Danes are best kept as indoor dogs with plenty of outdoor access. They are very sensitive, family orientated dogs, keeping them outside 24/7 is
not recommended for a dog like that. Not only because of the short coat, but also because of their 'I want my mommy and daddy' like personalities. They need to be 'with the people' and most of all, they need their couch!
I've had one Dane before, and my dad has kept several over the years. I currently have a Dane x Boxer girl, she's built more like a Dane, just much more athletic and energized.
The Dane that I had was an absolute fiasco. It was my 'mom's dog', so I couldn't train her, play with her, or bond with her. On top of that, she came from a backyard breeder who had absolutely horrible breeding stock and awful puppies.
But, not my dog.
Things ask, and to watch for:
Puppies
-Are the puppies sick?
-Do the puppies come running, happy and playful?
-Are the puppies kept outside or inside? Are they in a pen? If so, is it clean and warm? Do they have toys, fresh water,
good puppy sized food, and soft places to lay?
-Have the puppies had their dew claws removed?
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Have the puppies been seen by a vet? Have they had their first shots?
-When holding a puppy, does he or she seem alert, happy, and healthy? Or does he/she seem listless, uninterested, or scared?
-Is the puppy mouthy and nosy when held? Does it come right up to you and get into your business? (dominate)
-Or is the puppy more quiet, does he/she take some coaxing to come up to you?
Parents
-How are the parents? Do they alert when you come to the door? Are they friendly and socialized? Do they run all over the owner, or are they respectful and obedient?
-Have the parents been screened for hip dysplasia?
-Do the parents appear to be healthy, with shiny coats? Are they thin or ribby? Do they have goopy eyes, walk with a limp, or seem to have weak legs?.
-Are the parents ear's cropped? If so, do they appear to be clean and cared for? If their natural, are they normal sized, with no swelling or unusual smell? (ear infection)
-Are the parents nails kept short and neat?
-Is it a large breeder, with many dogs, or is it a small breeder with few dogs? Regardless of the size, will the breeder allow you to see where the breeding stock normally sleeps? Is it clean, warm, well lighted, with soft places to sleep?
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Are the parents kept up to date on shots and wormer?
Breeder
-Is the breeder patient and talk at length about his or her dogs, pups, and facility's?
-Does he/she seem open and friendly?
-Do they seem to be rushing a sale, or do they talk with you about your lifestyle and recommend a pup? Do they explain anything about their dogs and puppies?
-When asked, do they recommend a food, possibly even writing it down for you or offering to send an empty bag? Do they explain why they personally prefer that particular food, or do they just vaguely say 'well, this one seems to be working'
-Do they take you on a tour of the facility's? Or do they keep you firmly planted in one area?
-Do they introduce you to the breeding stock? Do they talk about the parents and introduce you to them? Do they talk about past litters they have had?
-Do they mention any health defects or problems? Are they open about it when asked, or do they seem to avoid the question?
-Do they breed as soon as a new grump comes into heat, or do they wait until they're grown and ready?
The breeder our Dane came from didn't have one good thing about them, their pups, or their stock.
On the other hand, I know of a Labrador breeder who could literally talk for an hour on why she feeds this particular feed and how much. She'll also merrily take you on a tour of
all her facility's, introduce you to
all of her dogs (breeders, AND puppies they've kept and are now grown). Give you a complete rundown on each dogs medical history, match you to a pup, and talk with you about past litters and how their doing today. Her dogs are respectful, clean, well cared for, and very calm and obedient. The only Lab she has with the classic 'overactive hyper drive' is a chocolate from a different bloodline. They got her in trade for stud service (they have a beautiful white lab stud, Barney, I could cuddle him all day), yet she's still respectful of your personal space and doesn't jump.
The breeder recently neutered and spayed her breeding stock (retained pups where already neutered or spayed) and got out of breeding. Just getting to old for 24 hour puppy watch
how she managed to
that is beyond me.
Don't go with the first puppy you see.
Shop around. You'll be much happier in the end that you did.
