SierraDanes
Fawn & Brindle Great Danes
Meet my Great Danes
About Me
Since I was 7 years old,
I felt a passion for dogs, knowing someday I would become a breeder. Even at that age, I knew there was a right, responsible way to produce the best litter I could possibly breed.
When I was in my late 20s, I discovered the Great Dane. It would be this gentle giant with whom I’d focus my efforts. I spent six years researching this breed before ever producing my first Dane litter. Owning mutts and purebreds and four danes (a Sheenwater and three Nuttree Danes) before beginning my own line and learning about breeding Gordons would help build my knowledge on how to properly raise a giant breed.
Whenever I do breed, which is not often, I follow the Great Dane Club of America's Color Code of Ethics: breeding color-pure FAWN & BRINDLE DANES only.
Health, temperament, and structure are the goal of the SierraDanes' breeding program. If the three aren't there, I don't breed.
A commitment to the breed is also essential to build a reliable reputation among other Dane breeders across the country.
• HEALTH - SierraDanes screens for healthy hips, hearts, eyes, thyroid, and for the absence of vonWillebrands Disease. Danes with any known genetic health problem are eliminated from my Breeding Program. Studs' health results are publicly recorded online through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. To see Shadow's health certificates, click here to see his records on the OFA's site.
• TEMPERAMENT - Both parents must have an outstanding temperament to ensure the breed's reputation remains as loving and loyal as it is intended to be. This helps ensure you will get the finest quality companion or show prospect for your family. The pups are raised indoors with 24/7 care and appropriate socialization with people and other dogs in my family. Families are given resources to understand the natural social structure of a "pack" and are taught about the Alpha in the family.
• STRUCTURE - It's essential to study pedigrees from generations far beyond the typical three-gen pedigree to understand the structure that a particular lineage may produce. Using important visual tools such as the Great Dane Club of America's Illustrated Standard, current and past issues of breed magazines such as Daneworld and the now out-of-print Great Dane Reporter, researching the Nuttree's Ancestor's Index, visiting and videotaping dog shows for later playback, along with watching the American Kennel Club's Breed Video, breeders can learn so much about the functionality of muscles and bone assembly.
• COMMITMENT TO THE BREED - Any Dane selected for the SierraDanes Breeding Program will have to show its potential through a variety of ways. Health, temperament, structure are the resounding themes you will hear at SierraDanes. A good pedigree is important and so is the desired AKC championship title. But it goes beyond that... Can a dog produce his or her "Type"? What did the parents & grandparents produce? Did they have the health, temperament, & structure necessary for consistency? What health problems did other breeders face when using the chosen stud? So much research goes into planning each and every litter before the actual breeding takes place.
Since I was 7 years old,
I felt a passion for dogs, knowing someday I would become a breeder. Even at that age, I knew there was a right, responsible way to produce the best litter I could possibly breed.
When I was in my late 20s, I discovered the Great Dane. It would be this gentle giant with whom I’d focus my efforts. I spent six years researching this breed before ever producing my first Dane litter. Owning mutts and purebreds and four danes (a Sheenwater and three Nuttree Danes) before beginning my own line and learning about breeding Gordons would help build my knowledge on how to properly raise a giant breed.
Whenever I do breed, which is not often, I follow the Great Dane Club of America's Color Code of Ethics: breeding color-pure FAWN & BRINDLE DANES only.
Health, temperament, and structure are the goal of the SierraDanes' breeding program. If the three aren't there, I don't breed.
A commitment to the breed is also essential to build a reliable reputation among other Dane breeders across the country.
• HEALTH - SierraDanes screens for healthy hips, hearts, eyes, thyroid, and for the absence of vonWillebrands Disease. Danes with any known genetic health problem are eliminated from my Breeding Program. Studs' health results are publicly recorded online through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. To see Shadow's health certificates, click here to see his records on the OFA's site.
• TEMPERAMENT - Both parents must have an outstanding temperament to ensure the breed's reputation remains as loving and loyal as it is intended to be. This helps ensure you will get the finest quality companion or show prospect for your family. The pups are raised indoors with 24/7 care and appropriate socialization with people and other dogs in my family. Families are given resources to understand the natural social structure of a "pack" and are taught about the Alpha in the family.
• STRUCTURE - It's essential to study pedigrees from generations far beyond the typical three-gen pedigree to understand the structure that a particular lineage may produce. Using important visual tools such as the Great Dane Club of America's Illustrated Standard, current and past issues of breed magazines such as Daneworld and the now out-of-print Great Dane Reporter, researching the Nuttree's Ancestor's Index, visiting and videotaping dog shows for later playback, along with watching the American Kennel Club's Breed Video, breeders can learn so much about the functionality of muscles and bone assembly.
• COMMITMENT TO THE BREED - Any Dane selected for the SierraDanes Breeding Program will have to show its potential through a variety of ways. Health, temperament, structure are the resounding themes you will hear at SierraDanes. A good pedigree is important and so is the desired AKC championship title. But it goes beyond that... Can a dog produce his or her "Type"? What did the parents & grandparents produce? Did they have the health, temperament, & structure necessary for consistency? What health problems did other breeders face when using the chosen stud? So much research goes into planning each and every litter before the actual breeding takes place.
Shadow
Ch. Sierra-Starz Mountain Shadow
(see Shadow's page link to the left)
(see Shadow's page link to the left)
Shaun
Nuttree's O'Shaunessy v. Sierra
Shaun comes from the NUTTREE line of Great Danes. He's my fourth Great Dane from Janie & Mel. A tall brindle, Shaun is a beautiful boy with an amusing personality. He may look grumpy with his graying eyebrows, but is the sweetest, most loving boy who adores giving big hugs. As a youngster, Shaun learned to open doors - from the outside AND the inside. This can present a challenge if you forget to lock a door because he'll find a way to open it.
He is AKC pointed; however, he was neutered and now enjoys spending his days on the bed or playing with his gal-pal, Haley.
Haley
My youngest Great Dane, Haley is from the Starz line, which originated from Lagarada via Am/Can BIS BISS Ch. Lagarada Reach For The Starz, CGC, AOM Westminster 2002, Top 20 Winner - 2002 (Rocket).
She makes a perfect addition to my home as her grandfather, Rocket, was the father to my first litter with Sierra. She is not showing at the present time - the economy just isn't calling for her to be in the ring at the present - but she is a possible candidate for a breeding with Shadow when she matures and has her health check ups. This, of course, wouldn't be until 2012 or 2013. I have no other litters planned.
Shadow's sister and a breast cancer survivor, Rosie lived almost 11 years.
Nuttree's O'Shaunessy v. Sierra
Shaun comes from the NUTTREE line of Great Danes. He's my fourth Great Dane from Janie & Mel. A tall brindle, Shaun is a beautiful boy with an amusing personality. He may look grumpy with his graying eyebrows, but is the sweetest, most loving boy who adores giving big hugs. As a youngster, Shaun learned to open doors - from the outside AND the inside. This can present a challenge if you forget to lock a door because he'll find a way to open it.
He is AKC pointed; however, he was neutered and now enjoys spending his days on the bed or playing with his gal-pal, Haley.
Haley
Starz Haley's Comet v. Sierra
My youngest Great Dane, Haley is from the Starz line, which originated from Lagarada via Am/Can BIS BISS Ch. Lagarada Reach For The Starz, CGC, AOM Westminster 2002, Top 20 Winner - 2002 (Rocket).
She makes a perfect addition to my home as her grandfather, Rocket, was the father to my first litter with Sierra. She is not showing at the present time - the economy just isn't calling for her to be in the ring at the present - but she is a possible candidate for a breeding with Shadow when she matures and has her health check ups. This, of course, wouldn't be until 2012 or 2013. I have no other litters planned.
In Loving Memory... Rosie
August 1999 - March 2010
August 1999 - March 2010
Shadow's sister and a breast cancer survivor, Rosie lived almost 11 years.
