Hello Danes

Category: Breed Standard

  • The Merle Great Dane

    The Merle Great Dane

    Did you know that the Merle Great Dane was not accepted as a standard AKC color until 2019? It’s true! If you ask us, that’s a bit wild considering the fact that the merle coat is a naturally occurring color in Great Danes. Merles occur without mixing color families (more on this later).

    Merle Great Danes are very similar to the Harlequin Great Dane, however, instead of having a white base coat, they have a grey one. The merle gene is actually necessary for the Harlequin coat to show up on Great Danes, so this makes a lot of sense.

    Merle has become a popular coat pattern in a lot of breeds, however it’s important to note that it only naturally shows up in a few! To put this bluntly, if you have a merle poodle, a merle Frenchie, or a merle chihuahua, your pet has been crossed with something else in a past generation. Danes are special though; merle is a natural coat pattern that goes back to the origins of the pedigree.

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    Can Merle Great Danes be Shown?

    Yes!

    On January 1st, 2019, the Great Dane breed standard was updated to include merle coats and the American Kennel Club began to allow entries. This change came after decades of argument over whether or not Merle should be celebrated and included in the written breed standard for Great Danes.

    Of course, to us, the color is beautiful and striking. But before the standard was updated, many breeders and preservationists considered merle to be problematic. There are many genetic implications behind spotted coats like this, and the actual science of it was not well understood.

    Merle puppies are a natural effect of breeding for Harlequin puppies and they occur in harlequin color family litters no matter what. As a matter of fact, many breeders get more merles than they do harlequin!

    Many of those Merle puppies had gorgeous structure and temperament, but couldn’t be shown. Breeding them was greatly discouraged, no matter how nice they were otherwise. Talk about frustrating. So when the breed standard was updated to include merle, it was a BIG deal.

    Read this story about the first breeder to bring a merle Great Dane a Champion title.

    It was advancement in genetic technology that allowed researchers to learn about how and why the merle gene affects Great Danes, including its role in the creation of the Harlequin coat pattern.

    Read here for information about how the merle coat pattern is judged at dog shows.

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    What does a Merle Great Dane Look Like?

    Here is a direct quote from the Great Dane Club of America’s written breed standard (which is nearly identical to the written standards in Canada, Europe, and Australia)


    Color – A pale gray to dark gray merle base color with black torn patches within.

    Patterns and Markings – May be a Solid Merle (white on chest and toes permissible) or a Merle with a Mantle Pattern ( solid merle blanket extending over the body; merle skull with a white muzzle; white blaze is optional ; whole or partial white neck; a white chest; white on whole or part of the forelegs and hind legs ; white tipped merle tail. A small break in the blanket is acceptable. Black pigment may be seen on the skin in the white areas

    The Great Dane Club of America

    Merle Great Danes are mostly grey with a lot of black patches and dogs, basically. Some of them have merle all over, while others have the mantle coat pattern.

    The mantle merle coat pattern means that in addition to the grey with black fur, they have a white collar, white chest, white tip on the tail, white feet, white muzzle, and a white blaze on the head. This comes from mixing merle or harlequin and mantle coat patterns, and is considered an ideal marking.

    Here is an image that illustrates the different merle coats seen naturally in Great Danes. Notice how similar some of them are to the black and white mantle Great Danes! Also, notice how they might look like a harlequin Great Dane if their base coat was white instead of grey.

    merle great dane coat patterns from the GDCA

    Do Merle Great Danes have Health Problems?

    Merle Great Danes, like any other dog breed, may be prone to certain health issues, although coat color itself is not inherently linked to health problems.

    The merle gene, which contributes to the distinctive coat pattern, is associated with a higher risk of deafness and vision impairments in some dogs, particularly those with a double merle genotype (when both parents carry the merle gene). This can happen when uneducated or unethical breeders intentionally pair two dogs together that truthfully, shouldn’t be.

    Responsible breeding practices, including health screenings and avoiding certain genetic combinations, can help mitigate or even eliminate these risks. It’s crucial for potential Merle Great Dane owners to choose reputable breeders who prioritize the health and well-being of their dogs, conduct genetic coat color and OFA health testing, and adhere to ethical breeding standards.

    Regular veterinary check-ups and a healthy lifestyle are essential for all Great Danes, regardless of their coat color, to ensure a long and happy life. We recommend feeding a diet that meets WSAVA recommendations and keeping Great Danes lean.

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    What is a Double Merle Great Dane?

    A Double Merle Great Dane is the result of breeding two dogs that both carry the merle gene.

    The merle gene, responsible for the striking merle and harlequin coat pattern in Great Danes, can have detrimental effects when inherited from both parents.

    In a Double Merle, the gene is expressed twice, leading to a higher likelihood of serious health issues such as deafness, vision impairments, and other congenital defects. These health concerns stem from the disruption of pigmentation patterns during embryonic development.

    Responsible breeders actively work to avoid producing Double Merle puppies, as the associated health risks can significantly impact the well-being of the dogs.

    What is a Merlequin Great Dane?

    While the genetic basis of the ‘merlequin’ Great Dane is often contentious, this mish-mashed word is used to describe Great Danes that look like Harlequins but instead of having torn black patches, ALL of their patches are merle. A true merlequin puppy will have NO solid black patches (only merle), and a pure white coat covering most of their body.

    This image below from Show Sight Magazine is the best example of a “merlequin” I’ve ever seen. Unlike many double-merle Great Danes, thankfully this one appears to have good structure (and hopefully health, too!).

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    How to Find Merle Great Dane Puppies for Sale

    Finding Merle Great Dane puppies for sale requires careful research and consideration to ensure a responsible and reputable source.

    Do not ever purchase a Great Dane from random websites (these are always a scam), on social media (a hotbed of scams and unethical breeding), or in pet stores.

    Start by seeking breeders who specialize in Great Danes and have a positive reputation within the canine community. The best place to start is by connecting with breeders who are members of the breed club. You can use their Great Dane breeder search tool HERE.

    While many of the breed club members may not have litters or puppies available, they may be able to refer you to other breeders who do. Their referral will be of a much higher caliber than anything you can find on social media or through an internet search. This is a little known secret and one we recommend utilizing if you want a merle Great Dane with exceptional health and a wonderful temperament.

    Always verify that the Great Dane breeder you’ve found has complete the following tests on BOTH parents:

    • OFA Hips
    • OFA Heart
    • OFA Thyroid
    • OFA Eyes
    • BONUS: PennHip, IMGD, and Coat Color Testing

    You must visit www.ofa.org and search for the breeder and the parents to see these health testing results. If they aren’t published or don’t exist for the parents of the puppy you are interested in, your breeder is unethical and is cutting corners on health. Do not let them buy you with misinformation about how they feel those tests are “unnecessary”.

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    What is a Blue Merle Great Dane?

    Some people reference the “blue” merle Great Dane, and this is where coat patterns start to go off the rails a little bit.

    Blue is a recognized coat color for Great Danes. However, for genetic and health reasons, the most ethical practice is currently to stay within color families. This means that technically speaking, blue Great Danes should only be bred with other blue Great Danes.

    However, many breeders love to mix up blue dogs into their pedigree because it results in striking lighter coat patterns.

    If you have a Blue Merle Great Dane puppy, it is no doubt a beautiful dog with a lighter coat than a traditional AKC merle that meets the breed standard. Blue Merle occurs when a breeder mixes the blue Great Dane color family with the merle + harlequin genetics. This is a debatable practice that has some valid arguments.

    Here are the accepted Great Dane color families. In general, breeders should stay within these families when making breeding decisions. There are times, however, when brindle or fawn shows up in a Harlequin + Black litter! This can happen if the black parent dog had come from brindle + fawn genetics instead of harlequin genetics.

    • Harlequin, Black, Mantle, Merle
    • Brindle, Fawn, Black
    • Black
    • Blue

    There are times when mixing color families is necessary for the health and structure of a pedigree. However, entirely too many breeders do this solely in pursuit of unique, designer colors and will completely disregard major considerations concerning health and temperament to do it. That practice is unethical for a number of reasons; so we do not recommend seeking out Great Dane puppies in off-standard colors.

    If the day ever comes that we find a breeder who focuses on “designer” colors and has well-built healthy dogs, but is ALSO receiving 3rd party feedback and completing all OFA health tests, this recommendation may change. Until then? Steer clear.

    Are Merle Great Danes Rare?

    Merle Great Danes are NOT rare.

    No breeder should charge extra for you to purchase a Great Dane in a merle coat pattern of any type.

    Leave a comment below, we’d love to hear from you! Do you have a merle Great Dane?

  • Great Danes for Sale: How to Find a Great Dane Puppy

    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

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    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).

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    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.

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    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!

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    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.

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    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.

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    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

  • The Anti-Ear Cropping Argument (& Why It’s Wrong)

    The Anti-Ear Cropping Argument (& Why It’s Wrong)

    Today’s post is going to be quick and simple. The anti-ear cropping argument is misleading, and I think we need to talk about it.

    This morning somebody started a post in a Facebook group. It was one of THOSE posts. The “this is a hot topic and the initial take on it is controversial” type of conversation that results in a lot of participation, quickly.

    They started the thread with a rant about how ear cropping in dogs is painful, torture, abusive, and wrong. Let’s be honest here though, it’s not that simple.

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    The Anti-Ear Cropping Argument is Misleading

    Ear cropping is a simple surgical procedure that is done under anesthesia, and ideally only by veterinarians who are very experienced with the process. The puppies are up playing within hours as if nothing happened. They don’t care about their missing ear flaps.

    Ear cropping is less invasive than a spay or stomach tack.

    If you walk around a dog show in the U.S., you’ll see hundreds of cropped dogs. The solid majority of them are among some of the most well-kept and cared for dogs in the Country. They are fed an appropriate diet and kept lean and muscular. Their nails are short. They receive a lot of training and enrichment.

    Those dogs who were cropped as puppies for their breed standard are far from abused and as adults, they still don’t care about their ears.

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    Things That Are More Abusive Than Ear Cropping

    This is why the anti-crop argument is misleading. There are many, many things happening in the world of dogs that are infinitely more harmful, abusive, and damaging than ear cropping (which is none of those things to begin with). These are the things affecting dogs and the short lives they share with us.

    Let’s list them out.

    Pet Obesity

    Obesity is an epidemic in pets. They are overfed and under-exercised and left to rot on our couches in the name of ‘love’. Many dog owners celebrate this problem by engaging in the idea that overweight pets are cute or ‘all muscle’.

    A dog that is allowed to become sedentary and obese is more likely to suffer from boredom, bladder stones, diabetes, cancer, heart problems, joint pain, joint damage, and complications associated with anesthesia.

    But let’s keep talking about ear cropping…

    Poor Grooming Habits

    From pelted Doodles to eagle talons for nails, poor husbandry is epidemic in pets.

    Groomers see it every day. Bad teeth, overgrown nails, skin suffering from mites, fleas, and bites (lack of prevention), and coated dogs (such as Doodles who are often sold as ‘easy to groom and hypoallergenic’) with pelted coats that have to be sheered off like a sheep.

    The solid majority of pet owners are neglecting at least one of these things. If we want to cry ‘abuse and torture’, let’s please start with basic care items. Not ear cropping.

    Lack of Enrichment & Training

    Many pet dogs are bored out of their minds.

    They chew up the couch to satisfy these missing needs, and when the owners find the mess the dog is often met with the harsh, abusive training tactics listed above. People pull out their phones and take “funny” videos of their “guilty” dog, who is literally just terrified that their owner has turned into an intimidating monster.

    So many others are also shocked when at 9 months of age, their sweet 80 pound puppy is pulling them all over the place and lunging at dogs. How could this happen, their dog had “graduated” puppy class and spent time at the dog park for socialization!?

    Dogs are living their lives in our homes, often offered little more than a 15 minute walk each day where they are expected to move by our side on pavement and not sniff, explore, run, dig, or climb.

    But let’s keep talking about how ear cropping is “abuse”.

    Holistic Woo & Anti-Veterinarian Belief Systems

    There is nothing wrong with taking a holistic approach to pet care, if you honor the original intent of the world (to address the whole body, and that means utilizing every tool available for health including science).

    However, pet owners who walk down the path of disregarding science, modern medicine, and veterinarians in the name of being ‘holistic’ as it’s been defined by a few predatory influencers, are treading in dangerous, neglectful, and often abusive territory.

    It is not ok to let a dog suffer in the name of ‘holistic’ treatments. Essential oils don’t cure everything and may be toxic. Broken bones cannot be healed with mud baths and Reiki. Pumpkin seeds are not going to prevent or cure heartworms.

    Veterinarians are not money-hungry shills for “big food & big pharma”. These conspiracies are wild and extremely harmful to our pets.

    Unethical Breeders & Unethical Rescues

    Among the most harmful practices in the world of dogs, far worst than a simple ear-crop procedure, are the poor ethics of so many breeders and rescues.

    Skipping health testing, breeding dogs with poor temperaments and structure, telling owners that the dog will be hypoallergenic and family-friendly because it’s a ‘doodle’, and giving puppy buyers unscientific advice about vaccines and nutrition are abhorrent.

    That doesn’t even touch on the unethical rescues who pipe their budget towards dogs who are suffering beyond repair (and thus can provide sob-story material for social media). They do this, meanwhile rejecting (“no kill”, which actually means shipped to or left at a kill shelter) or euthanizing healthy adult dogs that don’t bring in the donations or adoption requests.

    What about the rescues that adopt known-aggressive dogs out to unsuspecting and underprepared owners? Or the ones who buy entire litters of cute puppies at auctions and sell them as ‘rescue dogs’ or ‘meat trade dogs’?

    But ear-cropping is torture and abuse, got it.

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    You Don’t Have to Like Ear Cropping

    My Great Danes have intact ears. I’ll probably never choose to crop a puppy. I can respect pro-crop dog owners’ choices and have dogs with intact ears at the same time.

    Most Great Danes keep their natural ears. Some don’t, and that’s ok as long as the procedure was done in an informed manner by a highly skilled and experienced veterinarian.

    I think it’s important when throwing around words such as “abuse” and “torture” that we are being realistic. If ear cropping is defined by those terms, it is implied that spaying/neutering or any other simple, common surgical procedure is also abuse and torture.

    We have SO many other things in the world of dogs to concern ourselves with; I’ll never understand why so much time and effort is wasted on inflammatory, misleading, and incorrect remarks about a procedure most dog owners know little to nothing about.

  • A Great Dane Bit Somebody

    A Great Dane Bit Somebody

    Big dogs are in the news again. This week a blue Great Dane bit somebody at a Home Depot, causing severe damage.

    The shopper had been told that the Dane was “in training”, and was instructed to offer a treat when the dog sat.

    People who saw the incident cited that the dog appeared to be in control and took the treat gently, but then suddenly lunged at the victims face.

    The victim was subjected to a severe bite that required immediate medical care and surgery.

    While the injured shopper was receiving attention for the bite, the owners, dog trainer, and Great Dane fled the scene.

    It was this photo, published on multiple media channels, which helped tip authorities off to the identity of dog owners. You can clearly see the blue Great Dane, led by one of the two owners involved in the incident, and the dog trainer in this image. The other owner is not shown.

    A Great Dane Bit Somebody, and we have a lot to talk about…

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    How Severe is the Great Dane Home Depot Bite?

    According to the Dunbar dog bite scale, based on information that we currently have, this would be considered a level 4 or level 5 bite.

    For perspective, a level 2 is when the teeth make contact but do not break skin (a nip, for example), while a level 5 indicates multiple bites with deep wounds.

    It is reported that the victim did require surgery. We can reasonably conclude here that not only did the teeth make contact, they were used to cause a significant amount of damage.

    Make no mistake. A bite this serious doesn’t happen in stable dogs with no history of aggression or fear.

    It is very likely that the owners and the trainer were aware of the fact that this dog wasn’t entirely stable.

    This may have prompted the training session in the first place, however, was this situation correctly handled? Let’s dig in.

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    Great Dane Owner Charged with Misdemeanor for Dog Bite

    The other owner of this dog is not seen in the images, however, because he is the one who held the leash, he is the one being charged with a misdemeanor.

    While logically this makes sense, there is a larger ethical issue here in that other involved parties may have played a role in the bite having happened in the first place.

    For a dog with instability, aggression, or fear, visiting Home Depot was a grave and preventable mistake.

    He/she was not wearing a muzzle or appropriate and safe training gear for a giant breed dog (more on this below), even while being supervised by a supposed dog trainer.

    Asking strangers to give a dog treats as a training or counter-conditioning method can actually be dangerous, and often backfires, too.

    While witnesses saw the dog sit and gently take a treat before lunging, educated dog owners and behaviorists know all to well that doesn’t necessarily mean the dog was friendly, approachable, or safe.

    As a matter of fact, the stress of having to choose between ignoring a treat (fear of the stranger) and taking a treat from a stranger (wanting the treat despite the fear) may have been the trigger.

    This doesn’t even begin to address the fact that dogs who damage skin do so with intent; it’s not an accident and as I’ve mentioned previously, it’s VERY likely that this dog had documented issues with training, aggression, and fear.

    The fact remains, however, that the owners fled the scene and did not provide contact information or support for the injured shopper. The owners and the trainer did not handle this correctly.

    AUTHOR NOTE: We do not know the full story, have never met this dog, and do not know who the trainer is. This blog post is based on available information, and I will not be placing blame on any one person.

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    Breeding Aggressive Great Danes that Bite

    Instability of temperament and poor bite control are signs of issues that likely began with the breeder.

    Too many Great Dane breeders are pairing dogs together with very little regard for health and temperament; these things are largely genetic.

    In other words, it’s not “all in how you raise them”.

    Some dogs are just flat out unstable. No well-bred, well-tempered Great Dane is going to cause this kind of damage unless provoked beyond reason. This dog clearly was not provoked, and that’s the problem.

    The breed standard states that Great Danes should be “friendly and courageous”.

    Great Danes are facing an epidemic of aggression and fear, perpetuated largely by unethical profit-driven breeders.

    Note that dangerous behavior in Great Danes is not normal and not acceptable. This Great Dane was failed by humans in some way, and will pay the price for it.

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    Great Dane Aggression Chart

    Assuming that the owners and the dog trainer in question were aware of the fact that this dog was willing to bite or nip, mistakes were unfortunately made. My heart hurts for the owners in this situation, because, those mistakes are often the result of bad advice.

    If this dog had always loved greeting people and never once bared teeth, growled or nipped and never showed fear towards humans, perhaps there was a medical issue or serious problem with this dogs temperament.

    But given the severity of the bite, it would be highly unusual that no signs of severe or impending aggression had previously been given.

    Dogs give us early warnings. They are often subtle and easily missed, or worse, punished away.

    Many times owners are coached to harshly correct the dog in some way for low growls and bared teeth. If a dog owner took this advice and nailed a dog to the wall for growling, that can actually result in the dog later skipping the warning growl and going straight to causing damage.

    Incorrect handling of fear and aggression causes more fear and aggression, unfortunately.

    This particular dog was asked to sit, too. In being obedient and sitting, the ability to show some calming signals such as walking away, turning to the side, or exposing the tummy were removed.

    (image courtesy of the BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioral Medicine)

    image courtesy of the BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioral Medicine

    How to Handle an Aggressive Great Dane

    As above, we are assuming that this dog was known to be unstable in some way.

    As an active member of the online Great Dane community, it consistently shocks me how many people believe that it’s appropriate to socialize unstable giant breed dogs by asking strangers to give them obedience commands and treats.

    This should, IMO, never be taken lightly as a common behavior modification exercise, especially if the person handling the dog doesn’t have complete and full control. It’s not always the best choice, in other words.

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    Handling an aggressive Great Dane requires three things:

    a. Management (avoiding scenarios that trigger certain body language or outbursts)

    b. A good understanding of behavior, counter-conditioning, and effective training techniques. Owners with aggressive or unstable dogs should be working with a dog trainer (see below).

    c. Appropriate tools (which for giant breed dogs include a properly fit muzzle and some kind of collar that is escape-proof and allows for control of the dog no matter if they lunge or try to run. I prefer thick fabric martingale collars (slip on only, not a quick release type which can break) or for some dogs, a properly fit Herm Sprenger Prong collar with a safety clip).

    A nylon head collar cannot safely be worn with a muzzle, which is a good reason to avoid that tool and choose a properly used prong collar or martingale instead. This is especially true for dogs that are known to be a bite risk or that lunge and try to escape.

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    How to Choose a Dog Trainer for a Great Dane

    We don’t know anything about the trainer who was working with the owners of the Great Dane that bit somebody.

    However, I would like to point out the fact that while Home Depot is a popular place for people to work with their dogs in a training capacity, many stores don’t actually condone this. Situations like this one put stores at risk, and are likely to result in managers no longer allowing dogs in the store.

    There is also a business ethics dilemma associated with a dog trainer utilizing private property (which Home Depot is) for their for-profit business; especially when their choice to do so has resulted in a shopper being damaged for life.

    I can’t really talk, as I’ve attended Home Depot with a dog trainer on more than one occasion, but this incident does bring up some valid discussion points.

    To that end, we recommend finding dog trainers who:

    • Carry full liability insurance
    • Have an outstanding reputation in the community
    • Can administer Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog testing
    • Use positive reinforcement
    • Know how to properly condition a dog to a prong collar or E-Collar in a positive way if needed or desired as an alternative to head collars and harnesses
    • Believe in muzzles
    • Has at least some comprehensive education in behavior management, counter-conditioning and desensitization

    I recommend search the IACP database for qualified trainers. You can search your area HERE.

    If your dog bites somebody or injures another dog, do NOT leave the scene. It is important that you provide contact information and be prepared to pay for damages. You will also be required to prove that your dog is vaccinated against rabies.

    It’s best to avoid this tragic scenario in the first place, of course! Keep your dogs safe; giant breed dogs are a bigger liability no matter how you spin it. They should be loving, friendly, gentle giants but that isn’t always the case. Seek professional help and manage the environment to protect your dog and others.

  • Purebred vs. Mixed Breed: Which Dog is Right For My Family?

    Purebred vs. Mixed Breed: Which Dog is Right For My Family?

    The purebred vs. mixed breed argument has been going on for years, and it is an important consideration when you are planning to bring a dog into your family.

    Purebred dogs have been bred to develop certain traits, such as size, coat color, and behavior characteristics. This can be great if you’re looking for a specific type of companion.

    On the other hand, mixed-breed dogs do not come with such predetermined traits or risks, and what you get from any specific dog can be a mixed bag. This includes Doodles, which, no matter what you’ve heard, are a mixed-breed dog.

    In either case, make sure you educate yourself on the breed and/or its potential health and temperament problems before committing to your new family member. Let’s dig into this!

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    Purebred vs. Mixed Breed: What Does It Mean?

    Many people have long argued over whether a mixed breed dog or purebred dog is the ‘better’ option.

    But, what does that mean?

    The difference between mixed-breed dogs and purebred dog is their genetic makeup.

    What makes purebreds ‘purebred’?

    A purebred is a dog that has been bred to maintain a specific set of traits, such as size, coat color, and behavior characteristics. Therefore, the puppy’s parents or grandparents must be of the same breed for it to be deemed ‘purebred’.

    What makes mixed breed dogs ‘mixed’?

    Mixed breeds on the other hand are dogs with two or more different breeds in their genetic makeup. Because of this, you are likely to find a wide range of genetic qualities and temperament within the same litter.

    ‘Pedigree Dogs’

    Many backyard breeders use the word ‘papers’ or ‘pedigree’ to try and make you think that the pets they are selling are healthy and ‘verified’. These types of breeders also typically state their dogs are ‘AKC Registered’, a common trick in the book of a bad breeder.

    Don’t get us wrong- a good breeder WILL register their purebreds as AKC dogs, but that is NOT all they will do!

    OFA HEALTH TESTING

    A good breeder will care enough to keep their dogs healthy, better the breed, and take care of the future life ahead of the dogs that they breed they will health test the parents of the litter before the puppies are even born.

    OFA Health Testing

    If you are looking for purebred dog breeds but are worried that they aren’t going to be as healthy as two or more breeds mixed together, consider purebred dogs with OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) health testing results.

    OFA Health Testing is when the dog’s hips and elbows are x-rayed and they are evaluated by a qualified veterinarian. If the dog passes these tests, it will receive an OFA Number to certify its results.

    A Dog’s Temperament in a Mixed Breed Dog vs. a Purebred Dog

    A dog’s temperament is highly indicative of how it was socialized as a small puppy (0-8 weeks), continued/ongoing socialization, genetic makeup, and its environment.

    A common misconception is that a purebred dog will have a more predictable temperament than its mixed-breed counterpart.

    While this can be true – particularly if you are selecting your puppy from an experienced breeder who has extensively socialized the litter and understands their breed’s temperament – it is not always the case as many purebred dogs are not necessarily ‘healthy’ in the way that they are raised or the genetics that they carry.

    In other words, it is not simply enough to be a purebred dog, but the genetics in which it was born combined with the environment that it is raised in are both key components in how a dog’s temperament will develop.

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    A Mixed Breed Dog and the Unpredictable Temperament

    Mixed breed dogs, however, can often have more unpredictable temperaments than their purebred counterparts due to having less predictable genetic makeup.

    When choosing mixed breed dogs, especially if adopting them as an older dog after the socialization window has closed, a dog parent should immediately get them evaluated by a professional dog behaviorist to understand what type of temperament they may have.

    This will help them to better understand how to work with their fur baby, and potentially modify any problem behaviors to ensure they are the best companion to you and your family member.

    Grooming Needs of Mixed Dogs vs. Purebred Dogs

    When it comes to grooming needs, mixed-breed dogs and purebred dogs will both require regular maintenance.

    A mixed-breed dog does not necessarily require more or less grooming than a purebred, although purebreds tend to have more genetic requirements for grooming.

    However, grooming is one thing that highly depends on the dog in front of you.

    Adoption of a Mixed Breed Puppy vs. a Purebred Puppy

    When you choose to adopt a puppy, you must understand the ‘unknown’ variable is there.

    Visit a shelter and you will see the sheer amount of dogs that need to be adopted. But, where did they all come from? Well, they all had to come from breeders at some point.

    Many shelters will tell you themselves that bad breeders who are breeding for profit are the root of puppy mills.

    Adopting a Mixed Breed Puppy

    There are a large number of mixed-breed puppies that come through shelters each year and can make amazing family members too. They can be harder to predict behavior, could have possible unknown genetic defects and it can be hard to identify the dog’s breed, making it more difficult to predict its size and temperament as an adult.

    Adopting a Purebred Puppy

    Quite frankly, it is nearly impossible to find purebred puppies in shelters who are up for adoption.

    However, sometimes you can find different dog breeds in a shelter, it just takes time to find puppies of the specific breed that you want.

    If you can find a puppy with the breed you are looking for in a shelter or rescue, there are still potential risks and benefits.

    When you adopt a purebred puppy, it will be hard to trace back to the puppy’s parents, leaving you without any information presented as to the genetic makeup of your puppy.

    Also, adopting purebreds from a rescue might be risky as not all rescues do DNA tests, and you could end up with a mixed puppy after all.

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    Health Issues of a Mixed Breed Puppy

    As with adopting any dog, adopting a mixed breed puppy comes with the risks of your puppy having a poor genetic makeup, or maybe even carrying an unknown illness.

    If your puppy appears to be unwell, you must have them tested right away to avoid any illnesses getting worse over time.

    Overall, bringing home a mixed-breed dog from a rescue or shelter will be of better benefit than purchasing a purebred dog from a backyard breeder because not all breeders are of the same standard.

    Plus, you can rest easy knowing that you have saved a life and given your pup the loving home they deserve.

    Purebred Puppies and Health Issues

    If you are looking for a well-suited dog for your family, and you’ve decided you want to look into pure breeds, the health issues that your pet will have is highly dependent on where you decide to get your dog, the dog breeds you look into, and the research you conduct before bringing your pet home.

    Choosing Responsible Breeders

    Most people know that to give their dog the best life possible, they should work to prevent any inherited disorder.

    All pure breeds and mixed breeds are going to be exposed to inherited disorders, but a breeder can prevent these disorders from plaguing your dog by being responsible with their breeding.

    Many breeders who breed for profit and have many puppies in their kennels are known to not be as responsible with their breeding, and therefore the puppies that come from these environments can potentially have more health issues.

    It is important to put in some research before you decide on a breeder and make sure they are providing high-quality care for the dogs they are using.

    Not all breeders are equal. Do your research before bringing home any dog or pet.

    Different Breeds of Purebred Dogs

    All breeds are prone to different forms of diseases.

    For example, labrador retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia, pugs are prone to eye problems, and German shepherds tend to have skin allergies. A purebred golden retriever might be more prone to cancer than a beagle.

    It is important to research the breeds you are interested in and make sure you know about any potential health risks.

    It is important to know what kind of health issues come with the breed that you are looking at so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to bring your pet home.

    Are Mixed Breed Dogs Healthier Than a Purebred Dog?

    In a study conducted, with over 27,000 dogs it showed that “Purebred dogs were more likely to have 10 genetic disorders, including dilated cardiomyopathy, elbow dysplasia, cataracts, and hypothyroidism. Mixed-breed dogs had a greater probability of ruptured cranial cruciate ligament.”

    However, this study takes into account many dogs who were bred by parents who were not tested before being bred, or by backyard breeders who do not consider proper health measures when breeding.

    When it comes to the overall health of a dog, a mixed-breed puppy can be just as healthy and less prone to disease as a purebred puppy if they are both bred properly.

    A Personal Decision

    Ultimately, each pup is going to have its own unique genetic makeup and health issues. Bringing home any pet is a huge responsibility and there are pros and cons to every decision you make.

    If you decide to go for a purebred puppy, you must do your research to find responsible breeders who have the health of their puppies as a priority. This will help ensure that your pup gets off on the right foot and lives a long life.

    If you opt for mixed breeds, you should be aware of the unknown health history of your dog and be ready to tackle anything that comes your way.

    At the end of the day, you must consider what breed fits best with your lifestyle and family dynamic. This decision is ultimately up to you!

  • Great Dane Frenchie Mix Puppies

    Great Dane Frenchie Mix Puppies

    Have we got a story for you! Accidental breedings are never ethical, and it’s never right to intentionally breed a Great Dane and a Frenchie together. However, these Great Dane Frenchie mix puppies are a special case, and you’re not going to believe how this happened!

    This story involves a grand champion Great Dane and a French Bulldog. The puppies look like miniature Scooby Doo dogs!

    It’s important to share this story but we need to make it clear that these are NOT images that we took. You can view the originals from Neet Great Danes HERE.

    https://www.facebook.com/neetgreatdanes/posts/1913767848975397

    Great Dane Frenchie Pups Accident Timeline

    Neet Danes is a show breeder with multiple AKC champion dogs in their pedigree. This is a highly ethical breeder with gorgeous, healthy dogs.

    As a matter of fact, because of their involvement in dog shows, dog sports, OFA health testing, the GDCA, the AKC, and Great Dane rescue (they have helped rescue over 500 dogs), Neet Danes is a perfect example of an exceptional breeder who should be celebrated.

    Imagine their surprise when a highly anticipated litter of potential Champion puppies didn’t grow the same way that normal Great Dane puppies do…

    How does something like this happen? This story is shocking and actually devastating, but Neet Danes has truly made lemonade out of lemons.

    Here is what happened: A few years ago Neet Danes contracted the “Canine Semen Center” to store semen from one of their highly awarded Grand Champion studs, ISOH GCH Neet’s Baby Face AOM CAX BCAT CGCA CGCU TKN RATI.

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    (Image source HERE) Image shared only for educational purposes.

    Cool Bred Canine, Frozen in Time, & the Canine Semen Center

    The Canine Semen Center has been known by a few names over the years, and as of this writing they are still in business. The company is owned and operated by Sherian Evans & Linda Peterson.

    It is not unusual for breeders to collect and store semen from dogs. This is a common practice that aids in diversifying the gene pool.

    Neet Danes learned after the fact that the owners of this company store the semen in their own personal garage. I’m not sure what the common practice is here, but this feels like a red flag. ?

    Unfortunately, somewhere along the way there was a major, major mixup.

    Instead of being inseminated with Neet’s Baby Face semen, the breeders dam was inseminated with, you guessed it, the semen collected from a French Bulldog.

    This mixup resulted in Great Dane Frenchie mix puppies, and over $30K in veterinary bills. Not to mention, this mistake could have been devastating for all of the dogs involved.

    Neet Danes shares the story and all of the information on their Facebook page, embedded below:

    https://www.facebook.com/neetgreatdanes/posts/1913036169048565

    What do Great Dane Frenchie Pups Look Like?

    Fortunately the champion lineage of these puppies showed up in a big way, and they look very much like miniature Great Danes.

    Note, do not breed or purposefully seek out this mix. The puppies may be cute, but to do this intentionally would be incredibly unethical.

    The breeder became extra suspicious when the puppies began to develop a crooked bite. However, even at the time that the puppies ears were cropped, they still looked like Great Danes!

    Two weeks after having their ears cropped, the puppies started to fall behind on the growth chart, and show other signs that they were not, in fact, purebred Great Danes.

    This could have turned out much, much worse. French Bulldogs are subject to numerous health problems that could have caused the puppies, and the families who own them, absolute heartbreak.

    Neet Danes, being the ethical breeder that they are, placed a heavy focus on finding exceptional families for the Great Dane Frenchie pups that were accidentally bred.

    https://www.facebook.com/neetgreatdanes/posts/1913767848975397

    What is Next for Neet Danes?

    Of course, as cute as these puppies are, this is absolutely tragic.

    Not only was it a wasted breeding that contributed nothing to the health of their breeding program, the Dam was put through a pregnancy and whelping situation that should have never happened.

    The worst part is that as of this writing, the Canine Semen Center has done absolutely nothing to help Neet Danes out.

    The storage facility claims to be frantically DNA testing their stock to sort out the mistake and find Neet’s Baby Face’s semen (which is still missing, by the way).

    They have done absolutely nothing to compensate Neet Danes.

    Not only did Neet Danes end up with the wrong puppies, the semen collected from their Grand Champion stud is gone. That may seem like a small thing, but when you dedicate years of your life to curating an exceptional pedigree of dogs with outstanding health, structure, and temperaments, this is a huge loss.

    https://www.facebook.com/neetgreatdanes/posts/1831936893825160

    Please support Neet Danes by liking and following their content! At this point, the only thing they can do, potentially, is sue for damages.

    Spreading the word can help ensure that other breeders do not use the Canine Semen Center (or whatever other name they rebrand to) in the future.

    At Hello Danes we support Neet Danes in any capacity here, and are happy to use our platform to make sure this never happens to another dog or breeder again…

    If you want more amazing content on this topic, please follow one of our favorite creators on Tik Tok, @TheGreatDaneScientist and see her recent post on this topic below. Remember to like, follow, and comment!

    https://www.tiktok.com/@thegreatdanescientist/video/7189876721846570286
  • Male Versus Female Great Dane Puppy, 5 Things to Consider

    Male Versus Female Great Dane Puppy, 5 Things to Consider

    If you are ready to bring a new Great Dane into your home, you may be trying to sort out if buying a boy or a girl will be the better choice for you. I’m going to deep dive into this topic, and help you make the ultimate decision: Male versus Female Great Dane puppy.

    Which one is right for you?

    male versus female great dane puppy

    Male Versus Female Great Dane Puppy Size

    We’re going to over a few key differences between male and female Danes, including size, temperament, and what to expect.

    As a general rule, male Great Danes are actually significantly bigger, beefier, and taller than the girls are with huge feet, broad chests, and giant heads.

    When you are considering a Great Dane puppy, you have to take this into account. Some people prefer a bigger dog, others would like a pet that isn’t going to take up so much room in the car!

    It’s important to note, however, that although females are generally more petite, they are still very strong giant breed dogs.

    Diligent training, proper nutrition, joint care, and the higher costs associated with big dogs (including grooming, bedding, and veterinary care) will still be at play.

    Male Great Danes can be up to 36″ at the shoulder and 180 lbs, while female Great Danes can be up to 34″ at the shoulder and up to 140 lbs. Some petite Great Danes can be as small as 100 lbs and 32″ at the shoulder.

    Before you purchase or adopt ANY giant breed dog, do your research. One of the biggest reasons that people surrender Great Danes to rescue is that they are surprised how big their cute puppy got.

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    Male vs. Female Great Dane Personalities

    The written standard for Great Danes calls for a courageous and friendly dog.

    They should never be timid, fearful, or aggressive as these traits make them unstable and a danger to themselves and others.

    A well-bred Great Dane will make a great family dog, no matter if it’s male or female!

    Female Great Danes tend to be more independent, while male Great Danes tend to be more clingy.

    While there are exceptions to every rule, there is a general trend here. Female Great Danes are more likely to have a mature, independent attitude while males tend to be giant babies who worship the ground you walk on.

    Both will be affectionate and loving, but it’s well known in the Great Dane community that males will be more likely to suffocate you with affection.

    If that’s your jam, get a male! If you like a good balance, get a female. Then keep your fingers crossed because every Dane is different and you don’t know what you’re going to get until they are fully mature.

    Both dogs should be family and people oriented, either way. Great Danes can also be great with kids!

    Make sure you choose an ethical breeder with a long history of stable, well-built dogs.

    instagram.com/deardanes
    www.instagram.com/deardanes

    Reproductive Hormones, Spay & Neuter

    Some of the biggest differences between male and female Great Danes are related to their sexual hormones and reproductive system. When you are bringing a giant breed dog into your home, everything about this is exaggerated.

    If you don’t like the nitty gritty, skip this section, but I believe it’s one of the most important.

    Keep in mind that the current recommendation is that giant breed dogs should not be spayed or neutered until 18-24 months of age.

    Let’s jump in.

    Male Great Danes have large balls. This is alarming to people, and some people are even grossed out by it (especially as they love to scoot back and sit on your lap!).

    They also tend to release smegma (a cheesy substance) and random drips, which show up on the hard floors of your home after a few days of not mopping.

    If a female dog of any type or size is nearby and in heat, your intact male may absolutely lose his mind trying to get to her. This requires diligence, strict management, and patience. He may even lose weight, shred walls, mark in your home, and jump fences.

    Lastly, intact males don’t always get along well with other intact males. Poor breeding can lead to dogs who don’t handle their testosterone well and develop bad behaviors such as marking and aggression. Talk to your veterinarian and a highly qualified dog trainer.

    Don’t let these things scare you, though! A well-trained male Great Dane with a good temperament will be friendly and social whether they are intact or not. Don’t believe me? Just attend a dog show and see tons of intact male Danes in the same place, all well-behaved and calm.

    male vs. female great dane

    Female Great Danes will experience a heat cycle every 6-12 months on average, starting around 8 months of age. This cycle lasts and 2-3 weeks, and when she ovulates during this cycle she is HIGHLY susceptible to becoming pregnant.

    It’s important to note that while ovulation is the time when a dog is most susceptible to pregnancy, sperm can live for up to a week in the reproductive tract and thus, diligent steps must be taken to prevent mating during the entirety of the heat cycle.

    A heat cycle can be messy as the dog will bleed for the entirety of this time. All of their reproductive organs will swell, and in some cases, the female may even experience a false pregnancy.

    Some females may also become cranky, whiny, and will even mark in the house.

    It is highly unethical to breed a dog without full OFA health testing and proof that the dog has good structure and a stable temperament. Accidental pregnancies are avoidable but all to common.

    Having an intact giant breed dog is a huge responsibility. Literally.

    To handle a female Great Dane while in heat, we recommend size XL reusable dog diapers, lined with period pads or disposable dog diapers.

    PRO TIP: It is smart to introduce a Great Dane puppy to these items before they experience their first heat cycle! Consider putting them on your puppy as early as 2-3 months of age, just to practice.

    This way they are used to it and not bothered by the diaper when the time comes!

    Great Danes

    Male vs. Female Great Dane Lifespan

    In general, because male Great Danes are larger, they are also more susceptible to problems with their joints and their heart that can lead to a shorter lifespan. Statistically speaking, males are also more likely to experience bloat.

    Aggression, stress, and fear in both males and females can shorten their lifespan, making it that much more important to choose a diligent and dedicated breeder.

    No matter which you choose, it’s important to focus on up to date training, nutrition, socialization, and health practices. We share a lot of this information on our blog and in our online community!

    www.hellodanes.com 2 1

    Should I Get Two Great Dane Puppies at the Same Time?

    Many people can’t decide between a male and female puppy, or fall in love with two pups from the same litter, however, this practice is not recommended.

    Littermate syndrome is when two dogs who were raised together become co-dependent on each other. This relationship can cause major training issues, as well as aggression that can only be cured by fully separating the dogs from each other for life.

    This is not to say that you can’t ever successfully raise two puppies together at the same time, but for the vast majority of owners it’s not the most ideal choice. It’s important to note that ethical and responsible breeders will only sell multiple puppies at once to experienced homes that participate in training, dog shows, and dog sports.

    The practice of upselling new owners to purchase a second puppy is a backyard breeding practice, no matter how ‘nice’ the breeder seems.

    If you choose to bring home two puppies at the same time, here are some tips:

    • If you choose one male and one female, plan to send the male to another home each time the female is in heat, no exceptions. Accidental pregnancies are not cool, especially between siblings! Plus, this is very stressful to the male and he will be happier and safer elsewhere.
    • If you choose two males or two females, talk to a dog trainer about same-sex aggression and learn how to prevent it
    • Talk to a dog trainer for tips to prevent littermate syndrome, including taking the puppies to separate training classes, socializing and training them independently, feeding them in different places, and developing a personal relationship with each individually.

  • Is My Great Dane Well-Bred?

    Is My Great Dane Well-Bred?

    Great Danes are incredible dogs, and they are not for everybody. Is your Great Dane well-bred?

    There is a stark difference between dogs that are well bred (ethically bred) and dogs that were bred for profit. If a Great Dane is well bred, they are less likely to suffer from common disorders such as orthopedic problems, heart disease, bad temperaments, and even bloat.

    Genetics play a role in everything from how a dog is built to how they interact with the world.

    This article is not to say that ‘poorly bred’ Great Danes are bad and ‘well bred’ Great Danes are good. It’s simply meant to be an educational comparison.

    The fact of the matter is that we have a serious problem in the world of Danes. For every breeder focused on health, structure, and temperament, there are tons of Great Dane breeders who are pairing dogs for no other reason other than fun and profit.

    Ear Cropping Great Danes
    Ear Cropping Great Danes

    Well-Bred Great Danes Come From Dedicated Breeders

    No matter what a Great Dane ends up looking like in the end, one of the key elements of being well-bred is that a dog comes from an ethical, dedicated breeder.

    Here are some basics that a breeder should meet to qualify as ‘ethical’.

    Lifetime support of every puppy they ever bred; this includes being willing to take dogs back into their home at any time, for any reason, and never dumping a dog on a rescue or shelter.

    • Breeding for health, temperament, and the written breed standard
    • Knowledgeable about sound Great Dane structure & movement
    • Willing to seek out a 3rd party opinion about the dogs they are breeding, including working with a well-respected mentor, attending AKC dog shows, taking conformation handling and obedience training classes, or by collaborating with the local Great Dane breeding club

    Full health testing of both parents, no exceptions. These tests include OFA Hips, heart, eyes, and thyroid. The results of these tests must be available for you to view at www.ofa.org

    • Exceptionally picky when choosing homes for the dogs they breed
    • Keeps puppies until 8 or 10 weeks of age
    • Never breeds dogs under the age of 2, especially if they aren’t fully OFA health tested

    An ethical breeder will never breed a dog that is aggressive, anxious, fearful, or that has bloat, heart disease, blood clotting disorders, or other known genetic health problems in the pedigree.

    Screen Shot 2022 08 31 at 9.56.07 AM

    Well-Bred vs. Not Well-Bred Great Danes

    Coming from a good pedigree and an exceptional breeder who cares about the pedigree is a solid step in the right direction.

    Unfortunately, some breeders are so flippant about their breeding practices that the puppies they produce don’t look like Great Danes at all.

    If you’ve googled this and are wondering if your Great Dane is well-bred or not, we’re going to dig into this with some photos!

    Keep in mind that even in well-bred litters, only a few puppies will be ‘show quality’ (stellar examples of the breed). All puppies are pets, whether they are show-quality or not.

    Puppies who aren’t right for the show ring will still be well-bred, however! Very few puppies are exactly perfect. Some, however, are much further off of the target than others.

    It’s impossible to judge how well bred a puppy is just by looking at an image. Rather than focusing on what ‘well-bred’ looks like, let’s take a look at the opposite. What do dogs who are not well-bred look like?

    The dogs in this gallery below are cute, but do not meet the written standard for Great Danes:

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    Great Dane Faults

    A fault is a trait that a dog has which goes against the recommendations outlined in the written standard.

    Here is a list of faults seen in the dogs above. Again, this is not a beauty contest! It’s simply about making sure that Great Danes are built correctly so they can live long, healthy lives and look like…well…Great Danes!

    How many faults can you spot?

    • Flat feet
    • Long nails
    • Ears that come from the top of the head or that stick out (cute, but makes them look mixed breed)
    • Ears that are long and droopy (cute! But makes them look like hounds)
    • Extremely droopy jowls
    • Droopy eyes with redness and haw showing
    • Steep croup
    • Narrow hips
    • Roached back
    • Apple shaped/dome head
    • Lack of overall substance
    • Heavy and stocky
    • Cathedral chest or flat chest
    • Abused & neglected

    Unfortunately, many of the dogs in the gallery above will be mistaken for other breeds if met on the street. They may be loved family pets, but they are not well-bred.

    Many people will consider the differences in the dogs above to be related to “Euro” vs. “American” breedings, however those terms are nothing more than marketing from breeders who want to sell puppies. Read more about “EURO vs. American” here.

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    What Does a Well-Bred Great Dane Look Like?

    A well-bred Great Dane who comes from an exceptional breeder will be a solid, muscular dog that moves with grace and long forward strides. They will not be stocky, nor will they appear boney and small.

    They have a large head that is chiseled and full of regal expression, whether the ears are cropped or not.

    Their front and rear limbs will be built correctly, ensuring that they can comfortably hold their own weight up for years to come. They will have nice tight feet, short nails, and a glossy coat.

    The chest should be broad and muscular, not flat or weak.

    When they move and stand, they are comfortable keeping their head and neck up (not drooping down, which is a sign of discomfort), and they are not heavy or lumbering.

    Well-bred Great Danes are friendly and courageous.
    They should never be fearful, timid, or aggressive.

    You can read the original Great Dane standard (in the U.S., which is nearly identical to the Canadian and European version) HERE.

    When a Great Dane is built correctly from the ground up, they are less likely to suffer from painful orthopedic problems that cause them a lifetime of issues with movement.

    Notice in the overlay below that the Great Dane in the image:

    • Has an oversized, mastiff-like blocky head
    • Droopy jowls
    • He is unable to hold his head up correctly
    • His hips are higher than his shoulders
    • The top line is sloping up towards the hips, not gracefully down to them
    • He has an exceptionally steep croup with his tail placed very low
    • His rear legs lack angulation, as do the front
    • While the front angulation appears to match the overlay, it’s only because the dog is standing incorrectly
    Great dane well-bred

    Structural Faults in Great Danes

    Structural problems are arguably the most important reason to choose ethical breeders.

    Dogs carry roughly 60% of their weight on the front limbs; for an average 140 lb male, that’s 84 lbs of weight on the chest, shoulders, and front paws!

    It is unfair, shall I say borderline abusive for Great Dane breeders to continue breeding dogs who have significant faults in the way that they are built. Yet, some of the most popular breeders, those who are friendly and have nice websites, are to blame.

    Take the dog below as an example. This chocolate harlequin Great Dane is being bred by a local, very popular breeder. I believe that as of this writing, she is on her 2nd breeding.

    Notice that she has absolutely no chest and no angles; her front arms are so far forward on her ribcage that she has a ‘cathedral’.

    This weight on her front assembly is affecting her front paws, which are flat from struggling to hold herself up. Her rear legs might as well be made of wood; they are stick straight. As a whole this poor dog lacks substance and her rear feet are some of the worst I’ve ever seen.

    She is an AKC registered Great Dane.

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    AKC Papers are Meaningless

    Here is a fun fact for you.

    A dog can have AKC papers, or be from an “AKC Registered” breeder, and still be poorly bred.

    Putting two dogs with an AKC pedigree together is not enough to ensure the health and longevity of this breed that we love.

    If you want to get involved, help us spread the word! The breeder registry at www.gdca.org is a great place to dig through exceptional Great Dane breeders.

    Here is an example of an incredible stud who has passed full OFA screenings and received multiple titles because of how well he adheres to the breed standard: https://vandelftdanes.wixsite.com/mysite/quill

    For more photos of well-bred Great Danes, here are some links to a few favorites:

    Grateful Danes

    Daynakin Great Danes

    Van Delft Great Danes

    • Find ethical breeders on social media and like, comment, and follow them
    • Learn how to spot the difference between an ethical breeder and a ‘nice’ breeder with unethical practices
    • Attend dog shows, meet breeders, and involve yourself in the preservation side of Great Dane breeding. It’s fun and shows are usually free to attend and watch as a spectator!
    • For your next Great Dane, choose adoption or get on the list for well-bred dog
  • Flat Front and Cathedral Chest in Great Danes

    Flat Front and Cathedral Chest in Great Danes

    Poorly built giant breed dogs are being set up for a lifetime of injury, pain, weakness, and instability that shortens their lifespans and enjoyment of life. Flat Front and Cathedral Chest in Great Danes are a structural problem that is plaguing the breed.

    A focus on correct build and movement are key elements of ethical and thoughtful Great Dane breeding programs.

    Unfortunately, a large majority of people breeding Danes have minimized and even disregarded the importance of correct build, structure, and movement.

    Let’s look at some Great Danes and talk about it!

    Flat Front and Cathedral Chest in Great Danes
    A Great Dane with a flat chest and poor front angulation

    What is Flat Front and Cathedral chest in Great Danes

    Flat front in Great Danes are seen because there is a lack of muscle development and “ooomph” in the chest area, and is commonly seen in addition to poor angulation in the front limbs.

    A lack of angulation in the front assembly removes any ‘give’ that would be be necessary for joint health and fluidity. Reach (the dogs ability to extend the arms forward) is compromised, and movement is no longer natural.

    It’s kind of like walking with peg legs, in other words. At a certain point, that’s going to take a massive toll on the body.

    A Great Dane with correct chest, muscle, and angulation will be able to extend the arm (as seen in the image below, from the GDCA written standard), allowing for graceful, long strides and forward momentum.

    Screen Shot 2022 12 28 at 9.56.40 AM

    A flat chest and poor angulation are genetic problems in Great Danes that can lead to early arthritis, poor athletic abilities (sometimes seen as “laziness”), and damage to joint health.

    Dogs with poor structure especially must be kept as lean, fit, and sound as possible.

    Feeding a good diet and offering lots of free play and movement opportunities on soft-varied terrain benefits all Great Danes, but especially those that lack angulation and chest.

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    A Great Dane with a flat front, poor angulation, and a “cathedral chest” (indicated by the somewhat peaked arch shown where the legs and chest meet at the front).

    What is a Cathedral Chest in Great Danes

    A cathedral chest in Great Danes is caused by the shoulders being set too far forward on the chest. This is, as above, genetic.

    Keep in mind that a dog carries roughly 60% of their weight on the front end. When the shoulders and front limbs are too far forward, it completely throws off balance, weight distribution, and movement.

    The heavy, large chest of a Great Dane should be supported by strong, muscular shoulders that are set correctly; when they are not, the front end suffers.

    To put this into perspective, imagine carrying a somewhat heavy or large box by stretching your arms outward, instead of carrying it closer to your chest.

    Dogs with a cathedral type chest may even suffer from joint damage and deformities to the feet, elbows, and pasterns as their front limbs struggle to carry their weight.

    To compare, here is a drawing of ideal Great Dane structure, from the GDCA written standard. You can see how the dog is able to stand up tall, and the chest is well supported by the structure, ‘lay back’, and placement of the strong and muscular shoulder blades.

    Screen Shot 2022 12 28 at 10.17.08 AM

    On the flip side, below is a young Great Dane dog with a flat chest, cathedral chest, and poor angulation whose feet are flat and straining to support her weight. You may also notice some bowing of the long bones in the front limbs, and that the feet are turning outward.

    This is the result of genetics, made worse by poor nutrition and care.

    Unfortunately, this dog is being used for breeding by a popular breeder, and as a result is perpetuating painful structural problems in every puppy that she produces.

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    What is a Weak Chest in Great Danes?

    Some Great Danes suffer from weak chest, or poor chest development and breadth of chest.

    You can see this in dogs, like the one below, whose front limbs are close together.

    While it can take a Great Dane 2-3 years to truly develop and mature physically, many dogs never develop and will have this lanky, narrow ribcage look for life.

    This can be made permanent, or worse, by early spay and neuter. It is my belief that Great Danes need hormones to correctly mature, especially if they have unstable structure to begin with. Spay and neuter should happen no sooner than 18-24 months.

    Talk to your veterinarian, and be a responsible owner when it comes to breeding or ‘accidental’ breeding of intact pet dogs.

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    A Great Dane with a Flat Chest and front limbs that are struggling to hold the weight of the dog up

    The Role of Ethical Breeding in Great Dane Health

    Unfortunately, many of the issues above are extremely common in pet Great Danes. A lot of people are breeding these dogs with very little understanding of how and why to breed for correct structure.

    They rarely if ever seek a 3rd party opinion of the dogs they are breeding, and thus, blindly perpetuate orthopedic instability in their pedigree.

    This is not fair, nor is it ethical.

    Many of these breeders are friendly, have nice websites, and claim to health test their dogs. A lot of them are exceptionally popular because they produce so many puppies each year. That doesn’t mean, however, that they are producing stable, sound, and well-built puppies.

    Of course, even in a well-bred, thoughtfully-bred litter from an outstanding pedigree of proven (in show) dogs, most puppies will have some minor faults. But they will have been set up for success, longevity, and health. Those are the breeders we should all be supporting (not the careless, profit-driven ones).

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    The Great Dane Written Standard

    For more information about what Great Dane structure should look like, and how to find an ethical breeder, here as a little light reading for you!

    Great Dane Written Standard – GDCA

    Great Dane Structure

    What is the GDCA?

    Going to a Great Dane Dog Show

    I Want a Pet, Not a Show Dog!

    Health Tests for Great Danes

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    What Should I Do if my Dog Has a Flat Front or Cathedral Chest?

    The good news is that there are things you can do!

  • What is the GDCA Great Dane Club of America?

    What is the GDCA Great Dane Club of America?

    The GDCA Great Dane Club of America is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1937.

    The club’s mission is to promote and protect the interests of the Great Dane breed, as well as to provide education and resources for its members. The GDCA offers a variety of resources including information on health, genetics, training, and more. They also host events throughout the year, which offer opportunities for Great Dane enthusiasts to come together and celebrate their favorite breed!

    GDCA Mission & Standards

    The purpose of the GDCA is to unite all those interested in the Great Dane and to work for the betterment of the breed by:

    – Maintaining a code of ethics for members

    – Cooperating with other canine organizations

    – Promoting responsible dog ownership

    – Supporting research beneficial to the health and welfare of the Great Dane

    – Educating members and the public

    – Hosting events and activities for Great Dane fanciers

    GDCA Great Dane Club of America

    The Great Dane Breed Standard

    Great Danes are gentle giants! They should be friendly and courageous, never timid or aggressive.

    Well-built Great Danes move gracefully with a powerful reach and drive. They are muscular, yet elegant dogs that should reflect the ideal proportions set forth in the breed standard.

    The GDCA has created an illustrated breed standard for Great Dane dogs that can be read here. At dog shows, the dogs are judged against this standard:

    https://gdca.org/wp-content/uploads/TheGreatDane/2021-GDCA-Illustrated-Standard-10_19_21.pdf

    Compare it to the European FCI version, it’s nearly identical!

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    Recommended Health Testing for Great Danes

    The Great Dane Club of America recommends that breeders complete the following health tests on Great Danes prior to breeding:

    Hip Dysplasia

    Cardiac Evaluation

    Ophthalmologic Examination

    Thyroid Panel

    For more information about the OFA health testing program and on recommended screenings for Great Danes, read HERE.

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    Double-Merle Great Dane Breeding

    The GDCA does allow for breeders to breed spot to spot. The practice of pairing harlequin (spot) dogs with other harlequin dogs can result in white puppies who may be deaf, blind, or have other health problems.

    As of this writing (2022), the GDCA still condones this practice. https://gdca.org/breeders/breeders-color-code/

    Some breeders who are exceptionally diligent about health testing, pedigrees, and color testing might breed spot to spot to diversify their genetic pool and produce well-marked puppies.

    However, it’s not a practice that we stand behind in general, primarily in regard to the majority of Great Dane breeders (who barely do health testing, let alone care about the breed standard as a whole).

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    The Great Dane Club of America Events

    There are several GDCA events each year throughout the U.S.

    The most popular event is the GDCA National Specialty, which is held annually in early summer. Great Dane enthusiasts can attend to show their dogs, learn from others, and participate in other events such as lure coursing and dock diving.

    For a complete list of upcoming events, visit HERE.

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    Great Dane Affiliate Clubs

    Many areas have smaller affiliate clubs that are a spin-off from the main parent club.

    For a list of GDCA Affiliate clubs, visit this link: https://gdca.org/the-gdca/affiliate-clubs/

    How to Become a Member of the GDCA

    Members of the GDCA are among a select group of exceptional Great Dane breeders who are dedicated to the betterment of the breed.

    To become a member of the GDCA, you need to apply.

    Your application must be signed by at least two existing GDCA members in good standing, who have recognized your work and are willing to sponsor you. By sponsoring you, they essentially stand behind you as a member and your breeding practices.

    A qualified GDCA member candidate will have proven to others in the Great Dane community that they care about the breed and are willing to adhere to certain standards and ethics.

    For more information about becoming a member, read HERE: https://gdca.org/the-gdca/members/

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    Ethical Great Dane Breeders & Rescue

    Choosing a reputable and ethical Great Dane breeder is the best way to ensure that you’ll get a healthy, well-adjusted puppy.

    The GDCA has a list of breeders who have signed their Code of Ethics, which can be found HERE.

    If you are interested in adopting an adult Great Dane, there are many wonderful rescues that have Danes available as well. Sometimes, they even have puppies!

    How to Find a Reputable Breeder

    A reputable Great Dane breeder will:

    – Health test their dogs

    – Follow the GDCA Code of Ethics

    – Produce well-adjusted, healthy puppies that meet the breed standard

    -Support puppy buyers for life

    To find a reputable breeder, we recommend starting with the GDCA Breeder Referral list, HERE: https://gdca.org/breeders/

    The people on that list know breeders who are up-and-coming and not yet official members! They can refer you to them as well.

    Another great way to find breeders is to attend AKC dog shows and meet them in person.

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    Great Dane Rescues & the GDCA

    The GDCA and many of its members support Great Dane rescues and never want to see the dogs that they breed end up in shelters.

    They maintain a list of Great Dane rescues in the U.S. which you can view HERE:

    https://gdca.org/the-great-dane/great-dane-rescue

    The Great Dane Breed

    Great Danes are a special breed with a long and noble history.

    For more information about the Great Dane breed, visit HERE: https://gdca.org/the-great-dane/

    If you’re thinking about getting a Great Dane, we urge you to do your research and make sure that you are prepared for the challenges of owning one of these amazing dogs! They are not for everyone.

    The Great Dane Club and the American Kennel Club have some fantastic resources for Great Dane owners to learn more about the breed and its requirements.

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    Great Dane Health

    With diligent pedigree research and proper health testing, Danes should have exceptional health.

    But as with any dog breed, there are certain health conditions to be aware of.

    The most common health problems among Great Danes are:

    –Hip and elbow dysplasia

    –Cardiac disease

    -Thyroid Disease

    –Gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat)

    -Cancer

    -Entropion or Cherry Eye

    Diligent attention to pedigrees, health testing, overall structure, current research, and genetic testing can help reduce or eliminate the incidence of these diseases in dogs.

    Great Dane Temperament

    Great Danes should have a gentle and loving disposition. They should be fearless, loyal, and friendly toward people.

    Timid behavior is unfortunately common, but not acceptable.

    Temperament is largely genetic.

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    Great Dane Structure

    The ideal Great Dane is strongly built, yet elegant; well-formed, yet powerful; proud and upstanding. They should have excellent angulation and nice top lines that contribute to good movement, reach, grace, and athleticism.

    Danes should not be heavy, lumbering, or clumsy; these are all signs that they are not built correctly and may also be more likely to be suffering from ACL tears, hip dysplasia, and arthritis.

    The coat should be short, thick, and glossy.

    Great Dane Colors

    The 7 accepted colors within the Great Dane breed standard are:

    –Black

    –Blue

    –Brindle

    –Fawn

    –Harlequin

    –Mantle

    -Merle

    Danes come in a huge rainbow of colors. Only dogs that meet the written breed standard, in the colors listed above, can compete in dog shows.

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    Off-Standard Great Dane Coat Colors

    There could be room for other colors to become part of the written standard. People who breed Great Danes have to prove that the color occurs naturally from dogs who were paired first for reasons of health and temperament, and prove that the color doesn’t dilute the gene pool or cause additional health issues.

    Both the merle and the mantle coat pattern were added within the last 20 years.

    Unfortunately, many people breeding dogs are breeding for fun colors, large size, and droop; those things go against GDCA ethics and the written standard.

    We stand behind and believe in the GDCA Great Dane Club of America and encourage all Great Dane owners to check out the event calendar. Attend some upcoming events, meet exceptional Great Dane people, learn about dog sports, and see what ethical, dedicated, and responsible dog owners are doing for this breed we love so much!