PUPPY
SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
Dogs
Require:
Training: To be a good
family member and citizen Danes MUST be trained in at least rudimentary
obedience. Their great size and tendency to be bossy means that the owner
must be master in his household, and the dog needs to understand this.
Training in obedience for the dog, and in behavior modification
(understanding how a dog thinks) for the owner are both helpful.
Care:
Both small & large breed dogs commonly
have medical problems related to their great size. Prospective owners of
large boned breeds must be prepared for the possibility that there may be
substantial financial outlay in the way of veterinary bills and special care.
Indoor
Life: Dogs especially need to be
kept indoors as family members. They will be unhappy living a solitary life
as an outdoor dog as they are gregarious and need to interact with people.
Another consideration is their thin skin and short fur. Danes have short hair
coats, which make for great discomfort in warm climates due to insect bites
and sunburn, and cold intolerance in temperate and cooler regions.
Feeding: Dogs should
NOT eat high protein foods at ANY stage in their growth cycles, especially as
puppies. Buying a Dane requires the new owners to educate themselves in
dietary and growth needs of large boned breeds in order to help prevent the
onset of diet related health problems. Great Danes are prone to bloat and
torsion, both of which can also be related somewhat to diet and eating, and
hopefully regulated somewhat by proper diet and care. (See feeding FAQs)
Exercise:
Most breeds are wonderfully happy and
energetic dogs. This results in much tail wagging and leaping about. Both of
these things can be either amusing or tragic! Long tailed breeds are known
for wagging so hard that they split their tails open and bleed everywhere.
When they wag they slam their tails against any and all objects at tail
height. The result ends up looking like the Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
Large puppies can be both funny and
dangerous, with their energetic antics. Imagine a pirouette being " gracefully" performed by one of these gentle
giants? Cute and funny, unless there's a two year old child standing right
under him! Small breed pups can be stepped on and harmed by small children.
All are playful animals and do have energy that must be released by giving
them regular exercise and playtime. This requires a fenced yard or a
dedicated owner who will run/ walk his dog twice daily no matter what the
weather.
Commitment:
Dogs require a stable home life and all dogs
need a home they can count on for all of their natural life. If you plan to
buy a dog, think ahead to major events upcoming in your future. Will they
accommodate a large, sweet dog? If not, wait. A dog is a lifetime(10
years at least) responsibility, think of it as a marriage, not easily given
up on or walked away from.
A Question to Consider:
Have you actually seen the size of a Great
Dane "puppy" or of the TINY size of a Yorkshire Terrier or Chihuahua pup? If not,
then be prepared for a surprise! A 9 month Dane pup can weigh as much as 120
pounds! While Danes grow fairly quickly in size, they mature much more
slowly. It sometimes takes up to 3 years for mental maturity to be complete.
In the meantime you are dealing with a rather large puppy!
The small breed pups are SO tiny, they take a lot of care and resposibility. This
disparity is what I refer to when I recommend rather extensive obedience
training.
Picking
Your Puppy
Nightmare
Scenario:
Sounds easy... Run to the PET STORE and
let some harried salesperson show you a bunch of cute, squirmy bundles of
fur. After you let the kids pat and tug, ooh and ah you finally trip on home
with the one for you. Your first days are a whirl of squeaky toys and puppy
cuddles. Everyone wants to play with Rover! But the newness wears off
quickly, soon there are puppy puddles and piles no one wants to clean, and a
stack of chewed shoes and pillows to replace. Rover grows QUITE large and is
ignored by everyone. Soon he is howling out by his doghouse day and night,
making you regret buying that cute little bundle of fur. NO! It doesn't need
to be that way. With a little emergency preparedness this can be a happy,
fulfilling relationship.
Here's
the Real Scenario.. But, get ready for a little work! (It's worth it.)
A.
Buy an All Breed Dog Book
You can find one in any book store, it
gives a brief summary of each breed of dog, personality type, full grown
size, how long the coat gets and required grooming, how the breed relates to
people (how people oriented the breed is), activity level, and volume and
quality of food required to sustain them. This book also contains the Breed
Standard, a description of what the ideal animal of this breed looks like. It
is important that before you dedicate yourself to a specific breed of dog,
that you make yourself aware of different breeds and their characteristics.
This eases the changes that always come with a new addition to your family.
Reference
Books to Consider:
THE SIMON AND SCHUSTER GUIDE TO DOGS
Edited by Elizabeth Meriwether Schuler
Simon and Schuster
READERS DIGEST ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF DOGS
Readers Digest
THE ULTIMATE DOG BOOK
By David Taylor
Simon and Schuster
*THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE DOG
Bruce Fogle
Dorling/Kindersley
*THE RIGHT DOG FOR YOU
Daniel Tortora
Simon and Schuster
Disclaimer! No I DON'T own stock in Simon
and Schuster, it just happens that they published
books I like!
Authors
Note: The last 2 titles listed are my favorites. I
reference these books frequently when asked by people what breed might best
suit their family. Bruce Fogle is a behaviorist and Veterinarian who is very
dedicated to the Human-Dog bond. Daniel Tortora has written many articles,
but this book is his best I think.
Learning about the Breed
Once you have determined which is the breed for you, it is time to study up on the breed
standard (what the ultimate dog breed you have chosen, is like in temperament
and structure). There are MANY good books on the origins and personality of
each breed.
Appearances
Things are not as they seem to be. A Great Dane, which is one of the largest of
breeds, does well in a small home or apartment as long as daily exercise is
provided. This is because of their great size. Great Danes do not move as
fast as the small breeds, do not tend to be as energetic and their metabolism
level is lower. These dogs require a lower level of grooming than some breeds
and shed little. This enables a small home (cave) dweller to be comfortable
with this size dog. They are also graceful despite their size, and with a
minimum of effort, most homes can accommodate them. I am personally
prejudiced toward this breed. I have 2 Danes and live in a Condo, and my
other dog (a Pointer) takes up twice as much room, and has three
times as much energy as do the Danes. (Ahhhh!)
On the other hand, a large home with many small children is not
always the place for one of these gentle giants. They are heavy, and given
the space and opportunity will run about. Little children will be knocked
aside with no malice intended, but could be harmed easily. A better choice
for the home with little ones would be perhaps a Golden Retriever or Labrador pup which stays a much more manageable size,
yet is very gentle. A small breed dog in a home with small children
would probably not fare well either.
B.
Go See A Veterinarian
Why should you visit a vet if you don't
yet have a pet? Well, if he is a good family vet, he will know after talking
with you which breed might suit your family best. (I
say might here because there is NO guarantee that any dog will be true to its
breed 100%. Just pick as best you can, and train the best you can to achieve
optimum results.)
Your vet has a wonderful tool at his
disposal that is your next best friend. It is called a Dog Breeders
Directory, and is usually sponsored by local dog clubs. Any breeder with a
good reputation will be listed in this book. Your vet can supply you with a
list of names and phone numbers of breeders who show and breed Great Danes.
A note here, that not all Vets are as knowledgeable
as they could be where Danes are concerned. Danes require special care as do
other giant breeds. Be VERY cautious when looking for a vet to care for your
new puppy. Ask other owners of that breed to recommend a good Vet to you, as your
choice may spell life or death for your dog should an emergency occur!
C.
Pick a Breeder
Contact your local Breed affiliate club,
the names of local club members can be obtained by contacting the national
breed club associated with your breed choice. The local clubs will be happy
to steer you to responsible, reputable breeders.
Subscribe to Breed publications. Dane They are usually very good sources of information about the
breed. They also both have listings of breeders and photos of many colors and
types of dog.
Attend some All Breed Conformation and
Great Dane Specialty shows. There are always people at these shows willing to
give information about the breed and share knowledge. As well, you can
observe the different colors of Danes and types of show competition
available. Conformation, Obedience and Tracking are only a few of the types
of competition that this breed can participate in.
Again, a veterinarian can also supply you
with a list of local breeders, though they cannot always guarantee how
reputable the breeders may be. Some vets may know them personally and can
help you in that respect. Make a list of all the names you are given and
proceed to the next step.
What Color and Sex?
Read the Breed Standard, and decide what
color and sex dog you prefer. There are usually MANY other choices of colors
which cannot be shown in a breed ring, but make GREAT pets, as color does not
make the dog, personality does.
The sex you pick may or may not be
important, depending on whether you intend to show and /or breed. Bitches
which are not neutered experience a heat every 6-9 months. This can be a
difficult time for you and her, as bitches are temperamental at this time,
and the bleeding can be an inconvenience. Males left intact require a very
firm hand, as when exposed to a bitch in heat they are very persistent in
reaching her. They can also be more aggressive than neutered males. NEUTER or SPAY if you do NOT intend to show!
Once you have decided sex and color, it ‘s time to contact some breeders.
Breeder Contact
After you have assured yourself that this
is the breed/ breeder you are interested in dealing with, visit the
breeder(s) kennel and/or establishment. Have a visit, check out the
facilities and make yourself at home. Would you like to live there if you were
a dog? Is it clean? Is the whelping box (where the puppies are kept) clean?
Are the parents both there for inspection? Do they look well fed and happy?
Do tails wag and coats shine? Are pedigrees available for inspection?
Interview the Breeder
Ask questions! How and what does the
breeder feed? How often does he produce litters? Why is he breeding, what are
his goals? Does the breeder belong to the national breed club, or one of the
affiliated local clubs? Does the breeder follow up on puppies he sells,
keeping the rights to recover dogs he has sold should they become available?
Does he interview prospects such as you? He should be very carefully
screening potential puppy purchasers. If he is not, then find another
breeder, as a good breeder will not allow just any home to have a puppy.
When you purchase a puppy from a breeder,
you are also in essence purchasing the knowledge and experience of that
person. Be sure that the breeder you deal with is able to supply these.
Who is the vet that this breeder uses?
Sometimes a talk with this doctor is helpful, too. Your new breeder friend
will give you info on purchasing, feeding, caring for and training their
breed. Have the parent dogs been screened for health problems? Here is a list
which you should use to gauge how much health screening is done by the
breeder and what significance the tests can have for a Dane.
References
If they are caring and responsible
breeders, they will gladly give you a few names and phone numbers of their
happy customers. Call the people referenced to you and invite yourself over.
Meet the puppy and family, see the environment and ask all your questions.
Trust me, new puppy owners are like proud new parents- if they are happy with
their new kid they'll tell you all about it.
HEALTH
SCREENING TESTS
OFA: The Orthopedic
Foundation for Animals is a group of radiologists which reviews x-ray films
of dogs hips taken to test for Hip Dysplasia. Hip Dysplasia is a crippling
condition which can cause much pain and lameness for the life of your dog.
These films are used to certify the dogs' hip joints as Normal (Dysplasia Free), rating them
either, Excellent , Good or Fair, these films are
also used to rate the degree of dysplasia should it exist.
Penn-Hip:Penn-Hip is a similar test done for Hip Dysplasia. One
main difference between OFA and Penn-Hip is the age at which certification is
done. Another difference between OFA and Penn-Hip Testing is that a computer,
rather than the human eye evaluates Penn-Hip x-rays. OFA testing may be done
at any age, but Certification must be done at or after 2 years of age. Penn
Hip Certification can be done as early as 6 months.
Von Willebrands Disease: VWD is a bleeding problem
in some breeds, that is much like Hemophilia in
humans. Testing is done by drawing blood samples.
CERF:CERF is short for Canine Eye Registration Foundation. They can certify a
dog to be free of congenital eye diseases after a veterinarian examines the
eyes. This test is only good for one year, so must be done annually.
Cardiac Testing: A canine cardiologist tests the dog for any cardiac
abnormalities, especially Cardiomyopathy, a disease which strikes many
breeds.
(A note about Cardiomyopathy tests, not
all breeders test for it, this is NOT a negative reflection on the breeder)
I hope all of this does not discourage
you. A dog should not be purchased as a whim, because a they can for . God knows, I don't long time. I do not want to live with
ANYONE for that long unless I'm absolutely sure it’s LOVE.
Would you consider a Rescue dog? I am in
favor of rescuing from local shelters and breed rescue groups. Although great
care must be taken in the selection of an animal from a rescue situation due
to possible previous abuse and neglect, these animals can be wonderful
companions. The people who run these operations are usually knowledgeable,
good-hearted and pro-animal. They will screen prospective pet adopters, and
train you about the needs of a dog and of the specific breed. Best of all,
they also REQUIRE spaying and neutering as part of the adoption procedure.
The subject of Neutering and spaying is a
whole other chapter, but suffice it to say that unless you plan to become a
professional show person and breeder, NEUTER YOUR DOG!
Pet Stores and Puppy Mills
Notice here that I have said nothing yet
about PET STORES and PUPPY MILLS. In general, I have strong feelings against
buying ANY pet (dogs or cats) from a store, under ANY circumstance. Nothing
can guarantee that the pet you purchase from a store is not the product of a
puppy mill or disreputable breeder. Puppy mills are breeding farms where the
breeding stock is kept many times, in crowded, unsanitary and unsafe
conditions.
Many of the good pet stores try to check
on the background of the breeders they buy from, but many more do not or
cannot. Animals purchased from stores might have genetic problems that the
neophyte pet owner knows nothing of and is financially unable to handle. AND,
if you buy from a pet store, you do not have a breeder/mentor to guide you
through the rough spots, as a good breeder would. The best way to prevent cruelty to animals
is to prevent the puppy mill from making money by not buying their puppies
from stores.
Pet SUPPLY stores are a great place to
purchase animal care supplies, food and small animals such as gerbils and
goldfish. But puppies should be purchased from someone with intimate
knowledge of the breed. Enough said on this subject except for this, if you
buy from a pet store, get a written money-back guarantee, and get the pup
checked immediately by a vet. But in short please, DON T DO IT!
Hang in there, we re getting to the good
part...
D. Pick Your Puppy
Yay! We finally get to have fun. Once
you've decided on the breed and breeder, ask when the next litter is due. You
can sometimes be first on the scene so to speak.
Early socialization is good for puppies,
and most breeders will invite prospective buyers for supervised play visits
once the pups are old enough. Contrary to common belief, after birth the
puppies are strong enough to fight off most disease, and with precautions can
be handled by some strangers in a controlled environment. It is important
that handling of the puppies is done between the ages of 1-3 weeks, as this
period is when much of submissive traning is done. By 6 weeks the first set
of shots are given, and the public may then be allowed to handle the pups
more freely. You can watch the pups develop and get a sense of which one
might be yours . At the time that you are visiting,
observe how the breeder handles the puppies, and how the mother dog
disciplines them. These observations are useful later on, to help with
training. You will learn at this time about dog packs, eye contact and a
whole slew of dog psychology things that you will in time need to know very
well.
Reputable breeders have designed
newsletters and informative handouts for prospective puppy purchasers. These
breeders go the extra mile to assure that their charges are placed properly.
Many will go as far as to guarantee to take back any unwanted puppy for any
reason at any time, and may even require right of first refusal. This means
should the buyer of a puppy decide to sell that puppy, the breeder must be
given first option to purchase. This guarantees that the rescue dog
population is kept to a minimum, and that the breeder has control over his puppies destinies.
Breeders should provide a complete guide
for feeding and caring for a new puppy, as well as health records, a copy of
the pedigree and copies of both parents health
certifications.
Contracts and Guarantees
All puppy purchases should be completed
with a written contract. This contract should spell out clearly the terms of
sale, whether or not AKC registration papers are being supplied and on what
terms (limited registration, etc). There should also be a written guarantee
regarding health, hips and eyes, and a spay or
neuter requirement for all companion pet sales. All puppies should have their
first set of vaccinations and parasite testing before the sale and this
should be spelled out in the contract.
Puppy Temperament Testing
There are available, if you so desire,
people who will perform Puppy Temperament Tests .
These are a series of tests designed to check the adaptability, temperament
and personality of a puppy. They should be performed 49 days of age, and
should be given at intervals of 1-2 weeks until the puppies are ready to
leave mom. The tests are performed up to 4 months of age to better determine
what the dog is capable of. The practical reason for
administering these tests are obvious. Do you want to do obedience
work with your puppy? If so, you want a willing puppy who wishes to please
you and be with you. Do you have small children, who are likely to pull an
occasional tail or ear? Yes? Then you need to know that the pup you are bringing
home is forgiving in nature, and flexible in body. Your breeder or a local
obedience school will be able to steer you towards a good test administrator.
Obedience Training
Because of their potential great size, I
recommend that pups be started in obedience training as
soon as you bring them home. This involves at- home teaching of the rudiments
of house training, coming when called and simple commands like sit and down.
Once the puppy has his first shots, he should be enrolled in Puppy
Kindergarten and from there continue obedience training through adulthood.
Owning a dog is a very large
responsibility, one not to be taken lightly. But, it is more rewarding yet
than any other experience I've had. These gentle giants will give you their
hearts and souls, for only a little love and care. They are worth every
minute you can spend with them!
Tattooing and Micro-chips
Tattooing is a permanent, painless
procedure which allows dogs to "phone home" if lost and deters
theft. It usually involves tattooing the inside of the rear leg with an ID
number of some sort. Licensed laboratories are required by law to return any
tattooed animals which come to them, so people who steal dogs for sale to
experimental labs check for tattoos, and release dogs they have stolen
allowing them to be recovered. The act of tattooing also puts the dogs under
the "branded animal act" so that those caught are charged with a
federal felony rather than a local misdemeanor.
There are many local registries, but the
two main ones are ID Pet and National Dog Registry (NDR) both of which have
been in business since the mid 1960's. ID Pet has a coded number. All tattoos
begin with an X, then the agent's coded letters and then the next numerical
number. NDR is based on the social security number of the owner though they
now have other numbers by special arrangement. ID Pet charges $15 for an
individual registration and $30 for a Permanent Lifetime Rate (PLR), NDR
charges $38 for the registration of the social security number and all dogs
get the same number. Tattoo agents charge varying amounts for the tattoo
application. Call 800-243-9147 for ID Pet or 800-NDR-DOGS for the authorized
agent nearest you.
Consider tattooing to be an insurance
policy. You hope you never need it, but it is priceless when your dog is
missing.
Micro-chips are injected sub-dermally
(under the skin) at the nape of the dogs neck. About the size of a grain of
rice, these chips each transmit an unique number
that when scanned by a vet, identifies the dog and the owner. Most Veterinary
clinics and Animal shelters possess a scanner. Efforts are being made to
universalize the scanners, so that one scanner can read a chip from any
system. Please use one or both of these forms of ID to help protect your pet
from loss, or use by a Laboratory.
Micro-chips are injected sub-dermally
(under the skin) at the nape of the dogs neck. About the size of a grain of
rice, these chips each transmit an unique number
that when scanned by a vet, identifies the dog and the owner. Most Veterinary
clinics and Animal shelters possess a scanner. Efforts are being made to
universalize the scanners, so that one scanner can read a chip from any
system. Please use one or both of these forms of ID to help protect your pet
from loss, or use by a Laboratory.
About the Author:
Hi, I'm Lyn Richards. I am a great
believer in the grace, strength and loyalty of our wonderful breed
The Great Dane.
A Graduate of UNH Durham, I have a Degree
in Animal Science, with a Major in Light Horse (as opposed to Draft Horse). I
trained and taught Hunt Seat for three years at Townsends Training Farm in
Pembroke, NH and competed on the 3 Day Event Hunt Show Circuit with an
emphasis on Dressage for 6 years.( While I realize
that this is immaterial, I loved working with horses and credit my early
education with those noble beasts for motivating my current work with dogs.)
I raised and trained German Shepherds for
6 years, and trained one Shepherd to CD readiness who unfortunately died
before completing his CD. Also, I have trained at Gail Tamases Fisher's All
Dog's Gym for the duration of several courses. I've 3 years experience
training and teaching at The Center for Dog Management, Manchester, NH
under the expert tutelage of Carole and David Baikow. I have attended Bernie
Brown and Bobbie Crissey Obedience Training Seminars, and have Trained for
TDI (Therapy Dogs International) at Dog Talk under Maureen Ross. As a TDI
Certified Evaluator, I do temperament testing as part of my evaluations.
I have also trained obedience for a
company called Animal Behavior and Training Associates, teaching at Petco
locations in Manchester and Concord NH
as the NH head Trainer. Most of my experience with Danes is credited to Linda
Jacobson of Linhaven Great Danes, who is both knowledgeable and a great
friend.
Most of my dogs have earned TDI and CGC
certificates, and have completed American and Canadian CD titles. One of my
Danes, “Billyn's Buddy Apollo” earned his AKC CD with 185, 195
and 191 scores consecutively, including a First and Second place finish for
the last 2 legs in the US
and a High in Trial in Canada,
all before he was 2 years old.
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