Pictures copyright and courtesy of Sharkey
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PedigreeDogs
Fact File
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General appearance of a Dane Very muscular strongly though elegantly built. With a look of dash and daring, of being ready to go anywhere and do anything. Temperament: Kindly without nervousness, friendly and outgoing. Buying and rearing a Great Dane should be a pleasure. Once having decided that a Dane is the dog of your choice and you have taken into consideration the size combined with the natural exuberance of any puppy. The cost of buying and rearing, the cost of replacing glasses, cups and ornaments knocked off coffee tables and low level shelves by a single wag of a happy tail. A Dane has a overwhelming need to be loved so you will never be able to go to the toilet on your own and most certainly never expect to have a bath without all the soap being licked of you. Also settee’s and chairs have an uncanny attraction for Danes probably dogs in general but a Danes manages to have the ability to become incredibly small and fit into any available chair. Those are just some of joys or drawbacks you will encounter being owned by a Great Dane, still want to carry on…..OK Now you have another set of decisions…. What sex? Dog or bitch? Do you want to show or are you looking for a loveable pet?
Now what colour? Fawns, brindle, blue, black or harlequin?
Now you have got this far … where next….. A reputable breeder and you can expect to pay at the least £600 for a fawn, brindle blue or black and at least £1500 for a harlequin.
If for some personal reason you can no longer keep your dog will the person you purchased it from take it back …. A breeder will.
You should receive from your puppy’s breeder a pedigree: a Kennel Club registration and insurance this is free for the first six weeks: and very important a diet sheet and advice on how to successfully rear your beautiful Dane and a help line for when you panic… which you will. Your vet will advise on vaccinations some breeder do have an interim vaccination prior to the puppy going to a new home but it is not necessary. Still want to carry on…………..your almost hooked on the breed but………. Health Issues This breed has, as every other breed has, inherited problems worse in some lines than others. Most lines are predominately healthy but you should ask the question when viewing the puppy the majority of breeders are honest and will tell you of problems they have experienced and what actions they have taken in their breeding programme to eliminate any faults. As a breed we are concerned with the hereditary problems and have a register of the most common. A lot of research by the animal health trust is being conducted with the help of the breed clubs and breeders. This is a very costly exercise and as a breed we are continuously raising money to carry on with the research. The following are the most common illnesses in the breed !!Please do not be alarmed!! by this list. Not every kennel has these problems. Some kennels may have seen one of the faults only or may have only bred one animal that showed any signs. I have only included this to show you as a perspective buyer that the breeders of Great Danes are aware of potential problems and that in percentage terms our Danes are healthy specimens of the breed and also that the majority of breeders are honest caring guardians of this precious animal Exercise Guidance on exercise will be included in your puppy pack from your breeder. Exercise for a young puppy should be sensible. The best policy up to four months is to allow he/she just to run round and play and rest when it wants too. A two-mile hike is not advisable with a baby Dane, a little gentle trot around the neighbourhood (just to show off) and of course get him/her used to the lead is not a bad idea. Also a thin collar helps to adjust them to having a lead round their neck. In practise, I have found over the years that Danes are basically a lazy animal. Oh they will accompany you on that long walk you feel they need but most of the time a good free run and a reasonable walk on the road will build up the muscle tone and stamina. Common sense is the best format for exercise. The breed has nine breed clubs the secretary’s of which usually have information on puppies available and will give help and advice when needed. There is also a Great Dane Rescue Society plus some of the clubs also run their own rescue schemes. Written by: Jean Taylor Email Address: jean@enydeletgtdanes.demon.co.uk
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