Buying a Great Dane Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BVA/KC scheme for hip dysplasia (HD)
- abnormal formation of the hip joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC scheme for elbow dysplasia (ED)
- abnormal formation of the elbow joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC screening for eye disease; DBRG recommends that all dogs should be visually examined by an ophthalmologist before breeding
- checks for many inherited abnormalities that can cause progressive blindness or pain
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Bone disorders
- particularly osteosarcoma (bone tumours)
- ‘Cherry eye’
- protruding gland of third eyelid in young dogs, may require surgery
- Ectropion
- drooping eyelids
- Heart disease, particularly DCM – dilated cardiomyopathy
- progressive weakness of the heart muscle
- GDV – Gastro dilatation/volvulus (‘bloat’)
- stomach fills with air and twists, can be fatal
- Wobbler syndrome (CSM – cervical spondylomyelopathy)
- malformation of bones in neck, causing wobbling gait, neck pain, possible paralysis
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
- IMGD – Inherited Myopathy of Great Danes
- progressive muscle weakness in young dogs, fatal
Other Tests
- Genetic laboratories offer various tests for rare inherited diseases in Great Danes
Further Information
Dogs that are mostly white may be deaf or have problems with their vision.