I am looking for a great dane breeder.  I have been in touch with a popular breeder for a while now however I have heard horror stories of her dogs having hip problems.  I have decided not to buy of this breeder.  She is well known in the breed and everyone who I speak to at shows tells me to keep away from her.  I belive she has got rid of one dog who was producing dogs with bad hips

So why not go with one of the breeders you have met at shows, but bear in mind that checking up on hip scores is easy and it could well be jealousy.

Hi Guest,

Why don't you register on here and let us know what you're looking for - colour, etc. - there are various of us on here who can offer you advice.

Would have to say that there are not many breeders who have the evidence (i.e. hip scores) to make these accusations - I do have access to all the UK Dane hip scores if there's anything specific you want to check.

M.

Hi M

Any Chance you could e-mail me a list of the dane scores you have????
anadain@blueyonder.co.uk

Anna

I would only buy from hip scored parents :)

You know I'm with you on this C, but it is easier said than done :(

M.

True, but I have to admit that if I couldn't get a dane from scored parents, I might not get one at all in the future...because its too much of a risk factor. Vet bills are expensive enough, before you factor in vets bills for a dog the size of a dane :( Its just such a major tick in the box when buying one, and we need to vote with our money to get the breeders testing :) I know I am preaching to the converted with you - but hopefully someone else will read this.

At least Phoebe's dam got a good score - 10 :)

Chloe, how did you get on with Willis score?

Entirely true, but as well as hips, buyers should be looking at heart problems and, depending on colour, Wobblers.  No point in having a dog with good hips if its heart kills it by the time it's 2 years old or it has to be put to sleep under a year through Wobblers :(

And obviously we're talking aesthetics, but also not much point buying a Dane if it doesn't really look like one ...... ;)

As you say, not a decision for the faint-hearted.  Absolutely agree with you about voting with money to get breeders deciding to test. 

A couple more Ravendane hip scores were in the BRS that arrived this morning (not Willis' yet though), but don't ask me what they were cos it was far too early in the morning to absorb the info - mind you, you probably know anyway.

M.

You are absolutely right on not just focusing on hips.

Chloe,

I followed the other thread. What was the hip score of your dane? I know it is not in the BRS yet but I know the results are comming back in three weeks, so you must have yours by now.

Anna

PM me if you want the result - to be honest, I am not prepared to drag it through a public forum for several reasons.

Your e-mail is hidden - its for my own interest in the breed. could you e-mail me please?

anadain@blueyonder.co.uk

Thanks

Anna

I will PM you - if you look at the top right hand corner you will see a "Messages" option - it will turn to bold in a sec :)

Thank you never done a PM before!

Anna

no probs - I'd email you but I have no email access at the sec as I am on my other PC :)

Yeah, I've seen the results.

I don't usually post on here but often pass through to see what is going on. My advice is don't listen to all you hear. A lot of dane breeders do not hip score (I am not saying this is right or wrong) so how would people at ring side know if the dogs this person breeds has good hips?

I would suggest you need to decide if you want a show dog or a pet. If you want a show dog do you want to win by handling the dog yourself or hand it over to the breeder to handle? Do you want to win with your dog because it is of good quality or on the back of its breeder?

Look at what you like in the ring (not just what is winning) approch the people with dogs you like and ask about their breeding plans and health screening. Remeber if you buy a puppy for show it does not mean that puppy will turn out for show!

Most of all good luck with your search.

Anna

You don't have to score to see some dogs have dodgy hips ;)

Yes there are some dogs who "move funny" but is it HD, wobblers or an Injury, I am not a vet and do not have scores of the individual dogs, I would never claim to know a dog has HD without hip scores. 

No one can tell from looking at a dog if it has HD only scoring will tell you that.

Anna

Very true Anna!  Have known a GSD who scored in the 60s, but was extremely sound moving ....

M.

I wouldn't want to buy a dog from a breeder that had/used dogs that moved funny - whether HD, injury or wobblers. IF I ever got another dane, it would be from my bitch (scored) used with my friends stud boy (scored) or from a breeder that scores. But I am 99% having my girl spayed because I don't want the responsibility of homing pups and I don't want another dane at the moment :)

Wobblers is a strange one...having bought in a young bitch that developed wobblers I am well aware it is a horrible disease, and not necessarily traceable. But having said that while our breeders continue to ignore it and sweep it under the rug it will not be sorted. If they faced up to it, like the Dobe breeders did with VWD and sent in blood samples from the affected dogs, along with pedigrees etc, then there might be a chance of trying to sort it...but no, it doesn't happen in their lines :rolleyes:
As far as hips, I have had my bitch scored, after her litter I might add, but luckily they came back okay. I was constantly being told by many around the ringside how her Dad was throwing out pups with dodgy hips and how his are dodgy...wonder if that would have anything to do with him being top stud dog, and doing VERY well in the ring? There is a lot of jealousy out there and it can be difficult to figure if people are telling you things for your own good or theirs.
If i were to buy another Dane I would only go to a breeder that hip scores. But not only that I would also check the lines behind both parents very carefully as it is surprising what is hidden behind some of the most well known and popular lines. Then there are the eye disorders to think of too.....

Grace

There are so many things to consider health wise it is difficult! My first ever dane had VWD which is more prominent in breeding from overseas! Surprise his father was an import! Even though he had problems I still loved him to bits but I lost him at 4 years old.

This is not a breed for the faint of heart and you can do as much research as you like and still be the unlucky one with a problem!

All I can suggest is that you follow your heart do as much research as you can and go for the type you like, even after all that it can still go belly up but at least you have done your best!

Anna

I just know that when I get my next one it will be after a lot more research and discussion than when I got Dizzy.

I'll also be relying on the help and advise from a couple of members on here... I hope :)

Be careful some breeders will push their own stuff and connot see any good in anyone else breeding it's called being kennel blind!

I bought a pup from someone who is great and have had very good sucess with the pup I bought from her (in the show ring), the next time I went elsewhere and she was really good about it and supportive, (this pup didn't turn out), needless to say the next time I went back to the first breeder, no I told you so's or anything another great pup was bought from her, she is a really good friend now.

Anna