Are you looking for a Dane that is not desexed?
We are often contacted by individuals who would like to breed their dog or are looking for a dog to breed, so we would like to cover this topic and where Rescue & Rehoming services generally stand, the following is written by NSW Great Dane Rescue.
Backyard breeders adding to the population
In Australia there are an estimated 100+ Backyard Breeders, over 200 Registered Breeders of Great Danes and then an unknown total of Great Dane owners with undesexed dogs that from time to time allow their dogs to add to the Great Dane population.
Backyard Breeders pose a problem to any breed re-homing service, our previous research of Great Danes rehomed has indicated by state rescue co-ordinators that the majority of dogs rehomed came from Backyard Breeders or their history is unknown.
In Australia, our Great Dane Registered Breeders on the majority are responsible ethical breeders who responsibly find suitable homes for their puppies, provide life time support and will take dogs they have bred back where necessary.
Great Dane Rescue & Rehoming State Co-ordinators nationally assists in the rehoming of approx. 200 Great Danes per year, some states have a constant flow of Great Danes needing homes and in Rescue & Rehoming, it's the co-ordinator's job to prevent any dogs they assist in finding new homes in contributing to population - therefore desexing is required.
It's not just the numbers game either, it's the quality of dog that is being created in these mating's conducted by unregistered Breeders.
A Great Dane is a man-made Giant therefore, we don't need to add to the challenges the Giant breed already has.
If people breed with a Great Dane with:
• unsound conformation (bone structure)
• without Hip & Elbow Xray Scoring
• without Colour Doppler image (Heart Testing)
• without Thyroid Testing
Plus all conditions that you cannot test for that can be lurking in the genes such as:
• Temperament - weak nerves such as; soft, fearful, anxiety are a problem we are seeing more and more
• Skin problems, largely Atopic Allergies, Skin Barrier problems
• Wobblers
• DCM
• Eye problems such as Entropion
If people breed with dogs with such problems or without the knowledge that these problems are lurking in the genes then we can end up unsound and unhealthy Great Danes breaking the hearts of their owners and emptying their wallets.
Still not convinced?
Click here to see the costs associated with Breeding.
Click here to learn about what can and does go wrong with breeding, whelping & raising a litter.
How many Great Danes are bred every year? It's a hard figure to know with all the non-registered Breeders who contribute to the population, however we can show you how many puppies are bred by Registered Great Dane Breeders, click here
Myths about De-sexing
Reference: http://www.ingleburnvet.com.au/desexqst.htm
- It will change my pet's personality.
It won't. He/she should be just as smart, active and playful as before. Favourable behavioural changes can occur in regards to aggression, territorial and breeding behaviour, as previously discussed.
- My dog will gain weight.
The body may metabolise food at a reduced rate after desexing. Also, your pet will naturally stop growing at around 8-12 months of age. For both these reasons, you may need to feed your pet a bit less. Avoid overfeeding and there is no reason for your pet to be overweight.
- It's better to let her have one season or one litter first.
Wrong! Some people would still argue that it's better to let a dog or cat have her first season before being desexed. There is no reason to do this. Desexing before your pet has her first season has definite medical advantages, and is considered by most experts to be the best approach.
Some people want their dog/cat to have one litter before getting them desexed.
They want the "fun" of having puppies/kittens running around for a while. Of course this is your choice. But you need to consider the amount of work involved (and the potential costs, including microchips and vaccinations) before making this decision. Remember too that there is already an oversupply of puppies and kittens, and that some of the medical benefits of desexing are lost if you wait until after she's had a litter.
Some people believe that it helps the dog to mature emotionally if she is allowed to have a litter. In some cases, young dogs do mature quite quickly after having a litter of puppies. But really, to be fair on the dog, you shouldn't really be breeding her until she's 2-3 years old anyway. Having a litter any earlier is really trying to make her grow up too fast!
- Desexing is cruel, unnatural and will make my pet feel sexually deprived.
Some people (especially men!) just can't stand the thought of getting their "best friend" castrated. But it really isn't cruel and it won't make your pet feel deprived in any way.
In fact it may even relieve any existing sexual frustration.
As far as being "unnatural", it should be remembered that we're not talking about wild animals. Dogs and cats are bred to be our companions.
If we can accept that it's OK to keep them as pets, then surely the most responsible thing to do is to care for them in their role of companion as best we can. Desexing helps to keep our pets healthy and makes them better able to fit into our community and be the companions that we want them to be.
If you are looking for a Great Dane that is not-desexed then Rescue & Rehoming isn't the place you need to look :)
Please contact a Registered Breeder to purchase a puppy or adult dog, you may like to use the DOL database as your resource here
Please do not try to argue the point with us that we should give you an undesexed dog, it's an argument you won't win.
If you are adopting a Dane through a Rescue & Rehoming service you will not be able to keep the dog entire, if you do not wish for a Dane that is not physically mature to be desexed then you should purchase a Dane from a registered & ethical Breeder and not adopt through Rescue.
What to look for in a Breeder? Click here
Why you need to avoid Backyard Breeders Click here