We are asked quite often about the experience that we have with this breed. I would have to say that we are just starting with Great Danes. I started with my first Dane, Casey, a Merlequin, when he was just weaned. That was early in 2005. I fell in love with the breed and then started reading and reading and reading. I think I have all the books published about Great Danes. I even asked my vet and different breeders all the questions I could think of, even some real stupid ones. I then had an idea to search for a Dane that would make a perfect match for our family and Casey. After plenty of searching and asking questions, that brought me to Windy, a beautiful blue Merle. Then I decided on getting another and that would bring me to Brandy a show marked harlequin, a very prominent girl that has a sweet side. No, I couldn't stop there. Next came Jasper, a blue harlequin. He is just a sweet guy all around. His mother passed away just after giving birth, so his breeder put them on a coon hound dam, so he sounds like a coon hound.(WOW) Next, came Lance, a harlequin. He will be our BIG baby. I now have added another Harlequin female, Maggy and a beautiful Mantle female,Gracie. We have also added two new studs to our program, both Harlequins that have suburb pedigree and structure. The oldest is Max and the one 1 month younger is Chance. Both with German linage. I raised and will raise all of our Danes in our home, including crate training all of them, since they were weaned. It is fun, but you know, we bond. They all are well behaved and think of me as mom. Yes, I know, some aren't standard colored, but in every other aspect they are Great Danes. Also, even though they them selves are not standard, they do have the linage for great possibilities. We are trying to go strictly AKC linage.
We have since built a house for the pack and they each have their own room with anytime access to the out side. They always have fresh, clean water available. As for food, well, they are fed twice a day. We are feeding them, Chicken Soup For Dog Lover's Large Breed , an all natural dog food. (They wish they could get free range on the food. HA!) They have heat and air conditioning. They run loose on a recess schedule daily. With 200 acres to explore, they are never bored. My husband says they live better than we do, which is probably true. I truly love this breed. If you ask a question that I don't have the answer, I guarantee that I will find the answer and get back to you. I raise all my Danes as part of the family, with a lot of socialization and interaction with humans and animals alike.
We now have 10 litters (97 puppies altogether) under our belt and have learned a lot (and I do mean a lot). I believe you learn more by doing than being told. I truly enjoyed raising the babies. They are very easy to get attached to and soon become a part of the family, in which makes it very hard to let go (maybe that is why I am so picky on finding them a home). The females have their babies in our home and are raised in our home until weaning time in which, the babies are then put in a den setting with visits from mom daily.
In closing this truly is a noble breed and as I call them, God's Gentle Giants. They are very good pets, but do remember, they are HUGE! Make sure you are prepared for the size and expense when considering a Great Dane. If interested in a Great Dane for the first time, I always suggest in visiting a breeder(us or another) to see the size and dispositions of the Danes before making your decission. As this is a lifetime decision and a very big responsability to take on. So, please, do ask questions, as that is what we are here for.
