Posted by Administrator on November 1st, 2005 — Posted in Spaying / Neutering
Dynamite Danes & Iams on Spaying and Neutering
Spaying or neutering your new puppy is the right thing to do if you’re not planning on breeding. For most pet owners, the expense, time and expertise involved in breeding dogs responsibly is beyond their reach. Here are some advantages to having your puppy spayed or neutered:
•For females, there is no mess to deal with during their 21-day heat cycles, which occur every six months—the heat cycle begins in females sometime after six months of age.
•Spaying a female before her first heat cycle will reduce the chance of mammary tumors or uterine diseases.
•Neutered males tend to be less aggressive than unneutered males.
•With a neutered male, the urge to mark territory may lessen.
•A neutered male is less likely to want to roam in search of potential mates.
•Neutering a male will dramatically lessen the chances of testicular tumors and other hormone driven cancers.
When to spay or neuter
Dogs should be spayed or neutered by the time they are six months old. Both operations are performed under anesthesia and may require an overnight stay at the veterinarian’s office. Recovery time is quick, with most dogs resuming normal activity in a few days. Spaying (for females) consists of an ovario-hysterectomy. Neutering involves the removal of the testicles.
When you bring your puppy to the veterinarian’s office for his first thorough examination, have the doctor explain the operation in detail and set up a time to have the procedure done.
All Dynamite Danes companion puppies go to their new homes on a pet contract that requires each dog to be spayed or neutered by six months of age. Proof of spay or neuter is required and all pets are placed with a limited (dog’s offspring not eligible for registration) AKC registration.
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Posted by Administrator on November 7th, 2005 — Posted in Our Stories / News
Dynamite Danes-Week of November 7-13: Great Dane Puppy progress report
Gretchen’s three guys are running all over the place. They decided last week that the whelping box just didn’t hold enough excitement for them. So after a couple of escape attempts into Mom’s domain. These puppies are free of the whelping box and are having a ball exploring! They seem to enjoy their food more when they sit in the pan-so are having fun learning to eat solid food-the messiness of their method doesn’t seem to faze them at all! The great dane merle fellow is definitely the alpha, and both black fellows seem pretty happy to let him boss them around. The day of these three fellows is pretty much taken with eating, sleeping, and wrestling. They are so cute and are growing like weeds! It won’t be long until they are ready to join their families. The merle will be one of the Heim kids and the larger of the blacks will go live with the Dolan family in his forever home. The smaller black fellow has a couple of prospective puppy parents and we are waiting to see who is the best match for him.
Gabrielle’s litter of puppies is active and funny! They are giving their mommy and me a run for our money! Gabrielle puts away and enormous amount of food and is a real trouper when it comes to caring for this lot! These puppies will be exceptionally well socialized as they have had many visitors already. I have been supplementing them since birth with puppy formula, so consequently they are very people oriented! They come running in a herd whenever they hear a human voice.
The little harlequin gal, Sophia, is going to stay with us and she is a real snuggler. Gabrielle (Sophia’s Mommy) is such a sweet dog; she is John’s overall favorite Dane with her loving disposition and her snuggly personality. There are currently two harlequin males-both are very pretty pet marked fellows with lots of spots-who are looking for forever homes. There are also two beautiful merle males who will look a lot like their daddy Earl Grey when grown-and a gorgeous merlequin male puppy who are also available for adoption. All of the rest of their siblings have families eagerly awaiting their homecoming.
These puppies will be ready and rarin’ to go to their new homes after Thanksgiving. If you are interested in visiting or are considering adopting a Great Dane, please feel free to contact me to arrange a time for a visit. Weekends work best as I teach school during the week! Call me evenings at 712-647-2973 if you have any questions or email me at momrenz@hotmail.com. Have a great week!
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Posted by Administrator on November 7th, 2005 — Posted in Our Stories / News
Daphne: Our Wonder Dane
Daphne is my beautiful 11-month-old potential Therapy Partner-therapy dog work is my love! I teach 6-12 grade students with multiple and diverse developmental and emotional challenges, so my dogs, Nellie Belle- a big black Great Dane -and Lucy, a little red-headed Papillion-have been my Therapy partners in the classroom for several years. My Nellie Belle was lost to cancer at ten years of age about two years ago. It was so difficult to carry on without her calming presence in the classroom. She definitely left a Dane-sized hole in many hearts when she crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.
I was so bereft that I couldn’t even think about another Therapy Partner for a while. Then along came Daphne, she is Gunther and Daisy’s daughter, and she is just as sweet as both of her parents are! She is extremely sharp and eager to please, while having a lot of energy-especially for a Dane! Daphne and I had been working on basic obedience in anticipation of Therapy Dog certification when a gal contacted me and asked if I might have a dog that she could take to college with her! Alison Jackson came to visit and we decided that Daphne would be the girl to go to Texas to attend the Triple Crown Dog Training Academy with Allison. It was difficult to even think about parting with Daphne for fourteen weeks, yet the opportunity for her to experience agility training, advanced obedience training and even some search & rescue training was an opportunity we did not want her to miss. Allison is a wonderful, responsible young woman, who understands how much Daphne means to us, and who loves her like she is her own (which she is until February 2006) then she comes back home!! Yeah!!
Allison and Daphne are settled in at the Academy after Allison’s Mom and Dad traveled to Texas with them to help them move in. Allison is very good about keeping in touch! Her email this last week was funny-and I will share it with you:
hey gale,
things are going great, we started agility and
daphne is doing really well, she is soooo funny im
sure u can imagine her galloping around the course,
everyone watches her haha. we are working on sitting
and staying until i tell her to move, same with laying
down….um walking on a loose leash which has never
been a problem with her because she is attached to my
hip haha. she is doing really well and every day my
roommate and i take our dogs (she has a black lab mix)
to “the beach club” and they rip around the big yard
and play in the sand and sometimes go in the pool we
also take them to the lake prob 4-5 times a week and
they get all muddy and run in the lake, its really
funny shes having a blast and is finally EXTREMELY
comfortable. i take her to class with me in the
morning and all the dogs are barking and pacing but
daph…well she lays on the floor with her tongue
hanging out next to her pile of drool haha. last night
i did notice she was coughing and sneezing a little so
i have an appointment to take her to the vet at 4:40
today just to be on the safe side. i will call u after
to let u know whats goin on, if it is anything. well
class is going to start again so i will talk to you
later today.
~Alison
I sure do appreciate Allison’s taking such good care of our beloved girl! We are so happy that they are both enjoying their time at college. Allison will be a professional dog trainer at graduation and Daphne will definitely be a well-educated gal!
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Posted by Administrator on November 7th, 2005 — Posted in Great Dane Origins
Great Danes - Their Origin And Temperament
by Richard Cussons
The origin of Great Danes, like that of many other varieties of dogs, is so obscure that all researches have only resulted in speculative theories, but the undoubted antiquity of this dog is proved by the fact that representatives of a breed sufficiently similar to be considered his ancestors are found on some of the oldest Egyptian monuments.
A few years ago a controversy arose on the breed’s proper designation, when the Germans claimed for it the title “Deutsche Dogge.” Germany had several varieties of big dogs, such as the Hatzrude, Saufanger, Ulmer Dogge, and Rottweiler Metzgerhund; but contemporaneously with these there existed, as in other countries in Europe, another very big breed, but much nobler and more thoroughbred, known as Great Danes.
When after the war of 1870 national feeling was pulsating very strongly in the veins of reunited Germany, the German cynologists were on the lookout for a national dog, and for that purpose the Great Dane was re-christened “Deutsche Dogge,” and elected as the champion of German Dogdom. For a long time all these breeds had, no doubt, been indiscriminately crossed.
The Great Dane was introduced into this country spasmodically some thirty-five years ago, when he was commonly referred to as the Boarhound, or the German Mastiff, and for a time the breed had to undergo a probationary period in the “Foreign Class” at dog shows, but it soon gained in public favour, and in the early ‘eighties a Great Dane Club was formed, and the breed has since become one of the most popular of the larger dogs.
The Kennel Club has classed Great Danes amongst the Non-Sporting dogs, probably because with us he cannot find a quarry worthy of his mettle; but, for all that, he has the instincts and qualifications of a sporting dog, and he has proved himself particularly valuable for hunting big game in hot climates, which he stands very well.
Respecting the temperament of the Great Dane and his suitability as a companion writers have gone to extremes in praise and condemnation. In his favour it must be said that in natural intelligence he is surpassed by very few other dogs. He has a most imposing figure, and does not, like some other big breeds, slobber from his mouth, which is a particularly unpleasant peculiarity when a dog is kept in the house. On the other hand, it must be admitted that with almost the strength of a tiger he combines the excitability of a terrier, and no doubt a badly trained Great Dane is a very dangerous animal.
It is not sufficient to teach him in the haphazard way which might be successful in getting a small dog under control, but even as a companion he ought to be trained systematically, and, considering his marked intelligence, this is not difficult of accomplishment.
About the Author
Richard Cussons is a dog lover with a passion for helping people with their dogs. Discover more about Great Dane training and care at All About Puppies and Dogs.
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Posted by Administrator on November 7th, 2005 — Posted in Great Dane Origins
Great Dane Complete Profile
by Dooziedog.com
Key Facts:
Size: Giant Height: Dogs minimum: 76 cm (30 in) Bitches minimum: 71 cm (28 in) Weight: Dogs minimum: 54 kg (120 lb). Bitches minimum: 46 kg (100 lb) Life Span: 10 years Grooming: Simple Exercise: Medium Feeding: Demanding Temperament: Dignified & kind Country of Origin: Germany AKC Group: Working Other Names: German Mastiff, Deutsche Dogge
Physical Characteristics:
General Appearance: Giant, calm and graceful. Colour: Blue, black, fawn, brindle or harlequin (white with torn black splashes). Coat: Glossy, short and thick. Tail: Set high, tapering and carried in a straight line level with the back. Ears: Medium size, triangular, set high and folded forward. The ears may be cropped within some countries. Body: The body is deep and broad with well sprung ribs. The back is short and firm with a full croup. The shoulders are long and sloping and the belly is arched.
Temperament: Intelligent, affectionate and gentle. These dogs are often referred to as ‘gentle giants’ and make excellent family companions. They get on well with people of all ages and other household pets. Great Danes are people orientated, sensitive, intuitive and slow to anger. They thrive on human company and make good watchdogs. These dogs do need training from a young age, as they grow into large dogs very quickly and need to learn not to pull on a lead.
Grooming: Little attention is needed for the Great Danes coat. Using a rubber brush to remove dead and loose hairs during moulting is sufficient. These dogs need a soft bed to avoid pressure marks.
Exercise: These strong dogs need plenty of exercise and open spaces where they can run and play freely. Running alongside a cycle is a good way for them to get exercise, so long as they don’t go running ahead. It is important that they are no over-exercised during the growth period.
Feeding: Great Danes have a demanding appetite. They are a fast-growing breed and need careful attention with their nutrition while going through the growth stage.
History: Their name came from the French word ‘grand Danois’ which means ‘big Danish’ and it is unknown why the British adopted this name when the breed originated in Germany. It is believed that the Great Danes mastiff family originated in Asia as far back as 3000 BC, as there were Egyptian drawings of ‘tiger dogs’ similar to the Great Dane. This breed became well established when Greece and Rome were the main powers of western civilization. They were later known in central Europe as the German Mastiff or the Boarhound.
Additional Comments:
It is said that someone can easily break into a house that is watched over by a Great Dane, but that they can never get out. Like other Mastiff type dogs the Great Dane is very tolerant of pain and therefore injuries or illnesses can be overlooked for long periods of time.
About the Author
This article provided courtesy of http://www.dooziedog.com/dog_breeds/great_dane/
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Posted by Administrator on November 7th, 2005 — Posted in Great Dane Breeding Information
Taking Care of Your Great Dane Bitch: Appropriate Care In and After Whelp
By: Gale Renz
One of the most important jobs any responsible Great Dane breeder has is caring for their dogs. Happy, healthy Great Danes produce happy, healthy baby puppies! Great Dane bitches have some special needs, such as special care to provide appropriate nutrition to moderate the stress to the bitch’s body as she carries a litter of puppies, whelps and feeds the litter for four to six weeks. These activities place a huge demand on a body. It is especially important to feed a premium quality, naturally preserved kibble and/or complete natural diet that will meet the needs of the bitch in the various stages of whelp. There are many wonderful commercial foods on the market with a balance of nutrients that have been established through extensive research to meet the nutritional needs of specific dogs at different stages of their lives. A naturally preserved, super premium quality kibble with a base of fresh beef, chicken or lamb that is formulated with a balance of vegetables and whole grains for adult dogs is a good choice. A supplement containing Vitamin E, Ester C, and garlic is an appropriate choice for a bitch in whelp. My vet also recommends a supplement of 1000 mgs. of coral calcium the two weeks before delivery. This is the only time in a Great Dane’s life that I would ever advocate supplementing the diet with a source of calcium. The best indicator that a bitch is receiving adequate nutrition is her coat and body condition. Over the years, I have found that paying close attention to my bitches’ coat condition (it should be shiny-even after whelp and while nursing), eye luster and expression(should be bright eyed and serene after recovering from whelp-by 72 hours after whelping is complete),
as well as overall body condition, I am able to have bitches who are not adversely affected by whelping stress. It is so much more satisfying to see a calm, bright-eyed bitch enjoying her litter of puppies rather than a stressed out mommy. Keeping your bitches in optimum condition takes care and commitment and it is well worth the effort!
Byline:
Article by Gale Renz.
Gale Renz is a great dane lover and professional qualified Great
Dane Breeder and owner / founder of dynamitedanes.com
Please include the above byline with direct html as well as our author name and credit if publishing this article.
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Posted by Administrator on November 8th, 2005 — Posted in Great Dane Breeding Information
Comfortable & Appropriate Whelping Environment for a Great Dane Bitch
By Gale Renz
Over the sixteen years that we have been breeding Great Danes, we have tried many different scenarios and tested several diverse types of whelping boxes to find one that would be comfortable for a Great Dane bitch in whelp and that would accommodate her litter after whelping.
One major consideration is that Great Dane puppies are so very small in relation to their mommy that it is very easy for a bitch to lay on her puppies during and after whelping. This necessitates some sort of a barrier that will allow mommy to lie down and her puppies to avoid being squished against the side of the whelping box and suffocated. None of the whelping boxes that I was able to locate commercially were adequate in size to allow for a Great Dane bitch to whelp comfortably.
After much experimentation, we found that using a king sized water bed frame, with modifications, would help us to provide a safe, secure and comfortable nest to enable a Great Dane bitch to whelp and raise her puppies. We use 4’ X 6’ cattle mats on the floors of our kennel pens so that our Danes do not have pressure on their sensitive joints when they lay down. This also alleviates the tendency for Great Danes to develop calluses on their elbows as these mats (which are available at many farm supply stores) are designed to provide a comfortable surface for a large animal to lie on. These mats are easily disinfected and are relatively inexpensive to purchase (approximately $60 each). They are very durable and dry quickly, the only drawback, if it is one, is that they are very heavy. The benefit of that is that the weight discourages a Great Dane from dragging the mat around. [I don’t know about your Danes, but mine will drag around anything that is not nailed down and use it as a tug toy! ;-]
To provide a wonderful whelping environment for a Great Dane bitch, we use two of these 4’ X 6’ cattle mats as the base and set up the waterbed frame atop them. This type of box is also easy to break down for storage after whelping, which is a great advantage to their use. We position and nail a 1” X 12” board all the way around the top of the waterbed frame. This provides the barrier that helps prevent the bitch from lying on her puppies when they are tiny. The height at which you position this 1” X 12” is dependent on the relative size of your bitch. In my experience, about eight inches from the floor works best. The boards can be attached to the pieces of the waterbed frame with L shaped pieces of iron available at your local hardware store. The biggest challenge inherent in building this kind of a whelping box for your bitch is just finding the waterbed frame. They are many times available in thrift stores, at auction or in the classifieds for a nominal fee.
After you have a nice big box for your bitch to whelp in, it is just a matter of choosing an appropriate bedding material (we use bright, clean oat straw and 1’ pine shavings in combination) and changing it very frequently during and after whelping. If you want your Great Dane bitch to be truly comfortable with her litter, it is important to find a bedding that she enjoys and to keep the whelping box squeaky clean! If you have ever been a grandparent to a litter of Great Dane puppies, you will appreciate the amount of dedication and commitment keeping up with a bitch and her litter’s needs entails! Seeing a happy, relaxed mommy serenely nursing her puppies makes it all worthwhile!
Byline:
Article by Gale Renz.
Gale Renz is a great dane lover and professional qualified Great
Dane Breeder and owner / founder of dynamitedanes.com
Please include the above byline with direct html as well as our author name and credit if publishing this article.
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