Great Dane Rescue, Inc

Great Dane Rescue, Inc We have foster homes in MI, IN, IL, Toledo Ohio, and Ontario, Canada. R.E.S.P.E.C.T

Respect. It can mean so much to so many. And it's a simple thing. That's all.

When I think of rescued Danes, I think of the respect they deserve. They are adaptable, flexible, most of the time wonderful. They fit right in to the foster homes and their forever homes, as if they had been there all their lives. And considering circumstances some of them come from, you'd think respect would be an automatic reaction. But that doesn't always happen. Some people who are used to wh

at the standard of the Dane says it should be may think that the colors they come in, or the shape they are in, or myriad other issues, aren't acceptable. Many of us have been at the receiving end of this problem and it hurts. We love these dogs - the ones that have come into rescue and the ones we have adopted. It's important to remember that "we didn't breed these dogs, we didn't have anything to do with selling these dogs. We didn't impulsively and ignorantly purchase these dogs." (Thanks to Val Maurer for her knowing words). We just brought these dogs into our rescue program, trying to give them a better life than they had before we knew them. Simple as that. No conspiracy. The fact that some of them are white and hearing, white and deaf, bear scars, have blue eyes, have brindle or fawn patches, are black and deaf (yep, we've had one of those too), or need more than the average amount of medical care, it doesn't matter to us, you see. We don't have a standard for rescued Danes - most breed rescues don't. Although we do see many beautiful show marked Danes as well. All we're trying to do is help the situation of homeless/unwanted/neglected Danes. So please, if you see us out somewhere with our charges, fosters or adopted companions, take the time to say something nice - or if that's not possible, please say nothing at all. So, in short, we make the decisions we do based on the facts we have at hand and also, with what's in our hearts. If you agree that's wonderful. If you don't, please respect our choices, but most of all, please respect the dogs. Sandy and the crew
2/8/2001

06/24/2026
Do you track what you spend monthly on your danes?
06/23/2026

Do you track what you spend monthly on your danes?

This is an older post about my sweet, special Max, who has since passed but his lessons certainly live on and this incid...
06/22/2026

This is an older post about my sweet, special Max, who has since passed but his lessons certainly live on and this incident I have seen repeated over the years with other dogs.

I often post articles about training and dealing with reactive dogs but I rarely mention the more personal side of it. This is Max, you see him often on this page and may remember his story. Max was feral and has fear aggression. He has mellowed a lot over the last ten years but I still have to always be aware with him.

Today we went to the vet and as you can see he wasn't overly happy about it. The visit went great until we were checking out. We were in the waiting room when a family came in with a very reactive large dog. Max stood behind me while the other dog snarled, lunged, and barked non stop.

Please if you have a dog that isn't reliable in public take a few precautions.

1. Please remove the dog from the area if this happens as a surprise to you. Even if you feel like your dog is only trying to "meet" or be friendly don't force the issue. You don't know how the other dog will respond.

2. Check before you enter an area where other dogs may be present if you know there is a good chance of problems.

3. Leave your dog outside with someone else until it is safe to come into the area or make arrangements with your vet to enter by a back way so you don't run into a problem entering.

The owner of the dog tried to bring her dog up to Max because she said he just needed to meet Max and then it would be okay. I had to tell her stop, her dog could not meet Max and she needed to get her dog away from us. She persisted and put me in a position of being between her angry dog and Max. This could have gone very badly and never should have happened.

Nothing about her dog's behavior said it was excited to meet a new dog as the owner believed. And even if this was an over-excited dog in need of manners this was not a situation to put another owner and dog into. Max was avoiding contact and while he wasn't reacting that would have changed if the dog was allowed to touch him. Never assume a quiet dog means everything is okay. Nearly 10 years of careful management of a fear reactive dog could have been undone in less than a minute.

They absolutely know what you are doing 🤣
06/22/2026

They absolutely know what you are doing 🤣

Fun fact: GDRI is 33 years old and today is our 17th year on Facebook. In those 33 years, we have been given the opportu...
06/21/2026

Fun fact: GDRI is 33 years old and today is our 17th year on Facebook. In those 33 years, we have been given the opportunity to help countless danes in need of new families. We have treated danes for a variety of medical issues from heartworm to blastomycosis and everything in between.

Our page has helped connect lovers of this wonderful breed, told the stories of our fosters and has become the main source of our fundraising efforts. No dane has even had to be turned away because of the cost of their medical needs.

We thank all of you for following us over these 17 years and helping us help danes in need!
Learn about us on our website in the comments.

06/20/2026

Rhythm is not a fan of his new harness 🤣

To learn about him and our rescue go to our website greatdanerescueinc.com

It's that time of year. Please don't leave pets in vehicles that are shut off.
06/20/2026

It's that time of year. Please don't leave pets in vehicles that are shut off.

What preparations do you think are essential before adding a new dane to the family?
06/19/2026

What preparations do you think are essential before adding a new dane to the family?

06/17/2026

Zoomies are serious business!

Address

S Main Street
Plymouth, MI
48170

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