We track the health and well-being of all of our own dogs as well as all of the puppies we produce. We ask all individuals who consider purchasing a puppy from us to keep in contact regarding any and all concerns. We are here to be a resource for you and your puppy / dog. We will NEVER abandon our clients.
All puppies come with age appropriate vaccinations and wormings. If you are interested in a naturally reared puppy, please notify us in advance, we will be happy to accomodate this request as our adults are naturally maintained.
HOD and Pano - these are painful conditions of the bones that occur during the rapid growth phase of puppyhood causing lameness and general malaise. By far HOD is the more serious one and can be deadly. Pano is usually self-limiting and may not need treatment. HOD stands for Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy. Pano is short for Panosteitis. CHD (Chronic Hip Dysplasia) - This is one everyone has heard of. Hip Dysplasia. OFA hip certification is certainly something every breeder should do but I just want to touch on a couple of things. OFA certification of the puppy's parent should not be considered a guarantee against a puppy coming down with CHD. Dysplasia has four major causes: 1) genetics 2) diet 3) over feeding and weight 4) too much exercise at a young age. This makes it possible for a dog out of non dysplastic lines to be able to develop dysplasia. A dog or bitch is evaluated at the age of 2 years and typically never again. Although it's unlikely that they will be dysplasia clear at 2 years of age and then develop it, they CAN develop CHD later in life with the owner never knowing the difference. Likewise you can have a certified dog or bitch whose offspring may come down with it due to the other causes listed. An evaluation is also at the mercy of the skill of the person reading the x-ray and the person who positions the dog for the x-ray. You can put more faith in the offspring of a certified dog but remember... It is not a 100% guarantee. Canine Cancer: Danes can suffer from a variety of cancers as do many other breeds of dogs as well as many mixed breed dogs. Bone cancer (osteosarcoma) and lymphoma appear to be the two forms of cancer most commonly seen in the Great Dane, and along with heart disease and bloat (GDV), cancer is a leading cause of death in Great Danes. Research into both types of cancer is ongoing and treatment options are improving every day. See The Genetics of Cancer CVI: Wobblers - is a result of pressure on the spinal cord in the neck region and results in a "drunken" gait & increasing instability. The congenital form of CVI in Danes usually presents in the first year and is a malformation of the cervical vertebrae thought to result from a combination of nutritional effects and inherited traits; it is considered a form of DOD (Developmental Osteodystrophy) along with such as OCD. A whiplash sort of traumatic injury to such long-necked dogs as Danes can and does occur in adult dogs and can also be referred to as "Wobblers" or CVI. Great Danes are considered at risk for both congenital & trauma induced "Wobblers." CVI stands for Cervical Vertebral Instability. Faulconbridge Contract: Puppies will be guaranteed against crippling hip dysphasia and elbow dysplasia for 24 months. (We feed our dogs/puppies Eagle Pack Holistic to help ensure best possible nutrition for fast growing puppies and healthy mature dogs.) This is extremely important for the dog’s growth and continued health. We recommend you feed a comparable holistic dog food for this guarantee to hold. At any time if you are unsure of a food to feed your puppy, we are available to consult on the appropriateness of any food you are considering. A Great Dane pup who spends much of his time in a crate will also not have the HD guarantee as proper exercise is equally important for proper growth and development. You must also take care not to overexert the puppy until it is fully developed between 2 and 3 years of age. If you don’t have the time to or money to properly care for your Great Dane don’t buy one. Companion puppies need to be spayed or neutered by 12 months per contract. You will receive the registration papers for your puppy once you provide us with proof from your Vet that your puppy has been altered. ******************************************************************************************************** ANNOUNCEMENT: A study at the University of Minnesota’s Veterinary Medical Center is recruiting owners and breeders of Great Dane dogs to participate in a DNA study designed to improve the health of the Great Dane and other dog breeds. Osteochondrosis (OC) is a developmental orthopedic disease that results in areas of cartilage that do not properly develop into bone. The abnormally thickened cartilage is prone to damage which can result in lameness, swelling of the joints, and osteoarthritis if fractured (a flap is formed, known as osteochondrosis dessicans, OCD). The Great Dane is considered a high risk breed for the development of OC. We at Faulconbridge Danes are pleased to announce that both of our Sires, Rukh and Castle will be contributing their DNA to help in this study.
At Faulconbridge Danes we try to manage everything in our control to produce stable-minded puppies, both in breeding and early socialization by the time that they leave our home. It is the buyer’s responsibility to continue this by taking the puppy to kindergarten and a second obedience class before eighteen months. This will help your puppy’s confidence and make him more socialized and well mannered. Remember a cute puppy is growing into a large powerful dog and needs to be well controlled.
