Finding good Great Dane Breeders isn’t difficult when you know what to look for. A reputable breeder is one who is committed to preserving the breed standard and breeding healthy Danes with strong pedigrees.
It is imperative that you find conscientious Great Dane breeders. The Great Dane is not long lived, as it is prone to many genetic defects such as hip dysplasia, tumors, bloat and heart disease. All of these health problems are partially due to their size and because of irresponsible breeding. Thus, if you really want a Great Dane, it is essential that you go to great lengths to find a breeder that has the breed’s best interest in mind.
One of the best ways to find out if the Great Dane Breeders you are interested in love and wish to preserver the breed is to find out if the breeder is registered with the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals).
Who are the OFA? The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals is an organization that has been around for 40 years, and their goal is to improve the health of animals by establishing control programs that will lower the occurrence of orthopedic and genetic disease in animals. Their goal is also to further the research of such diseases.
You will find that even if the breeder you choose isn’t registered with the OFA, you can still register your Dane with them.
Why would you want to register with the OFA? The purpose of registering is to have your dog tested for genetic diseases in order to help the OFA on their quest to find cures for these illnesses and prevent them from occurring in future breeds.
Reputable Great Dane breeders and the OFA are committed to improving the health and well being of Great Danes. You can be apart of their great mission. If you would like to learn more about the OFA you can visit them at OFA.org.