Category: Finding a Breeder

Great Danes for Sale: How to Find a Great Dane Puppy
There are many places to find Great Danes for sale, but not all of them are reputable, ethical, or even real! Did you know that many online websites that sell Great Dane puppies are a scam? Or that a lot of Great Dane Breeders who seem friendly and reputable are actually highly unethical?

I’m going to use this blog to help you find Great Danes for sale from reputable breeders who want to make sure that your pet is healthy, happy, and…REAL!

There are four places we recommend looking to find Great Dane puppies, and several places we encourage you to steer clear from. Let’s take a look!

Great Danes for Sale: How to Find Reputable Breeders

Great Dane Breeder Registry

The first place you should look for a Great Dane puppy is through the parent club breeder registry.

In the U.S., the parent club is called the Great Dane Club of America. There is also the Great Dane Club of Canada and the European Federation of Deutsche Dogge Club, among others.

Most Great Dane breed clubs are exclusive: meaning, you don’t get to be a member or be in their registry unless you are a well-respected, established Great Dane breeder who also follows the club’s Code of Ethics statements.

The Code of Ethics documents typically outline requirements for members regarding ethical breeding practices, breed standards, and health testing.

The breed parent clubs typically have a registry that will allow you to search your area for breeders. Don’t be shy! While these breeders are ‘show breeders’, many of the puppies they produce are beautiful pets from fully health-tested parents.

Ever wonder why some breeders have the worst websites? Ethical breeders receive a lot of inquiries and don’t need their website to be a marketing platform. Don’t be afraid of breeders whose websites look outdated.

While it may be tricky to find an ethical breeder with puppies available, the parent club is always the best place to start. By making connections with show breeders, you may find that they can also often refer you to others that they are mentoring (exceptional up-and-coming breeders who may not be advertising).

Find Great Dane Puppies at Local Breed Clubs

The next place to look is through your local breed club!

The parent clubs outline the breed standard and many of the ethics practices regarding breeding, while the local clubs focus on community. There will likely be active breeders in your local breed club chapter who are not yet members of the main parent club, so your options will expand!

The breeders who participate in the Great Dane breeder community for your area (for example, the Great Dane Club of Greater Denver or the Great Dane Club of California are all helping each other. They see each other often in club meetings and at shows, too. There are a lot of checks and balances and any breeder who is not breeding for the health and betterment of the breed is unlikely to be welcomed by the local club.

Search your parent club and your local area for a Great Dane chapter and go from there! Start making connections, you never know who you’ll find. As above, remember that these breeders don’t typically need to advertise and you may not find them through ‘traditional’ channels, but they are the best of the best.

See Great Dane Breeders at Dog Shows

Want to meet several ethical, reputable Great Dane breeders in one day AND meet the parents of your potential future puppy?

Go to a dog show! You can find listings for dog shows via your local Great Dane breed clubs, the AKC website, and your local all-breed kennel clubs (just do a Google search). Dog shows are typically free (or inexpensive) to attend and will have vendors, concessions, and events such as conformation (showing), dock diving, agility, obedience, and more.

Find out when and where the Great Danes will be in the show ring, and be a respectful spectator! If you are new to dog shows and want to understand what is happening in the ring before you show up to check it out, read this easy beginners guide from the AKC.

Never approach a breeder who has just left the show ring, is preparing their dog for the ring, or is about to go into the ring. Remember, showing is a sport that requires focus, dedication, and concentration.

Sit back and watch the dogs; do any catch your eye? Make note of the handler and when the time is right, start making connections! Most breeders are very welcoming to spectators who are interested in the breed and looking to find an ethical, dedicated breeder for their next pet.

Remember, for every litter of puppies from a ‘show breeder’, there will be several puppies in the litter that won’t ever be shown. These beautiful dogs are looking for exceptional homes just like yours!

Great Dane Breeders that Health Test Facebook Group

There is one group on Facebook that has dedicated themselves to legitimate breeders who fully health-test the parents. While there are many Great Dane breeder groups on social media, this is the only one we can confidently say is not a scam.

Tread cautiously with other groups as they are often run by predatory backyard breeders.

The Great Dane Breeders that Health Test Facebook group requires members to submit the results of the hips, heart, eyes, and thyroid panels that were completed before breeding. Choosing breeders who invest in proper health testing dramatically reduces the risk that you will receive a puppy with expensive and devastating health problems in the future, so this is important!

You can access that group and find your next Great Dane puppy HERE.

Always verify at www.ofa.org that the breeder you choose is fully health testing both parents, too.

Why is Choosing a Good Great Dane Puppy Breeder Important?

Great Danes are massive dogs that are unfortunately prone to several genetic health problems.

The breed itself is unfortunately overrun with “breeders” who cut corners on everything from health testing to socialization. Many of these breeders are selling off-standard “Euro” dogs with health guarantees that are contingent upon the new owner purchasing food or vitamins from the breeder.

This is a scam and those breeders must be avoided.

Poorly bred Great Danes suffer from problems with their health and temperament that make their lives shorter and in many cases, uncomfortable. Danes should never be timid, fearful, or aggressive; yet many are.

Great Danes should have beautiful movement and structure to support their bodies throughout life; but many don’t.

It’s so important to choose ethical, dedicated breeders.

How to Avoid Bad Great Dane Breeders

There are several unfortunately common places where people look for Great Dane breeders that should honestly be your last resort. These channels are overwhelmed with breeders who are cutting corners on health testing or worse, may not even be real! If you find it easy to find Great Danes for sale, chances are, you’ve found an unethical breeder or a scam.

Our Great Dane breeder scams page is one of the most popular pages on our site for a reason; there are thousands of breeders out there who are collecting deposits but have no puppies at all. Read more about this scam HERE.

Here is a short list of things you never want to do when purchasing a Great Dane Puppy:
- Shop for puppies in social media groups
- Do a Google search and purchase a puppy online from a website
- Respond to “breeders” who solicit to you via messaging apps on social media
- Look for the cheapest puppy you can on Craistlist
- Choose a breeder from the AKC registry without fully vetting that the breeder has all OFA health tests completed
- Buy a puppy from a breeder simply because others say they had a “great experience” with them (you must still check into OFA health testing, socialization, and the pedigree)
- Purchase a puppy from a breeder who requires that you feed vitamins or food that you purchase from them or from their affiliate link (these are typically MLM scams)
- Breed your own Great Dane to another in exchange for a free puppy without full OFA health testing
October 31, 2023
How to Decide on the Best Pick of the Litter When Choosing Puppies: New Puppies 101

How to decide on the pick of the litter when choosing puppies? There are so many puppies out there to choose from, how do you know which one is the right fit for your family? It can be tough to decide, but with a little bit of knowledge it can be a lot easier. Adding a new Great Dane pup into your family is extremely exciting but also a tad overwhelming. After you decide to start looking for the perfect Great Dane pup, you may be wondering: now what?

In this blog post, we will discuss the things you need to consider when making your decision on choosing a Great Dane puppy from a litter.

So whether you’re looking for a Great dane, (Or other dog breeds like Labrador Retrievers or Golden Retrievers), read on for some tips on how to pick a puppy from an experienced breeder and most of all- make sure it’s the RIGHT Great Dane puppy!

Pick of the Litter When Choosing Puppies: So You Want The Perfect Puppy!

It makes sense. When looking for a new family member, everybody wants to make sure that they have the ‘best puppy’. But what exactly does it mean to have the best dog?

Is it an independent pup, a relaxed pup, a shy puppy? Great Dane owners are SO eager to bring their puppy home, that sometimes they forget to really consider what is the ‘right puppy’ for them.

I think for most people, the main priority is a HEALTHY puppy! But, when falling in love with a new puppy, dog owners often do have high hopes for more than just their new puppies health. (which is completely valid!)

So yes, above all, you want your Great Dane to be a healthy pup. But, when looking for a new puppy, you should evaluate exactly what it is that would make this new pup the ‘right pup’.

Let’s examine some common things that new Great Dane parents might look for. But before we jump in, it’s important to discuss ethical breeding and litter choosing. Bear with me!

Sometimes a Reputable Breeder Will Choose the Right Puppy for You

If you’re looking for a new dog, you might be considering going to a reputable breeder of Great Danes.

But did you know that sometimes a reputable breeder will choose the right dog for you? With a breed like Great Danes who quickly turn into massive adult dogs, it is SO important that a family is equipped with the tools to handle their puppy, even as it grows.

A good breeder will often temperament test their pups to help identify which puppy from a litter will be the best fit for each family. Sometimes, an individual puppy might work for most families but clash with another particular family.

For example, the very high-strung / energetic pup from the litter might do best with a family to match that pup’s personality. Controversially, that puppy’s personality may clash with another family who lives a more quiet and laid back lifestyle.

What makes a Great Dane breeder ‘good’?

And while it’s certainly possible to find a good breeder who will let you pick your puppy from a litter, it’s also possible that the best breeder for you is one who will choose the right dog for your family.

It can be difficult for you not to be able to pick a puppy yourself, but sometimes it is best to admit that a responsible breeder does know their puppies best. Who knows, the perfect pup for you might just be the one who was meant to be and ultimately work out better for you in the long run.

Pick a Puppy from Rescue Groups

Rescuing a Great Dane pup can have many pros and be VERY rewarding, but it doesn’t come without cons.

When adopting a puppy from a rescue, you are often not given the chance to meet the parents of your new pup. This can make it difficult to know what traits your puppy might have inherited.

Additionally, puppies in rescues are often not as socialized as those who come from breeders or professional dog-rearing facilities. It is possible that you might adopt a perfectly healthy puppy who soon becomes an older dog with extreme socialization issues.

Lastly, health issues are usually very difficult to determine when adopting a dog- whether it be a puppy OR adult dog from a shelter or rescue. The reason for this is that often, the dog’s prior health history is unknown.

This means that any health problems the dog might have could go undetected until they suddenly surface later on in life. A rescue could clear a puppy from a litter ‘a healthy perfect puppy’ and soon after bringing your puppy home you could notice it needs major medical treatment.

All of this is not to say that adopting a puppy from a rescue is a bad idea. We are very supportive of ethical adoption! But it is important to be aware of some of the cons and identify an ethical rescue who is willing to take responsibility for appropriate health screening of their dogs PRIOR to rescuing them out.

My Family Wants a Relaxed Great Dane Puppy

So, you’ve decided to pick a Great Dane puppy from a litter! First of all, congratulations . You’ve done your research and you’re well on your way to becoming a great pup-parent.

Should I Feed My Great Dane Puppy or Adult Food?

Now, it’s time to think about what kind of Great Dane puppy would be best for your family. If you’re looking for a more relaxed dog, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing from a litter.

It Might Not Happen: Your Great Dane Puppy Might Be Wild

First, you might not get a relaxed Great Dane puppy. Ask yourself if you do not end up getting the calm, sweet, shy pup that you want, is that okay with you? Are you and your family going to be able to adjust and live with a pup that is active and eager to learn / run / exercise?

Just like humans, as puppies the dog could be a relaxed pup but as it ages, it could develop energy and need an abundance of exercise.

As a responsible puppy and soon to be dog owner, you need to be prepared for an energetic dog, even if you want a relaxed one.

Speak with Your Breeder

Your breeder will be able to discuss which puppy is most suitable for a laid-back, calm lifestyle. (If they are helping you pick a puppy and a responsible, ethical and breeder).

Choosing the right Great Dane puppy for your family will be a joint effort between you, your breeder, and of course some good old fashioned fate!

The most important thing is that you do your research, ask lots of questions, and find a responsible breeder who is committed to helping you find the best possible pup for your you.

I Want To Bring Home Litter Mates

Litter mates is a term that means two or more puppies who were born in the same litter and are close in age.

There are pros and cons to taking home two puppies at once, but if you’re set on it there are a few things you should know before making your decision.

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Puppies Are A lot Of Work: Especially 2 Puppies At Once

No matter how you look at it, puppies are a lot of work. They need to be fed, watered, walked, played with and potty trained.

If you’re thinking about adding two pups to your family, you need to make sure that you’re prepared for the extra work of having not one, but two dogs.

Sometimes Bringing Home Littermates Can Create Issues

Sometimes, bringing home two puppies from the same litter can create issues later on down the road. The pups might have a strong bond with each other and not be as attached to you and your family.

Of course, this isn’t always the case and sometimes it works out perfectly- but it’s something to keep in mind when making the choice to add two dogs to your family at once.

The Best Toys for Great Danes

Training Two Puppies At Once is a Commitment

If you’re going to bring home two puppies, you need to be prepared to train them both at the same time.

This means having twice the patience, and being twice as consistent with your commands and rules.

It’s not impossible to successfully train two puppies at once- but it is a big commitment.

Not only that, but it is recommended when bringing home littermates that they are trained separately from one another, to avoid littermate syndrome and develop independence.

Your Pups Might Differ in Personality and Interests

Each and every puppy is very unique! When looking at two pups, you may get one from a litter that is very dominant, and one who is a shy pup.

Of course, this is just an example and there are endless possibilities when it comes to pup personalities.

The point is, even if they come from the same litter- two puppies can be very different from one another.

This could, or could not, become a problem. If one puppy is indeed a shy pup and turns into a shy adult, the other more dominant one could take advantage and require more of your time.

I Can’t Decide on a Female Dog or Male Dog

When thinking about whether to get a female or male dog, there are a few things you need to take into consideration.

Size Differences

Size, activity level, and temperament can all vary greatly between male dogs and female dogs of the same breed.

Female Great Danes are usually on the smaller side (comparatively), while males are usually larger.

This doesn’t mean that every female dog will be small or every male dog will be large- but it’s something to keep in mind when making your decision.

Temperament Differences

There can also be temperament differences between male and female dogs.

Some people suggest that females are often a bit more “independent” and “protective”, while males are often considered to be more “easy going” and “go-with-the-flow”. These assumptions are, however, highly based on both nature AND nurture.

The Bottom Line

The most important thing is that you find a pup that is the right fit for you, your family, and your lifestyle- regardless of whether it’s a male or female dog.

Take your time, do your research and ask lots of questions to make sure you’re making the best decision for both you and your new Great Dane so that everyone involved can find success.

Should I Get a Puppy at a Pet Store?

Choosing a puppy at a pet-store is a very irresponsible decision. Most pet-shops source their pups from puppy mills, which are dangerous / unsanitary / unethical hoarders of little puppies that advertise available pups as ‘healthy and available’.

Usually puppy mills advertise their pups on websites with great design and beautiful photos that look clean and well-cared for, but this is not always the case.

When you purchase a pup from a store front, you are unknowingly (or hopefully now you know) supporting these puppy mills and their terrible practices.

Additionally, pet store pups often come with a number of health problems that can be expensive to treat.

These health problems are most likely not some that you can see while you look at that adorable little puppy and its shiny coat or sweet little tongue in the cage at the mall.

But I’m ‘SAVING’ the Puppy

Of course, we always have the heroes who think that by getting a puppy from a shop that they are saving this pup. And, technically, YES, you are saving that ONE PUPPY.

But, what about the rest of the litter who was left behind in deplorable conditions? What about the mother dog who wasn’t able to come and get sold to a loving home because its still needed to breed more dogs- for profit?

What about the father of that pup who is also likely being used as a breeding machine in a puppy mill, with little to no regard for his health or wellbeing?

When you get a puppy from a pet store, you are lining the pockets of these people, equipping them to produce litter after litter, ultimately putting other dogs into critical situations that they simply cannot get out of.

I am Afraid That Puppy Won’t Like My Other Animals

If you have more dogs in the house and are worried about how a new puppy will affect them, don’t be! Being cautiously aware, but not nervous, is the correct mindset to be at.

In most cases, puppies and adult dogs get along famously. The key to success is to introduce the puppy to your dogs gradually and under supervision so that everyone has time to adjust.

What Does Socialization Mean?

Puppy socialization means exposing your new puppy to as many different people, animals, and environments as possible in a positive way so that they can learn how to interact with the world around them.

Socialization is the way that puppies interact with the world. It DOES NOT mean that they should visit dog parks daily or be exposed to daycare facilities that do not guide them in appropriate behavior.

Practicing negative behavior will only lead to the development of negative habits.

For more information about how to balance play with other pups and include puppy based socialization, you will be interested in our guide:

Start play is important for all puppies, but Great Danes especially need early socialization because they are such a large breed.

Help: I Got My First Puppy and I’m Drowning in Work

If you’ve just gotten your first puppy and are starting to realize that you’re in over your head, it’s okay!

We’ve all been there. Every new pet owner needs a little help getting started.

Find a Few Pups You Trust

The first step is to find a few owners of well behaved dogs or puppies that you trust. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your veterinarian for recommendations or look for local dog training clubs.

If you have friends with well-behaved dogs, ask if their owners would be willing to help you out.

This is important so that your dog CAN interact with other puppies in a responsible way. Allow your puppy to start playing with them, and monitor the behavior between the crew so that they can all have positive learning experiences.

Get Some Training Tips

Once you’ve assembled a group of pups you’re comfortable with, it’s time to start working on some basic obedience training.

This will help your puppy learn how to behave around other dogs as well as people.

There are plenty of resources available to help you get started, including books, videos, and online courses.

Make a few purchases like treats and a long leash to get them used to wearing a leash. Treats should be used in a fun, loving way to help build self esteem and get your puppy’s attention.

Here are a few of our favorite treats:

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Crate Training and Your New Pup

Crate training is an important part of obedience training for puppies.

Not only does it help with housebreaking, but it also provides your puppy with a safe place to go when they’re feeling overwhelmed or need a break from play.

Start by introducing your puppy to their crate in a positive way. Put their food in the crate and let them eat in there.

Once they’re comfortable with that, you can start closing the door for short periods of time while they’re inside. gradually increase the amount of time they spend in the crate until they’re able to stay in there for several hours at a time.

Here is a compilation of our favorite crates for your pup:

The Best Crate for a Great Dane Puppy: Click Here

In Conclusion:

In conclusion, choosing a new Great Dane is a very challenging task.

Be responsible when choosing a breeder, and be prepared for the challenges of housebreaking and obedience training.

But most importantly, have fun! Your new puppy is sure to bring you years of happiness. Thanks for reading!

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April 29, 2022
Great Dane Pricing- How Much Does it Cost to Buy a Great Dane?
Great Dane pricing is something that many people wonder about. If you’re asking, “How much does it cost to buy a Great Dane?” then you’re not alone. Great Danes are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, and they come at a price.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what factors influence the Great Dane pricing, and how you can find a reputable breeder. Let’s get started!

A mantle Great Dane puppy from an ethical breeder

GREAT DANE PRICING FROM BREEDERS

The Great Dane pricing from a breeder can range anywhere from $600 to $4000. The average Great Dane price is between $1600-$2500, but this can vary depending on the breeder.

There are a few things that will affect the price of a Great Dane from a breeder:

– How ethical and diligent the breeder is

-How much health testing was done

-If the parents were shown and are excellent examples of the breed standard

-If the breeder utilizes best practices for socialization

-How robust, healthy and long-lived the pedigree is

– The reputation of the breeder

‘Designer’ traits such as being ‘mini’, having an off-standard color or being ‘Euro’ should not cost more.

These designer ‘options’ are all red flags of unethical breeding practices; tread cautiously.

HOW TO FIND A REPUTABLE GREAT DANE BREEDER

Great Danes from legitimate, ethical breeders are not going to be cheap. Expect to pay in the neighborhood of $1700-$2000 (average), and possibly more if you are planning to show and breed your puppy.

Here are key things to look for in a Great Dane Breeder:
- Full health testing of both parents, including heart, hips, eyes, and thyroid
- The parents are healthy, well kept dogs that are excellent examples of the written breed standard (they should be passing along excellent structure for orthopedic health)
- The parents have amazing temperaments, free of fear, aggression and anxiety
- The breeder utilizes Puppy Culture and/or ENS socialization practices
- The breeder is picky about buyers and will support them for the life of the dog
A Great Dane puppy priced below $1000 is a red flag for unethical breeding and for scams.
No ethical, diligent breeder will sell a puppy at that price, and there are many scams going around that prey on people looking for a bargain.

A fawn Great Dane puppy

Great Dane Prices from Rescues

Adopting a Great Dane from a rescue is a great way to get a dog at a lower price.

Rescues typically have lower adoption fees than breeders, and they often have Great Danes of all ages that need good homes!

Rescue fees also typically cover the cost of vaccines and spay/neuter surgery prior to adoption. This can save you thousands of dollars!

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. We do our best to present the most up-to-date research, however it is up to the reader to make decisions regarding the health and well-being of their dog. We make no claims here to prevent or treat bloat, Panosteitis, DCM or any other condition related to Great Danes. Find a veterinarian with GIANT breed experience, and chat with them.

Some of the products we list on our website contain affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase, we may receive a small commission for referring you. We only recommend products that we truly believe in. This commission does not affect the price of the product and is used to fund our content and expenses related to operating this website.

READ MORE:

Black Great Dane Puppy – An Adorable Addition to Your Family

Bad Great Dane Breeders
March 15, 2022
Backyard Breeder Bingo

All of the Pandemic Puppies flooding into rescue right now have me thinking, once again, about backyard breeders.

So for fun, I hopped into CANVA and made a backyard breeder bingo card that you can share to your IG story or on your blog! Just right click and steal it from us, we will DEFINITELY allow you to take and share this one! (Though, we do ask that you keep the board as-is and don’t crop or photoshop it). You can tag us on IG @hellodanes

I will clarify each square below! Note, this card is in reference to backyard breeders who INTENTIONALLY breed dogs for profit. Not truly accidental or rescue litters. Please also see our note below the post about how ALL dogs do deserve a home, and how you can make sure that happens without supporting unethical breeding practices!

Why is backyard breeding such a problem? Because unethical breeding practices are almost solely responsible for heartbreak, sick dogs, aggression, health problems and the sheer volume of dogs that are overwhelming our Great Dane rescues right now.

BUY NOW BUTTON/ONLINE STORE – This is always shady business for two reasons. Number one, a lot of ‘scam’ breeders with no puppies at all use this as a money grab and two, no ethical breeder is going to let you just checkout/purchase a puppy without getting to know you first. Never, EVER purchase a puppy by using a ‘buy now’ or online checkout option, even if you think the breeder is ‘reputable’.

NO LIFETIME BREEDER SUPPORT – Ethical breeders care VERY much about the lives they produce. They never want to see a single one of their dogs in rescue or sick because of a congenital or genetic problem. Ethical breeders will support you if something pops up from training issues to health problems, and will be there for you even if you are simply unable to care for the dog you purchased. Backyard breeders? They just want your money and to be done with it. Ask every Dane sitting in rescue right now if their breeder cared where they ended up in life…

UKC OR CKC/CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB REGISTRATIONS – These registries (not to be confused with the CANADIAN Kennel Club/CKC, which is reputable) are littered with litters from backyard breeders. Any breeder that cannot obtain a real AKC or Canadian registration will go to the UKC or the Continental Club. Reasons that your breeder may not have AKC or Canadian registrations? They may not have had breeding rights for the parents they were breeding, the pedigree is mixed or the lineage is unknown. Either way you shake it, it’s unlikely those dogs should have been bred.

DOESN’T ADHERE TO GDCA ETHICS BASICS – We are consistently astounded how many ‘friendly’ and ‘caring’ breeders miss the boat on the ethics of breeding put forth by the Great Dane Club of America (and Canada). If you are going to breed Great Danes, shouldn’t the parent club be your resource and guide? Read their ethics and recommendations here, and make sure your breeder is following these basic guidelines when developing a breeding program: https://gdca.org/breeders/code-of-ethics

‘DESIGNER’ COLORS IS THE MAIN SELLING POINT – Off-standard colors really shouldn’t be a problem, however many backyard breeders are so focused on creating popular and unique colors that they disregard temperament and sound structure. Color should NEVER be the main selling point of a breeding program. Health, temperament and structure first, always. After that? If the color fits, wear it.

SPOT-TO-SPOT BREEDING/DOUBLE MERLE – Breeding two dogs together that each carry the merle gene (you know, the gene responsible for those pretty merle coats and MANY ‘designer’ colors), each puppy has a 1-in-4 chance of receiving both copies of that gene. Sounds ok, right? It’s not. These dogs are called ‘double merle’ and many of them have significant health problems, blindness and/or deafness. Read more about double-merle dogs here: https://www.hellodanes.com/double-merle-great-danes/

BREEDING RIGHTS FOR ANY BUYER/FULL AKC – Ethical breeders will be very cautious about selling a puppy to somebody that wants to use it for breeding. While it seems like you should be able to do whatever you want with a purchased dog, we have to remember that dogs aren’t couches. They are living beings, and breeding them is a massive responsibility. Ethical breeders protect their lineage and understand the difference between a ‘pet’ Dane and one that has the correct structure and genetics to be bred. Want to breed? Find an ethical breeder and ask them to mentor you. Prove that you care about developing a sound breeding program; this will greatly increase your chances of getting access to purchase a quality foundation dog for your program.

PARENTS HAVE BAD STRUCTURE, FEAR OR AGGRESSION – A lot of breeders who sourced their foundation dogs from breeders that didn’t care if they bred the dog or not (see above) are also the same types that are breeding dogs with structural and temperament faults. Flat feet, roached backs, bad angulation, extremely red droopy eyes, fear and aggression…these are NOT things that should be passed onto a litter of puppies. Breeding a dog like this ignorant and gross. Meet the parents! They should be excellent examples of the breed standard with beautiful movement and structure and wonderful personalities. Ethical breeders are very proud of the parents they are breeding. Want to learn more about structure? Read the written standard here: https://gdca.org/wp-content/uploads/TheGreatDane/An-Illustrated-Standard-and-Guide-for-the-Evaluation-of-the-Great-Dane-1.pdf

NO CONTRACT REQUIRED – If a breeder doesn’t require a contract, it’s a sign that they do NOT care who you are as the buyer, do NOT care to support the dog for life, don’t offer any kind of legitimate health guarantee, don’t care if you breed or not, don’t care if you surrender to a rescue. THEY DON’T CARE. Contracts outlining responsibilities, health and return requirements are a must. Verbal contracts likely don’t hold up in court, either so be suspicious when a breeder doesn’t want to put anything in writing.

MINIMAL EARLY SOCIALIZATION PROGRAM – Keeping dogs in a barn or on a tile floor with a short play session on grass and some exposure to kids or farm animals is NOT thorough socialization! Ethical breeders focus a lot of effort into creating confident puppies by exposing them to a huge variety of sounds, textures and experiences. They have puppies exploring obstacles (tires, water, ramps, gym mats, etc.), facing their frustrations and learning about household sounds (vacuums, for example), nail maintenance (clippers and dremel), crating, potty training, kids, handling, exams, collar/leash and more. Puppy Culture, ENS and Avidog are examples of appropriate early socialization programs.

SHIPS ASAP/WILL SHIP ANYWHERE – Dogs. Are. Not. Couches. If a breeder is willing to ship live animals that deserve love, affection, training and a good home to anybody sight unseen, TREAD CAUTIOUSLY. Some ethical breeders and rescues will ship dogs, but they require extensive checks into references and a video call or local visit to see your home and where the dog will be living. They will often use a network or a transportation nanny to move through the system with the dog and ensure it arrives comfortably and in perfect health!

PUPPIES ARE TIMID OR SCARED – If you go to meet the puppies, or see photos and videos and notice they are timid or scared, there is a HUGE problem. The breeder may be breeding timid/fearful parents, not socializing the puppies, abusing the puppies or the puppies have health issues. Any way you shake this, it’s bad news. Puppies should be energetic, bouncy, curious and playful. Not afraid. Contrary to popular belief, being ‘timid’ is NOT a ‘Great Dane Thing’.

PUPPIES HAVE A SPECIFIC % OF ‘EURO’ – This one is a can of worms folks. Our ‘Euro’ vs. ‘American’ Dane post is coming soon, but until then? Tread cautiously with any breeder who uses ‘Euro’ as a primary selling point, and especially if they give you a specific ‘%’ such as ‘38.5%’. European and American Great Danes have nearly identical written standards and look the same. There is a big difference between a European Great Dane and a ‘Euro’ Dane. A puppy marketed as a ‘Euro’ Dane is a hypertype Dane and many suffer from health problems (obesity, structural issues, heart problems, bone growth disorders, etc. Entropion, allergies and bad feet are common).

IT’S YOUR DOG, DO WHAT YOU WANT – This is a breeder that is breeding for profit and has no desire to support you as the buyer or ensure that the puppy is never surrendered to rescue, bred unethically or abandoned. They want to wash their hands of you and the dog and they package that dirty practice up in a neat phrase that sounds like they are giving you more ‘freedom’ as a dog owner. Yikes.

PUPPIES SENT HOME BEFORE 8 WEEKS – This is money grab central, folks. Breeders get tired of the puppies and from 6-8 weeks they eat a TON of $$ food, they are noisy, they are annoying, the mama dog is over it. A breeder that sends a puppy home prior to 8 weeks is setting that dog up to fail, however. They need corrections from their mama and littermates to learn bite control and appropriate play, as well as dog interactions, confidence and more. Read more about why taking dogs home before 8 weeks is both unethical and a huge problem here. There are very, very few reasons for a breeder to do this, and 99% of them are not a good reason. https://www.hellodanes.com/why-great-dane-puppies-should-stay-with-the-litter-until-8-weeks/

UNDERAGE PARENTS (UNDER 2) – While some sources allow for dogs to be bred prior to 18-24 months, in Great Danes we consider this practice to be extremely unethical. Growth plates are not even fully closed yet on a Dane that isn’t 2: giant breed dogs don’t mature until at least then. Additionally, you cannot fully register some health testing results with www.ofa.org until a dog is 2 years old. All dogs should be fully tested (and passed) before being bred, so jumping the line with an underage stud (and especially with an underage dam) is bad practice.

‘CHAMPION’ BLOODLINES BUT NO AKC, FCI, of CKC/CANADIAN KENNEL CLUB CH., GCH. or BIS TITLES – ANYBODY can put together a dog show and award ribbons and ‘champion’ titles. The only legitimate champion lineage comes from the major, reputable registries that work with the breeds established parent club: AKC, Canadian Kennel Club and FCI. The pedigree should be well-documented. Say what you want about ‘show dogs’, but dogs that have been awarded real CH. titles are excellent examples of the breed. Dogs that have been awarded fake or low quality CH. titles? Seems pretty shady to us…

NO APPLICATION REQUIRED – Without an application, how is a breeder to know if you are a legitimate, caring, committed home or not? Remember, abusive people can be friendly when you meet them in person. Good breeders want information about your home, your experience with Giant breed dogs, children in the house, your desire to work with your dog or breed it, and whether or not you actually plan to seek vet care, professional training and otherwise. They are more interested in choosing the right home for each puppy than in going down the list and selling puppies as fast as possible.

VERY FEW PHOTOS OF ADULT DOGS – A good breeder is going to be proud of the parents. Be wary of any breeder where the focus is primarily on puppies (profit generator) instead of on the adults, the lineage, structure and health. There should be several clear photos of the adult dogs being bred, ideally where you can see their structure and possibly even seeing them interacting with people, dogs and even kids. If a breeder is hiding photos of the adults or isn’t sharing them as much as (if not more so) than the puppies, be curious about WHY. The adults may be being abused, are sick or are poor examples of the breed.

PARTIAL OR NO OFA HEALTH TESTING – OFA Health testing is so much more than a vet check, and it’s extremely important. Each dog being bred should have hip/elbow x-rays to test for abnormalities (including dysplasia), an echocardiogram to test for genetic and congenital heart problems, a thyroid test and an eye exam with a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist. Make NO mistake, a breeder that skips these tests or only does one of them so they can ‘claim’ to be ‘OFA health tested’ is likely being SHADY. Proper health testing costs money and may require that the breeder wait before breeding or remove a dog from their program. They tend to skim over testing or avoid it altogether because of this. The results should be published to www.ofa.org for you to verify.

PUPPIES HAVE FLAT FEET/WORMS/KNUCKLING – Yeah, this is backyard breeder territory. Experienced, thoughtful Dane breeders know how to deal with (and avoid) flat feet and knuckling. Flat feet may also be genetic (yikes!). There is no excuse in the world for a puppy to have disease, sores or WORMS. Gross. However, these things are fairly common with some of the worst breeders…even the ones that appear ‘popular’ or ‘friendly’.

NO TITLES ON ANY DOGS – did you know there are 100’s of titles a dog can obtain that have nothing to do with dog shows? A breeder that is active with their dogs, or that has owners who are active with them, will have titles in the lineage that include everything from obedience (CGC) to dock diving, scent work and more. While many breeders don’t obtain titles (and it’s not automatically a ‘bad’ thing), it’s one standard we do like to see considered more often. Look for titles in the lineage and from other puppy buyers, proving that the Danes being made are enthusiastic, well-tempered and trainable. A litter of puppies built with the correct temperament to obtain Canine Good Citizen titles is a litter of puppies that will make EXCELLENT family pets!

BREEDING FOR COLOR BEFORE HEALTH – This is a huge can of worms. Great Danes come in piles of beautiful, interesting and unique colors. Only 7 are colors that are considered ‘standard’ and can be shown. There are questionable ethics and a lot of argument regarding both sides of this fence; some believe off-standard colors are bad while others believe they are necessary, with opinions everywhere in between. Our position is that off-standard colors are ok IF the breeder is focused first on health, structure, temperament, lineage, and the breed as a whole. If the breeding program is focused first on color, odds are you’re going to have a lot of dogs with interesting coat colors that have poor structure, instability and worse…shortened life spans. These are all genetics that they may pass on to future generations, too. It’s not fair to paint a dog ‘lilac fawnequin’ if obtaining that also means that it will be born with a heart defect, allergies and cow hocks. Color is fun, but don’t believe for a second that color is the only reason to choose which parents to breed.

SELLING IN A FACEBOOK GROUP – Yup, we’re going to go there with this one. Some breeders make themselves appear ‘popular’ and even ‘reputable’ because they are so NOISY trying to sell puppies on social media. They post available puppies and litters in Facebook groups, often multiple times with very slow sales, indicating largely that they bred their dogs before knowing if there was even any interest in them. With RARE exception, ethical breeders often have waitlists and will not need to resort to desperately trying to ‘home’ an 8+ week old puppy on social media. This is actually a RED flag and not a sign that a breeder is popular simply because you keep seeing their name pop up in your local community.

EVERY DOG DESERVES A HOME

Nobody is saying that a dog from a backyard breeder is any less deserving of love or a home.

But before you focus only on the cute puppies, take a look at the 100’s of dogs sitting in rescue right now. Many of them are unadoptable, require insane amounts of funding for their veterinary needs, have significant issues with their training and socialization and may have permanent medical problems (including missing limbs, megaesophagus, being blind or deaf or needing heart medications for life).

ALL of these dogs deserve homes. The problem is, every time we support a backyard breeder, we directly fund the production of the same animals that end up with expensive health problems, abused, neglected, abandoned and unwanted. There are so many backyard breeders, and so many more about to breed again, because people keep buying dogs from them.

Want to help? Want to save a dog? Volunteer, foster and adopt OR choose only ethical breeders so we can shut these bad breeders down once and for all.

When they can’t sell the puppies, they will typically give them away or surrender them to rescue…at which point, the applications FLOOD in and the puppies all find homes. But the 4 year old dog in rescue that has resource guarding issues and permanent joint damage because of his congenital flat feet? That dog may never find a home…and it’s the backyard breeders we have to blame for that.

May 7, 2021
I Need a Pet, Not a Show Dog – Finding a Great Dane Breeder

We hear this one a lot. As a matter of fact, you may feel this way yourself.

“I need a pet, not a show dog”

If you aren’t showing your dog, of course you don’t need a show dog. But that isn’t actually the point here.

Show dogs are loved family pets. Through the process of obtaining points in the show ring, they prove in some way that they are quality examples of the breed standard. By being good examples of the breed, they are more likely to pass on quality genetic traits.

You may not need a show dog, but you DO need a healthy, well-tempered Great Dane.

A thoughtfully bred Great Dane puppy from a breeder that does full health testing, obtains titles for their dogs (either in show, obedience or work) and offers lifetime support is most likely to become a well-loved, calm, easily trained, robustly healthy and loved family pet.

Many people believe that show dogs are inbred, abused, not allowed to be dogs or have fun, and are being forced to ‘parade around’ in a beauty contest for the enjoyment of humans.

Have you met a Champion show dog? They are some of the most well-cared for, well trained and beautifully tempered dogs out there.

Show dogs that do well in the ring typically have star power. They want to be there and thrive on the attention and environment.

Because they are excellent examples of the breed standard, they can move comfortably and are free of anxiety, aggression and fear.

Show dogs are most often well-loved family pets above all. They are allowed to play, to get dirty, to run with other dogs and to sleep on the bed.

A thoughtful show handler will know how to work with the dog to make showing a positive and fun experience, and will recognize when doing so isn’t a great activity for that particular dog.

Show dogs that want to be there are very proud of themselves and love to show off!

We believe that competing in shows, obedience or trick competitions is WAY more enriching, interesting and fun for a dog than sitting on a couch all day. There is absolutely nothing abusive or wrong about working with dogs and competing with them in shows of all kinds.

Breeders that show or title their dogs breed with quality in mind. They want their puppies to be healthy, robust and have outstanding temperaments, because promoting the breed and contributing to the health of the breed is important to them.

Each litter will have several puppies, and only some are ‘show’ quality. The rest will still be very well-bred dogs and they all need amazing pet homes.

Don’t be afraid to consider purchasing your next Great Dane puppy from a show breeder or a breeder that truly cares about their puppies genetic lineage, health and trainability.

Backyard breeders and careless breeding practices are literally ruining Great Danes.

Giant Breed dogs have no room for error when it comes to structure, yet many breeders that don’t show their dogs to prove their conformation completely disregard hip, foot, elbow and spinal health.

When you seek out a cheap breeder so that you can buy a ‘pet, not a show dog’, you are more likely choosing a breeder that in contributing to the following genetic problems in Great Danes:

Aggression and fear
Bloat (has a strong genetic link)
Cancer (genetic links are believed to be a contributing factor)
Heart Disease and thyroid disorders
Allergies and other nutrition, gut health and environmental sensitivities
Anxiety, over-excitement, reactivity
Eye disorders
Poor overall breed type (lacking the robust, healthy and graceful Apollo ‘look’ of the breed)
Structural disorders that lead to pain and early arthritis
Wobblers and other degenerative muscular and bone disorders
Lower overall average life expectancy for the breed as a whole

Backyard breeders and puppy mills are almost solely responsible for the reason why so many dogs are in rescue.

AKC papers are not enough to prove that a breeder is operating ethically.

Ethical breeders care very much about the overall health, longevity and personalities of the dogs that they produce & study their pedigrees.

They support the dog and buyers for life, and never want to see one of their dogs in rescue.

They fully health test (Hips, elbows, heart, eyes, thyroid and genetic disorders) their dogs.

Cheap ‘pet’ breeders on the other hand are often operating in volume, sell puppies based on merits unrelated to the actual health and structure of Great Danes (‘designer color’ or a specific % of ‘Euro’), rarely health test their dogs beyond a ‘vet check’, will sell puppies to anybody with money to buy one, and are less likely to offer support or a lifetime return guarantee that keeps dogs out of rescue.

Basic idea here, you are correct. You don’t likely need a show dog unless you plan to show, title and breed Great Danes.

However, if you are choosing to purchase a dog from a breeder instead of a rescue, you have a responsibility to make sure that you are supporting only breeders that are contributing positively to the health, temperament and longevity of Great Danes as a whole.

February 24, 2021
What is Backyard Breeding?
Is there a difference between backyard breeding and front yard breeding?

Don’t most breeders raise puppies in their backyard?

What could possibly be wrong with breeding dogs in a home environment?

Is it backyard breeding if the breeder seems friendly and the puppies are clean?

What if a dog chooses to have her puppies in the backyard instead of inside? Is that the problem?

Isn’t backyard breeding BETTER than a puppy mill? I’d rather know my puppy came from a home and yard than a kennel!

SO MANY QUESTIONS!

The good news is that none of those things have anything to do with breeding dogs in a backyard.

There is nothing wrong with a breeder raising puppies in their home environment, or for you as a Great Dane owner to want a ‘pet’, not a ‘show dog’.

Backyard Breeding is really just the term dog people have made up to describe people who are breeding random, low quality dogs ‘in their backyard’ to make cash.

These breeders aren’t necessarily interested in the health, structure, or temperament of the puppies they are creating, but they sure know how to get you to spend your money with them!

WHY IS BACKYARD BREEDING BAD?

Backyard breeders are often pairing two dogs for breeding that really should not be bred. They may have websites, ‘nice’ photos and even a nice home and clean puppies; however, they may still be unethical.

A Great Dane is not a Great Dane is not a Great Dane. AKC papers, Euro build and ‘neat colors’ are NOT enough to justify breeding two dogs together.

Backyard breeders, even the ‘nice’ friendly ones, are directly responsible for the number of dogs needing rescue, and for the ongoing health and temperament problems we see in Great Danes.

SIGNS OF A BACKYARD BREEDER
- They will have no records of proper health testing or only did some of the testing (ask for Full OFA tests with certificate & CHIC# to verify at www.ofa.org, or similar standard in other Countries
- They may market dogs primarily using buzz words such as ‘papered’, ‘designer colors’, ‘healthy’, or ‘Euro %’.
- They may send puppies home to buyers prior to 8 weeks of age.
- They will not have a lifetime return guarantee.
- They will not have buyers sign contracts.
- They will will not care if a buyer chooses to breed their dog.
- They may encourage buyers to purchase two puppies at the same time.
- They may advertise on marketplace or Craigslist, post repeated sales in local groups and may have a hard time selling puppies.
- They won’t be willing to show the parents, or the parents will be unkempt, heavy, untrained, or aggressive.
- The puppies may be timid, round, hunched, dirty, bug-eyed, and may look sick or weak.
- The breeders home and/or whelping area will be below standard, dirty, and may lack appropriate enrichment for the dogs and puppies.
Every time you support a backyard breeder, you support the creation of the exact types of dogs that strain our system of shelters and rescues. The rescues are here because of these dogs, and the unfortunate truth is that the backyard breeders do not care.

Oh be serious. ANY dog can end up in rescue, even one from an ‘Ethical’ breeder, so don’t blame this on the ‘backyard breeders’… right?

WRONG.

Ethical breeders care very much about structure, health and temperament.

They actively work to produce puppies that are unlikely to suffer from genetically related health problems such as hip dysplasia, bloat and entropion that cost owners heartache and money.

They aren’t creating white double merle dogs that end up in rescue when they cannot find somebody who wants a snappy, under-socialized 4 month old deaf puppy with no eyes.

They closely follow the written standard, and ask for feedback from their peers so that the dogs they breed look and act like healthy, robust, calm, loving Great Danes with strong features and beautiful structure..

They are picky about buyers and educate them well, because they know that the wrong home could mean a dog ends up being neglected, dumped, or used for backyard breeding.

They want the puppies they sell to have outstanding temperaments, so they are much less likely to end up in rescue because they became ‘too aggressive’, bit a child, or couldn’t be handled by the average pet owner.

Most of all, ethical breeders have a LIFETIME return guarantee. They support buyers with education and will take any dog back during its life for any reason.

Ethical breeders are NOT the reason that so many dogs are in rescue. Backyard breeders are. Still don’t believe us? Look at any rescue. Are any of those adoptable dogs from a breeder that would take the dog back themselves, give it vet care and help it find a home?

RUFFLED FEATHERS?

We understand that a post like this may ruffle some feathers.

Perhaps you have a dog that came from what you now realize was a ‘backyard breeder’, and a post like this can feel like an attack (especially if your backyard bred Great Dane is a loved family pet, as mine is). For that, we apologize.

We believe all Great Danes deserve love and a fantastic home, including the ‘imperfect’ ones, and especially the ones that need our help.

You got lucky with one of the special ones; but that’s not the point of this post.

Perhaps you are a breeder, and don’t like that we are calling you out. We don’t apologize for that. You will not change our minds. We do not respect that you skip OFA health testing, or that you are breeding dogs that barely look like Great Danes, or that the puppies you create have roached backs, entropion, and timid personalities.

We don’t respect that you throw around terms like ‘papered’ and ‘health tested’ just to make a buck. We also don’t respect your defensiveness towards improving your program and operating ethically. Try us, but be warned. We are pretty fed up with backyard breeders and know all the ‘lines’.

Our hope is that every owner with a loved family dog from a backyard breeder, every owner whose backyard bred dog died painfully at a young age, and every owner who is interested in purchasing a Great Dane will read this article and help us stop the cycle moving forward.

These dogs are too big to be given anything other than the chance at incredible health and wellness. Stop funding backyard breeders. Start holding breeders to a HIGHER standard. Our dogs deserve it!
December 11, 2020
Great Danes for Christmas: Should You Get a Puppy for Christmas?
It’s happening! The Holidays are upon us, and once again I’m dredging up this post so we can have an honest discussion about getting a puppy for Christmas.

Beautiful memories, kids, gifts, and…giant puppy feet come to mind!!! We’ve all seen the tear-filled videos of children learning that their big present that year was a dog. It’s beautiful and warms the heart.

What could be better than introducing a new pet to the house for Christmas, right!?

RIGHT!?

For the solid majority of people, this is a really bad decision. Sorry, I’m going to be that person. I have to be Frank. Not Frank Abignail, but “frank” as in…we need to have a serious chat.
- How do I convince my spouse to get a puppy?
- Should I give a puppy as a Christmas gift?
- Are my kids ready to have a puppy?
- How can I surprise my kids with a puppy on Christmas?
We have so many things to discuss. I promise to make it fun, though!

Is Getting a Puppy for Christmas a Good Idea?

I could write an entire blog on all the amazing and beautiful things that happen when you bring a cute Dane puppy into your home. Of course, at Hello Danes we focus on giant breed dogs, but ALL puppies are cute. So this blog is for everybody!

If you haven’t caught wind yet of my opinion on this one, here goes.

If you think you want or need a Christmas puppy, chances are that you probably don’t need one.

Hold the FORT! What are we saying here?

Sorry, not sorry, this stuff just has to be said. If you think it’s a good idea to stuff a brand-new puppy into a box and let children squeal and scream at it with excitement, think again.

If you are considering getting a new pet for Christmas, ask yourself the following questions:
- After Christmas/New Years is over, do you still have time for this dog?
- How angry will you be if the heirloom rug in your living room is peed on?
- How much drool are you willing to wipe off of your clothes and walls?
- Can you afford a veterinary emergency of $2500 or more, immediately?
- Do you know how to train a puppy? Train it, properly and thoroughly?
- Are you willing to accept that even at 45 lbs a giant breed puppy is still VERY MUCH a baby and will get up in the middle of the night?
- Do you have other dogs in the home who are well cared for, well trained, and accepting of a new dog?
- If the puppy chews on the remote and shreds up the couch, could that lead to divorce?
- How upset will you be with yourself if your sweet new Dane puppy at 55 lbs runs and tackles a kid to the ground?
- Are you prepared to buy lots and lots and lots of dog food?
- Can you pay for the vet bills, including emergent ones?
- Is your partner on board?
I say all of this with a bit of humor, but so much of it is true.

Christmas puppies are traditionally a HUGE problem.

Once you have your moment and get your viral video of the kids squealing and hugging your now terrified puppy in a box, are you prepared for what happens next?

(Hint: you’ll have a hefty, confused, full-of-poop over-tired gremlin with needles for teeth terrorizing your peaceful Christmas house).

How Shelters & Rescues are Affected by Christmas Puppies

Every year rescues, shelters and breeders notice an increase in demand for puppies and dogs during the Holidays. People adopt and shop during this time more than any other.

This is not a coincidence; you aren’t the only person ever to have the brilliant idea of giving a dog as a gift.

The problem? MANY of those dogs end up returned or worse, surrendered. Many rescues suspend adoptions until the New Year, as a means to prevent people from making poor gifting decisions.

To meet demand, unethical breeders ramp up ‘production’ and create litters full of puppies from parents with questionable genetics. These dogs often end up with health and temperament problems that make them difficult if not impossible for the average dog owner to handle.

The once cute, sweet Christmas puppy is hauled into a shelter when the owner claims to be “at their wit’s end!” with all of the peeing, chewing, destruction, jumping, anxiety, reactivity, and barking. Not to mention our personal favorite ‘we didn’t know he was going to get this big!!!”

Think that’s not going to happen to you?

If you are set on getting a Christmas puppy, get on top of this stuff NOW:
- Make sure you are choosing an ethical breeder and will be receiving a quality, healthy, well-tempered puppy. Learn how to choose a good breeder HERE.
- Know that you may have to be on a waitlist to get a quality Dane and that any breeder with Danes magically available and ready to go at Christmas may actually be a scam or at best, unethical (Read our Breeder Scams Blog Here).
- Research in advance what it’s like to own a Great Dane, as well as how to raise and train them.
- Puppy-proof the house. The last thing you’ll want to do is to haul your new Christmas puppy into the ER on day one because he found and swallowed a glass ornament, three legos, and a cooked turkey bone.
- Learn about what kind of food a Great Dane puppy needs, and price it out. They eat a LOT.
If you plan to give a Great Dane puppy as a gift, do you really, truly think it’s the best idea?

Great Dane puppies are adorable and can turn into amazing dogs, but not without a lot of work. Socializing and training a puppy properly takes time, dedication, and desire.

Lacking that desire, it can be very difficult for a new Dane owner to get past some of the more common and frustrating Dane puppy behaviors (biting comes to mind…oh the biting!!!).

ALTERNATIVE IDEAS TO CHRISTMAS PUPPIES

Still want a Christmas puppy, found out that the breeder you found online was not great, or having second thoughts about the baby Gremlin you are about to spend a LOT of money on?

Try these ideas instead of getting a Christmas Puppy:
- Place your deposit with an ethical breeder and then have your people unwrap a photo, a leash & collar, a t-shirt, or a camera with a video of the puppy on it.
- Give a coupon that says ‘this coupon is good for one Great Dane‘. After they open it, share with your people how you will shop for an ethical breeder or find a rescue dog to bring into your home, and do the whole thing as a family.
- Have your family make a donation or volunteer for a Great Dane rescue. Be a ‘secret Santa’ to a rescue Dane. Volunteer to foster and bring one home that way!
- Decorate the house with all of the things needed for a Great Dane: a huge bag of food, a large bed, and some big Dane-sized toys, and see how long it takes your family to notice. Once they do, show them a photo of the puppies from the ethical breeder you are working with, or the rescue Dane that you think would be a wonderful fit.
Basic idea here, DON’T GET SCAMMED, and don’t be ‘that person’ that realizes somewhere in the Spring that the Christmas puppy was a huge mistake.

We are here for you and we are here for the Danes!
November 29, 2020
Great Dane Breeder Scam
If you’re in the market for a Great Dane puppy, it’s crucial to be informed about the Great Dane breeder scam! Every week, we hear from people who have fallen victim to these scams or are worried they have been targeted. We know a LOT about this topic and we’re here to equip you with the information you need to safeguard yourself.

Bringing home a new puppy should be a positive experience, not one resulting in financial loss and no puppy at all.

Here is how the puppy scam works:

There are hundreds of people out there who are pretending to be Great Dane breeders. In this common and extremely fraudulent ploy, they will show you cute photos of Great Dane puppies that are for sale.

These scammers will say anything they have to convince you that they have an adorable puppy for you.

They will take your deposit and then you’ll never hear from them again.

If you want to avoid falling victim to this, read on. I’ve updated this post in December 2023 with more information!

In this post:
- How common the Great Dane breeder scam is
- How to spot scam breeders and fake puppy brokers
- What to do if a fake breeder took your money
- How to find a real Great Dane breeder
How Puppy Scams Work

Puppy scams typically operate by preying on the emotions and desires of prospective pet owners.

Scammers create fake online advertisements or entire websites featuring adorable puppies, often popular or sought-after breeds like Great Danes, at unbelievably low prices. These fraudulent breeders may use stolen photos from legitimate breeders or other sources to create an illusion of credibility.

Once a potential buyer expresses interest, the scammer establishes contact, often through email or social messaging platforms. They may employ persuasive and urgent language to encourage quick decisions, emphasizing limited availability or exceptional discounts.

Unfortunately, once the payment is made, the scammer disappears, leaving the unsuspecting buyer without a puppy or any means of recourse.

How to Spot a Great Dane Breeder Scam

Here are common signs that a breeder is a scam. We will cover this more in-depth below:

Spotting a Great Dane breeder scam is crucial to ensure you’re dealing with a reputable source. Here’s a short list of signs that may indicate a potential scam:

Unrealistic Prices:
- Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true. Scammers attract buyers by setting a low price point, usually around $600-$800.
Lack of Communication:
- A legitimate breeder will be open to communication and willing to provide information about the breeding process, health records, and more. If the breeder avoids answering questions or is combative or unresponsive, it could be a red flag. Good breeders will be willing to meet with you in person or on video chat.
No References or Reviews:
- Reputable breeders often have references from previous customers or positive reviews online. If you can’t find any information about the breeder or their past transactions, be very cautious.
Pressure Tactics:
- Scammers may use high-pressure tactics to rush the decision-making process, claiming that there are limited puppies available or urging you to make a quick payment. Legitimate breeders will allow you time to make an informed decision.
Payment Methods:
- Be cautious if the breeder insists on unconventional payment methods or requests payment through wire transfers, gift cards, or other non-traceable means. Legitimate breeders typically accept more secure payment options and will never accept payment from random people they have not spoken to in person (“Buy Now” buttons are also a red flag, more on this below!)
Unverified Contact Information:
- Check the breeder’s contact information, including their address and phone number. Scammers may provide false or unverifiable details. Legitimate breeders should have a physical address and be willing to share it.
Limited or No Verifiable Health Testing or Guarantees:
- Reputable breeders usually offer health guarantees for their puppies. If the breeder provides little or no information about the health of the puppy or refuses to offer a health guarantee, it could be a warning sign. Additionally, ethical and reputable breeders can provide undeniable proof of health testing (read more here).
No Screening or Questions:
- Legitimate breeders care about the well-being of their puppies and will ask you questions to ensure a suitable environment. If the breeder does not seem concerned about the living conditions or does not ask about your ability to care for the puppy, it may be a scam.
Inconsistent or Generic Information:
- Scammers may use generic information and pictures copied from other legitimate websites. Look for inconsistencies in the information provided and conduct reverse image searches to verify the authenticity of the pictures. Take note of the puppies they have for sale! If they are all different colors, photographed in different places, around 8-12 weeks of age, and “ready to go”, you’ve found a scam.
No Face-to-Face Interaction:
- Whenever possible, visit the breeder in person or use video calls to see the puppies and their living conditions. Scammers may avoid face-to-face interactions and provide excuses for why this isn’t possible.
Remember, it’s essential to do thorough research and trust your instincts when dealing with Great Dane breeders. If something feels off, consider exploring other options to ensure a safe and ethical transaction.

Who Does the Puppy Breeder Scam Target?

Individuals who are particularly susceptible to falling victim to fake Great Dane breeders often include those driven by impulsive decision-making, intense emotional attachment to owning a specific breed, or a lack of awareness about common scam tactics.

People who are new to pet ownership or those with limited experience in purchasing animals may be more vulnerable. Additionally, individuals who prioritize cost over legitimacy and fail to conduct thorough research may become targets.

Scammers often exploit the emotional connection people have to pets, taking advantage of their eagerness to acquire a specific breed, especially if offered at seemingly unbeatable prices. Potential buyers must exercise caution, educate themselves about common scam red flags, and approach transactions with a healthy skepticism to avoid falling prey to deceptive breeders.

Ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I looking for a puppy that I can take home ASAP?
- Would I like to find a puppy for cheaper than the other breeders charge?
- Do I tend to trust people, especially if they claim to be “family people” or “in hard times“?
- Am I educated on what the OFA is, and how it’s used by reputable breeders?
- Would I like to find a puppy in an unusual or designer color?
- While shopping, am I prioritizing quick availability, or am I patient enough to wait for the best puppy for my life?
Some people are more susceptible to being scammed than others. If you are looking for Great Dane puppies and hoping to find a deal, you are at risk.

Fake Puppy Breeder Red Flags

I will go into depth below with several other red flags that indicate that you’ve found a fake breeder.

This particular post is one of the most popular ones on our site. Even after reading it, we find people are still confused. We can spot a scam a mile away, so if you still aren’t sure, send us an email!

If you have any hesitation at all, don’t give the breeder a dime.

Let’s dive into this! Here are more fake puppy breeder red flags to watch for.

#1 – A Variety of Great Dane Puppies are Always Available

Scam breeders often have a selection of Dane puppies for you to choose from in a variety of colors. If you feel like you are shopping on Amazon for a puppy, it’s a scam!

The puppies will be available and ready to go, as soon as you purchase. It doesn’t matter when you found this breeder, they somehow magically have several 8-12-week-old puppies for you to consider.

#2 – The Dane Puppies are Potty Trained or Crate Trained

Scam breeders will often tell you that the Great Dane puppies are ‘potty trained’, ‘obedience trained’, ‘crate trained’, etc.

They will say anything to make you feel less anxious about purchasing an immature Great Dane pup.

This is a major red flag; while ethical breeders may begin the process of potty, crate, and obedience training, no young Great Dane puppy is going home with these skills set in stone.

#3 – The Great Dane Puppies are “Papered”

The scammers may tell you that the puppies are papered, AKC, or come with papers.

Additionally, they might use the word ‘champion lines’ to entice you further.

You will not find an AKC registered Great Dane puppy from fully OFA health tested champion titled parents for $650. It doesn’t exist. If a breeder is telling you that you have found this, they are trying to scam you.

#4-Buy Now or Purchase Now Option

This is an immediate red flag.

If a breeder has a buy now or “purchase this puppy” option on their site, run.

It’s a scam. Never, ever place a deposit online by clicking on a ‘buy now’ or ‘pay here’ button. It doesn’t matter if the button is on a website for a particular puppy, or a link that a “breeder” sent you via social messenger, this is a scam.

Do not give money to ANY breeder unless you meet them and the puppy in person or via video chat.

#5 – The Breeder Will Sell to Anybody

Scam Great Dane breeders do not care who you are.

You could be a dog abuser who keeps hundreds of dogs in cages; they don’t care. Scammers want your money, they aren’t interested in whether you are a good, humane, ethical, and educated home for the puppy they are selling.

Ethical breeders want to know where every puppy they sell is going, and will support you as the buyer for life. Ethical and Reputable breeders will be dedicated to their breeding program and to each puppy they produce.

#6 – High Pressure Sales Tactics

Scam breeders may use high-pressure sales tactics to get you to commit.

Here are some common phrases they may use:
- I have several people interested in that puppy, if you want it, you must place a deposit now
- My mother has cancer and we need the funds to pay for her meds
- Somebody else already paid for that puppy, but, I have another one just like it and I’m willing to sell it to you for a little less!
- If you pay for the puppy today, I’ll cover the cost of shipping him to you
- We are reputable breeders and have just one puppy left, he could be in your arms tomorrow! If you let me know by 3 pm, I can get him with our shipping service
- If you aren’t interested in this puppy, I need to know ASAP. The price is going to go up and I thought you might prefer to get him before he’s not on sale anymore
#7 – They Have No Reputation in the Breed Community

Scam breeders will have no reputation in the community, despite claims of being ‘established family breeders’.

Are they listed in the breeder registry at www.gdca.org?

Do you know anybody who bought a puppy from them?

Still unsure? Ask in the Great Dane Bad Breeders, Owners, and Information group, or our science-backed Great Dane group HERE.

If you feel uneasy, chances are you’ve found one of many common puppy scams!

#8 – They Stall when asked for more information

A scam Great Dane breeder will often become defensive if you ask too many questions, or they may stall by telling you lies about why they cannot answer yet.

Ethical, legitimate breeders want to answer your questions and help you find the right puppy for your family. They will be able to prove their dogs pedigrees, AKC titles, health test results, reputation, and more willingly and easily.

Worse yet, they will prey on owners who are uneducated about the health tests needed when breeding puppies! They are assuming the potential target (the buyer) is unaware of how to verify the information and will simply state “We love our pets and use only the best health tests to make sure they are perfect”.

#10 – They Will Share Incorrect Information

Because the Great Dane scammers don’t have Great Danes (or any other breed they are trying to target with their scam), they often know very little about them. We’ve seen some pretty wild claims from scammers, including information that Great Danes:
- Are small and compact
- Have long fur
- Grow to be 50-60 lbs at maturity
- Eat very little food
- Require no training at all
I’m not even sure how to take that seriously…but listen. It’s a red flag!

#11 – The Breeder Solicited You

If a breeder reaches out to you to sell you a puppy (unsolicited), it’s a scam!

Run from anybody who sends you private messages on social media or via email to try and sell you a puppy.

If this isn’t a scammer and they do have puppies, you’re being pursued by a very unethical backyard breeder. This is also very suspicious!

#12 – The Breeder Needs to Sell, Urgently

If the breeder needs to sell the puppies urgently, that’s usually a sign that something is wrong.

Many scammers will tell you that the puppies must be sold ASAP to pay for medical bills, or because they will be dropped off at the shelter if people don’t buy them.

This is a scam, meant to push you over the edge and make a payment.

#13 – There is No Written Paperwork

This goes back to that shady ‘buy now’ button. Scam breeders rarely have applications, contracts, and guarantees. These are a MUST when choosing to purchase a Great Dane.

Ethical and reputable breeders will require an application, and once approved, there will be a written guarantee, Dane puppy advice worksheets, and a full contract to complete the transaction.

#14 – It’s All in the Name – Breeder Scam Names

A lot of scam breeder websites use ‘keywords’ and adjectives (descriptions) as their ‘kennel’ name or keywords all over their website.

Examples of shady keywords?

Tall Great Danes
Best Great Danes
Great Danes Puppies
Heavy Great Danes
Great Dane Pups
Reputable Great Danes
Big Pup Great Danes
Magnificent Danes

#15 – Too Good to Be True Pricing

You won’t find an ethically-bred Great Dane from a healthy, proven, and fully tested lineage for less than $1200-$3000. Expect to pay at least $1200 for a Great Dane puppy from an ethical and reputable breeder.

If the price is too good to be true, that is because it is.

Ethical breeders put a lot of time, money and effort into their pedigree and the puppies they produce. This is not cheap and selling puppies is, as a result, not often profitable for them, either.
Choose ethical breeders only.

#16 They Can and will Ship Your Puppy to you ASAP

The puppy scammers spend a LOT of time trying to convince you that they can safely ship their cute puppies to you in just a day or two.

Puppies are not Amazon Prime! Shipping puppies is complicated, and ethical breeders won’t often do it. This process is not a ‘normal’ part of puppy buying.

If a breeder can ship your puppy overnight and have it in your arms ASAP, it’s a scam. It doesn’t matter how well-written and convincing that their “Shipping Info” page is. Walk away.

#17 Missing Ethical Indicators

Scam breeders will not be able to share legitimate health testing results with you. These breeders will tell you that the puppies they sell are ‘certified’, ‘health certified’, or ‘veterinarian checked. Tread cautiously as this is just a facade.

You must always ask for information about the parent’s health testing: in particular the PENNHIP or OFA hip scans, thyroid panels, echocardiograms, and eye exams.

Verify the health testing results of BOTH parents at www.ofa.org
This is a fantastic way to immediately rule out both scams and unethical breeders.

#18 – Social Media Puppy Scam

There are many fake Facebook (or Instagram) profiles going around of people who are pretending to be a breeder or dog owners with puppies.

They will make you feel they are legitimate by being a ‘real person’, and through private messages will show you photos of cute puppies.

“I’m not a breeder, this was an accident”
“My spouse/kid/mom has cancer/COVID/etc.”
“I’m selling the puppies for my mom/friend/co-worker”
“I got this puppy and don’t need/want it”

Once you place a deposit with them, they will often impose extra costs or offer excuses as to why they won’t be able to deliver your puppy that day.

Before you place a deposit or pay any money to the breeder, we recommend that you ask them to meet you in person or do a live video chat and show you the puppy. There is no legitimate excuse for a breeder to skip this important step.

#19 – Shady Reviews

Testimonials and reviews are intended to boost your confidence in the transaction. We recommend that you proceed with caution. The strange usage of language, spelling errors, and omissions often indicate fraudulent reviews that were written by the fake breeder.

With the ever-growing popularity and quality of AI-Generated written content, expect that the websites, interactions, and “reviews” from these fake puppy sellers will only become harder and harder to spot.

How to Find a Legitimate Puppy Breeder

Ethical breeders will market their pups based on their true strengths including health, structure, and disposition.
These breeders WILL NOT use terms like “Euro,” “Champion,” or “Potty Trained.”

The single best place to start looking for a puppy is by visiting your breed’s parent club. For Great Danes, in the U.S., that would be the Great Dane Club of America.

From there, you can connect with your local club and rub elbows with the most dedicated and reputable breeders in your area. They can refer you to others as well!

Here is some information about legitimate and ethical breeders:
- They are very interested in you as the buyer and have questions about your experience with Giant breeds, puppies, and having a dog in your home.
- They will want to know about your veterinarian, home life, fencing, and work schedule.
- A legitimate breeder will have CHIC#’s for both Dam & Sire that you can verify at www.OFA.org
- They will have an application, a contract, and a return guarantee.
- You will not likely be able to purchase a puppy right now and may have to get on a waitlist.
- An ethical breeder will be cautious about shipping puppies if they ship at all.
- Real breeders will send you photos and show you the puppy via video and video chat.
- Ethical breeders will use Puppy Culture, ENS, and other socialization programs
- The best Great Dane Breeders will prove their dog’s temperament and structure with AKC (American Kennel Club), CKC (Canadian Kennel Club), and FCI (European) obedience/CGC, trick, sport and/or conformation titles.
- They keep a close eye on the written standard and actively breed to improve it and the health of their pedigree.
- Will have a positive reputation in the breed community among other legitimate, ethical breeders, conformation judges, and breed fanciers and are affiliated with the GDCA/GDCC in some way (as a member or as somebody who is mentoring under a mentor. www.gdca.org is the best place to begin your search for an ethical Great Dane breeder.
- Won’t be selling puppies purely on the merits of being ‘designer color’ or ‘Euro’.
Here is more comprehensive information on how to start looking for a reputable breeder.

If you are still unsure whether or not you’ve come across a fraud, go down this checklist:

If you are about to place a deposit with a breeder that has many of these red flags, you can send us an email to inquire. We will look into it and verify if the breeder you are dealing with is legitimate or not.

I can tell you from experience, that we receive several emails every week, and in 2 years of this (since we published this blog), there was not a single legitimate breeder.
- Do a reverse image search (use Google) of the images the breeder has shared with you.
- Ask them for references (be careful, they can fake this!).
- Ask your local breed club and enthusiast groups if they are familiar with the breeder, if they aren’t, ask them who they recommend.
- Search for and ask about the breeder in the Facebook group Great Dane Bad Breeders, Owners and Information
- Ask the breeder that you are working with to provide information about the puppy’s AKC registration and CHIC (OFA) numbers. Verify this information with the AKC and at www.OFA.org
- Ask them for more photos of the puppies. Are their markings the same from one photo to the next? Structure? Backgrounds?
- Ask them to do a live chat where you can SEE the puppies and the parents. If they will not do this, or won’t do it without a deposit, RUN.
Never, ever place a deposit until you see the puppy (via video chat or in person) and verify the breeder’s pedigree and health testing information with the AKC and the OFA.

Grab this infographic and please share it on your social media or website! Help us spread the word about these insidious and common scams.
November 26, 2020
Bad Breeder Red Flags: Questions to Ask Dog Breeder BEFORE You Bring Home Your Adorable Puppy
MUST KNOW QUESTIONS TO ASK DOG BREEDER

There are questions to ask a dog breeder to examine whether they are producing quality puppies!

We hear often from people who brought a puppy home from a bad dog breeder, an unethical or back-yard breeder and said ‘I just didn’t know any better’.

Breeding dogs should be something for responsible dog breeders, NOT for everyone. Likewise, a new puppy owner should be educated on what puppy is the right puppy for them, be sold a healthy puppy, and be prepared to take care of them for the entire puppy’s life.

Questions to Ask Dog Breeder

Responsible breeders LOVE to answer questions from puppy buyers!

Reputable dog breeders pour their life and heart into their new puppies. A dog breeder who is hesitant to answer questions is NOT a good breeder!

Puppy buyers should never be afraid to ask ALL of the questions, as a legitimate breeder will love to discuss all of your wonderings.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR DOG BREEDER
1. Does the mom and dad have temperament testing?
2. Do the puppies come with a health guarantee?
3. Are there health certificates to show the health tests that have been done on the mom/dad?
4. What is the breed’s temperament?
5. Are there any genetic diseases in the genes?
6. Are you able to visit the breeder’s home and see the puppies in real life?
7. How many dogs does the potential breeder own?
8. Is the dog breeder apart of a kennel club?
9. Are you able to speak with previous puppy buyers?
10. Does the breeder own the puppy’s parents?
11. Do the puppies get taken to vet visits?
12. Do the puppies and dogs get socialized from a young age, and if so what are the methods?
13. How many litters has the female and stud dog had?
RESPONSIBLE BREEDERS VS. BACKYARD BREEDING

Whether we like it or not, bad breeders are out there. They are everywhere. Some are even scams: they just want your money and have no puppies to sell at all.

Off Color and Designer Great Danes
Bad Breeders
Scam Breeders: What to Look For
Breeders: Shady Business
Should I Choose a Breeder or Rescue?
Choosing a Dog From a Show Breeder
What Makes a Breeder Good?
Find a Great Dane Breeder

If you are looking for your next (or first!) Great Dane puppy, we wrote this post for you. Just because a breeder has puppies doesn’t mean that they are operating ethically or selling healthy puppies that were raised with care.

Look for Red Flags When You Are Getting a New Puppy

Responsible breeding is not easy to do. Dogs and puppies cost a lot of money and time to care for properly. If a breeder is not asking questions about you and your home, they may not be as interested in finding the best homes for their puppies as they should be.

A responsible dog breeder will:
1. Be able to tell you about the temperament of the parents and grandparents
2. Have done health testing on the parents
3. Ask you a lot of questions about your home and family
4. Help you to pick the right puppy for your lifestyle
5. Give you a contract that outlines their health guarantee and terms of sale.
When you are looking for a breeder for a puppy, look for ‘red flags’ to help you identify the reputable breeders from the ones who may not be the right breeder for ou.

RED FLAG NUMBER 1: The breeder has no name or a bad name in the local community.

Search your local Great Dane board on Facebook or the internet. Look up your local Great Dane breed club. Visit the GDCA website and search their database. We also recommend searching in the Great Dane Bad Owners Breeders & Information page.

Keep in mind that just because people might know about your breeder or may even recommend them, does not mean that they don’t have other red flags!

A newer responsible breeder may not have an established presence, but if they are operating ethically, they are working under the mentorship of other breeders and will have a reputation that way.

It is ultimately the breeder’s responsibility to make connections within the breed clubs and find mentors that will help them produce the best puppies for their puppy buyer.

RED FLAG NUMBER 2: No or limited OFA Health Testing.

Breeders that invest in OFA health tests are more likely to be interested in the breed standard and health as a whole. When both parents have been fully tested, they are less likely to pass on painful, preventable, and sometimes life-threatening conditions such as hip displasia, thyroid disease, and cardiomyopathy. Ensuring that your puppy has a health certificate can be the difference between many breeders who are breeding solely for financial gain vs. buying a puppy from a reputable breeder who wants to better the breed.

Ask the breeder for the CHIC # for both dogs contributing to the litter. If they cannot give you this number, don’t have it, or you cannot verify it in the database at www.ofa.org, it is a MASSIVE red flag.

Outside of the U.S. the process for this will be different, however, it is a red flag if the breeder doesn’t complete at minimum x-rays, echocardiograms, eye exams and blood work to check for hip dysplaysia, elbow dysplays, eye disorders, thyroid disease and cardiac problems on both dam and sire.

Expect NOTHING less. A vet check is NOT health testing.

RED FLAG NUMBER 3: They seem desperate, too ‘perfect and impersonal’ or require a deposit provide more information.

Desperation is a classic breeder red flag that may also indicate that the breeder is a scam and may not even have real puppies to sell you.

If they seem pushy and offer high-pressure sales, list off all of the triggers (‘Health tested’, ‘Raised in a Home’, ‘Comes with a Leash and Collar’, ‘Snuggly and cute’), and seem to have very little interest in making sure you are the right home for the dog, tread cautiously.

Great dog breeders don’t have the capacity to get an entire litter of puppies potty trained, leash trained, and even ‘fully trained’ before sending them home. Yes, a responsible breeder can get started on these things and other dog related activities, but it is ultimately up to the puppy’s parents to finish these tasks1

A breeder should NEVER require you to place a deposit before answering your questions, and good breeders are exceptionally picky about buyers. You should have to work a little to prove yourself. If it’s the other way around, be wary.

RED FLAG NUMBER 4: The breeder won’t show the parents, or the parents are aggressive, look sick, or don’t look like Great Danes or the breed.

A professional breeder is proud of their Dam and Sire dogs. They keep them in a home environment and make sure that they are healthy, clean, and well-cared for.

Run from any breeder that won’t show you the parents, or if you see that the parents are kept in a kennel/barn, are not well-kept or lack breed type. It is unacceptable to see dogs being bred that have roached or sway backs, narrow hips, minimal substance, flat feet and overall poor structure. The parents should be excellent example of breed type in both structure and temperament.

If you aren’t sure, reference the written breed standard.

RED FLAG NUMBER 5: The puppies are sick, weak, timid, roached or are knuckling and have flat feet.

Ask to see photos and videos of the puppies often as they are raised.

They should have plenty of substance (they should not appear wimpy or scrawny), great structure, nice head shapes and large, solid tight well-knuckled feet.

A reputable breeder will be exposing them to a variety of textures and obstacles (ramps, tunnels, boxes, grass, tile, gravel, etc.) that help build their confidence and strength. Additionally, the breeder should keep the puppies clean and trim their nails often.

IS YOUR GREAT DANE PUPPY KNUCKLING?

Check out our science-based and constantly growing knuckling resource page.

KNUCKLING RESOURCES

Timid or ill-tempered puppies (those that resource guard or are pushy and rude) often become timid and ill-tempered adults.

Quality breeders work very hard through thoughtful breeding practices and socialization to make sure puppies have excellent substance and temperaments.

KNUCKLING IN GREAT DANES RESOURCE PAGE
How to Prevent Knuckling in Great Danes in 7 Easy Steps
Is My Great Dane Puppy Knuckling?

Ideally you want to see that the puppies are curious, stand up tall and appear enthusiastic and healthy.

If you notice something looks off about the entire litter, there could be something amiss with the breeder. A whole litter getting sick is a red flag.

RED FLAG NUMBER 6: The breeder doesn’t have a contract or lifetime breeder support and return guarantees.

Don’t get sucked into the line that the dog breeder is ‘desperate’ or ‘has cancer and cannot offer support’. Dog breeders who do this solely for the money will make up all kinds of lies to tug at your heartstrings.

Ethical breeders care very much about their puppies and never, ever want them surrendered or ending up in rescue. Run from any breeder that doesn’t state in the contract that they want the dog back for any reason.

The contract will also outline breeding rights, spay/neuter timelines, and care guidelines. A dog breeder who truly cares about their dogs will be there for the entire dog’s life. Buying a puppy from a good breeder is not ‘a moment’, but a relationship!

When to Spay a Female Great Dane

RETURN POLICY OF PUPPY

The dog breeder should require you to return the dog to them if you are unable to keep it for some reason.

As a dog owner, this gives you an opportunity to return the dog to a safe place (the breeder who can then rehome him or her) if needed, instead of dumping the dog into the lap of our already strained Great Dane rescue system. If the breeder doesn’t offer lifetime support and at least a 2 year guarantee warranting the dog against certain health problems, run.

RED FLAG NUMBER 7: The dog breeder allows the puppies to go home prior to 8 weeks of age.

Inexperienced or careless breeders may claim that the mom ‘lost interest’ and ‘isn’t caring for the puppies’ around the time that the puppies naturally wean from the mother.

Why Great Dane Puppies Should Stay with the Litter Until 8 Weeks
Puppy Culture – Early Socialization for Great Dane Puppies Before and After 8 Weeks Old
How to Care for a Great Dane puppy

The mother may snap at the puppies to remind them to stop nursing or to correct them for being rude, and breeders will use this as an excuse to send the puppies home weeks before they should be leaving their mom.

The communication the mom gives the pups, and the communication the pups give each other is an incredibly important part of their development.

Why Great Dane Puppies Should Stay with the Litter Until 8 Weeks

Puppies that go home prior to 8-10 weeks are extremely immature and struggle with bite control and potty training. There is rarely a reason for a puppy to go home earlier than this; if the mom is truly exhibiting dangerous aggressive behavior towards the pups, she should not have been bred.

Be patient and hold your dog breeder to a higher standard!

Puppy Socialization
Puppy Culture: A Way to Socialize from the Start
Puppy Socialization Guide
Puppy Training: 5 Mistakes in Training
Canine Good Citizen Training for Great Danes
Your Puppy is Bored
How to Choose the Best Dog Trainer
Schedule for Bringing Home a Great Dane Puppy

RED FLAG NUMBER 8: The dog breeder bred two dogs with merle/spot patterns/genes.

It is extremely unethical to breed two Great Danes that have spot/merle patterns.

Doing so runs an extremely high risk that a significant number of puppies in the litter will receive BOTH copies of the merle/spot gene.

What is a Double Merle Great Dane?

Double Merle puppies can be deaf, blind, or may have allergies and other health conditions. In the right hands these dogs can live a wonderful life, but many of them are either euthanized or end up in rescue and have questionable temperaments and high veterinary bills.

It is very important when buying a puppy to be able to see a full health certificate of all of the dogs within their genetics to make sure that your puppy was not the result of a double merle breeding.

DOUBLE MERLE GREAT DANE DOGS

Double Merle Great Danes

Double Merle Great Danes

Double Merle puppies are preventable. Make sure your breeder only pairs genetically proven (through testing) solid colors (such as mantle, black or blue) when breeding to a harlequin, merle or piebald dog.

Did you buy from a ‘red flag’ breeder? We’d love to hear your experience!

READ MORE:

Blue Great Danes – Facts, Photos, and Care

The Top 5 Adorable Facts About Great Dane Brindle Dogs

Black Great Dane Puppy – An Adorable Addition to Your Family

Miniature Great Danes: The ‘Pocket’ Version of a Great Dane
November 19, 2020
How to Choose a Great Dane Breeder Near Me
We’ve written posts about how to spot a Great Dane Breeder Scam , and we’ve written about common Great Dane Breeder Red Flags.

That’s a lot of information on which breeders NOT to choose, but how do we know which breeders are the ones to look for?

This post is perhaps the most important in our series on finding and supporting ethical breeders, and one you should read before you purchase your next Great Dane Puppy.

FIND A GREAT DANE BREEDER NEAR ME

Before you can begin the process of choosing a breeder, you have to find one!

There are a few ways we recommend searching.
- Search the Great Dane Club of America website, as well as their local chapters.
- Attend a dog show, meet breeders and learn where the dogs are coming from.
- Search our database, https://www.hellodanes.com/find-a-great-dane-breeder/
- Get personal recommendations in your local Great Dane community.
Make sure to chat with references, veterinarians, and Great Dane lovers who are ‘in the know’.

KNOW WHAT A BAD GREAT DANE BREEDER LOOKS LIKE

Inform yourself what backyard breeders look like, talk like, and act like with their litters.

Too many breeders are getting away with making people think their puppies will be healthy when they are not health tested at all.

Read and educate yourself of what a backyard breeder does with their litters so that you know what to avoid.

Off Color and Designer Great Danes
Bad Breeders
Scam Breeders: What to Look For
Breeders: Shady Business
Should I Choose a Breeder or Rescue?
Choosing a Dog From a Show Breeder
What Makes a Breeder Good?
What is a backyard breeder? The AKC has 1000’s.

CHOOSE A GREAT DANE BREEDER

Now that you’ve got a few names, you’ll want to narrow it down a bit. Perhaps you are looking for a specific color, or really like the ‘look’ of the dogs being produced by one of the breeders. Avoid buzzwords like ‘Euro’.

Euro Danes: A Big, Droopy Problem
What Does Euro Mean in Great Danes?

Decide on a color that you’d like, and pursue Great Dane breeders who test their dog’s health and produce those colors.

Blue Great Danes
Mantle Great Danes
14 Exciting Things about Black Great Danes
Colors of Great Danes

VERIFY HEALTH TESTING IS COMPLETED WITH OFA

The next thing you are going to want to do is to verify the following things.

I’m going to be brutally honest here.

What is OFA Health Testing?
Is Embark a ‘Good Enough’ Health Test?

We are really, really sick and tired of breeders who claim they’ve ‘health tested’ their dogs after getting them checked out by a veterinarian.

That is NOT health testing.

Actual health testing for dogs in a breeding program involves x-rays, bloodwork, an eye-exam and an echocardiogram.

Expect nothing less. OFA health tested dogs are much less likely to pass expensive and painful conditions onto the puppies.

Read more information about OFA Health testing here.

Both dogs that were bred to create the litter should be fully OFA Health tested: Hips, Eyes, Heart, Thyroid.

Ask the breeder for the CHIC# for each dog, and then verify the results at www.ofa.org using their free search tool.

LOOK FOR EXCELLENT PARENTS

Look first at the parents that were bred.

Are they excellent examples of the written breed standard?

Are the parents free of roached back, droopy eyes, flat or deformed feet and legs, bloat, aggression, fear, thyroid disease and heart problems?

Are they strong, clean, well-cared for, trained and offered enrichment and family time?

Does the breeder show their dogs, or have puppy buyers that show the dogs and prove that they follow the breed standard?

AKC PAPERS DO NOT MEAN THE DOGS ARE WELL BRED

Note: AKC Papers are not enough.

Healthy Great Dane puppies should have good bone (‘substance’) and be confident, curious and friendly. They should have tight, strong feet and be free of knuckling, worms and sores.

If you see timid, sick, weak or small puppies contact your local Great Dane rescue.

They may be able to step in and request that the breeder surrender the dogs and help them find suitable homes once they are healthy.

WHAT IS AKC REGISTRATION?

Ask the breeder about AKC Registration.

They should have a documented pedigree for the puppies going back at least 4 generations, and should be willing to share it with you so that you can research the genetics.

Most ethical breeders sell their puppies with an AKC LIMITED registration, meaning that you won’t be able to breed your puppy and register the off-spring with the AKC.

This restriction helps breeders keep their genetic lines from getting mucked up by ‘backyard breeders’.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO BREED YOUR NEW GREAT DANE

If you want to breed, be honest with the breeder and ask if you can mentor with them. Finding a quality breeder to learn from will also ensure you have better access to quality puppies for breeding in the future.

LOOK FOR A BREEDER THAT SOCIALIZES ITS PUPPIES

Make sure the breeder you are talking to thoroughly socializes the puppies.

Puppy Socialization
Puppy Culture: A Way to Socialize from the Start
Puppy Socialization Guide
Puppy Training: 5 Mistakes in Training

Well-socialized dogs make GREAT family pets! Be wary of any breeder that doesn’t expose puppies to a variety of textures, obstacles, noises, experiences and items. They should be spending time with the puppies and making sure they have lots of opportunity outside of the whelping area.

If the puppies are extremely timid, shy and fearful it’s very likely that the breeder is not using ethical practices for breeding and socialization. These puppies absolutely deserve an amazing chance at life, but their breeder does not deserve your money.

Some of the best breeders use Puppy Culture/ENS type protocols that are time consuming but extremely effective for ensuring that puppies are confident, engaged and able to handle the world. Read our post on Puppy Culture socialization here.

NO DOUBLE MERLE

No ethical, thoughtful breeder will pair two dogs with spotted coats.

Double Merle Great Danes

This can create double merle puppies, which can be blind, deaf, and have piles of health problems.

Here are a few examples of color pairings that you do NOT want to see:

Harlequin + Harlequin
Harlequin + Merle
Merle + Merle

Entire rescues are dedicated to saving the sick, timid, weak, deaf and blind white or mostly white puppies that result from these preventable pairings. Some breeders will do this anyways and then hard cull (euthanize) the white puppies at birth so that people never know.

Be educated about this, it’s important!

CHOOSE AN APPROPRIATE COLOR PAIRING

Appropriate Great Dane Color pairings include:

Harlequin + Mantle
Mantle + Mantle
Black + Black
Etc.

BREEDER CONTRACT

A breeder should have a solid, in-depth contract for you that covers everything from basic care requirements to breeding restrictions, spay and neuter and health and return guarantees.

Any breeder that does not require this doesn’t likely care much about the puppies, where they end up, or their relationship with you as the buyer. Ask to see the contract in advance; this can also help weed out breeders that are actually a scam and don’t have any puppies to sell you at all.

BREEDER GUARANTEE

Your breeder should be 100% willing to take a puppy back at any time, for any reason.

This simple guarantee helps ensure that no ethically-bred Great Dane ever ends up in a shelter or rescue.

If your breeder wouldn’t take a dog back, they don’t care much where they end up. In my opinion, that’s one of the worst offenses a breeder can make.

If you don’t think it matters because you never have any plans to return the dog, do a quick search through the many Great Dane rehoming groups. Digest the sheer volume of posts from people who didn’t think they would ever have to find a new home for their dog.

None of those people likely have a breeder who backs them up and will help them. Don’t be that person, and don’t financially support those kinds of ‘breeders’.

BREEDER KNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORT

The breeder you choose should have a HUGE amount of knowledge about Great Danes and will be able to talk to you about nutrition, health and more.

Expect your breeder to be interested in you as a buyer, and to want to watch the puppy grow up. They will be there to answer your questions!

It is important that you have a personal relationship with your breeder. If you don’t like them as a person, that maybe a red flag.

WHY DOES CHOOSING THE RIGHT BREEDER MATTER?

It’s not the ethical breeders that are the problem.

It’s the careless, thoughtless backyard & mill breeders that are a driving reason behind why so many dogs end up in rescue.

We support breeders, and we support a buyers choice to choose breeders instead of choosing rescue.

If you choose to purchase a dog, we ask that you to be thoughtful in your decision. Choose only the types of breeders who are not contributing to the population of discarded purebred Great Danes that fill up local rescues across the Country.
November 18, 2020