Considering a Dane

[brindlebear]

Hello

I found this site recently and found it to be very informative and a great resource. Our family recently had to put down our german shorthair pointers. (One a year ago at the age of 15 and one this month, age 14)
Our house is not the same without the girls around. We are now doing some research on Great Danes. We live in Lexington Ky and would like to visit a breeder/owner in the area to see what it like living with a Dane. We have never shown before but might like to enter that arena if the right Dane came our way. At this point, I'd like what I've read about the bred and how great these gentle giants are with people. If you are in the are and would be willing to let us visit or call, I would love to hear from you.

Thanks
Dave

[Dina Gbeck]

Hi Dave and welcome to DOL. I'm so sorry for your loss. It's never easy loosing a cherished family member. I hope with time the hole in your heart gets smaller.

You will get hooked here. Every day I learn something new. I too have my first Dane who's seven months now. He is a great addition to our family. I hope you are lucky enough to find a great breeder, mentor and friend. Unfortunately, I'm in VA so I can't help you in your search, but I'm sure someone will be able to assist you.

If I can give you one little bit of advice it would be to just take your time on your search. Good luck!

~ Dina & Cooper

Here's the "little" guy! http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290313725

[brindlebear]

Thanks so much for your kind words of sympathy and encouragement. I will hopefully get more feedback soon from someone closer to my area and get started with my Dane education.

[rcpa3116]

Hi glad to hear from you! Sorry to hear about your loss. I would go to the breeders page on this site and start looking for one that is close to you and then contact them. As for danes being great pets we currently have two!


Cheryl
Titan and Crystal's Mommy
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289483337
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289482147

[A n i t a]

dave-hello & welcome to dol. let me quick introduce myself...my name is anita & i live in mission viejo, ca. i have a 16 m/o cropped fawn boy, named andy(camelot's sir andrew v. caprata) whe's fixed so he doesn't show in conformation. i show him in juniors, but i just found another juniors dog, so andy will probably retire, lol. i also work for a professional dane handler d i c k schaefer. i happen to know a few of the big people in showing danes, so if you decide to get into showing(i hope you do, its so much fun), feel free to ask me any questions.

i'm sorry i don't know of any breeders in kentucky. but i know some names of reputable breeders in neighboring states...

michael chiles(michaeldanes)-harls, i think he's in michigan

marsh stoner-(lost creek)-fawns & brindles-illinois

ray cataldi-(rojon, a top handler & breeder of many, many, show champions :))-fawns & brindles-illinois (www.rojongreatdanes.com)

caron honeck(bluestone)-blues & blacks-minnesota

barbara caprata(caprata)-fawns & maybe brindles-i think she's in tennesse.

well, i know some of these maybe far, but i hope it helps.

anita

[Cujasky]

Contact you local GD club, they may be able to help you with a referral and some information about events in your area.

GDC of Kentuckiana

Antje "Angie" Simunac
7109 Columbia Ave.
Louisville KY 40222
502/423-8090 or 1-800-522-2114
Voice mail 8257

[dedane24]

Hi and welcome. I agree that visiting breeders in your area is a good idea. I met my first Dane at a dog show and it wasnt until I actually went to a breeders house that had 5 danes that I realized what great animals they really were. All her danes came up to me with open arms so to speak leaned and greeted. Check out your local rescue also they put on special events and you could get to meet some great people and dane lovers that way.. Not that you have to rescue but they can tell you about some of the not so reputable breeders that they have came across. The local dane club is good. Also there is a magazine called daneworld that is all about the breed, dog shows obedience agility. Pretty much anything you can do with a dane. It might help you in your search. As you can actually see what each breeder has produced. Dog shows are great if you are looking for a show dog. Gives you the oppertunity to meet what the breeders have produced and the ones that are active in showing.
Good luck

[brindlebear]

Thanks so much for the recommendations. I will look into all the suggestions.

[brindlebear]

Thanks Debbie

I will get with Angie and see what she has to say about the breeders in the area and surrounding states. Much appreciated.

[SophiesMom]

First let me say that I'm sorry about your loss. I live in Lex. Ky and I have a 16 week old merle Great Dane baby. If you'd like, email me and maybe we could meet and you can see Sophie. She loves meeting new people and so do I. I don't see too many Great Dane owners in Lexington. I looked in Lex. also to find a Great Dane and didn't have any luck. When I did find one (with lots of patience and research) and a 2 hour trip, it was well worth the wait and the drive. Like other people on here have said, research and take your time. It's nice to see someone on here around my area.
Take care
Mary

[Ellen]

There was a thread on here awhile back about how far people traveled to get their danes. Please don't limit your search for a breeder to your general area. It is rare indeed to be lucky enough to have an experience AND reputable breeder close by. I would plan on finding a breeder within lets say 6-8 hours from you when you are ready to begin your search. Perhaps you could "visit" area breeders/owners just to get a feel for the breed (as you said :) ) but please plan on branching out for your actual purchase.

[brindlebear]

I will definately be traveling to get my Dane as I know that Lexington is not the hot bed of Great Dane Breeding. :)

Im currently searching the KY, OH, TN, GA, PA and WV areas to find the dog that will best suite us. Thanks so much for the advise and I'm looking forward to this next phase in our seatch.

:)