Interview with Morning Star Great Danes

How did you first get involved in Great Danes?

I first fell in love with the Great Dane when I was little and spent the weekends during the summer at my parents beach house. There was a house that had these huge dog's that would be out playing in the yard all the time. I would always ride my bike by checking them out and it always amazed me how big they were yet seemed to be as gentle as anything. It wasn't until many years later,after becoming involved actively with Danes, that I got to meet that particular couple who lived in that house with the Danes and when I did I found out it was one of a very reputable breeder and judge. Needless to say from the time I saw those dog's I was hooked...and the rest, as they say, is history.

What was the most appealing part of Great Danes?

Once I really learned about the Great Dane as a breed, I was most taken by the fact that they have such a kind and gentle nature in the body of a HUGE dog. It is amazing to see how gentle they can be when needed, and they know when it is needed. My kids from the time they were infants, could do anything they wanted to my dog's and were never hurt in any way by the dog. They just understand that they were little and weren't trying to harm them. Even if you see they rough housing with an adult, the second a kid touches the toy their whole demeanor completely changes.

What were the drawbacks to the breed?

The largest drawback with the Danes is, of course, their size. Sometimes it can provide a challenage in smaller homes and when the food and vet bills come in. This is often why you see Danes in shelter's and rescues- because the owner's "didn't know they would get this big". This is why it is very important to educate potential buyers about the costs that a dog of this size can occur BEFORE they purchase a puppy. Cute and cuddly 15 lbs at 8 weeks turns into, though still cute, a very large 100+ lb dog in no time flat. Danes also have a shorter life span than smaller dogs. When looking for new dogs to purchase or to breed to, I look for dogs that have known histories of living longer lives hoping to pass on those genetic tendencies to be passed along.

Would you recommend Danes to the novice dog owner?

While they are known to be sweet and loving dog's. They do require a certain amount of ability to own strictly due to their size. It is one thing to have a 50 lb dog that you haven't bothered to teach manners to, it's another to have an 150 lb dog that doesn't have any manners. I would only recommended one to a novice owner if I have spent plenty of time talking to them and feel assured that they have the ability to handle the dog and that they are willing to do whatever it takes, training, socialization, walking/exercising, etc the dog, to have a well behaved socialized adult dog, starting from puppyhood.

What are the known problems in the breed?

The biggest issues with Great Danes is a few health issues. The main concerns with them is their hip and heart health. If the breeder you are talking to doesn't bother to have, at least, those checked out in their dogs I wouldn't even bother talking to them about their puppies. Generally they are know for their excellent temperaments so I would walk away from any Dane that does not show the 'typical' sweet and loving Dane attitiude.

What are you doing to help with those problems?

The biggest thing you can do is screen any dog you may use for breeding purposes, and if you find them-DO NOT BREED THEM! I also participate in any study I can find involving Danes. If by participating in these studies I can find ways to test, locate, or find disease in them I want to. The more things we can check for, the more things we can potentially eradicate from our breeding programs.

Sadly there are pet stores/backyard breeders nearly everywhere now, you do you get people to understand about the quality of your dogs compared to those?

I try to explain that I health and temperament screen my dogs before deciding to put them in a breeding program. By doing so I am trying to ensure that my dogs will produce the same in their litters. Therefore by purchasing a higher quality dog in the begining they will most likey have less health issues and problems as they mature and will most likely have a dog that lives a longer and healthier life.

What added problems are seen in the backyard bred/pet store dogs that are not in well bred dogs?

The biggest issues that those type's of breeders have is hip issues. These dogs also tend to have more heart and temperament problems . You will generally also so Danes who do not live quite as long as they possibly could.

Do you recommend your breed to people with children of all ages?

While I would have no issues with selling a puppy to a home with young children, I currently have a 9 year old step-son, a 3 year old son and a 8 month old son, buyers with children of young ages have to be made keenly aware of the inherent risks that owning a Dane can have. While an adult can easily be hurt accidentally by a Dane, a child can be ever more so. While I never would suggest anyone leave any dog alone in a room with a child, dogs the size of a Dane need very close and constant supervision when around children of any size. They can easily hurt a child merely just because they are big. I would not only speak to the owners at length about the risks and precautions of owning a Dane in a household with small children, I would also have to observe how parents and their young children interact when they and their children are around Danes before I will allow the sale of one to such a home.

What type of excercise schedule to you recommend for your Great Danes?

Great Danes are not overly active as a rule. Though each dog is an individual, owners must provide some time each day to exercise and training. They are smart dogs and their minds must be exercised as well as their bodies. I often find that working on training not only helps with their obedience but gives their minds a workout also.

What type of feeding do you recommend for Danes?

I feed a Giant breed puppy dry food until maturity, then adult dry food. For very young puppies i recommend 3 times a day, then going to 2 times a day for life.

When selling a puppy, how do you decide on the sale price?

Sale price is determined on the quality of the bitch and stud, ie if one or both are champions, pointed, etc.

What is your greatest expense with your dogs?

Food :) That and the health testing is a big cost but well worth it!

Would you recommend Danes to people with other animals?

yes, My Danes are raised with a bird and a cat. There is no reason why they can't be in homes with other pets, they simply have to be taught to respect them.

Would you recommend Great Danes to someone without a fenced in yard?

I would but am very cautious about it. I have lost two puppies who were in homes without fences, and one was a Dane breeder and one owned other dogs. I know that an injury can happen with or without fencing and it can happen to anyone.

What is the best way to keep a Danes coat looking great?

Danes are as I say 'wash and wear" They require very little grooming. Bathing when dirty, cleaning ears and trimming nails regularly is all they basically require.

When your dogs have finished with their show career and are no longer being bred, what do you do with them?

They are my pets, show dogs or not. I do not plan on ever re-homing a dog simply due to the fact that it is no longer showing or being breed.

What measures do you take to screen potential puppy buyers?

My potential buyers must fill out a questionnaire. After looking that over I spend time talking to them about my dogs, what they are looking for in a dog, anything on the questionnaire that 'pops' out at me or is a potential red flag item. I will also provide them with a copy of my contract before even looking at puppies so they have a chance to read it over and make a rational decision about me as a breeder also. If they see the puppies first, they all want one and would sign away their first born, etc. I want to make sure the owner's will follow up on their end as well. I require owners to provide me with yearly updates, including a picture, so I can 'keep an eye' on them and their growth, temperament, etc as well as the owners are taking proper care of them too. After all that if I feel they may be appropriate buyers I will invite them to meet my dogs and talk some more with them. If all feels good then they are

Anything else you would like to add?

I love this breed and as a breeder I want to do everything I can to breed healthy loving dogs who showcase the breed standard in all possible ways. Even if you don't buy a dog from me, I am willing to talk 'Dane'to anyone who owns them.

MorningStar Great Danes
Home of American/European bred, natural-eared Great Danes. If you want a healthy and happy dog bred in a family atmosphere contact me about my Danes and we will talk. From family companions, to agility performance, the show ring, and more my guys can do it all!
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