Great Dane Breeders

I know many of these people personally; others I know by reputation. Some have decades of experience, others are relatively new breeders. But they ALL take the health and welfare of the breed seriously, and they all stand behind their puppies and will give lifelong support to anyone lucky enough to get a puppy from them.

They won't always have puppies available but when they do you can be sure they've done everything possible to produce healthy, happy, well socialized pups who truly are GREAT Danes! If they don't have puppies, they may know another reputable breeder who does - it's a pretty small world among Great Dane breeders!

This page is a work in progress - if you are a reputable Dane breeder whom we know and trust and your web site isn't listed here, it is an accidental oversight! Please contact us and we'll gladly add you to the listing.

I have been trying to keep this page updated, so please refresh the page each time you visit!

If you find any links here that don't work, please contact us about that also.

First of all, here are a few tips to help you recognize a reputable breeder when you talk to one:

1. Look for puppies who have been raised the way you intend the pup to live with you. In other words, if you are looking for a companion to live in your home with your family, that is how the puppy should have been raised at least part of the time - in a home, with a family. But you'll have to see that for yourself. Many commercial breeders claim on their websites that their pups are raised in the house, while in fact they spend all their time in a kennel building, barn or backyard.

2. Get proof of any health testing. Being told that "my vet said she's healthy" or "My vet looked at the X-rays and said they were OK" is NOT the same thing as real, breed specific Health Testing. Real Health Testing will be reported to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, and will be available on their website at ofa.org. For Great Danes, the following tests should be done:

-Hips should be checked for the absence of Hip Dysplasia, as proved by a score from either OFA or PennHip.

- In addition, screenings for normal heart, eyes and thyroid should be done. For more information on the recommended health screenings for Danes, go to the websites for GDCA or OFA.

- If you see the initials "CHIC" that stands for Canine Health Information Center. This is a partnership between the OFA and the various parent clubs of different breeds of dogs. ("Parent Club" refers to the national club, i.e. the Great Dane Club of America). OFA and the parent clubs have "established a recommended protocol for breed-specific health screenings. Dogs tested in accordance with that protocol are recognized with a CHIC number and certification." More info here.

By the way - if a dog has a CHIC number that only means that the recommended health screenings have been done. It does NOT guarantee that the results were normal! Always check for yourself and ask questions.

It has been brought to my attention that the latest scam by irresponsible breeders is to photoshop an OFA certificate so it looks like their dog has had the appropriate tests. The best way to be sure is to go to the OFA site yourself - put the dog's registered name or registration number into the search box and see for yourself. Needless to say, if the breeder won't tell you the parent's registered name or number, RUN FAR AWAY.

3. What does the breeder do with their dogs? Other than breed them? Any kind of competition or work is important. It proves something about the dog - which means the breeder is trying to breed only the best individuals. It also proves that the breeder is interested in more than profit, they really care about their dogs and the breed and are trying to do the right thing by both. The breeder will usually be a member of one or more breed clubs or kennel clubs, and this further proves their devotion to the breed.

4. Possibly the SINGLE most telling question you can ask is "Why did you breed this litter?" With a responsible breeder this question has been on his/her mind for over a year, and will start a fairly lengthy dialog covering individual weaknesses and strengths, pedigree research, hopes & dreams of what the breeder wanted to produce, etc. If a litter has been bred just to make money, or just because it was convenient (i.e. the neighbors had a dog of the same breed) you won't get much of an answer, or will get something that sounds made-up.

A responsible breeder will very easily be able to prove to you that they compete with their dogs, do the recommended health testing, and otherwise devote a lot of time and effort to their dogs. They will be able to prove how they are raising their puppies with lots of photos and videos. And they will welcome your questions! If a breeder dodges any questions, or can't prove something then you should run away!

Myths and facts regarding finding a responsible breeder

More questions to help you find a responsible breeder.

GENERAL BREEDER LISTINGS OR RESOURCES:

The Great Dane Review is an online magazine dedicated to Great Danes - their Litterbox listings can be helpful.

There is a Facebook group called "AKC Registered Great Dane Puppies From Reputable Show Breeders Only"- Anyone can post if they are looking for a puppy, but only breeders who meet certain criteria (show their dogs, and complete all heath testing recommended by the Great Dane Club of America) can post about available puppies. I have *occasionally* seen posts from less-than-reputable breeders sneak past but they are removed within a day or two. As always, do your research and ask lots of questions but the qualified breeders are usually pretty obvious since they are up-front about the health results and the accomplishments of the dogs. Be aware, if you post that you are looking for a puppy, no one has control over who may contact you via PM - so again, be diligent! But it's still a good resource.

Also, one of the Dane breeders I recommend (Georgia Hymmen of Daynakin Danes in Washington) started a Facebook post where responsible breeders can post upcoming litters

Dane Breeders in Texas:

If you need pictures of the recognized colors, this website has pretty good ones.

Harlequin, Mantle, Merle:

JP Yousha, Dina Whitehouse: CHROMA Danes

Kelly Fails: KindleFire Danes

Amanda Nocero: Redwood Danes

Lesley Campos: Titanium Danes

Susan Webster: Hi-Stakes Great Danes

Black:

Crystal Reid: GDAB

Bianca Ayala: Pegasus Great Danes