Questions to ask yourself.
Are you prepared to........
Take full responsibility for this dog and all it's needs for the next 9 - 13 years? This is NOT a task that can be left to children.
Invest the considerable time, money and patience it takes to raise and train a great dane?
Always keep your dane safe, no running loose unless in dedicated areas, no riding on the back of an open bakkie or being chained outside?
Make sure your dane gets enough attention?
Spend the money it takes to provide proper veterinary care?
Invest in medical aid for your dane?
Provide premium nutrition recommended by me?
Keep me the breeder, up to date on your dogs accomplishments and any problems?
Have the patience to accept the trials of puppyhood, which can last up to two years, and each stage after that?
Continue to accept responsibility for your dane despite inevitable life changes such as new babies, kids going off to school, moving etc?
Resist impulse buying, rather have the patience to make a responsible choice and decision?
Are you prepared to........
Take full responsibility for this dog and all it's needs for the next 9 - 13 years? This is NOT a task that can be left to children.
Invest the considerable time, money and patience it takes to raise and train a great dane?
Always keep your dane safe, no running loose unless in dedicated areas, no riding on the back of an open bakkie or being chained outside?
Make sure your dane gets enough attention?
Spend the money it takes to provide proper veterinary care?
Invest in medical aid for your dane?
Provide premium nutrition recommended by me?
Keep me the breeder, up to date on your dogs accomplishments and any problems?
Have the patience to accept the trials of puppyhood, which can last up to two years, and each stage after that?
Continue to accept responsibility for your dane despite inevitable life changes such as new babies, kids going off to school, moving etc?
Resist impulse buying, rather have the patience to make a responsible choice and decision?
PERSONALITY
A Great Dane is gentle, sweet, sensitive and an affectionate pet who loves to play. He has a great desire to please, although they do get bored easily. The Great Dane wants to be where their family is , so this is not an outside dog. They are good natured but still need early socialization. Exposing them to many different people, sights, sounds and experiences when young will aid them in being a happy well rounded adult. Puppy classes is a great start. Regular visitors, going to parks and strolls down the road to meet the neighbours will help them polish their social skills.
TRAINING
Great Danes are intelligent and eager to please, so train easily. They can get bored and switch off, so short, varied sessions are best. It is often said that a Great Dane trains their owner, so they will keep you on your toes. Obedience training is a must as an adult can easily pull you off your feet, to go investigate something that grabs their interest. Socialisation is another key part of group training and will be of great benefit for your Great Dane and yourself. A Great Dane is a working dog and if a puppy gets bored, they will find their own fun, fun that may include redesigning your garden, preparing your lawn for paving or even removing your pool net.
CARE
Puppies need lots of sleep. They sleep to grow. They need a good food and are weaned onto Hills Science Diet Large Breed Puppy www.hillspet.co.za
Premium food is so important for correct and slow growth. Their size is genetically set so you want them to get there slower rather than quicker. Rapid growth compromises their joint, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Incorrect nutrition can lead to health problems as adults, along with hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia can be caused by 3 factor, hereditary factors, nutrition and environment. We Xray all our dogs to eliminate genetic faults. Feeding Hills means your pup has correct nutrition while growing. Environmental factors include teaching them to walk down stairs in your house rather than running which could induce a fall. Not letting your pup jump in or out of SUV's will help protect a growing body.
A Great Dane is gentle, sweet, sensitive and an affectionate pet who loves to play. He has a great desire to please, although they do get bored easily. The Great Dane wants to be where their family is , so this is not an outside dog. They are good natured but still need early socialization. Exposing them to many different people, sights, sounds and experiences when young will aid them in being a happy well rounded adult. Puppy classes is a great start. Regular visitors, going to parks and strolls down the road to meet the neighbours will help them polish their social skills.
TRAINING
Great Danes are intelligent and eager to please, so train easily. They can get bored and switch off, so short, varied sessions are best. It is often said that a Great Dane trains their owner, so they will keep you on your toes. Obedience training is a must as an adult can easily pull you off your feet, to go investigate something that grabs their interest. Socialisation is another key part of group training and will be of great benefit for your Great Dane and yourself. A Great Dane is a working dog and if a puppy gets bored, they will find their own fun, fun that may include redesigning your garden, preparing your lawn for paving or even removing your pool net.
CARE
Puppies need lots of sleep. They sleep to grow. They need a good food and are weaned onto Hills Science Diet Large Breed Puppy www.hillspet.co.za
Premium food is so important for correct and slow growth. Their size is genetically set so you want them to get there slower rather than quicker. Rapid growth compromises their joint, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Incorrect nutrition can lead to health problems as adults, along with hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia can be caused by 3 factor, hereditary factors, nutrition and environment. We Xray all our dogs to eliminate genetic faults. Feeding Hills means your pup has correct nutrition while growing. Environmental factors include teaching them to walk down stairs in your house rather than running which could induce a fall. Not letting your pup jump in or out of SUV's will help protect a growing body.