Buying a Great Dane Puppy??

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.

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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.