About Us

Jack and I have been involved (immersed is probably a better word!) in Danes Danes for our entire adult lives.  I began my Dane ownership in 1974 with the purchase of a pet puppy.  My husband, Jack, got his first Dane in the 1960’s.  Our love for the breed began with our first pets.  With time, experience and education we evolved into established, serious breeder-exhibitors of quality well-bred Great Danes.  We are fully committed and devoted to this wonderful and unique breed. Our active interest with Great Danes is more than a hobby with us.  It’s a life-style and responsibility we take very seriously.

Our canine activities include membership in the Great Dane Club of America, Great Dane Club of Western Washington, Willamette Valley Great Dane Club, Western Great Dane Club of British Columbia, and the Mount Baker Kennel Club.   I also have been teaching obedience  and handling classes since 1978.  Both Jack and I also professionally handle show dogs at AKC and CKC shows.

I am also the founder and one of the principals of Dane Outreach, a volunteer not-for-profit Great Dane rescue organization based in Washington State.  My experiences with rescue have enabled me to value the importance of both breeder and owner education and responsibility.

We both feel strongly that prospective Dane owners should spend time researching Great Danes before making an ownership commitment.  Education is very important to make sure this is the breed for you before you buy!  It is also very important to us to know you are making the correct choice and will be happy with your decision.

 

About Our Dogs

Besides being much-loved family companions, our Great Danes have been very successful in the conformation ring, in obedience competition, and as performance dogs.  We have the distinction of being one of the very few breeders in the Northwest who has bred multiple dogs with both AKC/CKC obedience and AKC/CKC Championship titles.  Dogs of our breeding have been Certified Therapy Dogs, visitation dogs, obtained tracking degrees, performed in Agility and Flyball, and obtained Canine Good Citizen titles.

Dogs of our breeding and/or ownership have also achieved Top Twenty, Honor Roll, and Top Producer status with the Great Dane Club of America.  “Troy”, pictured below, was the #5 Great Dane in the US for both 1999 and 2000.  He was also winner of the prestigious GDCA 2000 Top Twenty.


As both breeders and exhibitors, our dogs are very competitive in the conformation ring.  We have finished AKC Championship titles on approximately 22+ dogs of our breeding and CKC Championship titles on countless others.

We strive to breed a sound and healthy Great Dane that adheres to the GDCA’s Breed Standard.  Whether you want a conformation dog, performance dog, or family companion, you will be assured of a quality Great Dane who is a fine example of the breed.  Potential pet purchasers should keep in mind that a pet puppy from show parents is going to be a much nicer-looking animal than a “newspaper” puppy.  Our course it goes without saying that temperament, soundness and health are also foremost concerns in our breeding program.  We have an “up front” policy about health issues in our line; something you will not find in many other breeders.



About Our Breeding Stock

We take breeding very seriously.  We don’t breed “just to have puppies”.  Each breeding is planned carefully, with an eye to the future.  We strive to do breedings that will compliment both dogs and bring out their good points while diminishing faults.  Additionally, our stud dogs are used only on bitches whose owners have the same ideals we do.  We turn down way more bitches than we approve, as we feel the casual breeder does much harm to our breed.

We feel breed type, soundness, temperament and adherence to the breed standard are all crucial concerns in a breeding program.  We consider pre-breeding health testing of paramount importance.  All bitches used in our breeding programs are OFA certified hips and elbows, eyes CERF’d, OFA cardiac and thyroid tested.  We will gladly provided proof of such testing if requested.


How Our Puppies Are Raised

First and foremost, each litter is cherished and loved.  Puppies are house-raised in clean “interactive” surroundings.  This is very important, for many reasons.  It is your assurance that puppies have received around-the clock attention, care, and socialization from people knowledgable about the breed.

We feel the breeder has a responsibility to do as much as they can to prepare puppies for their transition into a new home.  Before they leave our house, they have become familiarized to house noises such as dishwashers, TV sounds and such.  Although we do not have children, we make every attempt to expose the puppies to them.  Our favorite event is taking a  litter to a friends daycare for a visit! 

At time of sale, your puppy has had it’s dewclaws removed, had vaccines and wormings as appropriate for its age, and has been micro-chipped.  Also, puppies are cropped prior to sale.  We will sell pet puppies uncropped, but not show puppies.

We will guarantee a healthy puppy at time of sale, guarantee temperament until 6 months of age, and guarantee against hip dysplasia and wobblers up to two years of age.  We have a concise and detailed sales contract and agreement.

We offer one of the best breeder support systems in the Northwest. Upon picking up your puppy, you will receive detailed care instructions, written medical records, and training information.  A puppy “orientation” is provided to make sure the new owner knows how to properly care for his new puppy.  Instruction includes ear after-care, nail trimming, routine grooming, housebreaking and beginning housemanners training.  We are also available to answer any questions you may have and help you deal with any problems that might arise.

Our Policies

A potential owner must meet certain criteria before being able to purchase a Dane from us.  First, we require the completion of a “pre-purchase puppy application” to be placed on our waiting list.  We require a securely-fenced yard and the dog must be maintained as a housepet and not an outside dog.  Attendance in a Puppy Kindergarten and obedience class is mandatory. Pets are sold only on non-breeding (spay/neuter) agreements.  The dog must be returned to us in the event the home can no longer keep it.  We may require references and a home visit.  For more details on what we require in a home, please contact us.

Litters and Prices

Our puppies are quality animals, exceptionally well-bred and cared-for.  We are respected and established breeders with a long and successful track record in the breed. 

Please visit the links below for current litter information, pricing, and additional policies.