Category: Great Dane Rescues

  • Adopting a Great Dane: What to Know & Expect

    Adopting a Great Dane: What to Know & Expect

    If you are considering adopting a Great Dane, we at Hello Danes LOVE you for that. There are many beautiful, wonderful Great Danes in rescue right now waiting for a new couch to lounge on. Great Danes are not for everybody though, and it’s important to know about the breed and what to expect before you commit.

    Great Danes are known for their gentle nature, imposing size, and unique characteristics. They make wonderful companions for the right owners! However, like any pet, they come with their own set of considerations and responsibilities, especially if they come from a past of neglect, abuse, and poor genetics.

    In this blog post, we’ll explore what you need to know and expect when rescuing a Great Dane!

    BONUS – I’ve included a helpful shopping list at the bottom of this post so you know exactly what to get for your Great Dane!

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    Understanding the Breed Before Adopting a Great Dane

    It is so important to know and understand what it’s like to live with a Great Dane before you adopt one. Great Danes, often referred to as “gentle giants,” possess distinct characteristics and requirements that may not align with every lifestyle. They take up a lot of space, are expensive, and can be intimidating to strangers and children. Not only that, Great Danes eat a lot of food.

    Great Dane Size

    One of the first things that come to mind when thinking about Great Danes is their size. Great Danes are HUGE.

    You may have noticed that many Great Dane rescues will not adopt Great Danes to owners with no giant breed experience; this is a big reason why. People return big dogs to rescue all of the time, not realizing how much space they take up.

    Adult Great Danes can weigh between 140 to 175 pounds or more, and they can stand over 30 inches tall at the shoulder.

    An untrained Great Dane is a danger to themselves and to others, because it’s easy for them to accidentally hurt somebody by pulling, lunging, running, and jumping.

    Many new Great Dane parents are shocked at how much space these dogs take up.

    Personally, we live in an average suburban home with an open floor plan and there are times when I just want my big male Dane to stop following me around! These dogs are human sized and you absolutely notice their presence jamming up the hallways, crowding you in the bathroom, and using up all of the space on the couch.

    We still love them for it, but you’ve been warned…

    Great Dane Personality: the Gentle Giant

    Despite their imposing stature, Great Danes are often referred to as “gentle giants.” They are known for their friendly and affectionate nature, making them great family pets.

    Unfortunately, many rescued Great Danes come from poor genetics and lack socialization; this can make them nervous, timid, or even reactive and aggressive. These behaviors are not normal or acceptable for Great Danes, but it is a reality for many.

    It is VERY important that you work closely with your Great Dane Rescue to make sure you are being placed with the right Great Dane for your family. Some people have a lifestyle that is conducive to adopting a fearful or reactive dog. Others do not, and that’s ok.

    We adopted one of our Great Danes in 2019. She is the most wonderful, perfect family dog despite her past history of trauma and abuse. She is gentle and loves people, kids, and other dogs. Spend time with the dog you are wishing to adopt, and get to know them! You may find a gem (just like we did).

    Great Dane Exercise Requirements

    Great Danes may be large, but they are not as high-energy as some smaller breeds. It is a huge myth, however, that they are lazy and don’t require walks or enrichment!

    My friend Natalie and I have (between the two of us) five very health, active Great Danes. We regularly meet up so they can run together. This is the only way to truly wear them out!

    Many Great Danes participate in sports such as dock diving, lure coursing, and scent tracking too. They are smart, athletic dogs for owners who allow and encourage them to be.

    If having a couch potato for a pet is a requirement for you, we highly recommend adopting an older Great Dane (age 4-5+). It’s still VERY important to keep your new Great Dane fit and lean.

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    Preparing Your Home & Budget for a Great Dane

    Crating & Space to Live

    Great Danes need ample space to move around comfortably. Make sure your living environment can accommodate their size, and create a safe space for them to eat, sleep, and play.

    We recommend a Midwest Double Door 54″ crate for your home before your Great Dane joins your family. This crate is INSANELY large but the only size that will reliability for the solid majority of Great Danes.

    See the Midwest Double Door Crate + Crate Pad on Chewy HERE

    The use of a crate can help your new Great Dane transition to your home in a safe and comfortable way. You can use a lot of positive reinforcement to introduce your new Great Dane to a crate (if the rescue hasn’t already done it for you).

    Safety & Great Dane Proofing

    Remove any hazards or items that could be harmful to a large dog, especially one that is new to your home. Until you get to know them, do not trust that your newly adopted pet to know the rules! A timid dog may bolt out the front door, and a young dog may eat your socks.

    Here are some common dangers:

    • Counter tops. Great Danes love to ‘counter surf’ and can easily snatch food from the kitchen. Get in the habit of keeping counters clear, especially of dangerous items such as chip bags (suffocation hazard), chicken carcassas (obstruction hazzard), and grapes (toxic).
    • Cords & Remotes. Most dogs do fine with these, but young dogs may chew them (and can harm themselves doing so)
    • Doors & Exit points. Especially while your pup is new to your home, it’s very important that doors and fences are secured. This extra tall pet safety gate is a helpful item to have!
    • Socks, Underwear, & Kid’s Toys. These items may be enticing for Great Danes to chew or swallow.
    • Tennis Balls. These are too small for Great Danes and honestly, the felt is bad for their teeth anyways.
    • Slippery Floors. We recommend washable rugs for cleanliness and traction.
    • Trash Cans. Lock your trash cans up with these baby proofing locks. Great Danes love to dig in the trash and many learn how to open cabinets and doors.

    Great Dane Grooming Needs

    Despite their short coat, Great Danes do shed, so regular grooming is necessary to keep their coat healthy and reduce shedding.

    That shedding ADDS UP.

    We recommend the 5″ SLEEK EZ brush for Great Danes to reduce shedding. Never use a furminator (this tool destroys the coat by cutting the fur).

    The Bissell Bark Bath is an amazing tool that allows you to bath your Great Dane at home with minimal mess.

    A nail dremel is a must; Great Danes have huge nails and regular trimmers just don’t cut it.

    What to Feed a Great Dane

    Proper nutrition is crucial for the health of any dog, but it’s especially important for large breeds like Great Danes. Consult with your veterinarian to establish a suitable diet plan based on your dog’s age, weight, and activity level. At Hello Danes, we recommend large and giant breed foods from companies that meet WSAVA guidelines.

    For ADULTS over the age of 18-24 months:

    For PUPPIES under the age of 18-24 months:

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

    Never feed boutique or grain-free kibbles to Great Danes, and no matter what you hear, do not feed adult maintenance foods to puppies! We cover this topic in depth on this blog, utilizing science, research, and the popular opinion of board certified veterinary nutritionists. Check out our Great Dane NUTRITION posts here.

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    Health and Veterinary Care for Great Danes

    Before you adopt a Great Dane, it’s important to consider common health issues that you and your new pet may face. Great Danes are a giant breed dog that come with, well, giant health concerns.

    Common Great Dane Health Issues

    Like many large breeds, Great Danes are prone to certain health issues, including hip dysplasia, bloat, and heart conditions. Bloat (AKA “GDV”) is a deadly emergency that affects 25-50% of Great Danes in their lifetime.

    Regular veterinary check-ups are essential to catch any potential issues early and ensure your dog’s well-being.

    Additionally, being proactive about addressing any potential health issues early on can contribute to a longer and healthier life for your Great Dane. Lumps, bumps, sores, limping, excessive drooling, panting, pacing, chronic loose stools and whining all require veterinary attention.

    Great Danes have sensitive orthopedic needs, too! You have to take care of their joints by keeping nails short and allowing them plenty of time to play freely on soft, varied terrain.

    By subscribing to best practices (feeding a quality food, having their teeth cleaned, and keeping them lean) you can save money and your pet’s health in the long run.

    Great Dane Veterinary Care Costs

    Embracing the companionship of a Great Dane undoubtedly comes with joy and warmth, but responsible ownership also involves acknowledging the financial commitment, especially when it comes to veterinary care. Simply put, veterinary care for giant breeds costs more money than it does for small breeds.

    Routine check-ups, vaccinations, and preventive measures (such as flea and tick medication or gastropexy) are essential.

    We tell Great Dane owners to anticipate roughly $1500-$2000/year in preventive veterinary medicine (vaccines, checkups, teeth cleaning, flea/tick prevention), and keeping an emergency fund of at least $3000-$5000 (average cost for a life-threatening ER visit).

    Additionally, we recommend paying for monthly veterinary health insurance (average $150-$300/month); many plans will cover prevention, emergencies, and things like cancer (which can add up FAST).

    Owning a Great Dane is absolutely expensive, and while we’d rather see a Dane in a home with no emergency fund than a Dane sitting in rescue, there is a stark reality associated with emergency veterinary care that should be considered.

    The amount it costs to get vet care for a Great Dane doesn’t include the expenses associated with food, treats, chews, toys, and beds!

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    The New Great Dane Shopping List

    Now that you’ve made a decision to adopt a Great Dane, and you have one picked out and ready to join your family, here is a checklist of items you may need or want! These are some of our personal favorites that we use every day with our own Great Danes!

  • A Great Dane Chihuaha Mix? Foster Family Forms Forever Bond with 2 Tiny Chihuahas

    A Great Dane Chihuaha Mix? Foster Family Forms Forever Bond with 2 Tiny Chihuahas

    A Great Dane Chihuaha Mix? Sort of- but only because family is made with love and not blood.

    Great Danes may not be the designer dogs that a tiny Chihuahua is, but this Great Dane has put it upon herself to design the perfect life for her new puppy: two tiny female Chihuahua who was without a mother and needed breastfed.

    Why was Birdie not spayed? Read more here about why her pet parent waited to spay her.

    GREAT DANE CHIHUAHUA MIX: CAN THE TWO COMBINE TO FORM A MOTHER/DAUGHTER DUO?

    Some may say that having a Chihuahua mix and bond with a Great Dane is a hard task, but not with Birdie, a two-year-old female Great Dane who was experiencing a ‘phantom pregnancy‘.

    Great Dane Chihuaha Mix

    A false pregnancy, otherwise known as a phantom pregnancy, is a hormonal condition that can occur in both humans and animals. For Birdie, this meant that her body was going through the motions of pregnancy without actually carrying a litter. Only a handful of dogs will actually experience a false pregnancy, which can lead to some serious health concerns.

    Although she wasn’t carrying any puppies of her own, Birdie’s milk came in and she began to lactate. This is what led her dog mom to take her to the vet to get some veterinary advice on the lactation and hormone issues.

    HEALTH CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH A FALSE PREGNANCY IN DOG BREEDS

    Since false pregnancies cause a Great Dane to lactate and can drag on for weeks, sometimes months, the risks can take a toll on the dog.

    The risks of dogs experiencing a phantom pregnancy, although extremely rare, include :

    -Dehydration

    -Lethargy

    -Weight loss

    -Anemia

    -Mastitis (infection of the boobs due to stagnant milk)

    -In some cases, a false pregnancy can lead to pyometra, which is a life-threatening infection of the uterus. 

    When this gentle giant went to the vet, the veterinarians solution was surprising!

    BIRDIES PRESCRIPTION TO BRING HOME THE SMALLEST DOG BREED

    Dogs, like humans, will have hormones that need to be ‘flushed out’ of their system after pregnancy.

    Since Birdie’s system was telling her she was pregnant, her veterinarian suggested that both the mother and Birdie foster two little Chihuahua puppies!

    Great Dane Chihuaha Mix

    These female chihuahuas had JUST been left on the side of the road, and likely wouldn’t survive without a mother just like birdie. The vet recommended that both the Chihuahua puppies go home with Birdie and she could feed them and nurture them as her own dogs since she would never produce puppies on her own.

    GREAT DANE CHIHUAHUA FAMILY: MOTHER AND BABIES

    And so it happened- a Dane and a Chihuahua relationship had begun. Big dogs and small dogs don’t get along- you say?

    Well, even though Froggy and Ducky were quite the huge personality, Birdie the gentle Great Dane was able to handle them.

    The Chihuahua puppies were small pups- only 2.5 and 3 ounces, but you cannot underestimate Gentle Giants.

    TWO BREEDS, ONE FAMILY

    Despite the huge size difference, Birdie the female Great Dane became the best ‘stand in parent Chihuahua’ that she could ever be.

    Great Dane Chihuaha Mix

    She began to nurse the puppies just like any other small dog would.

    Froggy and Ducky were totally best friends, companion dogs to one another, and they utterly loved having a Great Dane as their mother.

    A GREAT DANE AND A CHIHUAHUA: BIRDIE AND FROG AGAINST THE WORLD

    Unfortunately, the life expectancy of a preemie Chihuahua puppy is not that long as they are underdeveloped.

    If a massive Great Dane could heal this little Chihuahua with love, she would have survived.

    However, even with the nutritious breast milk and occasional hand feed of the humans in the house, Ducky was unable to survive after day 10.

    Now, it was just a Great Dane and a Chihuahua- Froggy and Birdie against the world.

    DOG LOVERS EVERYWHERE ROOTING FOR BOTH THE GREAT DANE AND THE CHIHUAHUA

    Over time, these two dogs grew into the hearts of many across the world.

    Some people joked that Froggy was a Great Dane, or at least she was going to wake up one day and think she was a Great Dane.

    Great Dane Chihuaha Mix

    Many people loved how Froggy the Chihuahua was being raised in a home with Great Danes.

    Some people said that Froggy should be called a ‘Great Dane Chihuahua’ or that they were ‘Chi Dane Dane puppies’. The Great Dane / Chihuahua combination made its way into people’s day’s, brightening and putting a smile on anybody’s face who got to encounter these special dogs.

    ONE SPECIAL GREAT DANE TAKING CARE OF ONE SPECIAL CHIHUAHUA

    The Great Dane Chihuahua relationship kept evolving, breaking every dog stereotype known to man!

    Who knew that Great Danes could be so utterly gentle and have such a motherly instinct.

    Great Dane Chihuaha Mix

    This little female Chihuahua seemed to have landed the jackpot with her Great Dane mama.

    ‘Out of all dog breeds, this Chihuahua is luckiest to have found a Great Dane’, one commenter said.

    “This is the cutest Chihuahua Great Dane mix ever”, another said!

    WHAT IS NEXT FOR THIS GREAT DANE CHIHUAHUA DUO?

    When Froggy is a bit bigger, she will continue to get healthier and get ready to find her forever home.

    Her little short legs will carry her on many adventures. She might go to the dog park, she might go to the pet store, and she might go for a drive with her new family.

    But, what we do know is that she will always remember Birdie as the dog who saved her life.

    She will always remember Birdie as the dog who became her mother, and that is something that not all dogs can say.

    A GREAT DANE CHIHUAHUA MIX

    Although people have joked about Froggy being a Great Dane Chihuahua mix, Great Dane Chihuahua mixes are an unethical designer dog due to the size difference between a Great Dane and a Chihuahua.

    IMG 2901

    A Great Dane Chihuahua mix (Chi Dane Dane) should not be bred. A Chihuahua mother should naturally mate with a male Chihuahua. Likewise, a female Great Dane should mate with a male Great Dane.

    ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION AND DESIGNER DOGS

    Dog breeds are more and more inseminated for human pleasure. Artificial Insemination is not inherently a bad thing. A dog like a Great Dane might need inseminated even with another male Great Dane who might be bigger than her. Some male Great Danes are twice the size of a female Great Dane, and artificial insemination is the safer choice.

    IMG 2438

    However, a dog the size of a Chihuahua should never breed with a dog the size of a Great Dane. The average person would consider this practice animal abuse as this ‘designer breed’ of Great Dane Chihuahua mixes is decreasing the life expectancy of dogs all around.

    If someone is trying to sell you a ‘Great Dane Chihuahua’ as a ‘rare dog’ or ‘designer dog’, you should run! This dog will NOT be healthy. Most ‘Chi Dane Danes’ are just scam breeders trying to sell naive owners that they are getting a rare breed that nobody else can come by.

    No matter what- the average lifespan of this dog with both a Great Dane and Chihuahua mated together will not be great.

    Let us know what you think of the Birdie and Froggy duo!

  • We Have to Stop Doing This to Great Danes

    We Have to Stop Doing This to Great Danes

    Sometimes I feel like we are screaming from the rooftops, and nobody is listening.

    I know the Great Dane rescues all feel this way. People that volunteer and work in rescue are TIRED. They are emotionally exhausted, and the problem?

    It’s all our fault.

    It doesn’t have to be this way. The rescues don’t need to be overwhelmed with pleas to help 100’s of Great Danes that have health problems, aggression or that have been abused, abandoned or neglected.

    But they are. They are literally buried in these dogs.

    side view of a dog
    Photo by Paparazzi Ratzfatzzi on Pexels.com

    TWO MONTHS

    In just two months, ONE Great Dane rescue took in over 100 dogs, and had to turn down many others. Read this:

    ? Poseidon: our true miracle boy. His bills continue to come in as he is now healthy enough to be neutered. He’s also heart worm positive.

    ? Luna: a sweet girl that we rescued and despite ICU care we could not reverse the neurological condition that she had and she passed away
    ? Luna: our pup we only had briefly as she passed away battling bloat/GDV
    ? Luna: one of our newest pups- she has a nasty flare with an autoimmune disease after being in a shelter, she required two days of ICU care
    ? Octavia: a terrified girl who requires a vet who could do home visits since her fear was so bad.
    ? Puppy Jack: attacked by another dog, had surgery to clean up his wounds, which then became infected, and he needed another surgery after that!
    ? Diva: a serious UTI when we first got her, followed by severe arthritis in her back when the cold snap happened
    ? Cricket and Mantis: have ruptured CCLs.. looking into options
    ? Aegues: severely malnourished due to terrible teeth, will require extensive dental work
    ? Maggie and Jada: gorgeous mastiff pair who both need major entropion surgery on their eyes
    ? Macy: became very sick when we got her with pieces of metal in her GI track
    ? Princess: will require surgery to remove a large mammary tumor
    ? Kahulah: will require extensive vetting for tumors in her mouth
    ? Daisy: had 15 gorgeous puppies and her body is still recovering from the traumatic birth. She has infections and sores all over
    ? Marvel: attacked by another dog before we got him, has a broken leg, may require amputation
    ? Bruno: new intake, may have a neurological disorder
    ? Yana: serious dental disease causing a lot of pain and suffering- will have multiple teeth removed
    ? On top of all this, we don’t talk about the Mississippi cruelty case Danes often because they are still tied up in the court system. These guys still aren’t healthy and we are continuing to pay for their care, of course. One of the puppies will likely need her eye removed (due to a birth defect), and another has kidney issues that we need to tackle.
    ? We are also taking in a boy with serious demodex this week, and may be getting a possible wobblers case. ?

    SRGDRR in TEXAS

    That was just from one heartbroken Facebook post by just ONE rescue: Save Rocky the Great Dane Rescue & Rehab in Longview, TX.

    If you don’t think this is a problem, read it again.

    These are dogs that often have serious medical, temperament and training problems and need expensive interventions. Many of these dogs were sold to owners that abused and neglected them.

    None of these dogs came from ethical breeders that gave a damn about where those dogs ended up or the health issues that they would face.

    These dogs and the rescues pay the price.

    TOUGH LOVE TRUTH TIME

    Do you want this to stop? Do you want to stop seeing our rescues overwhelmed with unwanted and suffering Great Danes?

    Do you want to stop hearing pressure from rescue advocates to ‘adopt, don’t shop’?

    Would you rather see healthy, robust Danes or hundreds of Danes that are anxious and sick?

    BACKYARD BREEDERS SUCK

    Every time you purchase a dog from a backyard breeder, even without knowing it, you make a direct financial contribution to this problem.

    Unfortunately in the world of Danes, too many  breeders are operating unethically. They may appear ‘friendly’ and ‘diligent’ with clean puppies and half-baked ‘health testing’, but they:

    • Don’t care much about who buys the puppy, so long as cash was involved.
    • Don’t offer any kind of health or breeder support, and no honest return guarantee..
    • Indiscriminately bred dogs that have health, temperament and structural faults.
    • Think AKC papers are enough.
    • Don’t health test and prove that their dogs have quality genetics to pass on.

    GOOD OWNERS

    If you are reading this, it’s likely you are a good owner. We’d like to think that you wouldn’t abandon, abuse or neglect your dog.

    But each litter of puppies is multiple dogs. When you buy a puppy from a litter of dogs produced by a backyard breeder, you directly reward and fund that breeder to continue making more puppies.

    These are most often the kinds of puppies that could end up with preventable genetic health conditions, problems with temperament that come back to their genetics and early whelping, and abandoned by other owners that weren’t educated or prepared for them.

    DON’T BE PART OF THE PROBLEM

    Some of these might get your hackles up. But think about the 100 dogs SRGDRR took in from Jan-Feb 2021.Just because YOUR puppy is fine and well cared for, doesn’t mean that the others from that breeder are.  If you do any of the following, you are contributing to the problem:

    • Shopping for Great Danes puppies on Craigslist, in ‘AKC Great Dane Puppies‘ or similar Facebook groups or in Marketplace, from Amish Farmers (most often puppy mills), ‘Adopt a Pet’ or other puppy pile websites, or in pet stores.
    • Purchasing a Great Dane puppy from a breeder that offers them for the lowest price because you need a pet, not a show dog‘.
    • Purchasing a Great Dane from a breeder that pressures you to take the puppy home before 8 weeks of age, lies about the age of the puppies, and/or doesn’t thoroughly socialize the puppies.
    • Purchasing a Great Dane from a breeder that is breeding underage dogs (under 2 years).
    • Purchasing a Great Dane from a breeder that is breeding dogs with structural (roach back, flat feet, excess droop, entropion, etc.), health (heart disease, hip dysplasia, bloat, etc.) and/or temperament (aggression, timidness, soft, fearful, out of control) problems.
    • Purchasing a Great Dane from a breeder that doesn’t care at all if you breed it, rehome it, or even have it seen by a veterinarian because ‘It’s your dog, do what you want’.
    • Purchasing a Great Dane puppy by clicking ‘Add to Cart’.
    • Purchasing a Great Dane puppy from a breeder that skips or only does partial health testing. A ‘vet check’ or ‘veterinary clearance’ is NOT ENOUGH. We cannot stress this enough.
    • Breeding your own Great Dane just because it has a neat color, ‘Euro‘ lineage or AKC papers.

    PREVENTION

    Health problems, training issues and temperament problems are major reasons why dogs end up neglected, abused or eventually surrendered.

    A solid majority of those things are preventable through ethical breeding practices, educated ownership, and by making conscious choices as a consumer to either adopt or ONLY purchase dogs from highly ethical and reputable breeders.

    It is up to us to stop supporting backyard breeders that are creating unhealthy, poorly-tempered Great Danes and then not supporting them for life. Choose ethical breeders or rescues only. The breed depends on you to make the educated choice!

    animals dogs dutch green grass
    Photo by Matthias Zomer on Pexels.com

    ETHICAL BREEDERS vs. ADOPTION

    There are 100’s of dogs that need homes and we believe there are only two choices: adoption or ethical breeders. 

    Ethical breeders care about health and structure, and understand how genetics can make or break the health and longevity of the puppies they produce.

    They fully health test Dam & Sire with no exceptions: this includes x-rays, echocardiogram, eye exams, genetic screening and blood panels.

    They only breed dogs with quality genetics in health, structure and temperament.

    Dogs from exceptional and ethical breeders are not often, if ever the ones overwhelming our rescues, breaking hearts and landing in homes that abuse them.

    Stop supporting backyard breeders, puppy mills and breeders that only care about the cash in your pocket. If we can put them out of business by turning our backs on them, we can quickly put a stop to this huge, huge problem.

    WANT TO HELP?

    There are MANY ways to step up:

    • Advocate. Flag posts on Facebook or Craigslist from breeders trying to sell puppies.
    • Educate. Share blog posts like this one, and Facebook posts from rescues.
    • If you wish to purchase a puppy, ASK QUESTIONS! Verify actual results from health screening (OFA.ORG is a great place to start), ask the breeder how they socialize the puppies (hint, raising them around children or chickens is NOT enough!), ask them if they honor a lifetime return guarantee. Read their contract. Ask for references. Study the pedigree. Meet the parents and compare them to the written standard for Great Danes.
    • Reject any breeder that isn’t operating ethically, no matter how much you want to ‘save’ the puppies. Report them to authorities if needed.
    • Foster, Volunteer & Adopt, even if you purchase your dogs from breeders. You can still offer to run social media accounts, transport dogs or fundraise.
  • What is Backyard Breeding?

    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!
    Great Dane Health

    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!

  • The Rescue Won’t Adopt to Me: Reasons for Denying Pet Adoption

    The Rescue Won’t Adopt to Me: Reasons for Denying Pet Adoption

    Adopting a pet is wonderful, but sometimes applications get declined. If your dog rescue won’t adopt a dog to you, this post should help.

    Rescues carefully review applicants to ensure the best match for pets, and while the process isn’t perfect it is part of the process. Ethical rescues focus on finding the right fit for a lasting and happy relationship. However, there are many times when rescue adoption requirements are excessively stringent, too.

    Both of us have fostered or have had Danes from rescue situations; we know well the challenges that rescue and rescue dogs often face.

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    Common Reasons That a Rescue Won’t Adopt Out

    If you are looking to adopt a Great Dane from a rescue, you may find that it’s not easy! Dog rescues often have strict requirements for adopters. Some of them are fair, some put a wrench in getting the pet adopted out.

    While it’s important for rescues to be diligent about what applications they approve, it’s equally important that they don’t deny an animal a good home because they don’t like the training method used or type of fencing.

    Here are some common reasons rescues decline adoption applications:

    • The applicant doesn’t have giant breed experience
    • Their fencing doesn’t meet the specifications
    • Young children live in the house
    • The applicant is not willing to crate-train
    • The rescue doesn’t allow electric fences, E-Collars, or Prong Collars
    • There are no verifiable veterinary records, or the records are negative
    • Veterinary records show the applicant has not kept their other pets up to date on vaccines or flea/tick prevention
    • Other pets in the house are not spayed or neutered
    • It’s clear that the applicant has a history of abusing or surrendering animals
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    Must-Have a Fenced Yard

    This is a common rescue restriction and perhaps the most frustrating. 

    Many people looking to adopt a Great Dane have an electric fence or several acres. 

    Several acres sound amazing for a dog, and it is, but not if the dog (who may already have a history of running as a stray) decides to run, and run, and run some more. Especially in a new home lacking a relationship and routine with the new owner. 

    That’s understandable, however, some rescues will not adopt dogs to families that use an electric boundary fence. Given how many pets need wonderful homes, this is one place we do wish they would be a little more understanding.

    An electric fence is a good solution in many cases. For dogs that DO jump physical fences, it’s practically necessary.

    Small Children in the Home

    Giant breed dogs can be wonderful with children, but they can also be afraid of them, knock them over, or play too rough. 

    The last thing a rescue wants is a Dane returned to them because he jumped and knocked over a 4-year-old! 

    Unfortunately, many people also do not properly teach their children how to interact with dogs.

    The dog may tolerate being sat on, poked, and teased for a short while. However, when they reach the end of their fuse and growl, nip, or bite the dog ends up in rescue again, only this time with a bite history. 

    If you have young children, consider first if a giant breed dog is the best choice for your home. If you are committed to it and to adopting, be upfront and honest with the rescue!

    Tell them what you know, how you plan to manage the environment, how you plan to train the dog, and how you teach your children to interact with the dog. 

    Unwilling to Crate Train

    Crate training is not cruel. Great Danes can grow to love their crates because it becomes their quiet, safe place. Not only that, a crate-trained Dane cannot eat something dangerous or destroy the couch (and be returned to the rescue as a result). 

    If you are resistant to crate training, why? 

    It doesn’t matter how much you think you know about training, or how well-trained your last dog was, attending a training class with your new rescue Dane is a valuable opportunity to bond. 

    We recommend everybody take training classes, especially rescue dogs! Classes are fun, can help you become a better dog owner and trainer, and teach your dog to focus on you despite distractions. 

    Veterinary References

    If you don’t have a history of taking care of your dogs, Great Dane rescues are going to be cautious about placing a dog in your home. 

    Their goal is to STOP abuse and neglect. They want to see that you have taken great care of your past dogs. 

    If you are new to owning a dog, find a vet and show the rescue that you’ve already spoken with them and begun a relationship. 

    Vaccines & Preventatives

    Great Dane rescues spend a TON of money treating heartworms in the dogs that come into their care. 

    It’s expensive and heartbreaking (literally). They don’t want to place dogs in homes that don’t take those things seriously. 

    In areas of the Country where heartworms are particularly bad, many rescues require that your existing and past dogs have been kept up to date on preventatives. A veterinary reference can go a long way here! 

    If you are unsure about using veterinary prevention, we wrote on this topic to clear up your concerns.

    Existing Pets Must Be Spayed/Neutered

    We are big believers in waiting to spay and neuter Great Danes until their growth plates are closed (age 2+), so we understand how frustrating this particular restriction can be. 

    However, too many people breed dogs for fun and money, and this is one way they make sure they never send a Great Dane to an irresponsible breeder’s home. 

    If you have no intention of breeding and have a solid reference from your veterinarian, it may be worth sharing that. 

    No History of Abuse

    This one seems obvious, but it needs to be said. If you’ve surrendered a Great Dane before for nearly any reason, you are going to have a very difficult time adopting. 

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    Be Patient

    If a rescue won’t place a dog with you, that doesn’t mean that you should run out and purchase a dog from the first breeder you find on Craigslist. 

    Unethical breeders are the reason why so many Danes end up needing rescue in the first place, so make sure you aren’t contributing to the problem. 

    Ethical breeders are also going to be exceptionally picky about buyers but may have fewer restrictions about spaying/neutering, fencing, and children. 

    Sometimes it helps to volunteer for the rescue and sign up as a foster! They are more likely to place dogs with owners that they know well. 

    If you have giant breed or Dane experience, you KNOW all of this and they know it won’t likely be the reason you return a dog to them. If you want to adopt but have never had a giant breed, try these things:

    1. Volunteer with the rescue to help out at adoption events, take photos, write bios, etc.

    2. Write a short essay about what you’ve learned about giant breed dogs. Share what you know and prove to them that you have fully researched this! Tell them WHY you are interested in Great Danes, adoption and living with a giant breed dog

    Are you ready to adopt a Great Dane? 

  • Rehoming a Dog: Safely Rehome Your Great Dane with these 8 Tips

    Rehoming a Dog: Safely Rehome Your Great Dane with these 8 Tips

    We don’t judge here. Rehoming a dog is a thoughtful and responsible decision that requires careful consideration and dedication. It’s an act that comes with a lot of emotions, negative opinions, and fear.

    While it may be a challenging choice, various circumstances such as changes in living situations, health concerns, or unforeseen life events may necessitate finding a new loving home for a Great Dane. We recognize that making this choice is often a responsible and selfless act that prioritizes the best interests of the pet, creating an opportunity for them to thrive in an environment better suited to their needs.

    If you’ve found this blog post, it may be because you are thinking about rehoming your Great Dane

    There are legitimate reasons to need or want to do this; our goal here is not to judge but to help! If you are looking to find a new home for your Great Dane or are considering surrendering your Great Dane to a rescue, read on for ideas and need-to-know information.

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    Rehoming a Dog & Negative Opinions

    Rehoming a dog can make you feel guilty. People want to make you feel as if you are doing something wrong, or that you are a bad person. Don’t let them.

    If you have carefully considered the decision to rehome your dog, you should not feel guilty or bad about the choice. We have found that this choice often benefits the pet, as they will be in an environment more suited for them.

    There is one exception to this, however. If you are rehoming a previously loved senior dog to make room for a puppy, you should feel guilty. That is never ok.

    But if you are moving, struggling to have enough time or resources for your pet, or have a medical condition that requires your home to be free of pets, read on. We’re going to show you how to make this move responsibly.

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    1 – Check With The Original Breeder or Rescue

    Sometimes the most simple solution is the one many tend to forget.

    Depending on where your Great Dane originally came from, you need to check with your breeder or your rescue first! Most rescues and breeders require that the pet is returned to them if you feel at any time that you cannot care for it.

    Ethical breeders will always have a lifetime return guarantee. They never want to see a dog of theirs end up in rescue at any age and will take the dog or help you find an appropriate home.

    If your breeder or rescue is unethical and will not act in the best interest of your pet, we support you in finding alternatives.

    2 – Be Honest About Training Problems

    One of the most common reasons people rehome their pets is because of training issues.

    It’s not unusual for people to say that they are at their “wit’s end” and can no longer deal with the pooping, peeing, barking, lunging, biting, or destruction.

    If you need to rehome your Great Dane because of issues with training and socialization, be honest with the people who will be taking your dog.

    While this can make it harder to find a suitable home that understands these issues, your transparency will ensure that your pet ends up in the type of home willing to work with it.

    The rescue can provide training resources, the breeder will want to know, and a new home will be much more likely to keep the dog if they know what they are getting.

    It may be easier to find a new home for your Great Dane if you gloss over the fact that he tends to bolt out doors, mark furniture, and nip children, but these things are extremely important for the new owners to be aware of.

    If training issues are the reason that you need to rehome your Great Dane, that is ok.

    Great Danes are not always the right fit for people, and poor breeding practices have led to many dogs with serious temperament problems.

    It’s okay to acknowledge that you cannot help your dog or may not be the right home. We do however encourage you to consider first working with a highly qualified trainer.

    Sometimes it is just a matter of making tiny changes to your routine and training communications!

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    3 – Special Considerations for Rehoming Aggressive Dogs

    Aggression and bites are serious. A bite can be anything from a little nip to a full-on attack with puncture wounds or intent to kill.

    Most aggression is based on fear. Some common and preventable examples are a Dane that bites a child who tried to sit on him, or a Dane that bites another dog over a toy or bone (resource guarding).

    Some aggression and bites are based on problems with neurology, training, or even physical health.

    Great Danes are NOT supposed to be aggressive in any way, so this is a serious fault of temperament (poor breeding practices), genetics, health, and environment (training & socialization).

    Be very honest with the breeder or rescue about this. What led to the bite? How severe was it?

    For many dogs, especially in areas with crowded municipal shelters, a bite history can be a death sentence (even if the bite resulted from an unfair event). If your Great Dane has bitten or shown aggressive tendencies, find a 501c3 rescue instead of surrendering to the shelter.

    Most rescues will not take aggressive Great Danes, but some are insured and equipped to do so. Call around.

    If your Dane is from a breeder, let them know about the aggression you’ve seen. Quality breeders don’t want to see aggression showing up in their lines and will want to address it.

    For some particularly aggressive dogs, behavioral euthanasia is a compassionate choice. Read more about this HERE. This practice comes with heartbreak, but in many situations, it’s far more humane than sending an aggressive dog to spend its last days in fear at a shelter or being bounced around from home to home.

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    6. Peer to Peer Dog Rehoming

    After you’ve checked with your breeder and/or rescue, you may be looking to rehome your dog in a direct peer-to-peer situation.

    Finding the right home for your Great Dane can help you feel better about the process of rehoming, but watch out! There are some pitfalls that you want to avoid.

    Some people won’t have your Dane’s best interest at heart.

    Think the same way that a dog rescue does and be choosy and thorough.

    We’ve included some guidelines and best practices below to consider when rehoming your Dane to another person.

    Ask for References

    When you find somebody interested in taking your pet, ask them for references! Call their veterinarian, too, and make sure that they’ve been keeping their pets healthy and up to date.

    Don’t Rehome to Breeders. Instead, Spay & Neuter!

    Unless you are rehoming a Champion show dog, you are likely rehoming a dog that should never be bred.

    Backyard breeders will look for rehoming posts of intact dogs (not spayed or neutered) so they can buy them for cheap or free and use them in their breeding program. All this does is perpetuate the poor temperaments and health issues that put so many dogs into rescue in the first place.

    Even if you are having to move and need to rehome a well-behaved, healthy, and wonderful family dog your dog should NOT be bred.

    Do NOT rehome your dog to somebody that would breed him or her!

    We know of a very ‘popular’ backyard breeder in Missouri who runs a same-named rescue on the side. His ‘rescue’ uses rehomed dogs for breeding. This is an unacceptable practice and extremely shady to boot. 

    If you are rehoming peer-to-peer, spay or neuter your dog in advance OR require that they sign a spay/neuter contract where they agree to complete the procedure within a certain time frame.

    Charge a Rehoming Fee

    This isn’t about making money on your dog.
    It’s about making sure you rehome your dog to somebody serious.

    When a purebred dog is listed for ‘free’, lots of window shoppers (and backyard breeders) come along. Those are not often good homes for your dog.

    If you are uncomfortable collecting this fee, ask the new owners to donate to your local Great Dane Rescue. Verify the donation with the rescue before placing your dog.

    This fee is NOT about recouping costs you incurred while caring for the dog (training, surgery, transportation, breeder fees, registration fees, etc.). All of those are a loss.

    At a minimum, we recommend charging a $500 fee when rehoming your Great Dane.

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    Be Picky About the New Owners

    Be choosy about the new owners, even if that means turning people down. We know you may be desperate to give your dog up, but it’s much more ethical to find the right home in the process.

    Be thoughtful about the type of home that would be a good fit for your dog.

    Is your dog good with children?
    Does your dog need somebody who is home a lot?
    Does your dog need somebody with training experience and a tall fence?

    ASK QUESTIONS! The right home will be willing to answer and prove themselves.

    Require a Rehoming Contract

    We recommend at minimum a simple contract that protects both parties. In the contract, cover at least the following;

    • Names & addresses.
    • Description of the dog, including color, height & weight, AKC registration, age, and breeder information.
    • Information on if the dog has been spayed or neutered and had a gastropexy done.
    • Spay or neuter requirements
    • No breeding allowed
    • Information on where the dog must go if the new owner cannot keep it (will you take it back? Do you want them to surrender to a rescue?
    • An outline of communication expectations. Do you want updates and photos? How often?

    For the new owners, make sure that you also include:

    • Previous veterinarian information & records (including vaccines).
    • Microchip # and transfer information.
    • Food, so the dog can transition better instead of switching foods immediately.

    If you have a pregnant Great Dane that you cannot keep or don’t know how to help, we highly recommend speaking with a Great Dane rescue. Many are willing to work with you to find homes for the puppies and make sure they are well cared for.

    We believe there is a time and a place to rehome Great Danes.

    We encourage people not to judge each other; sometimes rehoming a dog to a more appropriate home and owner is the best thing for it.

  • Fostering Great Danes: Find a Great Dane Rescue

    Fostering Great Danes: Find a Great Dane Rescue

    Many people are afraid to commit to fostering dogs because they fear not being able to emotionally let the dog go to a new home.

    We will be honest, that can be both tough and incredibly fulfilling.

    FIND A GREAT DANE RESCUE

    Great Danes need you. The rescues need you. As long as there is a need for rescue, there will be a need for fosters.

    Dogs end up needing rescue for a variety of reasons. Sometimes people move, lose their jobs or develop health problems that make them unable to care for their dog. For these people, rescue is a valuable resource.

    Other times owners find themselves overwhelmed by their Great Dane or unable to care for their behavioral or medical needs. Occasionally, a Great Dane or puppies are severely neglected, injured, dumped by a breeder or owner, or found as strays; these are often the most heartbreaking cases.

    Reasons for Denying Pet Adoption
    Rehoming a Great Dane

    Whether we like it or not, the Great Dane rescues are often overwhelmed with surrender and intake requests from private owners, good samaritans and dog shelters. They cannot do this work without having places to send the dogs. That is where you come in!

    Find a Great Dane Rescue Near Me
    Photo by Paparazzi Ratzfatzzi on Pexels.com

    WHAT FOSTERING LOOKS LIKE

    A large majority of Great Dane rescues take care of all expenses related to fostering, including veterinary care, food and medications. They may even provide bedding, a crate and a leash and collar!

    You may need to pick up the dog and transport it to your home, to the veterinarian, to the trainer and to meet potential adopters. Alternatively, a volunteer may do this for you.

    Most Great Dane rescues will want to know if the dog isn’t working out in the home, and will want your honest assessment of behavior and temperament.

    You will take the dog home with you and have a contracted obligation to care for it. The rescue will give you this information in advance and may require you to medicate, feed a specific diet, report problems and provide a certain amount of enrichment and exercise each day.

    You may need to care for the dogs medical and post-surgical needs including giving medications or insulin injections, helping the dog gain or lose weight, and providing appropriate post-op care following spay/neuter or other surgeries.

    This work is important and can be incredibly fulfilling!

    FIRST CHOICE TO ADOPT

    Most rescues give the foster home the first chance to adopt the dog, even puppies! Fostering is one of the best ways to adopt a new Great Dane because you’ll get to trial them in your home and find the one that you cannot let go of.

    A lot of people will successfully foster and rehome several dogs, and then one special dog will land in their home that they just cannot imagine sending to anybody else.

    This is called ‘foster-fail’ and it’s one of the most beautiful parts of being active in the Great Dane rescue community!

    If you choose to adopt your foster dog, you’ll have to pay the adoption fee. At that point you accept all responsibility for the dog (medical care, expenses, food, etc.) and instead of being a foster, you’ll be a rescue dog owner!

    BEHAVIORAL CONSIDERATIONS

    Some Great Danes in rescue come with behavior, training and temperament problems. Be honest with the rescue about what you are able and willing to deal with!

    You will very likely need to give the dog time to decompress (3-12 weeks), and you will need to set new boundaries from day one (this includes revisiting potty training 101 and constant supervision to avoid marking, barking, guarding, destruction and fence jumping until you get to know the dog).

    5 Leash Training Tips
    Puppy Training: 5 Mistakes in Training
    What is Balanced Training?
    Respect Training Tips: How to Train Your Puppy Great Dane
    Is My Great Dane Being Aggressive?

    As a Great Dane foster, it’s helpful to have a good, modern understanding of canine behavior and body language. We will be sharing more resources on this soon! 

    Not all Great Danes like other dogs, some don’t love people, others are timid and fearful and some have training issues. They are like humans and come with their own preferences. Be open to these differences and understand how to work with them.

    The rescue will likely have at least one dog trainer and behaviorist that they trust with whom you can work closely.

    INTERESTED IN FOSTERING?

    Most rescues have a few basic requirements, but may be flexible:

    • Fenced yard
    • Giant breed experience
    • References
    • Home often
    • Willing to crate train
    • No young children
    • Existing dogs are well cared for and up to date on vaccines and medications

    Even if you submit an application, you can always decline to foster a dog if the opportunity comes up and the timing isn’t right. We encourage you to submit now!

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    Photo by Stefano Parisi on Pexels.com

    Want to support rescues but aren’t currently able to foster or adopt? 501c3 rescues value your direct donations. Many are connected with Amazon Smile. Every dollar counts!