3. Other than food, what expenses should I expect?
Frequently breeders will recommend that new owners purchase a giant crate to ease in the housetraining and lessen destructive behavior. Crates cost about $150-200 plus shipping. You might also need to build a fence (5-6 feet in height) as the Dane is expected to live INDOORS. Veterinary bills and medications are significantly higher because many meds are dosed by weight of the animal. A good rule of thumb for raising a Dane is to allow about $100 per month for food, treats, toys, vet bills, etc.
4) How much do they eat?
Great Danes must be fed a premium feed or a natural diet to ensure the best possible health during the critical growth period. A proper diet continued throughout his/her life will ensure your dog matures into a healthy senior with fewer health problems, perhaps even lessen the chance of bloat.
A typical Dane will eat between six and ten cups of food per day (total of two feedings per day). A 40# bag of premium feed will cost between $30 and $40 and may last three to four weeks. In addition to this, they need supplements (Vitamin C & Probiotic enzymes) to help build healthy soft tissue and to assist in digestion to avoid bloat. These products can cost approximately $40 for a six month's supply. Heartworm pills are a MUST and may cost $60 for a six month's supply as well. A quality Dane breeder will advise you on what to feed your new pup, and typically, the health warranties are tied into your nutritional program.
5) What kind of temperament do they have?
Great Danes are lovable companions who know they have a job to do. The first job is to love their family to the depths of their hearts and this makes them a HIGH MAINTENANCE breed. They need to be housed inside because they have only a single coat unlike the double-coated Labrador who can withstand colder and warmer temperatures. If they are separated from their family for longer than they think is appropriate, they may "BOING" -- jump very high, peering into windows, to remind the family that they aren't with them. They typically display their affection by leaning against people (even new friends they meet) or bumping hands and arms to be pet or massaged. The most common trait of the Dane is sitting on laps...they scoot their fanny onto a lap while resting their front legs on the floor. When more than one dog is present, the Dane may even begin a beautiful serenade in the morning or evening before bed. Some Danes may drool more than others...check and see how much the parents drool (most all Danes will drool if they are patiently waiting for treats).
As a WORKING DOG, the Dane's second job is to protect those they love. How they protect is by barking, grumbling (a warning growl) or standing tall to unknown visitors. It is expected that they will be standoffish until they meet and greet the visitors but they should never show true aggression. Should the family be in danger or send messages of fear, the Dane will stand in front of the family and stretch up on his/her toes, looking the perpetrator in the face. It is not acceptable behavior for a Dane to snap, growl in a truly threatening manner, or bite unless his family is in danger.
6) Are Great Danes good with children?
Yes...BUT... Great Danes don't really know how big they are, even when they've reached maturity. One of their endearing traits is to sit on their family's lap. For a small child, this can be scary or painful. Additionally, because they are so tall, the smaller eye-level children may get whacked in the face by the Dane's exhuberant tail. These "whips" commonly leave bruises on adults, so great care must be taken when raising children and Danes together. Another thing to consider is whether the child is strong enough to control the massive force of a Dane when on a leash. There are tricks and training techniques to ensure an obedient Dane, so be prepared to have the family at some puppy kindergarten classes. And finally, the Great Dane--usually comfortable keeping the couch warm & toasty--gets bursts of energy and may have difficulty slowing down his/her speed. When this happens, they typically look for their family to lend a hand...thus, they run at you full speed and expect your soft, cushy body to stop them.
7) Are Great Danes good with other dogs and cats?
Properly socialized and trained pups will accept other members of the animal family but it is up to the new family to ensure harmony continues when the pup begins maturing and discovering new behaviors. Pups raised in litters will typically enjoy the companionship of other dogs, and hopefully the other animals in the family will welcome the new pup as well. Many Danes have been raised successfully with other dogs of varying size, cats, horses, and other animals, and many prefer to have a canine companion to play with. As with any dog who is raised in a multiple dog home, danes do have a tendency to "pack" if not properly socialized.
8) How much is a pup from "SierraDanes"?
I breed FAWN Great Danes, though I may include brindles in the future should I find an oustanding male who would contribute well to my program. By specializing in one color group (fawns & brindles), I will focus on issues I feel are most important in my breeding program. Historically, my prices have been between $900-1200, with my 2004 litter expected to be at the upper end of that range.
There are many variables when breeding a litter that make determining a price upfront difficult. I consider all expenses and the number of puppies in the litter before I can more accurately determine a price. The largest factors may be stud fees, Artificial Insemination ("AI") and surgical implant fees, additional vet fees, and ear cropping for a litter. Another consideration would be the breeding demand from a nationally known, top producing stud. If the stud has passed away, then an "AI" breeding will be the only option, which means his stud fee will be high due to the extremely limited number of straws available.
Once a litter is born, I offer a price range for the pups. When the pups have reached 3 weeks of age, I am then able to establish the price of pups. I take great pride in producing my puppies, but I also consider the financial investment new puppy owners have to make. Again, my goal is to produce a beautiful line for myself... there is no profit in raising and breeding dogs.
9) What health problems do Great Danes have, and how long do they live?
Because Great Danes are a "giant" breed, they tend to have more complex health problems. Some typical conditions include Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy, vonWillebrands Disease, Wobblers Syndrome, Hypothyroidism, Osteochondritis Dissecans, Hip Dysplasia...just to name a few. Many times, these conditions can be prevented or treated with proper nutrition or nutraceuticals. Serious, life threatening problems include Bloat and Dilated Cardiomyopathy (a genetic disease). For more information on these conditions, please visit my "Health" page.
Danes are considered to have a "short" life span when compared with medium- and small-sized breeds. But we can't compare a giant breed with other smaller breeds because the stress of weight on the joints and demands on the heart and other organs will age a Great Dane more rapidly than a Miniature Schnauzer, for example. Typically Danes will live about 9 to 11 years, and quality breeders strive to eliminate illnesses that take them earlier.
It is important to follow the guidance of your breeder to help minimize any chance of you having to experience this yourself. Additionally, the breeder should be performing health screenings to eliminate breeding stock who may be affected by genetic conditions.
10) How do I find an ethical breeder?
Because you are making a commitment that will last about 10 years, you want to be sure to do your homework. Interview the breeder--we expect it! If we don't get interviewed, we may not think you're serious. To help in your search, author Jill Swedlow has written an article on "Novices Interviewing Breeders."
11) How much room does a Great Dane need?
A Great Dane doesn't particularly need alot of acreage/land but does need enough room in the home and in the yard to be able to stretch his legs. That means, he/she should have the ability to run around the yard at as fast a pace as he/she desires. A more important thing to consider is that the Great Dane expects to be in the same room with his/her human most of the time (including the bathroom!).
12) Do they need a fence?
Yes! I require a minimum height of 5 feet with 6 feet preferred. A wooden fence is ideal; a chain link offers less protection with spaces large enough for little hands to poke in. Many breeders don't believe that an invisible fence is an appropriate containment unit for a Great Dane. Even if it houses the dog, other domestic and wild animals and even curious kids can still come into the yard, which doesn't offer much protection for your dog. As a responsible owner, you must exercise double the caution with a giant breed than other dogs by protecting your dog from people & animals as well as keeping your neighbors safe from your dog.
For instance, if a neighbor's child approaches your fence and sticks his arms over the fence to pet the wonderous dog, he may be injured from a scratch by the pads or toenails or a smack by the feet. As a Dane owner, you will acquire enough bruises from your dog's tail to understand that these loveable giants can injure in their need for attention. Keep yourself out of trouble! Get a fence!
13) Do Great Danes shed?
Rather than shedding constantly, Great Danes "blow their coat" a few times a year, usually when there is a change in weather. They still have loose hairs falling from their bodies throughout the year, but typically you won't have a handful of hair sticking to your palms when you pet them. When they blow their coat, it's helpful to purchase a ZOOM GROOM and massage their bodies until their coat is a beautiful "honey" fawn again. Do this outside and "watch it snow!!"
14) How old are they when their faces begin graying?
As they age faster than smaller breeds, some Great Danes have a tendency to begin graying as early as a year old. This "frosting" usually happens only in a small stripe right below the nostrils at first. As the Dane gets older, the frosting goes further into the muzzle. By the age of 3, you should notice more gray; and by the time they are 4, perhaps some of the gray will have moved to the eyebrows.
15) "How big are they? / How much do they weigh? / Do you have a saddle for that thing? / That's not a dog, it's a horse."
Great Danes are born weighing anywhere from around 8 ounces to a over 1 pound. Within eight months, they will grow to about 100 pounds. If your Great Dane doesn't follow this growth rate, it does not always indicate a problem -- just perhaps a slower or faster metabolism. Ask your breeder what's "normal" for his/her line.
Great Danes tend to weigh between 110-145 for girls and 120-160 for boys, depending on the line. According to the Great Dane Standard, females should mature to a height of 28" minimum at the shoulder, with a preferred height of at least 30" and males should mature to a height of 30" minimum with a preferred height of 32".
SierraDanes' average height for females is 32"-34" and 33"-36" for males. Their average weight is between 120-145 pounds. Measuring above the standard, I classify my Danes as "average" size. My goal is to develop an overall sound dog structurally with a wonderful temperament rather than to increase the size of my line. If you desire a larger dog, you should select another breeder.
No, I do not have saddles for my dogs...they ARE dogs, but don't tell THEM that :-) -- they think they are babies!
16) Where do you keep all of your Danes?
Danes are INSIDE dogs!! This is because their coat is not designed to withstand the summer heat and the cold chill. All of my dogs remain in a temperature-controlled environment and are exercised several times a day outside (supervised). When your Dane shows signs of stress (heavy panting, dark red tongue, shivering, constant whining, cold ear tips), he should be brought inside! "Hey, but they're dogs, right... they used to live in the wild." History shows that the Dane was developed from a cross of a Mastiff and a Greyhound, thus it could be argued that breeders developed the Great Dane according to their needs and the breed may be extinct if left to Natural Selection (ie. "the wild").
17) Do you make a profit breeding danes? Why do Great Danes cost so much?
There are so many factors that can contribute to the price of a dane for any given litter. Here are a few things to consider (remember, some costs are fixed even if there is only one pup)...
> stud fees - these range significantly and can be as high as $1500 or more. Factors include health checks, national ranking on the show circuit, major wins (Westminster, Specialties), pedigree, being a top producer, even when the dog has passed away and there are a limited number of "straws" (frozen semen) available
> health costs - vaccines and worming, formula, supplements and vitamins, vet checkups on the mother before pups are born, vet checks on the pups once they are born, ear crops (varies, $75-300 per pup - and you may have to find an EXPERT out of state who knows how to do a Dane Ear Crop), ear tape supplies, emergency vet bills/c-sections ($800 or more), homeopathic remedies, prenatal monitoring devices, artificial insemination surgical procedures ($1500 or more)
> maintenance - food, toys, towels & blankets, laundry, cleaning supplies, puppy kit items (pedigrees, articles, etc.), AKC registration for the litter, microchips, long distance phone bills to vets, breeders, and potential puppy homes, website fees, ads & subscriptions to Dane World and other magazines.
> travel expenses - to get pre-breeding health screenings, to breed to the stud, to go to an Artificial Insemination Vet for semen implant when doing an AI, to take pups to the vet, to get pups' ears cropped, to meet families who have to travel long distances to get a pup
> time - researching the lines, preparing for the litter, travel, monitoring the bitch before whelp, around-the-clock vigils for two weeks once pups are born, continued care and socialization for another seven weeks, continual contact with families offering them 24-7 support for the life of the dog, and we can't forget the time we spend showing our dogs so you will be as proud of your new baby as we are!
This is just a list off the top of my head! Many of the expenses are paid BEFORE a litter is even "on the ground". Sometimes there are no pups so it's a big loss to us in many ways. Even with a large litter, we don't "make a profit" - we may break even (if we are lucky). And, any money collected is reinvested back into the breeding program.
So then, WHY do I do it? ... It's my Legacy
