Great Dane Puppies

Although Great Dane puppies are larger than adult dogs of other breeds, they are actually quite fragile.

Because of their size and weight, a fall for Great Dane puppies has the potential for greater damage than a fall for a smaller puppy of a different breed. Danes tend to break bones easily.

Tug-of-war is a game that is not advised, it is believed that it teaches the puppies possessiveness and aggression. It could also cause injury in your puppy through a rough jerk.

Until your puppy is at least 18 months of age do not do any kind of forced exercise. Allow her all the downtime she wants. A good deal of rest is important and necessary for a growing puppy.

Many adult dogs also sleep or rest about twenty hours a day. A Great Dane does a lot of sleeping, so let her have her rest.

Your expectations for your pet will influence your decision about the gender of your Great Dane puppies. Male Great Danes are larger than females. Males will be more territorial than females, and perhaps more likely to attempt escape from the backyard in order to cruise the neighborhood. Female Great Danes should be decidedly feminine in their graceful and elegant appearance. Females are usually quieter and gentler than the males, easier to house train, more affectionate, and less inclined to roam. If you do select a female puppy and have no intention of breeding or showing her, by all means have her spayed, for your sake and hers. One benefit of having your female spayed is, it almost entirely eliminates the possibility of breast cancer ever occurring. It is recommended that all females eventually be spayed so that they may enjoy a happier, healthier, old age. A properly trained, well bred Great Dane of either sex should be an excellent pet for the right family.

The pup should be curious and eager to meet you. Always check the bite of your selected puppy to be sure that it is neither overshot nor undershot; minor faults may correct themselves as the dog grows, but major ones may worsen over time. Take time to observe the Great Dane puppies, watch how they interact with each other and with their mother. Look for puppies that seem to be alert, sturdy with bright eyes, unafraid, and well adjusted. Avoid puppies that are hyperactive, dull, or listless. The coat should be clean and thick, with no signs of parasites. The premises on which the puppies are being raised should (look and smell) clean and be tidy, making it obvious that the great dane puppies have been taken care of. A conscientious breeder takes real interest and concern in the welfare of the dogs he or she causes to be brought into the world. Puppies should be between their seventh and tenth week before being brought home. Breeders who permit their Great Dane puppies to leave early are more interested in making a profit than in their puppies well being. Never buy any animal from a pet store.

Merle Puppies

Merles cannot be shown in Dane classes in American Kennel Club shows and may be good pets, but they are not to be considered rare or exotiic and I would not pay more than the standard puppy prices.
If your dog is growling or snapping at your child for any reason, the situation needs IMMEDIATE attention. Punishing your dog is likely to make matters worse. You may call your veterinarian or local animal shelter for recommendations for a dog trainer or animal behaviorist in your area.

Vaccinations are an important part of a puppy's life. The maternal antibodies begin to fade and lose their effectiveness as the puppy ages.

Distemper: This is virtually an incurable disease. If the dog recovers, he is subject to severe nervous disorders. The virus attacks every tissue in the body and resembles a bad cold with a fever. It can cause a runny nose and eyes and cause gastrointestinal disorders, including a poor appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. The virus is carried by raccoons, foxes, wolves, mink and other dogs. Unvaccinated youngsters and senior citizens are very susceptible. This is still a common disease.

Hepatitis: This is a virus that is most serious in very young dogs. It is spread by contact with an infected animal or its stool or urine. The virus affects the liver and kidneys and is characterized by high fever, depression and lack of appetite. Recoverd animals may be afflicted with chronic illness.

Leptospirosis: This is a bacterial disease transmitted by contact with the urine of an infected dog, rat, or other wildlife. It produces severe symptoms of fever, depression, jaudice and internal bleeding and was fatal before the vaccine was developed. Recoved dogs can be carriers, and the disease can be transmitted from dogs to humans.

Parvovirus: This was first noted in the late 1970s and is sitll a fatal disease. However, with proper vaccinations, early diagnosis and prompt treatment, it is a manageable disease. It attracks the bone marrow and intestinal tract. Symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and collapse. Immediate medical atttention is of the essence.

Rabies: This is shed in the saliva and is carried by raccoons, skunks, foxes, other dogs and cats. It attacks nerve tissue, resulting in paralysis and death. Rabies can be transmitted to people and is virtually always fatal. This disease is reappearing in the suburbs.

Bordetella (Kennel Cough) The symptoms are coughing, sneezing, hacking and retching accompanied by nasal discharge usually lasting from a few days to several weeks. There are several disease-producing organisms responsible for this disesase. The present vaccines are helpful but do not protect for all the strains. It usually is not life threatening but in some instances it can progress to a serious bronchopneumonia. The disease is highly contagious. The vaccination should be given routinely for dogs that come in contact with other dogs, such as through boarding, training class or visits to the groomer.

Coronavirus: This is usually self limiting and not life threatening. It was first noted in the late '70s about a year before parvovirus. The virus produces a yellow/brown stool and there may be depression, vomiting and diarrhea.

Lyme Disease: This was first diagnosed in the U.S. in 1976 in LYme, CT in people who lived in close proximity to the dee tick. Symptoms may include acute lameness, fever, swelling of joints and loss of appetite. Your veterinarian can advise you if you live in an endemic area.

After your puppy has completed his puppy vaccinations, you will continue to booster the DHLPP once a year. It is customary to booster the rabies one year after the first vacine and then, depending on where you live, it should be boostered ever year or every three years. This depends on your local laws. The Lyme and corona vaccines are boostered annually and it is recommended that the bordetella be boostered every six to eight months.

A puppy mill is a large-scale commercial dog breeding operation where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs. Unlike responsible breeders, who place the utmost importance on producing the healthiest puppies possible, breeding at puppy mills is performed without consideration of genetic quality.

This results in generations of dogs with unchecked hereditary defects. Within the walls of a puppy mill is a horrific life for animals. The breeding stock dogs have it the worst! They are the ones who live their entire lives in cages and are continually bred for years, without human companionship or even rest in between pregnancies. These animals have very little chance of ever becoming part of a loving family. These dogs receive little or no veterinary care and never see a bed, a treat or a toy. After their fertility wanes, breeding animals are commonly killed, abandoned or sold to another mill. The annual result of all this breeding is hundreds of thousands of puppies, many with behavior and/or health problems. Puppy mills are a profitable BUSINESS and little care or attention is given to the dogs. Puppy Mills sell directly to pet stores, as well as put up false and misleading information on their websites, or place fraudulent ads on Craigslist or other pet forums.

To read more about this subject Great Dane World has 2 pages Dedicated to this. Animal Rescue Site and Stop Puppy Mills

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