Instructions
Contact the Great Dane Club of America for breeder recommendations. Breeders must abide by a code of ethics regarding character, health of their animals and cleanliness of their facility to be endorsed by the club.
Make a list of the breeders you are interested in to call for more information.
Call each breeder on your list for information about their dogs, as well as their breeding practices and policies. Ask each breeder about the health screening tests they perform on their dogs, their qualifications for breeding Great Danes, if they participate in conformation showing, why they breed dogs, how many litters are produced at their facility per year, and how many breeding dogs they currently have. You should avoid breeders who do little or no health testing, have high numbers of puppies each year or don't seem passionate about the breed.
Find out if the breeder has a waiting list for puppies. A waiting list is a sign of a quality breeder because their puppies are planned for far in advance and people who are interested in owning a Great Dane feel these particular puppies are worth the wait.
Create a short list based on the breeders you feel comfortable with so far.
Visit the breeder's home in person if possible. This allows you to determine if the home or kennel is clean, to meet the breeder's dogs, and to see where the puppies will be born and raised.
Ask for a list of references or past customers you can call. Reputable Great Dane breeders have customers who will gladly answer your questions about what it was like to purchase a dog from them.
How to Find a Reputable Breeder of Great Danes
Bringing a Great Dane into your life is a big decision. Not only are Great Danes very big dogs, but they often have health problems such as hip and neck diseases, cancer and neurological disorders. Careless breeders contribute to this problem by breeding unhealthy or unqualified dogs. Great Danes have an average life span of only seven to ten years, so selecting your puppy from a reputable breeder is important if you want to fully enjoy the time you and your pet will have together.