Should I get a Great Dane?

AnnV

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Re: RE: Should I get a Great Dane?

Leopard Tortoise Lover 16199 said:
Yes, they were tested for cardio, hips, eye exam, and I believe thyroid also. Even if I decide not to show for conformation, I would like to compete in agility or obedience.


And for full reg. it is a solid $1200, and for limited $1000. It's not who pays the higher amount, but who picks the puppy first



So you are saying one puppy is $1200 and full reg, and the other puppy is $1000 and only allowed limited?
That is a little better than just "selling" the full registration for $200 axross the board. But I would hope they have plans for some guidance to go with full reg on a female puppy. And perhaps some contractual guidelines. Most good breeders do not give total strangers full rein with a female pup by way of full registration simply for coming up with the purchase price. It is very good that they have done all health testing. I would expect to have copies of all certification. OFA and CERF is incorporated with the AKC registration. And maybe any DNA testing too now. It has been a while since I have bred a litter.
 

Levi the Leopard

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I was under the impression there is only one pup. If someone pays the additional $200 they get full rights.
So, regardless of who the buyer is, all they need to do is opt to pay more.
That is why I said this would concern me.
A good breeder cares about their lines and reputation of those lines. To sell said puppy for a little more cash and let any Joe buy her to breed her with no conditions, could ruin their reputation and all they have worked to achieve with their line.
 

Levi the Leopard

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Well, only you can make the choice.

:)

I sure miss the Dane days so I look forward to hearing about your adventures with the one you choose!
 

johnsonnboswell

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Not if you have to ask. Not if you care what we think. If you really want one, go for it. Personally I like to be able to lift my dog myself and have room left over on the bed, the couch & in the car, but not everyone cares.
 

JennBell0725

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Great dogs and ive never raised one from a puppy. Rescued and rehabbed 3 adults and a puppy "culled" for bowed legs. He was the runt and it was caused from a vitamin deficiency. Two weeks in braces and on a good diet and he straightened right up. His owner tells me constantly that he is the best dog he has ever had. In my opinion the only downside to owning a Dane is that damn tail. It will slap the **** out of you and sling things on tables across the room lol
 

Leopard Tortoise Lover 16199

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Are there any Pre made raw diets? I don't know if I would want to be feeding my dog raw flesh and organs but I'm willing to if it will be healthier for my dog!
 

AnnV

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Re: RE: Should I get a Great Dane?

Leopard Tortoise Lover 16199 said:
Are there any Pre made raw diets? I don't know if I would want to be feeding my dog raw flesh and organs but I'm willing to if it will be healthier for my dog!

It is healthier. You have to have a lot of storage (freezer), especially for Dane. I have 5 smaller dogs (20lb and under) and one 80 lb shepherd. I just dont have the wherewithall to feed strictly raw. So mine get as much raw as I can manage and supplemented with a grain free dry kibble. The purest raw feeders hate that, but many ppl do it and dogs survive just fine.

And yes there are many companies small and large, that make complete mixes. It is not the most inexpensive way to feed. There are cheap and even free sources for raw if you are diligent.

There are discussion groups you can learn about raw feeding your dog. But dont mention the "k" word or they will flame you to a crisp. Yahoo has some groups.
 

Levi the Leopard

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I kept a small freezer and purchased in bulk from a butcher. It is so inexpensive this way. Less than $.50/ $1 per lb.
I bought whole chickens, chicken quarters, turkey necks, pork shoulders, different meats that were on clearance and a special "dog food" they made of ground up chicken scraps and organs. It looked like a red ground beef. :)
I'd buy in bulk and spend a few hours bagging everything. Then my freezer was full of pre made servings. For the next 3 months all I had to do was pull a bag each day.

Pre made raw diets are pricey in large amounts (for a Dane).

You can't do this type of diet because someone else said to. You have to have your own convictions. You'll face opposition on it at dog parks, from your friends and even most vets. If you aren't grounded on your reasons "why" then you'll buckle and give it up.
I cried the first time I broke a chicken bone to make a smaller serving for my first Dane pup. Cried! Fast forward years later and I was a pro at hacking and slashing meat.
I love this diet. Its natural, healthy, amazing physical benefits, mental stimulation. The best food at an inexpensive price. I will only feed raw. Even my outdoor cat was raw fed until recently. (that is a whole other story)..
6star Danes has a lot of good info on raw feeding. Check them out.
DOL has an entire section on their forum dedicated to raw diet talk.

Hope this helps!
 

Leopard Tortoise Lover 16199

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Team Gomberg said:
I kept a small freezer and purchased in bulk from a butcher. It is so inexpensive this way. Less than $.50/ $1 per lb.
I bought whole chickens, chicken quarters, turkey necks, pork shoulders, different meats that were on clearance and a special "dog food" they made of ground up chicken scraps and organs. It looked like a red ground beef. :)
I'd buy in bulk and spend a few hours bagging everything. Then my freezer was full of pre made servings. For the next 3 months all I had to do was pull a bag each day.

Pre made raw diets are pricey in large amounts (for a Dane).

You can't do this type of diet because someone else said to. You have to have your own convictions. You'll face opposition on it at dog parks, from your friends and even most vets. If you aren't grounded on your reasons "why" then you'll buckle and give it up.
I cried the first time I broke a chicken bone to make a smaller serving for my first Dane pup. Cried! Fast forward years later and I was a pro at hacking and slashing meat.
I love this diet. Its natural, healthy, amazing physical benefits, mental stimulation. The best food at an inexpensive price. I will only feed raw. Even my outdoor cat was raw fed until recently. (that is a whole other story)..
6star Danes has a lot of good info on raw feeding. Check them out.
DOL has an entire section on their forum dedicated to raw diet talk.

Hope this helps!

Wow, what a good idea. Can they get sick from eating the raw meat? At what age should you start feeding the raw diet? Can I do partial raw diet-partial premium grade organic dog food? Thanks. :)
 

Levi the Leopard

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They handle raw meat just fine. More dogs catch salmonella from contaminated kibble than from eating a raw diet ;)

I started raw right away. I know of breeders who wean pups onto raw.

Some do a partial kibble/raw diet. I'm personally not a fan of it for a few reasons...
1. I feed raw because it is a natural diet and has amazing health benefits. So why would I ever want to add kibble "junk food"?
2. These foods digest differently. You usually don't want kibble sitting in their stomachs when you feed raw. I've heard a few testimonies of people having complications from doing this.
3. Dogs on a raw diet have tiny poop that crumbles away as white powder days later. My Dane had smaller poop than my mom's terrier! Adding kibble would make bigger poopies :p

Some people are health nuts and eat a really good diet all the time.
Some people eat healthy when they can but dont mind to splurge on McDonalds a few times a week.

In a nutshell, if someone is going to feed raw it's best to go all out. There are some who don't mind mixing both but that is your call. AnnV is correct, mentioning the "k" kibble word around most raw feeders will get you some heat. But the same goes for the "r" raw word around the dog park and at your vet...

I was serious when I said it must be YOUR CONVICTION if you decide to feed raw. You want to make sure you know what you are doing and why. I can only suggest you research it and tell you my side.
Just like the Hot and Humid Method for raising sulcata and leopard torts. I can tell people how and show them the smooth shells (benefits) but they still need to research it to understand how to do it. So, when they face the 30+ year sully breeder who keeps them dry and calls them a noob idiot for raising them humid, they are convinced of the truth of why they are doing what they do and stand in face of the opposition.

:)
 

AnnV

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I do not feed the raw food and kibble at the same time. Though on occasion someone has gotten hold of processed food by accident along with their raw. I've never had a problem.
My youngest mini poo was weaned off on to raw meat. Though the breeder also fed Canidae grain free. She had a lot of dogs and went through tons of both.
 

lisa127

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My own vet totally supports raw feeding or home cooking if that's what you want to do. He will help you with a diet plan and supplements, etc. I love my vet!

There are two vets at my vets office. They are also the only in the area that know their reptile stuff!
 

19meyek

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My grandma's sister used to have a Great Dane and it had a kitten that it would snuggle up to. :)
 

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... It would have to be a female, because of the smaller size and slightly calmer nature .... We have a medium sized house ... View attachment 61260View attachment 61261View attachment 61262

They are gorgeous dogs but they are HUGE ! I saw one the other day and it was the size of a large pony! Not what I would say suited to a 'medium sized house'. Plus, we always say "big dog, big poos" ;)
And bigger dogs need a lot of exercise, as well as comfort - a comfy sofa just wouldn't be big enough - and not lap dogs, ha!
 

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She is one of the prettiest Harlequin great Danes I have seen. Her markings are just stunning :) and she is absolutely adorable.
 

Leopard Tortoise Lover 16199

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She is one of the prettiest Harlequin great Danes I have seen. Her markings are just stunning :) and she is absolutely adorable.
Thank you so much! :) Almost everyone we meet that doesn't know much about harlequin Danes says she looks like a Dalmatian lol! I bet a lot of harlequin Great Dane owners get that. Someone said she even looked like a baby cow! (Which I actually think is true, given her patchy black and white harlequin markings). Haha! She has a great temperament too. Passed her puppy class, now we get to move on to Basic Obedience! :)
 

leigti

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Thank you so much! :) Almost everyone we meet that doesn't know much about harlequin Danes says she looks like a Dalmatian lol! I bet a lot of harlequin Great Dane owners get that. Someone said she even looked like a baby cow! (Which I actually think is true, given her patchy black and white harlequin markings). Haha! She has a great temperament too. Passed her puppy class, now we get to move on to Basic Obedience! :)
Because I am very much a dog person I am truly amazed when people don't get the breeds right. Especially with something as obvious as a great Dane. But sometimes puppies are a little more difficult to tell the breeds I guess. That first head-on picture of her and the one in the leaves are just amazing. The one in the leaves almost looks fake :)
 
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