Buying
a puppy? Or thinking of buying a puppy? How exciting!
This page is intended to provide some general information
for the potential Great Dane owner. We could not possibly
cover every aspect of this wonderful breed so specific
details are best discussed with the breeder with whom
you are considering the purchase of a puppy. There are
however, some important points we would like to share
with you.
• Great Danes are giants
in the dog world. That means more food, more exercise
and more expensive veterinary costs. Be sure you can
afford to keep a Dane in
good health!
• As with any dog, regular exercise and training
is important - with large or giant dogs it is essential.
These dogs grow very quickly
and investing the time
to socialize and train your puppy while they are young
cannot be overstressed An uncontrollable, unruly or
poorly trained 150 lb dog is a disaster waiting to
happen.
Some excellent
books on puppy rearing are available:
- How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With (Rutherford
& Neil), Alpine Publications, 1992.
• Like many other purebred dogs, Danes come with
their own set of health risks. One of the most common
(and most dangerous) is bloat. Bloat is also known
as gastric torsion, a condition in which the stomach
fills with gas, twists and is unable to escape. This
is a life-threatening condition and every Dane owner
should be aware of the signs of bloat, as well as
the precautions that can be taken to reduce the risk
of this happening. Not all danes bloat, but it can
happen with any bloodline if the conditions are right.
Please see these links for valuable bloat information
that every Dane owner should have:
Bloat in Large Dogs and Gastric
Torsion in Dogs ( both highly recommended
reading)
• Danes have critical growing periods. These
are stages in their lives, usually within their first
year, where their nutritional needs must be met if
the dog is to achieve his full potential. Skimping
here will result in a poorly matured dog.
Not frightened away yet? GREAT! Because Great Danes
are one of the most people oriented dogs around. They
make excellent companions! They have a gentle and
pleasing nature with a proud dignified bearing. You
should know up front that Danes thoroughly enjoy their
creature comforts and will happily take over the couch
if permitted!
The
Great Dane is known as the "Apollo of all dogs."
Incised on some Greek money dating back to 36 B.C. is
the image of a dog very similar to the Great Dane of today.
An illustration dating back to approximately 600 B.C.
shows Assyrian huntsmen with Dane-like dogs. In 407 A.D.
German Gaul and part of Italy and Spain were invaded by
an Asiatic people who brought with them powerful mastiff-like
dogs. In Germany especially, where these magnificent animals
capable of overcoming bears and wild boars were much admired,
a process of selective breeding was begun. The dogs were
crossed with Irish Greyhounds, and the result was the
beautiful, large dog known today as the Great Dane.
From the middle to the late 1800s, breeders both in
Germany and England became very interested in the breed
and more or less developed it to the standards, which
are recognised today. It has been claimed that the Great
Dane is German in origin, which is not certain. However,
what is evident, is that German breeders contributed
largely to bringing the Great Dane to its glory of today.
Why the breed is called under different names is uncertain.
The breed did not originate in Denmark, yet in most
English speaking countries the breed is called 'Great
Dane', in most of central Europe it is recognised as
'Deutsche Dogge', though in France, it is recognised
as both 'Dogue Allemand' and 'Danois'. In Holland, 'Duitse
Dogge' and 'Deense Dogge' and in Italy it is called
'Alano'. In 1880, Germany adopted the Great Dane as
its national dog and was called the Deutsche Dogge and
in England the breed was recognised by the Kennel Club
in 1884 as the Great Dane.
It is
strongly recommended that buyers wishing a purebred puppy
purchase
ONLY a registered Great Dane. It is only
in this way that you will be guaranteed a purebred puppy
and it reflects the committment and sincerity of the breeder.
Purchasing an unregistered Great Dane is unwise on many
fronts. Will this 'breeder' stand behind the puppy? What
if inherited health issues arise - are they prepared to
replace the puppy or refund your money? Have the parents
been tested clear of eye, thyroid or hip problems? Can
you call them for advice on your puppy or with any problems
you may encounter? Likely not.
We recommend that you begin your search with reputable
breeders who are members of the Great Dane Club of Canada.
Should one not be able to supply you with the type of
puppy you are looking for, they can refer you to other
known reputable breeders.
Factors to Consider
When Purchasing a Great Dane Puppy
In choosing a purebred puppy you assure yourself
of many characteristics, which your adult dog will have.
A healthy puppy is round and robust. It should be friendly
and outgoing-a bundle of kisses and tail wags. At the
puppy stage, they should be playful. The coat should
be shiny and the eyes bright. A mentally sound puppy
should not be shy or reserved. This may be the sign
of an unsteady or nervous temperament.
You should inquire about the health of the Great Danes
in the breeder's line and the temperament of the dogs.
Although it is not always possible to meet the sire
of the puppies it should usually be possible to meet
the dam. Her manner will provide you with a good indication
of the temperament of the line. A good breeder knows
the background of the puppies and should be a good source
of information to the to the purchaser. They should
be available for support throughout your dog's life.
All breeders with years of experience will have
encountered some health issues. Any long time breeder
who claims to have never had health issues should be
avoided.
Registration
Registration of your new Great Dane is the responsibility
of the breeder of your dog. The Canadian Kennel Club
is the registration body for puppies born in Canada
while the American Kennel Club is the registration body
in the United States of America. In Canada, the Canadian
Kennel Club under the jurisdiction of the Federal Department
of Agriculture's Animal Pedigree Act administers the
conditions of registration. This Act states that registration
papers must be provided for any animal sold as purebred,
at no additional cost to the purchaser within six months
of the date of sale. The Act provides for stiff penalties
for those persons not adhering to these conditions.
Terms of Sale
The terms of sale of your Great Dane puppy should
be in writing between you and the breeder. This
agreement should contain information about the expectation
that the breeder has of the purchaser such as the signing
of a non-breeding contract, the diet to be fed, the
immunization protocol to be followed. For example, there
it may be wise to discuss the matter of ear cropping.
Although many breeders !crop the ears on the puppies
they sell, they are others who refuse to allow any of
their puppies to be cropped. Most breeders tend to be
more flexible.
If you are uncertain about any of the terms of sale
it is important that they be clarified prior to the
sale. If you cannot accept the terms it is best not
to proceed with the purchase until both you and the
breeder are in agreement over the terms of the sale.
Details may become very important if a problem does
arise in the future. Even the with most conscientious
breeders problems may arise. Some breeders feel that
if any part of the agreement is violated that the
whole agreement is invalid.
Colors of Great Danes:
Danes
come in six acceptable colors: Fawn, Brindle, Black, Blue,
Boston (Mantle), and Harlequin.
Fawn: a golden yellow with a black mask on the
face.
Brindle: Golden base coat with defined black striped
laid over as chevrons..almost tiger striped appearance.
Black: Solid black colored dog..
Blue: a steel gray solid color
Boston/Mantle: this pattern is best described as
marked like a penguin, must have a white tail tip or is
not considered a true Boston.
Harlequin: A white dane with torn black patches
distributed over the body.
For more details please go to the
breed
standard.
These colors are acceptable to show in conformation for
a Canadian championship. Although a mismarked dane can
be born in a litter, they are registerable as they are
purebred, from registered parents. A mismark is a colour
not acceptable for competition in comformation (ie. merle,
harls with too much black, blacks with large white spots
on their body, brindles with little or no fawn base color,
etc) Aside from the colour, mismarked colored danes still
can preform in functions scantioned by the Canadian kennel
club, just not in conformation. They are as equally wonderful
a pet as a conformation-marked dane.
Caveat: Don't be fooled -
there are no 'rare'
coloured Great Danes. Don't walk,
run from any breeder
claiming to have a 'rare' coloured dane.
Great
Danes, as a giant breed grow very quickly, but do not
fully mature until they are about two years of age or
older. Some breeders do not feel that they are fully mature
until 3 or 4 years of age. In this growing process they
do pass through some very awkward stages. Growth plates
are changing, bones are moving, cartilage is forming.
Injuries during a puppy's first year may become permanent
problems for the dog. Too much exercise at an early age
is detrimental to good development. Forced exercise is
not recommended for this breed - puppies should be allowed
to play until they are tired.
The following weight chart gives an overview of the growth
pattern of Great Danes.
Immunization and vaccination:
Traditionally all dogs received
their first immunization at six weeks of age, followed
by a 2nd vaccine four weeks later and a 3rd four weeks
after that. At six months of age there was to be another
dose and a usually a rabies vaccine as well. This
was to be followed by yearly vaccines.
Many veterinarians and breeders
no longer believe that it is beneficial or wise to
subject the immune system of a young puppy to this
number of vaccines. The protocol for the reduced numbers
of vaccines is still being developed. Most breeders
are immunizing their puppies in some form and will
be able to share information regarding the vaccines
they are recommending with the new owner.
There are breeders who feel that vaccination in any
form is detrimental to the health of your puppy and
recommend a homeopathic or holistic approach. The
experience breeders have had with their dogs will
determine the advice they provide.
Much work is still being done by veterinarian research
centers to determine what vaccines are beneficial
and necessary for the optimum health of your puppy.
***
this page are intended for educational use and we cannot
take responsibility for their content. Nothing should
take the place of seeking veterinary attention. If in
doubt we strongly recommend you contact your breeder or
veterinarian.
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