of the same breed or species home -- only to find out that the real-life animal doesn't fit in with their lifestyle. End result: The pet is dumped at an animal shelter.

In recent years, rescue groups and animal welfare organizations have worked to combat "101 Dalmatians syndrome" in advance. In advance of the release of "Marley & Me," the popular film based on the bestselling book about a lovable but ill-behaved Labrador retriever, the American Humane Assn. staged a campaign to educate moviegoers about choosing a dog breed based upon its role in a film. Guinea pig rescuer organizations staged a similar public relations blitz before last year's "G-Force," which featured heroic computer-generated guinea pigs, hit theaters.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2010/05/great-dane-fans-fear-popularity-boost-and-abandoned-pets-as-a-result-of-new-marmaduke-film.html



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/picturesoftheday/7298240/Pictures-of-the-day-23-February-2010.html
Christine Nasser and George, a Great Dane from Tucson, Arizona, who has been declared the world's tallest dog. Giant George is the new holder of the title, measuring 43 inches (109cm) from paw to shoulder and 7ft 3in (2.2m) from nose to tail

[Dappleganger]

1. Beautiful dogs.

They are very costly to maintain (vet and food bills).

It's like having a small pony in your home which likes to steal your bed. All of it.

[janx]

11. Give him his own bed!

That's what my mother did with one of our danes, to my brother's chagrin. He had twin beds in his room and my mother declared one of them to be for the dog. So Jud had his very own bed from that day forward!

My brother used to wake up in the morning swearing about dog farts.
:rofl:

[adigal]

2. I had a Dane for 11 years

Sweetest dog we ever had.

[Codeine]

4. You must be a fabulous dog owner.

11 years is a REALLY long lifespan for a Dane. Good on ya! :hi:

[Gothmog]

3. Bearded Collie owners had a similar concern about Shaggy Dog movie

There was a Disney movie with Tim Allen that featured Bearded Collies. The Beardie association was very concerned about this movie hurting the breed. Fortunately for the breed, that movie did not do well and there was no impact on the breed.

[Codeine]

5. Dog rescue groups should lobby to get Tim Allen

into every animal-themed film. Nobody will ever see them.

[Gothmog]

9. I agree

The fears about the Shaggy Dog movie were overblown. It was an okay movie but did not do well at the box office or in dvd sales

[blondeatlast]

12. ...

:spray:

[flvegan]

6. I love my dane!

And I had the same concerns when they announced they were making this. Hopefully, the sheer size and expense will keep folks from going crazy.

[Missy Vixen]

7. The Great Dane club meets at Redmond's Marymoor Park every Sunday

If you live in the Seattle area, it's worth a trip over just to check out these gentle giants. They love people. They play nicely with other breeds, too.

We have an eighteen-month-old chocolate Lab we got as a rescue at six months from someone who didn't do their research before obtaining Moose as a baby, either. We wonder to ourselves if he watched "Marley & Me" once too many times.

[d_r]

8. we had a wonderful great dane

he died too young and i still miss him.

But not a breed of dog to get on a whim.

[MadHound]

10. Had a Harlequin Dane years ago, wonderful dog,

But certainly not one I would want to have in the city. Fences don't hold them if they want to go, they need lots and lots of exercise.

But they are sweet, lovable giants, and are quite intelligent.

Trouble is, a lot of Danes are getting the inbred problem that popular dogs get. The dog in the OP's picture is a normal, healthy Dane. The trouble is I'm seeing lots of Danes that are super thin, not just in terms of meat on their bones, but actual bone structure. These Danes also seem a bit more hyper than normal Danes. Great Danes weigh in at the 200 lb plus size, good stout dogs.

I might get another Dane in my life, but only if fate washes one up on my doorstep (how I got my first Dane). Too many dogs that need good homes to go out and buy a special breed.

[joeybee12]

13. I hate Glenn Close and Disney for all the abandoned dalmations after

that shitty live-action came out.

[XemaSab]

14. "in the wake of the upcoming release"

:banghead:

[Arkansas Granny]

15. Maybe people need to be educated on the difference between a fashion accessory

and a living, breathing companion. Many choose a dog only for it's looks or current popularity and don't give any thought about the responsibilities that go with pet ownership.