FAQs
Do you have a waiting list?
I do not have a waiting list. Instead, I have an email “Interest List” that comes from the puppy inquiry form. Once I have received an inquiry, I will contact the interested individual and arrange a phone interview. Puppies are never sold first-come, first-served, we carefully place puppies in homes that match their personality, we try to pick the appropriate environment for them to thrive. We spend a lot of time with our new puppy families and are committed to them for the lifetime of their puppy. If you would like to receive updates or be placed on our "interest list", please fill out the puppy inquiry form, the link to that form can be found at the top of each page of this web site.
How does an interest list work?
I will notify by email:
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When we have a planned breeding
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When we have confirmed pregnancy by ultrasound
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When we have x-rayed for a puppy count.
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When we have whelped the litter, and have a breakdown of sex.
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When I am ready to start the interview process.
What happens after the litter arrives?
Once the puppies arrive and I know the sex breakdown, I will ask if you are interested in a puppy from THIS litter. If you are not ready for a puppy from the current litter…maybe the sex of the puppy you want isn't available, timing isn't right, finances aren't right, or for whatever reason, then I will leave you on the Interest List and you will get information on the next breeding we have. Your email is never shared with anyone.
I’m ready for a puppy from this litter, what’s next?
If you are ready for a puppy from the current litter, I will then reach out to interested parties via email and phone calls in order for us to get to know each other. If we feel we are a good fit I will then place you in a NEW LITTER Facebook group (if you do not have Facebook, I can update via email). This group will receive weekly updates on the current litter including photos and details of all that we are doing rearing the litter to help ensure that when they are ready for their new homes, they are happy, healthy well-socialized well-adjusted puppies. Once home and reference checks are complete I will let you know that you are conditionally approved for a Harmoni Great Dane puppy. I must receive a reply within 48 hours with your intent to purchase a puppy or I will move to the next person on my Interest List. Please understand that until a specific puppy is assigned to your family and a contract is signed, I reserve the right to not place a puppy with anyone.
When can I pick my puppy?
We breed Great Danes because we show Great Danes, and so we are we breeding for very specific traits and characteristics in the puppies as outlined in the Great Dane Standard. Many of these specific traits and characteristics cannot be evaluated until the puppies are older, therefore, we do not decide on which puppy or puppies we are keeping until they are at least 7-8 weeks old. While I understand this is very hard for families who just want to know “which puppy is ours” we will not 'assign' any puppies until after we have decided on which will be kept for showing and breeding.
What is a breed standard?
The Great Dane Club of America and the AKC consider a breed standard to be…” a breeder’s “blueprint” and the instrument used by dog show judges to evaluate the breeder’s work.” A breed standard is a set of guidelines that are used to ensure that the animals produced by a breeder conform to the specifics of the standardized breed. Breed standards are written by breed clubs to reflect the ideal structure of the dog for use or purpose of the species and breed of the animal; these standards help to provide goals for breeders in improving stock. In essence, a breed standard is a blueprint for an animal to evaluate its fit for the function and purpose it was bred for.
So now can I pick my puppy?
Once we have decided which puppies we are keeping, we will begin placing those remaining in show and companion homes based on the puppy's conformation, personality, and family dynamics. The families waiting for show prospects are looking for specific characteristics and traits, so we will work with them to place show puppies first. We will then place puppies for companion, therapy, and performance homes based on each individual puppy's personality; we don't want you to struggle with your new puppy because of a mismatch in personality.
What we provide with every puppy:
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AKC Registration
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Microchip
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Health Clearance from Veterinarian.
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Vaccination and worming schedule
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A starter supply of your puppy's food
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Harmoni tote bag with an assortment of some of our favorite dog items.
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Ear care and posting supply kit.
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Lifetime Breeder Support
Ear cropping:
All Harmoni Great Dane's ears are cropped unless otherwise requested to leave natural; these puppies will be cropped by Dr .Anne Midgarden, a veterinarian who specializes in the procedure. There is a great deal of aftercare involved, not just from the procedure, but also in the weekly postings that are required to train the cartilage in the ears to “stand.” These every 3-5 day postings can take from 6 to12 months or longer to get the ears to stand; the length of time needed for posting depends on the puppy's ear leather and the skill, dedication, and fastidiousness of the owner. Cropping is a $500 addition to the cost of a puppy.
It is important that a buyer commit to posting as long as is necessary usually 6-12 months, but possibly longer! If you are not confident about making this commitment let me know as soon as you have made that decision.
As a reminder, all puppies are scheduled to be cropped unless specifically excluded under mutual agreement.
How do I get my puppy home?
If you live within 4 hours from our home, we will come to you, this allows us to spend time with you without distraction to go over all the things that we need to, and it gives the puppy some time to acclimate to its surroundings with us there. This method makes the transition to the new home easiest on the puppy, they lay down to sleep and we leave them in their newly acclimated space. If you live >5 hours from us, we will set up a time to meet at a hotel location where we can do the same. It gives us a chance to meet you, review the contract in person and discuss your puppy's care and ear posting protocol. We do not ship puppies via air travel at this time.
What happens after my puppy comes home?
Know that every puppy that leaves our home is forever still a “Harmoni puppy.” I am available to my families who have our puppies 24/7 for the lifetime of the puppy. You aren’t just purchasing a puppy from me, you are in fact joining my Dane family. In your go-home bag I will include helpful information on what your puppy's first few days and weeks should be like, and how you can help your puppy continue to develop into a calm, confident dog as it matures.
What is puppy culture and why would I need it?
Puppy Culture is a program for rearing, socializing, and training puppies from birth to 12 weeks old. We have used it with our past two litters and loved the results. This program starts before the puppy is even born and goes week by week to 12 weeks old. We feel that this program lays a solid foundation for emotional stability and learning, we want you puppy parents to continue following through with training and socialization! Once approved for a puppy, we will email you a link to purchase: PUPPY CULTURE: THE ORIGINAL FILM and suggest you follow along with us each week so you may continue the enrichment training we have started when your puppy goes home.