READING ROOM

Buying a Great Dane Puppy

Many people want to enjoy the puppy-days of a Dane and seek someone with a Dane puppy to sell. Please be very, very careful in this decision!

Be Aware! Great Danes are no longer always "Gentle Giants." Poor breeding practices (aggressive parents and lack of socializing litters and puppies) mean we are seeing aggressive Danes more often.

Research: The Great Dane Club of America - Breeders listed on a "parent" (national) club's website are generally reputable, experienced breeders who can also refer you to other safe breeders.

Don't just "Google." Check with local rescues. Check "reporting" websites such as www.Citysearch.com; Check http://dw.courts.wa.gov for criminal charges and lawsuits.  Blue ribbons do not denote champions. (Purple, not blue, ribbons win points.) Check claims of "champions" or showing experience at www.AKC.org.

Pitfalls:

- Choosing color over quality (and don't fall for the "'rare' colors costs more" line)
- Price shopping without asking what the price includes. (Don’t compare apples to oranges.)
- Lack of Health Testing of Parents: Far more than a "vet visit," proper health testing of parents before breeding indicates a good breeder and can prevent serious diseases in puppies. VERIFY claims of testing: Check hip and elbow xrays (OFA) and thyroid at http://offa.org/search.html; check Eye testing (CERF) at http://www.vmdb.org/verify.html

Educational Information
Dane Outreach feels it is very important to “do your homework” prior to obtaining a Great Dane.  They are a wonderful breed, but their large size, cost of care, and specific needs do not make them suited to every family.  We encourage first-time prospective Dane owners to thoroughly research the breed prior to ownership.  The following literature may help you decide if a Great Dane is the right breed for you.

To view and print the brochures with the icon, you need to have a current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. This can be downloaded for free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html. 

• Thumbnail Sketch Of A Great Dane
• Jill Swedlow’s How To Interview A Great Dane Breeder
• How To Read Between The Lines
• Tips For Choosing A Great Dane Puppy
• Great Dane Ownership-The Right Choice?
• GDCA’s Before You Choose A Great Dane
• The Outside Dane
• Housebreaking Your Great Dane Puppy

Care Information
These brochures offer a few basic tips on the proper care of your new Great Dane.

• The Care of Your Great Dane Puppy
• GDCA’s Congratulations On Your New Dane Puppy
• Dane Outreach Care Booklet

Breeding Information
Breeding a litter of Great Danes is a HUGE responsibility.  There are more reasons why not to breed than to.  Learn some of the facts and pitfalls of breeding before you attempt such an endeavor.

• Know The Facts Before Breeding Your Dog
• So You Are Going To Breed Your Great Dane
• To Breed or Not Breed Your Great Dane
• So You Think He’s Such A Stud
• Breeding Your Great Dane

Dane Outreach Brochures and Forms

• Dane Outreach Brochure
• Dane Outreach Adoption Application
• Dane Outreach Release Form (Email for information)
• Dane Outreach Volunteer Form (Email for information)
• Dane Outreach Foster Home Volunteer Form (Email for information)

Helpful Links:

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