A Little Bit About . . . Sierra Great Danes

About Margaret ~

I have owned dogs for over 20 years and love surrounding myself with them. At the age of 12, I began studying and researching dog breeding because I knew it was something I wanted to do. Part of my study was working in a grooming salon & boarding kennel in which I was able to whelp a litter of pups one Christmas day. The kennel owner was a poodle breeder who was also quite successful in the ring. I learned so much back then, working closely with vets and animal shelters, my own dogs, too. My first litter came at age 24 to a beautiful Gordon Setter. We had a fantastic bond ~ on Mother’s Day, she curled up on my back (I was sleeping on the couch) and began the miracle of birth—yuk!

I love both the sporting and working groups, and it was a tough decision to decide which breed to whom I would commit. In the mid-1980’s, I fell in love with Great Danes and German Shorthaired Pointers, both of whom I show today. Because this is my dream, I have been extremely selective on my entire breeding program, doing everything I can in the best interest of the breed. As one who contributes to the population of the breed, I also believe in supporting the breed’s rescue.

My husband, Tony, and I live in the historic coastal town Southport, North Carolina with our six dogs. I am a Marketing Director for a "people" hospital and Tony is Code Enforcement & Animal Control Officer for the Town of Long Beach. We’ve been married for just over three years and are looking forward to the "pitter-patter" of lots of little feet ~ DANE feet, that is!

Our Philosophy ~

A dog is "For Show, For Love, For Life!" It is our mission to breed a structurally sound, good-tempered dog as defined by the AKC breed standards who will place his hallmark on the breed.

Our Breeding Program ~

We are line-breeding our beautiful foundation bitch to an incredible dog who is very correct and has much to offer the breed. The puppies will come from decades of producers who have contributed to the natural elegance of the breed. We have just designed a picture pedigree which illustrates their mark on the breed’s heritage. The bitch has been screened from puppyhood to ensure that she is the best candidate to carry the "Sierra" name. We studied just the line alone for SIX years before even selecting a bitch who would preserve the standards of the Great Dane in the future! Both the sire and dam have been genetically screened to be clear of hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and Von Willebrands disease. No animal will be bred in our program that carries a known genetic disorder.

Our Mentors, Our Friends ~

"Sierra" comes from the Nuttree line of Great Danes. Janie & Mel Pronto have been breeding danes since the mid-70’s. I met them when I was searching for a male dane with whom I could learn to show. They introduced me to one of their pups, Nuttree’s Commanche (Cody), and I fell in love instantly. I knew they had to be really special people to have such a sweet puppy. Since that first day in 1992, the Pronto’s have been my mentors, my friends, and my extended family. I am grateful to all the support, guidance, and help they have given me, and I know we will make them proud when we bring that first pup into the world who will carry on their line.