Breeders
Some websites that offer great links to breeders are: www.dogadvisors.com and www.danesonline.com.
However, you must do the research for yourself. If the
breeder doesn’t feel right to you that is what really
matters. When you go to a breeder, the first thing you
should look at are his kennel facilities. It must be clean.
If the mess is fresh it may have just happened so you cannot
fault the breeder for that, but there is a difference between
1/2hour old poo and 2 day old. If it is not clean leave,
don’t even bother going further. Pups should be clean,
active and healthy looking. They should also readily
approach you with interest and curiosity. If they hang back
or slink away, this is not a good litter, or it hasn’t been
properly socialized. In any case, you would not be wise to
buy one. Listed below are some good questions to get you
started on what to ask your potential breeder.
Questions to ask your potential breeder
- What
kinds of prenatal health tests have been done on the
parents? Most importantly they should both be
certified by the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals)
against hip displaysia. Some tests other tests
include CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation), X-Ray,
Penn-Hip (like the OFA), Thyroid, Cardio, VonWillibrands…
etc. Ask to see the results. You can verify
the OFA and the CERF results on their web sites.
- Were
the grandparents tested? Are they still alive?
What was or is their health like? What did they die
from? Age of death?
- Health
of parent’s siblings? Any problems? Genetic
related?
- Can I
see the Dam?
- Why did
you breed the litter? What were you looking for?
What was good about the stud?
- Biggest
problem with the bloodline? How are you trying to
overcome it?
- What is
the temperament of the parents like? Loving, goofy,
sweet, aggressive, distant, playful, smart, kind, silly…
- What
vaccinations/worming will you give the puppy? What
is needed?
- How old
did the puppies wean?
- Where
were they kept after whelping?
- How did
the pregnancy, whelping, and first few weeks go? How
many puppies were in the litter?
- How
often is the bitch bred?
- How do
you evaluate show vs. companion pups?
- What is
your philosophy on puppy rearing, medicine, food,
training?
- How
often do you want to hear form me? Can I call with
“dumb” questions/concerns?
- How
long have you been breeding?
- Can I
have some references? Preferably someone who has
received a puppy from you in the past.
Questions your potential breeder should ask you
The breeder should be very interested in you. They should
want to know about your home life, if you have a fenced yard, why
you are considering a Great Dane, if you will keep in contact,
what your schedule is like and other personal questions about
your ability to raise and love a Great Dane. If the breeder
does not ask questions and feels more like they are interested in
your money than your ability to raise a Dane, look elsewhere.
A good breeder does not make any money from breeding Danes or any
other dog for that matter. Breeders do it for the love of
the breed and most lose money in the raising of their litter.
These puppies should be like children and they should care about
where they go.
Contracts
Ask if the breeder has a written contract. Read it
thoroughly before you sign. Ask if there are any health
guarantees, some breeders offer 3-5 year guarantees against any
hereditary defects. All breeders should extend a minimum
48-hour health guarantee and take the puppy back with a full
refund if it should be found ill by a vet. Additionally, a
breeder should be willing to take the dog back at any age if you
cannot keep it any longer. Your puppy should come to you
with the ‘blue slip’which is actually the AKC
registration application. Additionally, the breeder should
provide you with a 4-5 generation pedigree, a list of what the
puppy has been eating, plus a small supply of the same to last a
couple of days. You should also receive a record of any
vaccines and worming the puppy has had to date and what is due
next.
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