We have a 3yr old Great Dane X Mastiff. She is a SUPER natured dog, but is still a HUGE puppy at 3yrs old & hugely active. A friend told me once that 'Dane's fall in love with A person' & she was right, ours adores DF which initially led to some 'obedience' issues with me, so highly recommend you BOTH are involved in the training, otherwise you may end up with a massive, boisterous dog that doesn't respect you.

You are spot on with the coat, they dont shed alot, lol we dont brush ours as shes an outside dog. We have other big dogs (Bull arab x pointer & Lab x Rotti) & TBH she has the better nature, very forgiving & kind, so long as you put the training in right from the beginning. We made sure ours had good brand puppy bikkies from a produce (not supermarket), as they are such a big breed & have soo much bone growth its really important.

They don't seem to bark a huge amount & ours wouldn't hurt a flea, but she sure is intimidating enough to anyone who doesn't know her. Oh & she luuuurrvs water.