We make every attempt to OFA Health Test all of Our Dogs and co-owned dogs.         We co-own all of our puppies and one (of the many) reasons for this is to ensure that all of our puppies are fully ofa health tested.

www.offa.org

We Have all of the Health Certificates on File

 It is suggested by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, that OFA Health Tests for Great Danes begin at the age of 12 months.  Hip x-rays are preliminary only, under the age of 2, and a CHIC # cannot be awarded until after 2.

 Please Click on This Link to See OFA Health Testing

Many of our puppies that we bred are too young to health test, or, we are in the process of completing the health testing as they become available

If any of our co-owners fail to OFA health test, then, In our opinions, they have not only breached their agreements with us, but the lack of health testing suggests that they might not truly care about the health & well-being of the dogs.

It is a shame when puppy owners lack integrity.

It is better for the breed as well as for the individual dogs to health test

Puppy buyers do not only need breeders that health test and love the breed and want to better it, but, also need breeders that are ethical and will tell the honest truth, regardless of the health testing results.  Without all of those important qualities; we would question the ethics, responsibility and credibility of the breeder.

     Neet Danes WILL pursue the health testing of all dogs that come from our breeding program.  We insist on it for both the show & companion puppies.  Any co-owners of our dogs who do not complete the OFA health testing are in clear violation of our contract (that they agreed to at the time of the co-ownership or we would NEVER have agreed to co-own with them or allow them to have a dog of ours or a dog we acquired).  We hope that if they attempt to acquire additional dogs, that the breeders do their research before letting them have a puppy.

We are always willing to assist our puppy owners with acquiring the health testing, so, there really is no excuse for it not being completed.

Health testing is important.  Below, is our Rationale:

     If only the Danes that are going to be bred are the ones health tested, and the companion siblings are not health tested, then the breeder loses the opportunity to learn if there are carriers of genetic diseases in the line.  For example:

     A show dog can be health tested with good results.  No evidence of any genetic disease such as Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), autoimmune thyroiditis, hip displaysia or cataracts.  Great!  However, one of the siblings could have one of the above genetic diseases.  If the sibling is not health tested, but DOES have a genetic disease, it would not be known until bad health begins to occur in the affected sibling.  Health testing the affected sibling would provide an opportunity for early treatment to the dog and either save its life or assist with making the dog more comfortable.  The show sibling that tested well, could in fact be a carrier of the same terrible genetic disease that the affected sibling had.  Testing the companion sibling and learning that the dog is affected might assist a breeder in making better breeding decisions. Because, if the show dog IS a carrier, then the breeder might reconsider breeding the show dog. The offspring could possibly be affected and the puppies could have tremendous health issues and could potentially die.  Only by testing the siblings would this type of important information be made available to the breeder and this is one way to breed better, healthier dogs. It also saves heartbreak for potential puppy owners.

We care about the health of our breed

Please only contact us for a puppy if you care about the breed and are willing to comply with the OFA Health Testing in our Contract.  If you are not willing to complete health testing (with our assistance if needed), then there are plenty of irresponsible breeders out there that will let you have one of their puppies instead.  We love our puppy co-owners and they love their puppies... truly forever homes.

Thank You for Your Interest in Our Puppies.

We Look Forward to Meeting You