04/08/2024
How to make a great dane puppy. Thought I’d share the process.
First you have to find good subject dogs purchasing or raising from a litter. Our puppies now are 8th generation of our line, so go way back. Chester, Thor, Achilles, Ouranos or Cronus (brothers), Jupiter or Bella or Venus (½ siblings), Kash, Apollo or Artemis (twins), and the current litter. Conformation and temperament are chosen when we select a puppy to keep. That puppy was the result of taking care of his or her litter and raising them to about 18 months before breeding.
After the breeding, the expectant momma needs supplements and lots of food to make healthy puppies. It takes 9 weeks for her to make the puppies. The week before she’s due, she gets used to the whelping pen to feel safe and comfortable when the time comes.
The watch is on and we check her frequently. She usually gets restless and stops eating about 24 hours before she whelps. We are there during the entire time. Her water breaks - what a mess - then first puppy is born. They each are in a sack which we often must open so they can start to breathe. Sometimes we have to massage to get that first breath. There is lots - I mean LOTS - of liquid packing material with puppies and we can go through many towels and paper towel rolls before all is done.
We make sure all puppies suckle within 30 minutes and that momma is able to give baths - which helps their circulation, elimination and suckling. AND - there is constant observation that she doesn’t lay on a puppy as she takes care of the new one. One of us stays with her the entire time - and it’s often all through the night. It’s almost always all night long.
BUT it’s not over yet. Momma is very tired, but needs to change positions frequently. We are there when she gets up or lays down, as she may step on a puppy and injure or squish it as she gets up and down. Puppies get moved to the side to give her room to maneuver. The puppies are blind and deaf now - all they can do is smell momma. Often they squirm away from momma and get “lost” and cold. If they get cold away from momma, they can die. Also, they get very vocal and need help finding their way back to the pack and warmth of momma. This goes on for about 2 weeks and one of us is nearby to check on squeeking puppies or sounds of momma moving around 24/7. Momma is tired that first week as it’s a lot of work birthing and taking care of puppies. There is also after birth discharge which has to be cleaned up regularly. Quite a mess that requires attention to clean up.
At 10-14 days, the puppies open their eyes and now can hear. At 3 ½ weeks they are seeking momma’s dog food and are ready to go outside - weather permitting. At first, they make “messes” everywhere - which of course has to be cleaned up regularly, but little by little over the next week, they figure out the porch steps and learn to do their “business” on the dirt keeping the “nest” cleaner. All this time they are increasing their need for food. Momma is eating a lot as she’s still nursing. A lot of dog food gets turned into “used dog food” at this stage in the game.
People call about the puppies. Time is spent talking to each person. Less than 10% actually decide to come out. That visit usually takes about 2 hours. Yeah if they purchase. But, even after the last puppy is sold - you can’t just shut the door. Momma and daddy still need time for their care and money for their food for the rest of their lives.
When the puppies are being sold, we advertise and talk to people. Many people are just “shopping” and don’t follow through to purchase a puppy - but time is spent talking to them. Some folks make an appointment to come see the puppies. Life doesn’t let us sit by the phone and wait for calls. Things need to be done - as for most folks. We arrange our schedule to accommodate the puppy visit. Then - without a call, they don’t show up - and usually they don’t respond to any texting, phone calls or FB messages at this point. But - - - again it takes time away from other things we need to do. And, this just isn’t us - it’s a problem with all the breeders we have talked to. Folks can just be rude.
So, you an see that it is a very costly expense in time and actual money to raise a litter of puppies. When people try to cut down your asking price to the point there isn’t even enough to cover the actual costs to raise the litter - much less compensation for all the time required - it's hard. So, please consider all of this when you are looking for a puppy. Rescues are asking $450 to $600 for their rescue dogs who were in rescue for a reason. Breeders have perfect puppies with no issues. Think about it.
