The Application Process
As a responsible breeder, I take the placement of puppies very seriously. I want to make sure every effort is made to make sure the puppy is getting into an appropriate home who is willing to make a lifetime commitment. I also want to know the home is on the same page as I am in regard to care and training philosophies and will provide the puppy with the life I want him to live; that of a much-loved canine companion. I feel my application process, along with my screening and home visits, places puppies into homes where they will remain for their entire life. Because I am careful to determine if a Dane and a home are a good fit, I have very few breeder returns. (And it goes without saying, if you purchase a dog from me and cannot keep it at any point in his or her life, they are to be returned to me and never taken to a shelter or rescue.)
I work off an application process, so to be on my list to get a puppy, one must fill out an application. An application can be obtained by emailing me; I do not put my applications on my website. If a person does not want to complete an application immediately, but wants to be advised of litter status, please email me to be on my new non-applicant email list. This list is also used to inform people of non-rescue adults that may become available from other breeders.
Once the application is received, it is reviewed and applicants will be notified of the status. If approved, it is done on a tentative basis, pending meeting the applicants in person and doing a home visit. If the home is out of the area, I frequently have a friend do the visit for me. Home visits are generally not done until the pregnancy is confirmed and a deposit has been received.
When pregnancy has been confirmed via ultrasound at between 21 to 28 days after the breeding I begin contacting approved applicants. While ultrasounds are not an exact science in determining numbers, it will give me a rough idea of litter size. At that point a $500.00 deposit is required to hold a puppy. In the event there is not an available puppy for some reason, deposits are refunded 100%. People wishing to place a deposit to hold a puppy are sent my complete deposit policies prior to receipt of the deposit. If references are needing regarding my handling of deposits, please let me know and I will provide them.
Once the litter is born, I have a very rough idea of what will be available based on sex and color. Grading between show and pet does not happen until between 6 to 7 weeks of age; so people may need to wait until that point to find out if a puppy is available to them. Again, if no puppy is available, the deposit is refunded or may be transferred to an upcoming litter.
Where a person stands in line depends on what they want as far as color, sex and grading (between show and companion), and when their deposit was sent. Home checks are done sometime between receipt of the deposit and prior to pick up date.
Cropped or uncropped, puppies can go into their new homes at 8 weeks of age. Except in very rare occasions, I require people to come to my house to pick up their puppy. When the puppy is picked up, a "puppy orientation" is done to make sure the new owner is clear on proper feeding, vet care and beginning puppy training.
A puppy application can be obtained by contacting me.
Puppy Purchasing Resources
I Only Want A Pet
Show-Bred pets for companion homes have huge advantages over casual unreliable breeders who only breed "pets".
Ian Dunbar eBook Before You Get Your Puppy
Ian Dunbar is a veterinarian and animal behaviorist who has written many books on dog behavior and training
Before You Buy A Dane
A Graphic created by Dane Outreach
Why Do Puppies Cost So Much?
Who knew how much money it costs breeders to produce a litter??? Find out in this very good article detailing the costs for responsible breeders producing healthy happy puppies.