I actually used to raise Shepards before I switched to Danes. They are great dogs, but as I keep my pets in the house with me, they shed a little too much for me, and the double layer of fur has a fairly distinctive odor. Not neccessarily bad, but you can smell them. I bought my first Dane about 11 years ago when my first daughter was born after doing a lot of research into child friendly breeds, and I have never looked back.
I have never, in 30 years of dog ownership and breeding, seen a breed so instinctively family friendly. That old girl taught three of my kids to walk by walking beside them very slowly while they toddled, would corral them in the yard and herd them like sheep if they were headed to an area she didn't deem safe, and could always be counted on to be a pillow for my kids heads.
I lost her earlier this year, and it was one of the hardest days of my life. She passed quietly in her sleep at the foot of my bed, and I buried her under a dogwood tree in my backyard. My 6 year old son drew her a picture to bury with her and told her "he would always remember his friend".
lmao, here I am a 6 foot 215lb biker dude, with tears in my eyes! Dogs can get into your heart like no others.
We still have Titus, our male, he is 3, and another great dog. We will be getting him a companion soon. Hes the little brown one in the first pic!
As far as breeding I found danes to be very easy breeders, however yes, the first time you breed your female it can get pretty ugly. After the first time it is just as natural as a couple teenagers, but the first time she tends to get snappy.