Meet Declan

Declan is a 7-year-old, 160-pound Great Dane looking for a special family. Sadly, this sweet boy’s world is about to change—his beloved owner has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and has limited time left. Our goal is for Declan to spend every precious moment possible with his person, while having a pre-approved family in the Salt Lake area ready to step in when the time comes.

Declan is everything you’d hope for in a gentle giant—friendly with family and visitors, affectionate yet independent, and full of quiet charm. He’s more like a person than a dog, with a calm, steady presence that makes him a fantastic companion.

💙 Declan’s Best Qualities:

• Couch potato vibes – happy to relax and hang out

• Gentle player – never uses teeth or claws

• Kid-friendly – grew up with children and enjoys visits from them

• Cat lover – adores feline friends

• Dog friends – prefers the companionship of larger dogs. May not be well suited for small dogs.

• Well-trained – knows sit, stay, come, and lie down (Fluent in German, plus hand signals – but will respond to English when asked a couple times!)

• Manners & trust – free roam without issues, not destructive

• Mild energy – occasional zoomies but mostly laid-back

Declan is sensitive to loud noises like fireworks, motorcycles, and thunderstorms, and he feels more comfortable wearing his Thundershirt during stressful times. He’s not much into toys, but a nice marrow bone? That’s his love language.

He would thrive in a calm home, ideally with someone who understands giant breeds and is looking for a loyal, steady presence by their side. Declan is the kind of dog who will fill your home with love, comfort, and quiet companionship.

If you can open your heart and home to Declan—both now in preparation, and later when he needs you most—you’ll be giving this beautiful soul the gift of a gentle landing during the hardest time of his life.

More about Declan:

• House trained: Yes

• Allowed free roam – not destructive

• Good with kids: Yes

• Good with dogs: Yes – prefers larger dogs

• Good with cats: Yes

• Calm and well mannered

• Professionally trained in German but responds to English also after a few tries

• Walks well on a leash

• Mild energy 

• Family needs to be located in the Salt Lake area

Are you are already foster or an approved family, reach Hollie at fostering@rmgreatdane.org or Candice at placements@rmgreatdane.org.