Blue Danes

[sassy2]

I have heard different opinions about Blue Danes, but I have never heard anything good about the health of the breed. Could someone please apply their imput on what I should look for? I had a mantle that just past away, and missed dearly. :)

[rlynnd]

I am a little confused...are you asking about the health of the blue great dane or the breed in general??? As far as I am concerned, the blue dane is no different than any other color. I have heard that blues tend to have more skin problems and they sunburn more easily. However, I live in Florida and have not had any problems (of course I don't leave my dogs out in the sun all day long)and I know of many blue breeders and owners that, likewise, have not experienced any problems.

[MuchAdo]

>I have heard different opinions about Blue Danes, but I have
>never heard anything good about the health of the breed.
>Could someone please apply their imput on what I should look
>for? I had a mantle that just past away, and missed dearly.
>:)

I assume you mean the health of the "color" as opposed to the breed. It's nonsense--the health of the blues is no different than any other color. Health depends on breeding (the genetics of the dog), care and maintenance, and diet. Color has nothing to do with it except in the double-merle whites.

In a couple of other breeds (most notably dobermans) there is something called color dilution alopecia, which is a condition where the dog loses his or her hair in the blue patches. However, I am aware of not a single case in Danes, and none of my breeder friends have heard of it either.

You should look for a breeder who cares about health. Hip, cadiac, and thyroid testing should be shown for each parent, you should be able to get an honest answer about the health of the littermates of the parents and about their parents, and you should ask about the longevity of the bloodlines. A LOT of Danes die at two or three, but often they have been bred once or more before that and you should be aware of that potential. So ask how old the grandparents were if and when they died and what of. If several of them died before six of something like cardiomyopathy or an autoimmune disease, you might do well to look elsewhere.

Joanna Kimball
muchadodanes.home.attbi.com <--- blues

[DellaDane]

<--- MERLIN -- http://www.angelfire.com/blues/greatdanes


I have a blue and have NEVER had a health problem or skin/fur problem. Like any color if your breeder does health testing you should be fine. Some people think ALL blue danes have problems because they are blue. Well Blue is the same as all the other colors.....if the lines are free of certain health problems you arent going to see those in your blue (or any other color).

Cindy N Merlin

[addicted2danes]

I agree with he previous posts. A blue Dane can have the same conditions that any other Dane can have. It all depends on the lines. However there is apparently the potential for skin problems although my blue has had none. She does have allergies though, but I don't think that has anything to do with her coat color.
As far as the skin conditions are concerned. From what I have been told , it is not just a Great Dane thing. It is any breed that happens to have the blue coat. My cousin has am American Stafforshire that is blue and he has a tremendous amount of skin problems, but all the Dane owners with blues I have spoken to have had no problems so this might be a broad generalization about Blues. Might want to ask Gus. He may have more info on that as well.

Sarah, Maddie, maya, and Rio

[gusschwabedvm]

I have a Blue as do other members of my Great Dane Club and none of these dogs have had any unusual problems. None of them have had any of the skin disorders associated with color dilution. I think you should check your sources and start looking for a good breeder who has blues, they're wonderfull dogs. Like most Danes they turn a lot of heads at dog shows.

[LisaC]

My vet has said only that he has heard the same kind of thing and did have one experience with a blue dane that got parvo even after the recommended number of vaccinations. His feeling is that may have a slightly weaker immune system so just to be on the safe side he plans to give my girl additional boosters.

I think the Blues are the most beautiful of the danes. Each time I take Blue anywhere people go gaga over her.

Lisa and Sweet Madame Blue

[LisaC]

By the way, Merlin is absolutely gorgeous. If I was going to breed Blue I'd want Merlin to be Daddy!

Lisa and Sweet Madame Blue;)