PURCHASING A PUPPY - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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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 in the puppy section. I use that list to see the interest is puppies, and then I will contact the interested individuals and arrange a phone interview. I find that applications don't allow me to get to know the interested individuals enough to know if they seem like a fit for our family. Puppies are never sold first-come, first-served. We spend a lot of time with our new puppy families and are committed to them for the lifetime of their puppy. We carefully place puppies in homes that match their personality and need to ensure an appropriate environment to thrive. If you would like to receive updates or be placed on our "interest list", please fill out the puppy questionnaire. 

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HOW DOES THE INTEREST LIST WORK?  

I will notify by email:  

1. When we have a planned breeding  

2. When we have confirmed pregnancy by ultrasound  

3. When we have x-rayed for a puppy count.  

4. When we have whelped the litter, and have a breakdown of sex. 

5. When I am ready to start the application 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, but you won't receive any further updates for the current litter. Your email is never shared with anyone. 

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DECIDE I AM READY FOR THIS LITTER?  

If you are ready for a puppy from the current litter, I will then reach out to applicants 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 TriLa 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 Litter 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.  

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WHEN CAN I PICK MY PUPPY?  

Please understand that we breed Great Danes because we show Great Danes and are we are 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 the puppies are at least 7 weeks old. While I understand this is very hard for families who just want to know “which puppy is ours” we will not allow any puppies to be picked, placed, or promised until after we have decided on our keeper pick(s).  

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WHAT IS A BREED STANDARD?  

The AKC considers 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 use or purpose of the species and breed of the animal. Breed standards help define the ideal animal of a breed and 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. Great Dane  Club of America Standard: https://gdca.org/the-great-dane/illustrated-standard/ 

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SO NOW CAN I PICK MY PUPPY?  

Once we have picked our keeper puppy or puppies, you want to know how are the rest of the puppies placed? After the puppy's conformation and temperaments have been evaluated we will begin placing puppies in show and companion homes based on the puppy's conformation, personality, and family dynamics. Again,  the families waiting for show prospects are looking for specific characteristics and traits, we will work to place these puppies first and then will place the puppies for companion homes based on how that individual puppy's personality will fit with your family. All my previous families feel THEY HAVE their perfect Great Dane!  Please trust our process, you will not be disappointed! We don't want you to struggle with your new puppy because of a mismatch in personality. 

 

 WITH EVERY PURCHASE OF A PUPPY, WE DO THE FOLLOWING:   

• AKC Registration  

• Microchipped

• Health Clearance from Veterinarian.  

• 30-day Trupanion or AKC Health Insurance.  

• Vaccination and Worming schedule

• A supply of your puppy's kibble in a handy Travel Tote with travel dish. 

• TriLa Tote bag with an assortment of some of our favorite dog items.

• Ear Care and Posting Supply Kit.  

• 3-year Health Warranty - Details in my Contract. 

• Lifetime Breeder Support  

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WHAT ABOUT EAR CROPPING

All TriLa Great Dane's ears are cropped unless otherwise requested to leave natural. My puppies are cropped by a long-time Veterinarian who specializes in ear cropping.  Each puppy is thoroughly checked to make sure healthy and a good candidate for cropping but it is a surgical procedure, which always carries some risk. 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 5-7 day postings can take from 4 to 12 months or longer, depending on the puppy's ear leather, and also the skill, dedication, and fastidiousness of the person doing the posting.

 

YOU MUST BE COMMITTED TO EAR CARE/POSTING FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES THE EARS TO STAND.

I am always available to help you with ear posting questions. In our puppy portal, we have video clips,  photos, instructions, and links to all the supplies available.  

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SINCE I WANT A COMPANION PUPPY, WHY IS IT THE SAME PRICE  AS A SHOW PUPPY?  

We charge one price for all of our puppies because they are all raised and reared exactly the same! We put the same time, effort, and love into every puppy we breed. They come from the same parents that we have spent so much time and money on raising and health testing.  A companion puppy is really no different than a show-prospect puppy.  Usually, the only difference is the intention of the purchaser.  

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I HAVE NO PLANS TO SHOW/BREED, CAN I BUY A “SHOW PUPPY”  INSTEAD OF A “COMPANION?”  

Show prospects are placed in show homes, companion puppies are placed in companion homes. Other than the conformation for the show, the only thing that differentiates a puppy from being a show prospect or companion is the intention of the family purchasing them. As addressed in the question above, we have many puppies placed in companion homes who could have been shown and become champions, but that wasn’t the intent of the family. If there is a puppy that is a perfect fit for a home that does not want to show, and we feel that the puppy has the qualities that we are seeking, we will ask to be able to watch the puppy grow, and we will show the puppy at our own expense. This would involve the puppy leaving their home at about 4-5 months old to go to a training camp with their handlers, again at our expense. This can be spoken about more in detail over the phone.  

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HOW DO I GET MY PUPPY HOME?  

This has changed a bit based on our experiences. If you live within 4-5 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 want to as well as allow the puppy some time to acclimate to its surroundings with us there. We have found this to be the EASIEST transition for the puppy! They lay down to sleep and we leave them in their newly acclimated space. If you live >6 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.

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WHAT HAPPENS AFTER MY PUPPY COMES HOME?  

Please know that every puppy that leaves our home is forever still a “TriLa  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. Once you have been approved to the "TriLa Fam"  section of the website you will have access to an enormous amount of information on your new puppy.... complete with articles, tips/tricks, links to all of our favorite items, video tutorials, and much more!! You will also be added to my personal Facebook page as another way to easily reach me and share our love for our Great Danes. 

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WHAT IS PUPPY CULTURE AND WHY DO I NEED THE VIDEOS?  

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 have decided to use this for all of our litters and so as breeders, we feel that we are laying the foundation for emotional stability and learning and as puppy owners,  we want you 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.  

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I hope this list of questions and explanations was helpful. I am sure you still have other questions, and I am more than happy to answer them for you at any time.  

  

 Updated: 12/29/2023